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  1. #31
    autoconcierge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DetailBurger
    I never mentioned any names in my post, nor what state I am located in. I`d prefer responses from people who are not associated with any South Florida detailers. I need some unbiased opinions. I was also sort of hoping to maintain his anonymity in case this thread goes south at some point. Im not looking to cause a ruckus for an individual.





    Call up Steve and tell him that yourself. He`s probably the most recommended luxury car detailer in the San Diego area, recommended by nearly all the tuning companies and ... if you`ve ever been to Southern California, you know how much custom car work goes on there. As opposed to Miami where where there isnt practically anyone doing jack squat. I can`t find a single legit tuning/modding company out here, aside from a guy who used to (surprise) work for West Coast Customs (in CA) and relocated to do his own private jobs out here.



    There is such a thing as overcharging for a service, and I just want to make sure the prices are fair. That`s all im doing here. California is known for car customs and modding and blinging out vehicles. Miami is known for mega mega rich mofo`s from other countries who throw around $1000`s like its pocket change. You want to charge them $1500 to detail their $700,000 Lamborghini? That`s fine. I feel like I should be able to get equivilent service on a much cheaper vehicle for a more reasonable price. So I get why the prices here might be 10x higher (because you can), but that doesn`t mean its a fair for everyone. Or maybe it is. That`s why Im asking.



    To answer the other questions above:



    1) Yes this was a sight-unseen quote. The unmentioned individual has not seen the vehicle at all yet. The exact words were "It could take 18 to 20 hours or more!" (to wash, polish, and opticoat the car). The same work done (perfectly!) minus opti-coat cost me $350 in San Diego. Wash, polish, deswirl, wax etc... and that was interior and exterior and engine ... and wheels .... !



    2) The $350 flat fee from Detail Works was a complete inside and outside detail with polishing of everything. No Opti-Coat.



    3) I have no warranty offer aside from the statement "Opti coat lasts a lot longer than CQuartz, so you should use Opti-Coat"



    4) How do I plan to maintain it after having it coated? I do weekly details myself. Kept my last six series showroom new for 6 years with that method. Haven`t thought past that yet.






    "Captain contradiction" please come to the lobby...................Post # 1 by YOU mentions the service you used in San Diego so not posting anyones name ..................well that went out the window.



    Me thinks you have utilized "Hackage" and should keep on your present speed and course as even though you sprung for "Full polish HRE`s" which go for exactly $1,750.00 a WHEEL, either you are tapped out of scrill or "Pop" said ..... "No more Junior"..................

  2. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by Deep Gloss Auto Salon
    100%on the money Marc.



    As auto aesthetica said. If I have to quote a car without seeing it I will ALWAYS quote on the high side. Every owner says " I want it perfect and right now the paint isn`t too bad to start off with" yet, on arrival and my 1st chance to see the paint it almost always is in terrible shape.


    I completely agree with your scenario Jason. I`ve always found it odd the type of people that consider their paint in "not too bad" shape usually have JACKED finishes while those that say "it really needs A LOT of love" usually have nicely maintained vehicles.



    GO Lions!

    GO Tigers!
    Marc Harris from AutoLavish Fine Automobile Care of Michigan

  3. #33

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    I think some are a little harsh on the OP. He`s asked a legit question about a high quote and tried his best to provide as much info and conceal the business who quoted. Back-off dudes.

  4. #34

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    $60/hr. seems reasonable to me.

  5. #35
    CCH Auto Appearance, LLC C. Charles Hahn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Theal
    Incredible post Marc!



    If I could justify things a little more.



    I think the fact of the matter here is money. There is a price for everything. Depending on who you get your services from. Look at it this way, you just made an investment of $75,000. I can buy a nice small house in my area for that, but in Florida is an everyday car. Still 75 grand is 75 grand. Opticoat is a permant coating and as such would be a great investment for you. The biggest price factor here is the labor charge. Hours spent. Do you really want some one to rush the job or take there time and do it right? Also you have to look at it this way. $1700 is only 2.2% of the total investment. That together seems to be a rather small percent to make the car perfect and protected. For what it`s worth $1700 for a detail is a rather small price to pay depending on who you talk to. Case in point below.


