Boutique = Rebottled Pro = Rip-off?

[DavidB]

Sooner or later, just about everyone in the car care chemical industry calls me, or comes across my desk. That means I learn a lot about who makes what (and who makes what for whom). I'm seeing an alarming trend with small, out-of-no-where brands popping up.

Two weekends ago at the Good-Guys Hot Rod show here in sunny San Diego, I saw a "boutique detailing brand" that was new to me. While the guy running the booth was helping others, I did some snooping around and found a box with his product that had a shipping label. The label was from a chemical manufacturer (let's call them brand X), so I swiftly memorized the name and address.

Today I researched the brand X chemical manufacturer only to discover they market themselves as a "private label chemical manufacturer." With a bit more research, I discovered several brands well known to this community that purchase the majority of their chemicals from brand X.

I did some calling around to my circle of pro detailer friends to ask if they had ever used brand X products. Two of them had/do use brand X, and compared them in quality to Auto Wax Company, a well-known brand for large shops. One of my friends commented that brand X polishes work fast, because they are overly aggressive, but they are "cheap as heck" so a lot of pros like them.

I guess this new discovery of Pro-gone-Boutique got me thinking. Is it okay with you that you might be purchasing products designed for professionals at "boutique prices?" Personally, I'm a little disturbed because it means anyone can bring a brand of car detailing products to market without doing any research or development with a chemist. All you have to do is select from a list of products, and if you buy enough gallons of the stuff, they might even let you change the color and fragrance. Heck, brand X even fills the bottle and slaps a label on for you so you don’t need a filling system.

If you purchased a pint of super-duper swirl remover for $13, but you could have a whole gallon for $19 direct from brand X, would you be upset? I like profit, too, but 400-600% is a bit much… isn’t it?

Part of me is saying “… hey, dude, maybe you should join them and profit from the cheap stuff!”, but the perfectionist side of me says “… no, work hard finding or creating the best products, regardless of cost or the import hassles.”

Where do you stand?

[tanda4]

I consider it deception. Especially, based on many retailers descriptions and claims of products. But, I bet many online retailers do it.

Edit: Tell us what you know. Who makes what? What products are the same under different labels?

[Burlyq]

Thanks for the post. I was a little chapped when I found out something very similar to what you found. I guess it should be buyer aware, do a little research when buying a "Boutique" detailing product. BTW, I don't dare say what product line is doing this but I will say it's not sold on CarCare or by any of our sponsors. However, it is talked about in our forums from time to time. I've been waiting on someone else to say something, lol. BurlyQ scared of repercussions.

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Burlyq
BurlyQ scared of repercussions.

And the truth shall set you FREE!

[JDookie]

Originally posted by tanda4
I consider it deception. Especially, based on many retailers descriptions and claims of products. But, I bet many online retailers do it.

I agree, it's deception, but guess what? It's not only online retailers but the majority of *all* retailers. This is just one of those facts that is almost too big to fathom.

[tanda4]

Originally posted by JDookie
I agree, it's deception, but guess what? It's not only online retailers but the majority of *all* retailers. This is just one of those facts that is almost too big to fathom.

Not to start trouble.... What about Autopia?

[Burlyq]

Originally posted by DavidB
And the truth shall set you FREE!

Man David your killing me. I'm going to get voted off the island, it was nice knowing all of you. Let me just say I am not saying this as a fact. When I used to do express details I used use products that were very similar to...........Can't do it.............................Still Can't.............ug............starts with a (edited) and that's the best I can do. Let me say that doesn't mean the products are bad, just that they are very very similar to the stuff I used to buy by the gallon at chemical guys.

They make it easy to have your own line, but I do find the quality to be lower than the popular lines around here Z/klasse/p21s etc. If you order enough they will taylor a scent to your line too. It makes it harder to tell x brand is the same thing as x wax.
http://www.chemicalguys.com/distributors.htm

[DavidB]

Originally posted by tanda4
Not to start trouble.... What about Autopia?

No trouble at all. What is your question?

[colche]

wow the poll looks pretty decisive

I certainly would be a bit chuffed at the discovery.

[RedondoV6]

What you say David does not surprise me. I've been offered my own "brand" by one of these private label manufacturers after approaching them regarding bulk products for use on customers vehicles. The company even offered to chnage the color, scent and appearance of the products and to use my own designer label.

Also my own experience of using some of the products discussed on some online detailing forums, tells me that some of the "new" brands are little better than the bottom end of the commercial car wash products. Not bad business, take a $20 a gallon sealant (at retail) and sell it at $20 for 16oz!!! Not bad business at all!!!

For myself.. yes it does irritate me and I wish that you David (and others in the business) would be more agressive in "outing" those who sell these private labeled bulk products as the next greatest thing in boutique products.

[Burlyq]

2 votes for stop whining and mind your own business, lol. Guess some of those Boutique retailers are voting, lol.

[tanda4]

Originally posted by DavidB
No trouble at all. What is your question?

I think I heard that Sonus is Autopia Car Care's brand. If that is true, is it a re-labeled product? Or is anything else Autopia sell re-labeled?