How to approach customers with Exotic cars?

shoeless89

shoeless89

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Hey guys, so here's my question. Where I live there is one guy who has a Blue Ferrari F430, another guys who has a Blue Ferrari 458 Italia and another guys who has a Green Lamborghini Gallardo. I've seen them in the drive way a lot and seen them driving them around. I really want to get 'in' with these customers but how? Really soon, I'll have brochures, stationary materials, envelopes, shirts, business cards, etc. all with matching logos. I think it'll look really professional. How should I approach these guys? Should I look at their address and mail them something? I would feel weird just knocking on their door but should I do that? Also I'm only 22. I know I'm capable of doing a good job but I feel like some people aren't comfortable handing their super expensive cars over to "some kid". If anyone has any input that would be awesome! Thanks guys!
 
I would approach them casually, like if they were outside with the car. Then introduce yourself and talk about the car, ask if you can see the inside and such. Don't jump right into a sales pitch. Just a friendly casual conversation, then maybe ask who maintains the car and end with a line like "I clean cars (on the side, as a hobby, etc.) and would love a chance to help you out some time as a learning experience for myself". If you have a card then leave it so they can contact you if they are interested, don't be pushy. Be polite. I'm sure you will get better responses from people who work on exotics, that's just my stance since I don't see these types of cars. :)
 
what are you driving? Above all have your car as clean as possible. You can't expect to pull up with dirty van and have these people give you a chance.
just my opinion. :props:
 
mark58 said:
what are you driving? Above all have your car as clean as possible. You can't expect to pull up with dirty van and have these people give you a chance.
just my opinion. :props:
Click to expand...

2007 Toyota Corolla CE . . . its a BEAST lol
 
rwright said:
I would approach them casually, like if they were outside with the car. Then introduce yourself and talk about the car, ask if you can see the inside and such. Don't jump right into a sales pitch. Just a friendly casual conversation, then maybe ask who maintains the car and end with a line like "I clean cars (on the side, as a hobby, etc.) and would love a chance to help you out some time as a learning experience for myself". If you have a card then leave it so they can contact you if they are interested, don't be pushy. Be polite. I'm sure you will get better responses from people who work on exotics, that's just my stance since I don't see these types of cars. :)
Click to expand...

I'd be careful about saying "...as a learning experience for myself..." as I would want someone who knows what they're doing working on my paint, not someone looking for a learning experience.

Otherwise, create a rapport with them. Show them you're genuinely interested in their car, ask questions, as people that own these types or cars generally like to talk about them. Then slowly lead into that you own a detailing company...but whatever you do, don't sound desperate for them to give you a chance. Don't think these people are giving anyone a "chance" when it comes to anything involving their precious vehicle. Also, be careful not to insult the current condition of the vehicle, as you don't want to end up insulting the potential client if they are the ones currently maintaining it. But if they ask you to tell them what you would do, inspect the car and let them know.
 
Whatever you do don't go rattling their door

You say you see them all the time in your driveway? This must mean you live close by? I would mail them a brochure along with a hand written personal note explaining you live in the area and would "love" the oppurtunity to work on such an incredible car!

I would also keep your brochures/business cards in your car in case you run into them somewhere while you out running around

Be humble yet confident
 
Exotics are almost all I do nowadays and I NEVER approach these customers... However, it did not start out that way. I detailed almost every jalopie (Urban Dictionary: jalopie) in town. I had one customer that had a rather nice Escape I had detailed on several occasions. Very nice guy, lived in my neighborhood and tipped me every time. One day he called me up long before he was do for a touch-up and wanted me to come over to look at another vehicle he had... Well, it was a 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster. Guard red, beautiful car. Had been to the Concours D'Elegance as well as several other shows. Anyway... I wound up doing the Jag for him and he was so impressed at my attention to detail, he gave my business cards to some of his friends and I just kept getting calls from these other people to detail their high-end cars.

