I turned down a customer and I don't care....

[runrun411]

After reading some of the post on this thread I became so intrigued that I started looking at some pricing of detailers in my area (where I work). I've always taken my hat off to you guys who do this professionally. :applause: You guys are the unsung heroes of the automotive world. I'm just a hobbyist . I just do my own cars and really enjoy all I learned from this craft. A couple of people asked me to do their cars and I always tell them "I'd be too expensive" and they just look at me with that face that says "you're a jerk". Then when I explain the process at first they say :wow:, then they say "well the guy at the (you name the place) shop says he can do it for 100 -125 bucks. I say well go to them, I'm sure he'll hook you up. I Sometimes I think maybe I could make some side money detailing but I don't think I have the energy to hassle myself with people who says how much cheaper they can get it done. Many props to you AG pros and the guys who can do it right.

:applause::applause::applause:

 

[A List Detail]

I'm not a professional detailer but as someone who knows a lot of people that don't know the difference between a quality detail and the $20 hand wash offered in our business parking lot, here's the problem with what you did.

You did nothing to educate him on why you might be worth the cost. It would have taken you no time at all to say something like "no problem, if you are looking for something a bit less thorough than my services, there's a car wash place over on _____". There's probably something better to say than this and chances are he will never use your services anyway, but surely there's something you can do at least explain why you charge what you charge in 30 seconds.

On the flip side I know there are times you feel like the person would never use your services anyway, so why waste the breath. But still worth considering for reputational reasons, word of mouth, etc.

Very true! I think knowing he was never gonna call got the best of me. I felt like I wasted a business card! That's great advice though...it would have only taken seconds. Thank you!

Y'all are giving great support and I greatly appreciate it. I figured I'd get torn apart for a crappy attitude or something but to the contrary. Thanks everyone!

 

[frankprozzoly]

After reading some of the post on this thread I became so intrigued that I started looking at some pricing of detailers in my area (where I work). I've always taken my hat off to you guys who do this professionally. :applause: You guys are the unsung heroes of the automotive world. I'm just a hobbyist . I just do my own cars and really enjoy all I learned from this craft. A couple of people asked me to do their cars and I always tell them "I'd be too expensive" and they just look at me with that face that says "you're a jerk". Then when I explain the process at first they say :wow:, then they say "well the guy at the (you name the place) shop says he can do it for 100 -125 bucks. I say well go to them, I'm sure he'll hook you up. I Sometimes I think maybe I could make some side money detailing but I don't think I have the energy to hassle myself with people who says how much cheaper they can get it done. Many props to you AG pros and the guys who can do it right.

:applause::applause::applause:

This is well said. I wouldn't mind detailing on my day off to make a few extra bucs. Plus I enjoy it. But I can't imagine people paying a decent amount unless it's a high end car. So many people on here have said most people don't know the difference between a swirl and a squirrel, they just want a clean shiny car. But I'm obviously wrong because there sure are a lot of successful detailers out there

 

[scrubs147]

I have a full hands on car wash that recently opened up within the area I mostly do work which I am happy about. Many people stop me and ask how much for a full detail. I only do Restorative Detailing, bringing every inch of the car back to showroom condition, and that goes for RVs as well.

When I try to explain the type of detailing I do they respond by stating that they're only looking for a simple wash and wax and don't want to spend more than $50. There are ads on Craigslist stating that they do full inside and out starting at $25. Then again, I have heard nightmares about these types of so-called detailers.

About once a week I simply tell them that if they're looking for simple to head over to this new car wash that just opened up in town. It's not like I'm losing work, I am booked into April with lots of repeat customers who don't mind paying a few hundred for quality work.

 

[kendokken3]

..

 

[WAXOFF]

I do it all the time. They ask I tell. I have people waiting in line as I only do it in the summer on weekends. "You pay what I say or you can go away" i don't do crap work and am not loosing money because you think it's too much. "Obviously you can't do it or you would be standing here talking to me" I have a lot of lines. Currently I took on a winter project and doing a fleet of custom show cars for an upcoming World of Wheels show. I have 3 weeks of working nights and weekends to get this project ready and hopefully it will lead to more high end cars instead of grime to shine stuff. Finished this last night.

 

[GSKR]

Being mobile I run into this promblem daily.At first I analyze there personality,and give them the max of 2 min talking to me,if I think I can close a deal within that time frame,I immediately get there number that shows me a commitment and warrants a detail menu card business card.Tire kickers I see in 2 seconds flat and I don't invest in any time in them,and tell them I ran out of cards, they will take a photo of the number on my truck.Then lastly they will ask if I'm mobile I'm like go away already.Then you will get the people who drive up unemployed drunk asking for a business card,so they can compete against you.

