Detail than rain, customers???'s

'03 CTD · 06-22-07, 04:13

I was wondering how yall handle a detail and then it rains that night or next day? I have 5 deatils I have had to put off this week due to the monsoon conditions here. I guess Im wondering how you handle the questions customers ask. Around here the "Wash Tub" will rewash their car if it rains the next day, how do yall handle this? Thanks,Dave.

toyotaguy · 06-22-07, 04:27

the weather is not your fault IMO

Scottwax · 06-23-07, 10:46

I guarantee that if it rains on their car after a detail, it will get wet.

Usually if it rains on a customer's car right after I finish, next time I'll do something extra for them, like clean their mats. Seems to make them happy.

Not much we can do about the weather, it has been raining several times a week here in Dallas since the end of April with no end in sight. Well, actually, the end has been in sight but the next day, they revise the forecast and formerly expected sunny days now have rain forecast. I am down over $5000 since the end of April vs last year. The car wash my brother takes his work van to says 4 fellow franchise owners have already shut down during this stretch. It has been absolutely relentless. I have lost the middle of the week 10 out last 14 weeks.

Dent's & Details · 06-23-07, 03:50

Dave,
I only had one person change there appointment this week with me.
I'm in San Antonio as well. I detailed an S500 yesterday and it was raining when the Lady picked up the car. I told her that I was sorry that it was raining and that if she wanted
me to repair some other dents on her car I would wash it for free. She said that it was alright and not to worry.

If it's a full detail and I need the work I will offer a wash exterior only if it rains that day.

PaintPolisher · 06-23-07, 07:45

My clients understand that nobody has control of the weather and when it rains your car will get wet just like during pollen season when all cars, people and critters will turn a greenish-yellow inside and outside with a haze or tree sap which seems year round. We live here and like it so we put up with what Mother Nature gives us.

Like right now we are in a horrible drought…all the grass is crunchy, the flowers and trees are droopy, people on the lakes with boats bottoming out on sand bars. So we complain and go with the flow. It has to rain sometime…we hope.

One highlight of this drought is that the bird bath attracts all kinds of outdoor critters; I clean and have to re-fill it twice a day. The birds stack up in the trees waiting their turns for a drink or a shower and shake. Pictures are plentiful.

PhaRO · 06-23-07, 10:21

I've offered some of my weekly customers a rewash if the car gets messed up because of the rain. I don't recall any ever calling me though. I've been asked before if I have a rain guarantee. I tell them the rain won't hurt it much just don't drive in it. I've done details before when there was a good chance of rain. I offer to clean it again if the rain messes things up but none have taken me up on it.

Scottwax · 06-24-07, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent's & Details

If it's a full detail and I need the work I will offer a wash exterior only if it rains that day.

Problem for me is I am losing my weekly wash customers. Completely pointless for them to get their car washed in the morning if it will rain on them before they even leave work. That is about 40% of my business most weeks.

D&D Auto Detail · 06-24-07, 11:06

If I do a full detail and its raining when they pick it up, then Ill offer to wash it another day at no charge.

'03 CTD · 06-25-07, 05:01

Cool thanks for the reply and information. I have put off several, I guess Ill call em and get going again. Just needed to know what some of yall's exp's. have been. I just didnt feel that is was good for buisness if I did a detail then 30 minute later is was time to grab youre horse and *** then head for the arc.

MobileJay · 06-26-07, 12:20

Scott believe me I feel your pain, just a few hours south I see the same damn thing. I am starting to wonder if it is ever going to be sunny and dry again.
Usually if the customer asks I tell them the truth. I watch the news everynight and what I see is what I tell them. On days that there is a small chance pushing them away like 20 or 30% I will give them a wash and an app of OS for the price of just a wash. If its more than 30% I will tell them and they always say thank you for your honesty and to call them after the rain. I know that it might not be the best business thing to do but I gain a lot of trust from previous and new clients.

Perfectionist · 06-26-07, 01:02

We usually offer a free wash at a later day, or if the customer doesnt need to pick up the car we just keep it in the shop until the weather clears up.

Scottwax · 06-26-07, 05:19

I gave a customer a 10% discount today for not cancelling. By the time I finished, there was a torrential downpour that isn't letting up.

Just checked the 10 day forecast....10 more $%$*@ days of rain. I better update my resume, I can't go through this for another month. By the end of June, I'll be down more than $6000 since the end of April against last year.