first DEALERSHIP gig ... and NO THANKS!

[fredcandetail]

Soooo I got a call a few days ago from a guy who claimed he had a lot with a bunch of cars and was looking for a detailer as his regular guy had just walked out on him ... goo through all the rigamorow of what they want and what they pay and at first I thought " this might be an open door for potential other doors down the road" ... so I agree to drive 26 miles to do a full detail on a few Jeeps for $75 (engine, AIO, vacuum, interior and dress/jeeps were all vinyl throught so just some APC).... I figured how much work can detailing Jeeps be, right!
I get there see a few Jeeps, go around to inspect them and they all look pretty decent ... in the 90's little dirty, some stains I figured no sweat.
Well turns out the dusty stained ones where the vehicles the previous dealer had done and the 2 jeeps they needed hit today were in a diffeent bay ... WOW! these things had mud loaded all to the frame, carpet was muddy, engine bay was filthy OMG!
In good faith I tell the guy I will do this one for him as when he called he sounded as he was about to cry as his detailer walked out on him but I would not stick around to do the others as it was just not worth it .... Maybe its just the jeeps in general becuase i smile all day when doing a soccer moms van littered with mess and stains
My BAD i guess for not asking enough questions! <---- ROOKIE MISTAKE and Ive been detailing for years!
This experience has given me a better appreciation for my regulars with newer styled vehicles!

 

[Kristopher1129]

I hear that! I've had to turn down dealership accounts for that very same reason. Dealerships want you to do the most work for the least amount of money. They think just because they can offer you volume that you should work for pennies.

In reality, if they just offered to pay up...they would get the necessary steps their vehicles need. Then, they could sell them for more money.

I got no problem doing a $75 detail. But, it's gonna look like a $75 detail, ha. They want a $250 for $75. Nope.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

In reality, if they just offered to pay up...they would get the necessary steps their vehicles need. Then, they could sell them for more money.

If they thought that (and if it were true), dealers wouldn't be in the business of installing swirls, and they would train and pay their employees and subs to do the job properly. The reality is that 98% of customers wouldn't know a swirl if it bit them, which is why the dealers don't care and won't pay for proper correction.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

You were really getting screwed for $75 for that amount of work. I would have just laughed at the guy and left. Glad you didn't commit to doing more though.

 

[Kristopher1129]

If they thought that (and if it were true), dealers wouldn't be in the business of installing swirls, and they would train and pay their employees and subs to do the job properly. The reality is that 98% of customers wouldn't know a swirl if it bit them, which is why the dealers don't care and won't pay for proper correction.

Yeah that is true. But, even without a customer knowing what a swirl is...just the look of the paint alone would probably turn them off. They just wouldn't know it's because of the swirls. I don't think you have to know what a swirl is by definition to be able to physically see them.

I get customers all the time that bring their cars in and try to explain what it is they're seeing. I know they're swirls...but they don't. They just know something is wrong.

 

[mswerb]

I worked as a detailer at a few dealerships, and this is why I left. Managers at dealerships want the cars on the lot ASAP! If it's not on the lot, they can't sell it! I worked as a flat rate detailer for quite some time before coming to my senses. Doing a car in 3 hours(That's what it paid) is not going to get the job done right. I take pride in my work, and if a vehicle takes more time, that is what I'm going to do. I am not the type of person to bang out as many cars as possible in the least amount of time.
Don't feel bad about turning the guy down, Your pride is worth more than that.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I get customers all the time that bring their cars in and try to explain what it is they're seeing. I know they're swirls...but they don't. They just know something is wrong.

Yeah, but to the dealer, that car doesn't need to be corrected--it needs to be glazed! Why bother hiring an expensive detailer to correct that car (which will be swirled a week later when the proud new owner takes it through the tunnel wash--hey, it's new! gotta keep it clean!) when they can give it to their $8 lot jockey to glaze with a rotary and dirty pad in a half hour, and burn the trim while he's at it?

This was my last new car after I washed the glaze off:

BTW--I thought they were just swirls with maybe a few RIDS--I was wrong, those are just RIDS with a few swirls. Hey, I bought the car--and I checked it for paint condition--on an overcast day (last day of the sale)--guess what? Fillers work!

Since you have customers who come to you...most of them want to have their paint fixed. If you went into a supermarket parking lot, where 98% of the cars are all swirled up, and you tried to talk everyone there into a $250 correction detail, how many takers would you have? Probably about zero. The 2% of the cars in the lot with unswirled paint? That's your customer base.

 

[dad07]

Yeah, but to the dealer, that car doesn't need to be corrected--it needs to be glazed! Why bother hiring an expensive detailer to correct that car (which will be swirled a week later when the proud new owner takes it through the tunnel wash--hey, it's new! gotta keep it clean!) when they can give it to their $8 lot jockey to glaze with a rotary and dirty pad in a half hour, and burn the trim while he's at it?

This was my last new car after I washed the glaze off:

BTW--I thought they were just swirls with maybe a few RIDS--I was wrong, those are just RIDS with a few swirls. Hey, I bought the car--and I checked it for paint condition--on an overcast day (last day of the sale)--guess what? Fillers work!

