The Cold...

[Beach15]

I've been having a few issues lately with the stupid freezing weather. First, last weekend, I had to wash the Avalanche. It was only the second time in a year I'd let it go without a wash in more than a week, and it needed it. Problem? It was about 33 degrees. Washed like I usually do when it's cold, with very warm water, but rinse with cold water from the hose, and try to go a little bit quicker. I also use a leaf blower to do a good bit of drying, but a lot of spots had frozen before I could dry, so my after wash QD'ing was out, and I just cleaned the windows & did the tires. Finished up Monday evening when everything was melted off. Not much of a problem, but annoying.

Now the cold & snow is messing with my business. Back in about early October, I got the name & phone number of a guy through a chain of people, that was interested in having two vehicles detailed. I called and left a message, but never heard from him again until last week. Called again and finally spoke with him about each car, any specific areas to be worked, and pricing. The first was a "brown" (I'm assuming it's pewter) '98 Suburban that he bought about a year ago. Just has some window spots that don't come out with normal cleaning, and has been through the car wash a few times. The other was a green Cadillac (didn't tell me which "Cadillac" even after asking, but I think it's a Deville) with a cloth roof and a trunk luggage carrier.

Set up an appointment for tomorrow, and arranged for it to be parked outside his garage, unlocked, with the keys and my check in the ash tray, because he was going to be in Florida. Well, I got a call from his wife last Saturday morning just to tell me about the keys & check, so I'm assuming she didn't go to Florida too. But, in the past week, the weather report started saying tomorrow, Saturday, would be the coldest day in several years (of course! why not!), in addition to the snow all over from this morning. I started calling yesterday about having to reschedule, but of course, no one is to be found other than the answering machine. Now I'm left in a situation with a Suburban that's probably going to be sitting outside unlocked with keys & money inside and no owner around, and it impossible outside to do any kind of detailing work. I had today off, and am off through Monday, so I'll have to keep checking the weather & trying to call.

We'll just have to see how things go.....

[Clinton]

If you can't get a hold of the client IMO I would just dothe detail regardless of the weather. You can't control it. When he comes back he wants a clean car not an excuse. If you can't do the quality job you would like to, then spaek to him when he gets back(but the job has been done so he is happy and so are you. To show good faith tell him you will give him a great deal on he's NEXT detail(obligating him to another job) so he knows you are a man of his word and perfessional. Do the absolut best job you can given the situation and he'll appreciate it and your honesty.

Only my opion,
Good luck

.........Clint

[Scottwax]

I don't normally run into that type of situation in the Dallas area because we get so little snow. In addition, I usually have access to my regular customer's garage so I can move the vehicle inside if I need to.

In this case, like Clint said, go ahead and do the work as scheduled. The vehicles aren't going to be driven, so when the customer returns, they should still look pretty good. You can also leave him a note letting him know about the weather and maybe throw in a complimentary wash when he returns-should go fast since they were just detailed and not driven.


If the weather is bad enough you simply cannot do the work, go by and pick up his keys and lock the Suburban and leave him a note in case he returns before the weather improves. I am sure he will understand that you cannot detail while it is actually snowing. Also let him know you locked it and held on to the keys to prevent his Suburban from being stolen.