 

[shagnat]

I would not have done much differently. I have no interest in low paying jobs. For me, going out to do 100$ detail requires a lot of effort, I really hate those jobs. The exception to that would be single service like doing a headlight correction or engine detail. Doing an hour of work with little to no setup time and cleanup for 80$ is fine by me. But doing a full exterior with basic interior that will take me 3 hours for 100$... no thanks.

Not trying to provoke here, but, really, you wouldn't work for $33/hr.? Unless there were extremely unusual circumstances, I'd definitely work for $33/hr. I think that's pretty good pay....or at least very respectable pay.
But, to each his own.....

 

[dlc95]

I've spent too much time studying, and "practicing", and invested too much money in equipment to waste time on anybody who doesn't see the value in the service.

 

[frankprozzoly]

Not trying to provoke here, but, really, you wouldn't work for $33/hr.? Unless there were extremely unusual circumstances, I'd definitely work for $33/hr. I think that's pretty good pay....or at least very respectable pay.
But, to each his own.....

I agree. God love these guys getting a few hundred bucks to wash and wax a car.

 

[zvez]

You get what you pay for. I'm guessing professional detailers get a lot of 'looky lous".

Probably not a bad idea as someone suggested to educate people at time of quote to explain how many hours and what's entailed. The average car driver has no idea what's involved. They want the car shiny and new again!

I used to do all the detailing on my cars but I've no interest in it any more. SO a local guy that does great work does my cars.
Chris

 

[GSKR]

I find quote and explaining to women easier than men.Men have a number in there head before they ask you,and have a fear of getting taken.women are more open minded and less stubborn,so for men I usually can pickup where there head is at by there personality,if there mind is open with patience I will invest time doing a sample on the hood and a majority of the time I will get the job.

 

[onsite]

To care or not to care...

•Yes...psychology was at play; and perhaps there
is something bizarre going on with a person saying,
or implying, that you charge too much.

•When a person basically says: "that’s too much!"...
-I believe that they’re verbally acknowledging an
unconscious comparison---a comparison they are
making by measuring your prices against something
else...and you don’t even know what the heck that
something else is!!

-Getting to the root cause of this comparison is
probably best left to clinically trained Dr.s.


•So...in this layman's POV...(and I don't know for
sure, since I was not there during this incident)...

-It appears that you were discussing prices,
before clarifying the RESULTS this person wanted.


•When a prospective Customer asks "How much?"...
-why not just (silently) refuse to directly answer
that question at first.

-Instead, say something like:
"You know, I really don’t know what it will cost
because we haven’t discussed the changes you’d
like to see in your vehicle, and as a result of our
working together on this project.
But if I can ask you a few questions first…"


•Once you help them "paint the picture" of the
changes they want, and the impact those changes
will have on their vehicle...then would be the time
to offer 2-3 different options on how to go forward,
at different price points...but, of course (and as a
matter of principle): sticking to your detailing-menu's
cost structure.

•This way, IMO: you’ll get much more interest.
-If not immediately, perhaps in the future.
-(You never know, who they may know!)

•Also, IMO:
-It’s always best to sidestep the request to lay your
cards on the table at the beginning of negotiations.

-If you answer right away: you’re pretty much inviting
a meaningless cost comparison, as I mentioned above.


Bob

This is great right here!
Something's to remember not only could you educate them and potentially gain them as a client, you can plant that seed. It also can be a way to show your level of expertise! Something a cheap shop wont care about, and if they ask either wont have answers or will simply disregard!

Nothing wrong in walking away, just take the few seconds to educate and in the worse case scenario they talk about you and say your to expensive for them because of the type of work you do not because of an unknown reason!

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[GSKR]

Not trying to provoke here, but, really, you wouldn't work for $33/hr.? Unless there were extremely unusual circumstances, I'd definitely work for $33/hr. I think that's pretty good pay....or at least very respectable pay.
But, to each his own.....

You are correct in a way,33 hr sounds great on a time clock at the end of the week,but break it all down with your cost to keep your business afloat,and you will not profit 33 hr for strenuous work.I get what your saying completely.you have to maximize your labor rate if all possible,if the customer is willing to pay under that you would be better off not doing it.

 

[onsite]

33 is nice to start off at as a base. But to live off you have other costs as mentioned by gskr!

As an example for health insurance (life related not business) to keep my family on the same coverage of 90/10 (10% copay) vision dental and etc. This costs me 30 a week for wife baby and myself! I jump off to full time business and that will cost me almost 900 a month!

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[GSKR]

33 is nice to start off at as a base. But to live off you have other costs as mentioned by gskr!

As an example for health insurance (life related not business) to keep my family on the same coverage of 90/10 (10% copay) vision dental and etc. This costs me 30 a week for wife baby and myself! I jump off to full time business and that will cost me almost 900 a month!