I don't think anyone can really "start out" focusing on high-end or exotic cars unless you have an impeccable reputation. Just do good work and the money will follow. If I can emphasize anything, ALWAYS WORK ON YOUR REPUTATION.
 
best advice is watch him for a week and see what time he goes to work and comes home... and when he is not home wash his car for him...he will come home surprised his car is shiny and clean that he will wonder what happen...don't tell him you did it but keep doing this for a year, then after that tell him it was you who has been cleaning his car, so he will know that you are awesome
 
rock012345 said:
best advice is watch him for a week and see what time he goes to work and comes home... and when he is not home wash his car for him...he will come home surprised his car is shiny and clean that he will wonder what happen...don't tell him you did it but keep doing this for a year, then after that tell him it was you who has been cleaning his car, so he will know that you are awesome
Click to expand...

If there was a LIKE button, I would've hit it! :props:
 
rock012345 said:
best advice is watch him for a week and see what time he goes to work and comes home... and when he is not home wash his car for him...he will come home surprised his car is shiny and clean that he will wonder what happen...don't tell him you did it but keep doing this for a year, then after that tell him it was you who has been cleaning his car, so he will know that you are awesome
Click to expand...
Then charge him in arrears.
 
As Obsessive said continue doing the work you do. Eventually you'll come along someone who is looking to test out a new detailer. They may have you start out with their family sedan. From there if they like your attention to detail and work ethic they may give you the chance on what ever special interest car they have.

This is how I've gotten some of the more special interest cars. I still don't get the Lambo's or Ferrari's. I tend to get more older muscle cars, or classic cars. Which is honestly OK by me. I'd have no problem working on a Lambo and definitely look forward to working on a rare car like that but my interest has always been classic cars and old school muscle cars!
 
From what I've 'seen' of you here on AGO: You are a very nice guy...And sounds like you live in a very nice neighborhood...In my viewpoint---affluent. (I keep forgetting about Union, KY. being considered a "Cincinnati, OH. suburb".)

I sense that you are hesitant in approaching the exotic vehicle owners....Remember: They put their Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Ricci trousers on: One mens-hosiery-gartered-leg at a time, like we do; and, don't be intimidated by their Crisci, New&Lingwoods, and Berluti footwear, if the case may be.

Who knows, they may even be mortgaged to the hilt. More on that later on.

-Following are some strategies (some may even be considered theoretical) from an obscure marketing class, taught by an obscure professor, from my College days of yore.


-Instead of focusing on what you perceive an Exotic Vehicle Owner to be...
Focus on what they perceive themselves to be. Their psyche, if you will.
That will enable you tailor your "message", followed by "advertisements"....targeted to this specific market segment.

Note:
Message: Introduction; 'small-talk'; showing 'appreciation' of their choice of vehicles; etc.
Advertisements:Your persona/"businessmanship"; your personal appearance/hygiene; your personal vehicle's appearance; having Business cards/flyers; Portfolio of past projects; etc.

-Just as demographics focus is on age groups; and, sociographics focuses on groupings by social status; there is,if I remember correctly, another distinct graphics-grouping: a particular grouping of people by their psychological profiles: psycho-graphics.
-Why not study a person's psychological characteristics and see what psycho-group they belong; see how that grouping determines their purchasing habits; and, how it differs from people in other psycho-graphic groups?
-This is where the precise tailoring for your: "Message and Advertisements"...may well be forged.


-As performed purely as an exercise...Let's become a "profiler"!

-I would say that an Exotic vehicle owner would be either an: Achiever (even an Overachiever); or, an Emulator.

-The Achiever/Overachiever would be in a group that may be comprised of persons involved, at different stages/levels in various business communities. Their goal would be attaining power and wealth, and striving all the time to do so. Workaholics.
-They are individualistic. Despise being part of a "group".
-They try to set themselves apart from the rest of the World; purchase top-of-the-line products, the latest techno-products, trying their best to have: Anything their neighbor doesn't have...Perhaps what their neighbors can't afford.