Since you have customers who come to you...most of them want to have their paint fixed. If you went into a supermarket parking lot, where 98% of the cars are all swirled up, and you tried to talk everyone there into a $250 correction detail, how many takers would you have? Probably about zero. The 2% of the cars in the lot with unswirled paint? That's your customer base.

very good point! :xyxthumbs:

 

[ShaunD]

Good to know. I was trying to get on at a couple of dealerships to get some more experience and what have you, but they only want to pay $8/hr. Plus after hearing this I would never make the money I deserve for the detail I put into every vehicle I touch. I get anal retentive at time and can't leave "good enough" alone.
First pre-arranged, paid job (not just a friend/neighbor that tipped) I had a couple weeks ago was more than I bargained for. When I first looked at the car the inside was dirty but I didn't see all the crusty stains and dried crayon that had melted. I told her $120 for full interior cleaning and protectant, wash, and light polish and wax. Total time was supposed to be 7 hours. I spent 5hrs inside the car and I still wasn't satisfied. Needless to say, the outside only got a thorough washing and some meg QD. I told her to let me know when I could touch up the inside and do more for her on the outside but she hasn't gotten in touch yet. Think I should keep in touch to at least make the job complete?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Think I should keep in touch to at least make the job complete?

Did she pay you for the whole job? If yes, definitely keep in touch and finish the car--or your word of mouth advertising and ability to use her as a reference is gone.

There's been so many threads about dealers and their mindset (again, IMO their mindset is a correct one, you don't hear about anyone refusing their car on inspection for swirls, except detailing forum members), here's a recent one: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/31729-lexus-detailing.html

 

[ShaunD]

Yeah that is true. But, even without a customer knowing what a swirl is...just the look of the paint alone would probably turn them off. They just wouldn't know it's because of the swirls. I don't think you have to know what a swirl is by definition to be able to physically see them.

I get customers all the time that bring their cars in and try to explain what it is they're seeing. I know they're swirls...but they don't. They just know something is wrong.

You don't know what you don't know.

That is why when I bought my first new car I told the dealership not to detail it. Sure enough they had run a buffer over it, which is one reason I found AG.
The one dealership I picked up an application from the other had suv's with holograms on the front row so you could see them as soon as you drove in. I just said to myself, 'this place needs someone that knows what they are doing.' And I guess that works cheap too.lol

 

[dad07]

Did she pay you for the whole job? If yes, definitely keep in touch and finish the car--or your word of mouth advertising and ability to use her as a reference is gone.

There's been so many threads about dealers and their mindset (again, IMO their mindset is a correct one, you don't hear about anyone refusing their car on inspection for swirls, except detailing forum members), here's a recent one: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/31729-lexus-detailing.html

I'm not really getting your point here? with the link.

 

[Kristopher1129]

Yeah, but to the dealer, that car doesn't need to be corrected--it needs to be glazed! Why bother hiring an expensive detailer to correct that car (which will be swirled a week later when the proud new owner takes it through the tunnel wash--hey, it's new! gotta keep it clean!) when they can give it to their $8 lot jockey to glaze with a rotary and dirty pad in a half hour, and burn the trim while he's at it?

This was my last new car after I washed the glaze off:


BTW--I thought they were just swirls with maybe a few RIDS--I was wrong, those are just RIDS with a few swirls. Hey, I bought the car--and I checked it for paint condition--on an overcast day (last day of the sale)--guess what? Fillers work!

Since you have customers who come to you...most of them want to have their paint fixed. If you went into a supermarket parking lot, where 98% of the cars are all swirled up, and you tried to talk everyone there into a $250 correction detail, how many takers would you have? Probably about zero. The 2% of the cars in the lot with unswirled paint? That's your customer base.

yeah, I get that. But, you're missing what I said. They'll pay a guy $75 to detail a vehicle. But, when a professional comes through the door. They'll only give him the same $75. BUT, they want you're professional job.

That was my main reason for having to cut out the dealerships. They always wanted more. The more they found out that I can do...the more they wanted. But they won't dish out more cash. They just take, take, take. AND they want it done yesterday.

I wasn't saying that they feel it's necessary for full paint correction. What I'm saying is, that if they know you can do it...all the sudden they want it. But for the same price. They're selfish about it. I don't blame them...cause I get their position. But, it's my choice to do business that way...or not. I choose not to. :cheers:

 

[Grizzly]

On lighter colors,

Who cares if the paint is swirled up.

As long as its clean, clear, glossy, and shiny.

As for darker colors,

Its going to have mild to moderate marring in its life if its a daily driver. As long as the paint is clear, glossy, and is 30 - 40% corrected it will look fine.

And we are talking about used vehicles I hope.

As for brand new ones,

All the dealerships here are virtually defect free.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Congratulations on your hands on expierence dealing with a Used Car Dealer

Those guys are nuttier then a porta potty @ a peanut eating convention

 

[fredcandetail]

Congratulations on your hands on expierence dealing with a Used Car Dealer

Those guys are nuttier then a porta potty @ a peanut eating convention

"HANDS ON" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I was so excited when I got the call and even up to the drive out there only to be slapped in the face with the crappiest car out there was literally a slap in the face...
Reminds me of a time when I was younger and cutting grass and I would get called to cut the grass when it was knee high never ankle high! Looking back I oughtta go slap that ole man! LOL:bash:

 

[GaDetailDoc]

The goal is to keep working. While doing work for a dealer may not pay, you are really hoping for some good referrals. unfortunately, they are far and few in between. Word of mouth, volunteer work and building a referral program will help tremendously.