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Thats not bad insurance for 10 percent co pay.I have 70 30 coverage thru Cigna and a 6000 deductible for 1200 a month.Thats with 2 adults and a nine year old .I get sick to my stomach when I hear my brother in law ups insurance,he pays next to nothing 100 percent coverage and dental,real dental like crowns filling etc.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I didn't push the sale, I didn't lower my price and I don't care. Wrong attitude?

Thoughts?

I think what you did was right but I think your attitude could be more positive. Just understand that you're never going to please 100 percent of the people 100 percent of the time.

In my 3-day detailing classes I actually cover this topic, that is how to create a profitable customer base and it doesn't sound like this guy would fit the demographic group you want to cultivate.

I have a few guest write sections in Renny Doyle's book and this is one of the topics I cover in his book and I also cover this topic in this article here,


A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business
Match your services to your customer




Big picture is know the customer you want and pass on the rest...

 

[GSKR]

After reading some of the post on this thread I became so intrigued that I started looking at some pricing of detailers in my area (where I work). I've always taken my hat off to you guys who do this professionally. :applause: You guys are the unsung heroes of the automotive world. I'm just a hobbyist . I just do my own cars and really enjoy all I learned from this craft. A couple of people asked me to do their cars and I always tell them "I'd be too expensive" and they just look at me with that face that says "you're a jerk". Then when I explain the process at first they say :wow:, then they say "well the guy at the (you name the place) shop says he can do it for 100 -125 bucks. I say well go to them, I'm sure he'll hook you up. I Sometimes I think maybe I could make some side money detailing but I don't think I have the energy to hassle myself with people who says how much cheaper they can get it done. Many props to you AG pros and the guys who can do it right.

:applause::applause::applause:

Its pretty much any business you will here price comparison or a dramatic price drop.The whole promblem with detailing is that it's a educational demonstrating craft to convince the perspective client why you charge x amount versus the guy down the street.I own a hair salon with 8 employees,so my labor prices have to be set,there's no bargaining.women will have no promblem spending 200 to 300 for a cut and color and out the door in one hour,and spend thousands on hair extensions.Its all discretionary spending as well.A majority of car owners think of there car as transportation from a to b and a can of wadis 9.99 and that there is no skill involved other than apply and remove,but technology changes ,and when it comes to detailing there mind is stuck back in the 1960 process.when clay or any other products weren't made.ask a person what clay is they won't know show them what it's purpose is and you will here wow and most likely get the job.

 

[onsite]

Thats not bad insurance for 10 percent co pay.I have 70 30 coverage thru Cigna and a 6000 deductible for 1200 a month.Thats with 2 adults and a nine year old .I get sick to my stomach when I hear my brother in law ups insurance,he pays next to nothing 100 percent coverage and dental,real dental like crowns filling etc.

Ouch!

Its kind of why i been dragging my feet on the next push to leave my employer! After just having our baby and looking at overall expenses it gets freaky.

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[ducksfan]

So, I just finished reading this whole thread and it sounds like ten others I've read here before - guys talking down on people who don't see the value of their work. What I don't see is my prospective. So, I'll put it out there and see how it takes.

Car detailing is like a hockey game (or any other seating event). Everybody sees the same game. They just see it from a different place.

I'll use the Anaheim Ducks pricing as an example (spoiler alert - some of you who live in the 'real' hockey areas are going to be upset at what I get to enjoy 'your' sport for). For a typical game, I could sit in good seats for $20-30, or $40-60, or I know where the good $100-200 seats are. They're all good value for what you pay. There are also OK seats in these price ranges and less desirable seats. I presently sit in the good $40-60 seats. I use to sit in the good $20-30 seats. I have sat in the OK $100 seats.

For me, it's not about being cheap or not seeing the value in better seats. It's about the value of money. A $100 bill has a certain value to me based on what it takes for me to acquire it. Right now, $40-60 dollars is what a game is worth to me. You could do a great job of explaining how good your $100-200 seats are. But, your wasting your time because I already know. It's just that a hockey game isn't worth that kind of money to me.

Car detailing is the same way for the consumer. There are people who, for financial reasons, are in the car wash area, the AIO area, or the various areas of detailing. There are also people who for various reasons are not in the area they belong (cheap, uninformed, unable to locate a good source for the right area).

You can move the uniformed and unable to locate people up if they have the financial means to see value in a higher level of quality. If they're not there financially, they're not necessarily cheap or unable to see the value in your work. They just have other ways their money is better spent

So, I've been multitasking while I write this and I just got work and have to get going. I hope it's more coherent then I think.

My point in writing it was: just because someone won't buy your services, doesn't mean they're cheap or misinformed. They just might not be the right financial match.

How many of Mike's clients do you think stock groceries at the local market?