-If you want to converse to, and acquire Achievers as customers:

-Try to keep conversations 'short and sweet'...Their attention span is usually only seconds long.
-Talk about their individuality (their righteous-looking vehicle/who maintains their vehicle's 'look').
-Be innovative (show your portfolio, no mention of 'tried and true' detailing methods, though).
-Talk to them of power, money, profit (best-looking exotic on the block; the cost...money/profiting of obtaining that prestigious position.)

-Don't bring up anything about world problems, community activism, social consciousness...They usually don't have time for that!!

Then there's the Emulator.

-An Emulator wants to be an Achiever.
They want what the Achievers have, and will try their best to "keep up with the Joneses".
-Their goal is acceptance among their peers.
-They are frequently not financially stable, but will purchase flashy, expensive items, but not to the same level of expense as an Achiever.
-This motivation lies in their belief that they will achieve popularity within their psycho-group...even though they will still have low self-esteem.

-Trying to converse with, and obtain them as customers will require:

-Your assurance that what you are marketing to them will transform them into being as their idols (Achievers) are...such as what's listed above.
-They will be all ears, taking the time to listen to your "message and advertisements".

-Don't talk to them about how proud they should be with what they already have, how good their vehicles already look.
-Tell them upfront what you can do to make them and their vehicles better...Like an Achiever's successes...Successes that will vault them above, and beyond their current: "Wannabe" status.

-(Some "tailoring" may be required to meet your neighborhood's vehicle owners psycho-grouping, if it's applicable, that is.)

-Just some things I thought might be of interest for you to think about. I realize your sentiments may not be the same.


:)

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
From what I've 'seen' of you here on AGO: You are a very nice guy...And sounds like you live in a very nice neighborhood...In my viewpoint---affluent. (I keep forgetting about Union, KY. being considered a "Cincinnati, OH. suburb".)

I sense that you are hesitant in approaching the exotic vehicle owners....Remember: They put their Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Ricci trousers on: One mens-hosiery-gartered-leg at a time, like we do; and, don't be intimidated by their Crisci, New&Lingwoods, and Berluti footwear, if the case may be.

Who knows, they may even be mortgaged to the hilt. More on that later on.

-Following are some strategies (some may even be considered theoretical) from an obscure marketing class, taught by an obscure professor, from my College days of yore.


-Instead of focusing on what you perceive an Exotic Vehicle Owner to be...
Focus on what they perceive themselves to be. Their psyche, if you will.
That will enable you tailor your "message", followed by "advertisements"....targeted to this specific market segment.

Note:
Message: Introduction; 'small-talk'; showing 'appreciation' of their choice of vehicles; etc.
Advertisements:Your persona/"businessmanship"; your personal appearance/hygiene; your personal vehicle's appearance; having Business cards/flyers; Portfolio of past projects; etc.

-Just as demographics focus is on age groups; and, sociographics focuses on groupings by social status; there is,if I remember correctly, another distinct graphics-grouping: a particular grouping of people by their psychological profiles: psycho-graphics.
-Why not study a person's psychological characteristics and see what psycho-group they belong; see how that grouping determines their purchasing habits; and, how it differs from people in other psycho-graphic groups?
-This is where the precise tailoring for your: "Message and Advertisements"...may well be forged.


-As performed purely as an exercise...Let's become a "profiler"!

-I would say that an Exotic vehicle owner would be either an: Achiever (even an Overachiever); or, an Emulator.

-The Achiever/Overachiever would be in a group that may be comprised of persons involved, at different stages/levels in various business communities. Their goal would be attaining power and wealth, and striving all the time to do so. Workaholics.
-They are individualistic. Despise being part of a "group".
-They try to set themselves apart from the rest of the World; purchase top-of-the-line products, the latest techno-products, trying their best to have: Anything their neighbor doesn't have...Perhaps what their neighbors can't afford.

