Test Spot plus Quote

[LuxuryMobile]

Went to give a new client a quote and show him a test spot on his trunk. I only do test spots and quotes for paint correction jobs.

Here is the trunk of his 2011 Camaro. Had your typical defects for a black car that hasn’t been properly cared for.

He wanted to see the difference between the results of a paint correction compared to an AIO product. The next two pictures show the results. The AIO I used was Griots One Step Sealant using an Orange pad on Speed 5 on the Griots DA. The correction was done using Meg MF Cutting Pad and M105 at speed 4, then followed up with a white pad and M205 on speed 6. The wax or sealant was layed down after the correction.

Anyone else do this for new clients?

**trunk spoiler wasnt touched at all**

 

[rider9195]

That is a very good way to show the differences. Do you perform this for free?

 

[LuxuryMobile]

I do it free of charge as long as the travel distance to them is reasonable.

 

[Porsche Pilot]

I do it free of charge as long as the travel distance to them is reasonable.

+1

 

[RhetoricMixes]

Seems like a good idea but what if they decide your quote is too high? Im guessing they will just have a nicely polished 1/3 part of their trunk looking good?

 

[Flannigan]

I have detailed pictures on my ipad that I can show people. I don't bother with test spots because usually the pictures are enough. Also, I can see some people not really knowing what to expect, and then being upset when they have half a trunk polished, but don't want to pay your price to get the rest of the car done. Just my personal opinion, but if it works for you, then keep it up!

 

[Tundra_10]

I think thats such a great idea, and would do that with all prospective customers. It instills value in what you are doing. You can use this as a good, better, best sorta product step-up tool I am sure you will get a lot of people who want a basic to go to the AIO, you might even get the 2-step as well and some from the AIO to the 2-step. The importance is you are explaining with results they can understand vs saying [in a geeky, nerdy voice] i use a 2-bucket method to reduce marring and scratching then take a fine-grade clay bar to remove contaminates from your paint. I then use my flex 3401 to remove any sort of swirls and rids that inflict your paint work.

... dude just wash my car, all that other stuff is giving me a headache!

This on the other hand, let me show you what I can do.... what do you like the best? Plain, simple, to the point. Awesome!

 

[LuxuryMobile]

If someone was really that upset over a test spot I would polish out the entire section/panel. Most of the time these people who want test spots have seen my work and just want to see how there car would look.

I love that iPad idea, and hope to pick one up soon for this purpose. I think it could be a really valuable tool.

If they decide that my quote is too high, and they go back to taking car of their car how they were before, then it will be back to looking the same pretty soon. Flawless paint doesn't stay flawless without the proper care.

 

[SeaJay's]

I do this as well, but only if they are looking for some sort of paint correction.

Actually that is how I got a couple of my most recent jobs. One being a 26' Monteray boat and the other being a 96 Lexux LS400 that I'm currently working on.

I do it mainly to show the difference between a 1 step and a multi-step correct. I've never had anyone decide they didn't want anything, at least a 1 step. If I do come across that customer I'll just do a 1 step on the panel to blend it all back together.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Awesome way to show your customer what you can do and what can be done.

Besides that, if the customer talks to anyone else they will have to be able to talk in a way to show they are as knowledgeable as you plus they'll have to be good enough to be able to duplicate your results or the customer will know they don't know what they're talking about and can't walk the talk.


This is called the "This or That" approach to winning a new customer as I describe in this article here,


The Cruel Test Spot - This or that? - Reverse Bait & Switch

 

[shoeless89]

I've thought about this but always been worried that someone will get mad that one spot that looks great and the rest still looks terrible. Maybe I'll talk to customer about it next time.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I've thought about this but always been worried that someone will get mad that one spot that looks great and the rest still looks terrible. Maybe I'll talk to customer about it next time.

You really want to have a good feel for your customer before doing something like this. Make sure you have their permission to polish a section of paint before touching the car. Let them know when you're done that the areas you've worked on are going to look better than the rest of the car and make sure they're okay with this.

If nothing else, when you're done doing the multiple demos you can always buff out the entire panel so the entire panel has a uniform look.

I just did this last week, haven't heard from Ron yet but I'm confident he's going to want the rest of his coupe to look like the driver's side of the hood...


Can you see a difference? - 1934 Chevy Coupe

Before claying and machine polishing

After claying and machine polishing