I was emailed this question today...

SoCalAutoSpa

SoCalAutoSpa

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Q: My local carwash offers detailing at half the prices of most professional detailer services, what is the difference?

How would you guys answer this?
 
refer them to your website? i noticed you have that question on the FAQ section of your site.... nice website btw :xyxthumbs:
 
Just tell them that the people at the car wash are not professional detailers, they are car wash jockeys with no real training in detailing.
 
IMO it is simplified to Quantity vs Quality. While some local car washes have up'd their step of service to detailing, they may be limited to what they can provide. I believe (I might be wrong) that they offer a low to moderate quality jobs for a cheap inexpensive price. This can be offered due to the products that they use and the quality of their work. Although to most people who usually just drives their daily drivers and are not too knowledgeable of the difference between quality and quantity production, will not be able to tell the difference. What you can offer (or may already offer) is the quality of your work using quality products. Also you can offer your customers the process and the necessity of quality work that will give them the best results that they are paying for. Knowledge is also power, the more that you can educate customers, the more they will believe that you know your stuff and also trust your work, hence they will likely to come back. You can ask in return, which will they prefer, a burger from BK or Mcdonalds (metaphor for local car washes) vs a burger from a non fast food restaurant (Red Robins, AppleBees, or even TGIF in which represents you). But that is my .02 cents. Im the MAN
 
It's easy. Tell them the car washes do 1/2 as good a job
 
Give them your pricing, information, and directions to your place so you can correct all the damage and shortcuts.
 
Maybe point out that the clear coat finish on cars and truck is very thin, if the paint is buffed improperly, using budget products they will not only leave swirls in the paint but having the swirls removed will mean removing a precious clear coat to undo the damage.

When it comes to factory clear coat finishes, it's really best to do it right the first time...

Maybe send them to one of these links?

DISO = The Dealership Installed Swirl Option


The story of 3 H's - Horrendous, Horror Story and Hack Detailers...



:)
 
isaac said:
refer them to your website? i noticed you have that question on the FAQ section of your site.... nice website btw :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

So you can see the point of this tread, right?
 
jpegs13 said:
It's easy. Tell them the car washes do 1/2 as good a job
Click to expand...

I like this response! But add they add double the swirls and scratches! So you will end up seeing me anyway!
 
Hello,

Thank you for asking this question.

In today's cost-conscious economy it's very important to ensure that you get not only a fair price, but more importantly, the best value for your dollar.

A car's paint is as expensive as it is delicate. Inexperience and improper techniques and methods can damage the clear coat and cause unsightly scratches and swirls. This is common in an environment where speed and volume is the motivating factor.

So, while we can not offer you the same price that a typical car wash can, what we can offer is superior quality, better products and the peace of mind that your car is in the hands of an experienced professional who is passionate about his job. In this, I guarantee you that our service is the best value you can find.

Thank you,

ABCXYZ Detailing
 
Well said, 2K4CE! You have to remember, non-Autogeeks need to be informed. As a business owner, you probably don't want to send back a one-liner of "car washes do 1/2 the job." You'll just sound like a sleezy salesman trying to take someone for a ride. Arm the person with as much information as you feel necessary. Maybe even give them things to look for if they do choose to go with the car wash detailer, or offer to look their car over to show them what can/should be corrected and why. I'm sure they'll appreciate the personal touch, as opposed to the guy that's just going to treat their car like a piece of meat.

Mark
 
2K4CE said:
So, while we can not offer you the same price that a typical car wash can, what we can offer is superior quality, better products and the peace of mind that your car is in the hands of an experienced professional who is passionate about his job. In this, I guarantee you that our service is the best value you can find.

Thank you,

ABCXYZ Detailing
Click to expand...

I really like this too, the 'passion' word says it all to me!!!! well said and is exactly what I would be looking for and would hire you with that statement. People have paid a lot for these cars and are willing to care for them. Sure a few will go elsewhere but they wouldn't appreciate a true detail anyway.

I know I want someone that is dedicated and willing to do it right. I went into detailing to do my own cars because this pro level of service was hard to find. I don't get to the correction of a true pro (yet :D) but I also don't get scared someone is damaging it. It's also a fun hobby and I love I can treat my car the way I think it should be treated. That's what I would look for if I were hiring it.

The corner guys waving towels to get my attention just scare me... so don't go there. LOL
 
isaac said:
refer them to your website? i noticed you have that question on the FAQ section of your site.... nice website btw :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...


Thanks! My guys have spent lots of time getting it that way. Still a work in progress!
 
I got a good look at one of those parking lot wash, wax and detail jobs the other day while stuck behind a long traffic light. I was apalled to see two of the guys using absolutley dirty mf's to apply and remove waterless car wash fluid while the other filthy mf's hung out to dry, ready to be used again....and again...and...
At the same time I saw one of the employees directing a woman driving a black M5 to reverse into a stall to get ready for a "detail"...YIKES!

Anyways, would it be a good idea to tell the person asking the question to check-out or spy how the cheaper detail businesses do their work, paying special attention to their "dirty rags"?

I think just the sight of filthy, dirty, re-used rags would be enough to steer them clear of them cheap detail jobs.
 
WestEnd said:
Sure a few will go elsewhere but they wouldn't appreciate a true detail anyway./QUOTE]

Some are satisfied with a haircut from BestCuts, while others are as devoted to their barber as they are to their physician.
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