Terms & Conditions/Service Agreements?

MrAnderson · 01-05-09, 03:25

Hello All,

My name is Anthony Anderson, recently found this forum by chance and really am glad I did. There are alot of smart, talented detailers here and I'm looking forward to what the future holds here.

Anyways, enough with the formalities. I've got a relatively new Auto Detailing Business going, that I would say is just now starting to get off the ground. Im not a mobile detailer yet, right now im just stationary. My question is what do you guys think/feel about Terms & Conditions and/or Service Contracts. I live in Seattle and there are a few people who...I don't know, wake up on the wrong side of the bed? And just have foul attitudes, and take it out on the first person they can find. OR, they are always trying to find a loophole and rob an honest man of his work.

So, should I start by writing up a T&C posting it clearly on my website (not up yet), brochures, whatever I use for promotion...or have a service contract that tells them what service they are getting, the cost, the labor, etc..etc..sign it, date it, give em a copy...?

Ive never been negatively approached by anyone, but I did used to work in a cell phone store and there are way too many negative "think i know it all" people here that will try and sucker there way outta anything.

Thanks in advance, I've got so many other questions too, I think I'll just keep posting them in here...as opposed to always making a new thread.

On a side note, these smilies are ridiculously hilarious. haha.

JonP · 01-05-09, 03:53

Hello, Welcome to Autopia.

I would clearly post all of your terms and conditions, cost, not responsible for damages, lost articles, etc. on a brochure and website as well. It will save you time and headaches in the long run. Even after I told them what to expect, I only had a couple people who tried to slip out of paying the full price who "assumed" a basic detail and correction included a full blown "new car look". I just settled the cost and took them off my list of clients. I have better things to do than deal with people like that.

tdekany · 01-05-09, 04:08

Welcome Anthony.

By all means cover yourself to make sure that clients don't try to take advantage of you.

Written agreement will be a must I'd say.

Also, be clear as far as what the client's expectations are.

Doing an Autopian detail surely will help to have very satisfied customers.

Taking pictures of the car before you start will help you to protect yourself.

PS: Let the past go and every morning visualize ""kind"" customers coming in to your shop. That is another way to keep some people away from you that serve you no purpose.

M2c.

Good luck with the business. Do your best every day. It will pay off.

howareb · 01-05-09, 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdekany

Welcome Anthony.

By all means cover yourself to make sure that clients don't try to take advantage of you.

Written agreement will be a must I'd say.

Also, be clear as far as what the client's expectations are.

Doing an Autopian detail surely will help to have very satisfied customers.

Taking pictures of the car before you start will help you to protect yourself.

PS: Let the past go and every morning visualize ""kind"" customers coming in to your shop. That is another way to keep some people away from you that serve you no purpose.

M2c.

Good luck with the business. Do your best every day. It will pay off.

Looks like you got a student when you get to the west coast

tdekany · 01-05-09, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by howareb

Looks like you got a student when you get to the west coast

He will be 174 miles away from me.

MrAnderson · 01-09-09, 03:45

Thanks you guys for the advice, much appreciated. Did you guys draw up your own contracts? or do you outsource for that? (i.e. theres a company that you tell them your rules/t&c and they write it up for you?) I would imagine it'd be cheaper to do it myself, but Im not completely up to date with all laws...I dont want to go to a lawyer, pay them ridiculous amounts of money to draw up some T&C's for me..

The jist of it is the same dont you think? Person A agrees to pay Company A so and so, Person A agrees Company A is not liable for damages, yadda yadda...

Also, Im working on some logo ideas, Im going to post them here later today or tomorrow, so any feedback on those would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Showroom Shine · 01-09-09, 08:04

You most definitely need to post clearly in various places terms and condictions. This will keep all misunderstandings at a minimum. Also while explaining the service that you will perform on a customers vehicle, point out items that you feel need to be addressed. Be sure the client is aware of your policy. It's a business, run it accordingly. If you start right, it will be easier to maintain and improve.
Strive for Excellence,treat everyone with respect,be honest, Do GREAT work, don't try to cut the corner. You'll do fine. Your business and how it's run is an extention of YOU and your character!

MrAnderson · 01-09-09, 02:21

Alright, thanks!

I definitely agree, I take alot of pride in always "going above" the standard for people in whatever I do, whether that's something as simple as selling a phone or more complex like detailing a car...its not..in me...to cut corners, Ive been thinking/planning this detail business for a lil more than a year now, and theres still so much more to learn...it makes this line of work really exciting, theres always something new, a new challenge, new task...each car is its own story, just love it! haha.

Holden_C04 · 01-09-09, 02:42

to Autopia.