-If you want to converse to, and acquire Achievers as customers:

-Try to keep conversations 'short and sweet'...Their attention span is usually only seconds long.
-Talk about their individuality (their righteous-looking vehicle/who maintains their vehicle's 'look').
-Be innovative (show your portfolio, no mention of 'tried and true' detailing methods, though).
-Talk to them of power, money, profit (best-looking exotic on the block; the cost...money/profiting of obtaining that prestigious position.)

-Don't bring up anything about world problems, community activism, social consciousness...They usually don't have time for that!!

Then there's the Emulator.

-An Emulator wants to be an Achiever.
They want what the Achievers have, and will try their best to "keep up with the Joneses".
-Their goal is acceptance among their peers.
-They are frequently not financially stable, but will purchase flashy, expensive items, but not to the same level of expense as an Achiever.
-This motivation lies in their belief that they will achieve popularity within their psycho-group...even though they will still have low self-esteem.

-Trying to converse with, and obtain them as customers will require:

-Your assurance that what you are marketing to them will transform them into being as their idols (Achievers) are...such as what's listed above.
-They will be all ears, taking the time to listen to your "message and advertisements".

-Don't talk to them about how proud they should be with what they already have, how good their vehicles already look.
-Tell them upfront what you can do to make them and their vehicles better...Like an Achiever's successes...Successes that will vault them above, and beyond their current: "Wannabe" status.

-(Some "tailoring" may be required to meet your neighborhood's vehicle owners psycho-grouping, if it's applicable, that is.)

-Just some things I thought might be of interest for you to think about. I realize your sentiments may not be the same.


:)

Bob
Click to expand...
Interesting. Good insight.
 
That is a very good way to explain it Bob. It’s like a Psychological/Sociological approach.

I have stumbled upon exotic car owners by accident or some you have to do a bit of..."Stalking" lol. One day I booked a guy while I was jogging but I knew that was the only time I would probably catch him. Worked on his car that same day!
But like others said the most exotic car owners have come to me because of word of mouth. It took me almost 5 years to have them coming my way, only because people’s daily drivers were flooding and keeping me busy, the true bread and butter as far as it goes for most.

There are also those people that have worked their whole life for their dream car. Those are the hardest to get because they usually wash their vehicles themselves, and they think the cars are in great shape. These people usually don't like when you tell them that their car is full of swirl marks, since you will be putting them down. So be careful with those future clients.
 
I think Obsessive has the salient answer here - as a retired regional manager for BMW, I dealt with this type of person all my life. (Remember we own Rolls) And what they care about is you can do the job on time, every time, and never make a mistake. They are willing to pay. But the big thing to get the business is referrals. If you don't have a book of business, get one. You can't do high end stuff until you have at least 10 accounts who will swear by your stuff. And then it will break wide open for you. Stay the course, nothing comes easy, it never has, although our go-go lifestyle would like you to think so...
 
Here's a great way to get your feet wet. Since you've seen these high end cars in your neighborhood there must be a local dealership nearby. I would work-up a professional sales pitch and go see the service manager at the dealership. You could even offer to detail the service managers car!

If you can sell yourself and your results you off and running!

good luck
 
The easiest way, and trust me on this, is to ask the guy if he wants his car detailed and hand him a business card.
 
Rav777 said:
That is a very good way to explain it Bob. It’s like a Psychological/Sociological approach.

Thanks for the kind words!


There are also those people that have worked their whole life for their dream car. Those are the hardest to get because they usually wash their vehicles themselves, and they think the cars are in great shape.
Click to expand...

That would be me!

In a few more years, maybe less, I'll be turning over the detailing of my vehicles to a younger pup.

I've been diligently searching for my replacement...But the ones I've interviewed want to charge way too much...IMHO!! :D :laughing::laughing::laughing:

:)

Bob
 
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