I'm about to quit using Meguiar's Products...

[geekysteve]

Bret and I attended the SEMA show last week in Las Vegas, and all-in-all, we had a great time at the show. We met a lot of vendors and manufacturers, saw a lot of cool stuff, and learned a lot about new products.

Anyway, toward the end of the week, we stopped by the Meguiar's display (which was at the AAPEX show) and wound up chatting with some 'higher up' there.

The guy quickly realized that we were with Guru Reports, at which point he started to blast us for not knowing anything about detailing, waxing, testing, etc. He said that "anyone who knows anything about detailing knows that Gold Class is supposed to sheet water, not bead it."

He then said that our entire test was worthless because we didn't call Meguiar's R&D department prior to testing Gold Class and that the pro detailers who use Gold Class regularly comment on how easy it is to apply and remove, and how durable it is...

Bret calmly explained to the guy that: (a) he'd been using Gold Class from day one, and never knew that it was supposed to sheet - this was completely new to us; (b) Gold Class dries rock hard and is a PITA to remove; (c) Pro's don't shop at Wal-Mart and buy $10 tins of Gold Class for customer vehicles; (d) the average Joe Consumer doesn't call Meguiar's R&D department for special instructions on using the product.

The guy was completely arrogant and unwilling to see any other side of the story. We also tried to explain to him that numerous folks at Autopia have called Meguiar's and each time they ask a question, they get a different answer from Meguiar's.

He blew that off, and went back to chastising us for the Gold Class test procedures.

It's so fooking frustrating to talk to those guys - they change their product descriptions daily, they spin their marketing weekly and they are so biased toward their own products/techniques that it's almost funny. They won't even consider a different point of view, no matter what - it's like "we've already made up our minds so don't bother us with the facts..." They were slamming Turtle Wax and other companies, too.

What a bunch of arrogant jerks! I might hold a ceremonial burning of my DACP, SMR #9, #2, #3, #6, #7, #15, #16, #19, #20, #26, #34, SFP, #40, and all of my endurance and Medallion stuff...

Sorry for the rant...just got to thinking about it while detailing the 337 today.

[NY detailer]

I agree 100% with you. Meguiar's does make good stuff, but they are clue less when you ask them a questions.
Meguiars is also a big marketing company like all the rest.

[arcticwhite]

Stop using Meguiar's products, you say? No great loss really. I've never been a Meguiar's fan myself, and quite bluntly my experience has been that the vast majority of their product line is garbage - marketed at the average consumer expecting average (to the consumer's eyes) results.

Don't feel bad for moving on, there are better choices out there.

[BradE]

I've never been a Meguiar's fan myself, and quite bluntly my experience has been that the vast majority of their product line is garbage - marketed at the average consumer expecting average (to the consumer's eyes) results.

I totally agree.

[geekysteve]

While most of their stuff doesn't really appear to be any better than anything else, I did really like the DACP and SFP products. They always worked really well for me, and were very cost effective.

However, the AAPEX experience has me trying to decide if I want to continue to support that company - I usually purchased at least 2 bottles of DACP per year, plus the dozens of other Meguiar's products I have...

[BradE]

Steve,

If you like the products then continue using them. Don't allow one jacka$$ keep you from using something you like. He's not worth it.

Look at it this way, you know the truth about their products and others know via your report. If one of their lowlife reps can't handle that, well that's just too bad.

[4DSC]

Originally posted by geekysteve
Bret calmly explained to the guy that: (a) he'd been using Gold Class from day one, and never knew that it was supposed to sheet - this was completely new to us; (b) Gold Class dries rock hard and is a PITA to remove; (c) Pro's don't shop at Wal-Mart and buy $10 tins of Gold Class for customer vehicles; (d) the average Joe Consumer doesn't call Meguiar's R&D department for special instructions on using the product.

The guy was completely arrogant and unwilling to see any other side of the story. We also tried to explain to him that numerous folks at Autopia have called Meguiar's and each time they ask a question, they get a different answer from Meguiar's.

LMAO!!!! Well done both of you!

I've always known that Meguiar's was in their own world, with the way they name products and describe things (like the word "polish"). But I never thought they were this deluded!

It's too bad their chemists/R&D folk are stymied by this kind of upper management.

[Jimmy Buffit]

In my loong business career, I've learned that one must be equally responsible to the customer, the employees, the shareholders, and the Vendors. All of those relationships are critical to the success of an enterprise.

As I begin my new detailing enterprise (and make product inventory decisions), I've found this thread to be extremely enlightening. I need suppliers who are on my team, not their own!

As always, thanks for the info!

Jim

[carguy]

Steve -

Use the products that work for you. I don't care for bad or misinformed advice at all. But like ANYTHING you have to get to know and trust your sources. I listen to some guys on this board because they attempt to learn and prove their findings as you did with your report. Others' posts clearly reflect nothing more than a regurgitation of balogna they've been fed by someone who drank the kool aid before they did. (How's THAT for a mixed-junk-food metaphor?)

I'm willing to bet you'd find similarly misinformed reps for any of the major companies - as well as some good, knowledgeable ones. You are certainly entitled to draw your own conclusions from these encounters, and to post them.

But I am surprised that you had a hard time buffing Gold Class out. Can't remember if you used paste or liquid but I have appolied GC Liquid several times. I apply with the orbital which really helps get it on evenly and thin. I buff it out with the orbital as well except in the tight spots. It buffs out very easily, AS LONG AS YOU LET IT DRY FULLY. I let it sit for an hour. I wonder what was different for you?

[geekysteve]

Thanks for the advice, Greg. We used the Gold Class paste (not sure what bret uses) for the test and in 'real life'. I had been a longtime user of Gold Class as well, and always had difficulty removing it. I applied with my PC or the trusty Craftsman 9" random orbital, and removed it with a 100% cotton towel after letting it sit 20-30 minutes.

I know I shouldn't let that guy bother me so much, but the more I thought about it, the more mad I got about it.

Hey Steve, did you stop by the "Fast and the Furious booth"?

[Aurora40]

I have been frustrated sometimes by Meguiar's inconsistent help too. But you might keep in mind that any company can have a jerk working for them. You might try contacting Meguiar's and tell them about your experience. See what happens. Then you'll either have a better reason to hate them or you will no longer have one. At least give them a chance to make it right.

While it is annoying that their tech line isn't very good, I would bet that even if they had incredibly detailed instructions and use guidelines we would all still come here and look for better application tips. Most people do that here even for products with excellent instructions. So the fact that the tech line sucks doesn't mean we can't find good info about the products, and it doesn't change how the prep products work.

I'm a little surprised you had problems with GC. I have the liquid, but I've never found it hard to use. It just has crummy durability. But it looks good and is a cinch. I didn't think it was a carnauba, so I wonder what advantage the paste has?