how to ease my nerves

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Abram86

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I love detailing and I want to always keep every customer that I can and for that reason I always get nervous after finishing the vehicle. By the time the customer shows up I start feeling like I missed or forgot something. How can I fix that problem?
 
Checklists for every detail package you have, then after the detail do one or two little things extra, and put at the end of the checklist. Then you know you did your work plus it's nice to give that to customers.
 
I would say have confidence in yourself! You know what you are doing, and you are probably getting better with every car that you do. I would say as long as you are putting your all into the job and not knowingly short changing customers, you have nothing to worry about! You should be able to sleep easy at night if you are honest and are putting forth the effort/work the customer is paying you for. So don't worry yourself over the things you can't change!

Maybe you can make a check list to double check the entire car after you are done with the job. This way you can mark off each thing you look for when you are feeling like you forgot something, and you can always refer back to that "Final Inspection Sheet" we'll call it. That is a quick way to relieve that feeling you are having.

Confidence radiates. When you are confident in the job you did, the customer senses it!

I'm not a professional, just trying to offer up some advice!
 
andrewbmw said:
Checklists for every detail package you have, then after the detail do one or two little things extra, and put at the end of the checklist. Then you know you did your work plus it's nice to give that to customers.
Click to expand...
Hey, great minds think alike :dblthumb2:
 
I'll second (third?) that on checklists. I don't detail professionally, but I use some manner of checklist for so many aspects of my personal and professional life. It's a tremendous help. I even have checklists pre-prepared for trips! I don't forget anything, since I check each item off! Toiletries, clothes, tools, etc.
 
andrewbmw said:
Checklists for every detail package you have, then after the detail do one or two little things extra, and put at the end of the checklist. Then you know you did your work plus it's nice to give that to customers.
Click to expand...

This is so 'obvious', so important, but I was missing... Great advice!

Of course I was checking my after work, but always in a mind organized way. I've already had the feeling described by OP.

Checklist is no doubt way better.

I know I should do my own (I will), but have anyone a model for us to start following and adapting?

I mean, we won't need to re-invent the wheel again, and again.

Thank you in advance.
 
Get a Fresh Set of Eyes!


Fresh_Set_Of_Eyeballs.jpg





How to make sure you haven't missed anything after detailing a car? Like a wax smudge?

Have a fresh set of eyes look over the car.


Important: Move the car into a different light setting, as in move it outside, or turn it around in your garage, etc.



Then have a fresh set of eyes look at it, i.e. your girlfriend, brother, mom, dad, neighbor, good buddy, etc.




:)
 
For every detail package you have it would be a good idea to have a checklist for that particular one you just completed. I'm sure you will add more stuff to the list as you go.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Get a Fresh Set of Eyes!


Fresh_Set_Of_Eyeballs.jpg





How to make sure you haven't missed anything after detailing a car? Like a wax smudge?

Have a fresh set of eyes look over the car.


Important: Move the car into a different light setting, as in move it outside, or turn it around in your garage, etc.



Then have a fresh set of eyes look at it, i.e. your girlfriend, brother, mom, dad, neighbor, good buddy, etc.




:)
Click to expand...

That`s the best advice here Mike!!!!! I love to use my wife, shes learned from me to be a critic.

Edit: I always ask my customers to walk around their vehicle and point out anything that catches their eye. IMO, this does 2 things:

1. It saves them and you time in case you forget something and they want it fixed, you do it then.
2. It shows that you really want to ensure that they are happy with your work.
 
Getting organized and staying that way until the customer leaves with the vehicle. This includes, like stated, having checklists, and sticking to the order of steps/procedures you set and outline for yourself with each specific vehicle. Also, doing a thorough walk around with the client and using a VIF will help you to stick to only the issues the client has agreed upon. When you come across unforeseen issues, contact the client to verify if he wants those things tended to. Stay away from stimulants like caffeine and energy drinks l, and remember to breath.:)
 
Sicktred08fsi said:
That`s the best advice here Mike!!!!! I love to use my wife, shes learned from me to be a critic.
Click to expand...


It's amazing how the better-half always seems to have the unique super power to find the things you missed.



Sicktred08fsi said:
I always ask my customers to walk around their vehicle and point out anything that catches their eye. IMO, this does 2 things:

1. It saves them and you time in case you forget something and they want it fixed, you do it then.

2. It shows that you really want to ensure that they are happy with your work.
Click to expand...


Those two tips are worth their weight in gold and worthy of a dedicated article. If you don't mind I'll write the article but give you due credit.




ShaunD said:
Getting organized and staying that way until the customer leaves with the vehicle. This includes, like stated, having checklists, and sticking to the order of steps/procedures you set and outline for yourself with each specific vehicle.

Also, doing a thorough walk around with the client and using a VIF will help you to stick to only the issues the client has agreed upon. When you come across unforeseen issues, contact the client to verify if he wants those things tended to.

Stay away from stimulants like caffeine and energy drinks l,

and remember to breath. :)
Click to expand...


Great advice....


:dblthumb2:
 
{Sing-a-long...With this Trini Lopez hit song of yore:
"If You Wanna Be Happy For The Rest Of Your Life,
Don't Make A Pretty Woman Your Wife"...in mind:}

"If you want detailing nerves-of-steel:
The ones that you'll never begrudge.
Marry someone that grew up with a Father,
That was a Concours d'Elegance judge!"

Bob
 
[ame="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t8tdmaEhMHE"]One Toke Over The Line - Lawrence Welk - ###! (1971) - YouTube[/video]

...^^^ :eek: ^^^...

Bob
 
Lol i feel the same way after every detail. Here are some things I do that kinda help. Look over the car more then once. Look at the lowest spots of the car for wax residue. Check the creases in the rims for dirt. Check the carpet for crumbs and stuff that you may have missed. I like to move the car around in different angles as well to see if there is any hazy spots on the glass that i missed or on the paint.

I email a receipt to my customers right when i get home. In the email i thank them for the opportunity to detail their vehicle and i also add "if for any reason you are not completely satisfied please contact me as soon as possible so i can address the matter immediately". To me if i missed a spot or over looked something id rather the customer call me so i can fix it then find a spot and think i half azzed the job or something and never return.

Just be confident in your work and so will your customers.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Get a Fresh Set of Eyes!


Fresh_Set_Of_Eyeballs.jpg





How to make sure you haven't missed anything after detailing a car? Like a wax smudge?

Have a fresh set of eyes look over the car.


Important: Move the car into a different light setting, as in move it outside, or turn it around in your garage, etc.



Then have a fresh set of eyes look at it, i.e. your girlfriend, brother, mom, dad, neighbor, good buddy, etc.




:)
Click to expand...

Just don't ask the person you're doing the detail for, it looks unprofessional if you say "can you see any bits I've missed" when they turn up to collect it. It may sound obvious, but I had a pro Detailer do exactly that a few years back. It's always stuck in my mind
 
I wrote out a check list a few years back. if I can find it, I'll post it
 
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