    :werd:



    Not only is it an investment of $75K, it`s an investment of $75K in a depreciating asset, and you have already accelerated that depreciation by having a non-factory COLOR CHANGE paint job put on the car straight off the showroom floor. Something to consider:



    How long do you plan on keeping this vehicle? Go out there and do some research -- figure out how much the "normal" depreciation rate for the vehicle is, and be sure to pay attention to how much of a role the vehicle`s cosmetic condition plays in that depreciation. How much less is a vehicle in "good" or "average" condition worth when compared to an "excellent" one? Next, decrease the value of the vehicle a bit further to take into account the aftermarket paintwork. How much money did you lose over your period of ownership?



    I`m willing to bet spending $1700 now on a permanent coating which will slow "normal wear" to a near halt if given proper aftercare is going to pay you back in a big way when it comes time to sell or trade.



    Quote Originally Posted by MarcHarris

    GO Lions!

    GO Tigers!


    GO Green!
    Charlie
    Automotive Appearance Specialist - Serving Greater Lansing, Michigan
    http://www.cchautoappearance.com/

  6. #36

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    OK, I haven`t read most replies, but a few.



    My take - And forgive me if I don`t understand it totally...



    Your brand new car received a new paint job? You went to Jet Black?



    If so, did the SD detailer detail the original color or this color? Because there is a HUGE difference between the 2.



    So, my take is: David IS worth his asking price. However, if you like perfection? Save your money on excessive polishing as the paint will look like **** in no time. I don`t care what you think of your paint condition right now, I can tell you unseen that it isn`t perfect. Far from it. It may "appear" so , but once you strip it the true condition will blow you away. Right now it is just covered up.



    That is my take, and I hope that I didn`t come across too harsh.



    As far as the other shop doing a full detail for $350? In and out? I don`t think that shop is on the same skill level as David.



    Now, I`d like to know what John Kleven charges for the same service as he is top notch.

  7. #37

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    What a show off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





    Quote Originally Posted by barry theal





    in case your wondering that for a little more work, but just a point of what some are willing to pay.

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by tdekany
    What a show off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Yeah, I wish Barry would hurry up and cash it. It`s keeping me from balancing my checkbook.:wof:

  9. #39

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    Okay well ...



    1) Everyone who knows Dave and has responded here, thanks for your input, i know he`s a great guy, but I still dont think my car needs TWENTY HOURS of cleaning.

    2) The couple guys who had nothing of value to say other than retarded flaming coments, will be disregarded.

    3) More than a couple guys plainly said $1700 to clean and opticoat a brand new car is ridiculous.

    4) The majority of you have said that 1,700 to opticoat and polish a brand new car is reasonable.



    After this thread I am sure Dave wont work on my car anyways. He`s probably pissed. Mostly because most of you have responded like I was an idiot for asking. I appreciate the one person who spoke up and stated I asked a reasonable question. But im sure I`ve burned this bridge with Dave.



    When I go to the home page of this web site and there`s an Alfa 8C that looks like an utter disaster, and it says underneath, something like "WHOPPING 18 HOUR DETAIL!" ....



    Yet my brand new BMW needs 20 hours.... ?



    My brain still isn`t registering why.



    Marc your post was very helpful and for the most part on-point. Please keep in mind the shop that did the work for $350 - - - the quality of their work is not up for questioning. I saw the results. Detail Works is great. Maybe you guys should call him and tell him to quadruple his prices.



    I appreciate most of the responses here. What I have concluded is this:



    I should have had Dave view the vehicle before giving me his price quote. Because now, even without having seen a single photo of the car, he has told me to "Take it or leave it" with a 20 hour timeline. So I guess I screwed myself. Live and Learn.

  10. #40

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    Quote Originally Posted by DetailBurger
    When I go to the home page of this web site and there`s an Alfa 8C that looks like an utter disaster, and it says underneath, something like "WHOPPING 18 HOUR DETAIL!" ....



    Yet my brand new BMW needs 20 hours.... ?



    My brain still isn`t registering why.




    The majority of people here are saying your paint is indeed not perfect. You want to see how nasty your paint really is? Find someone to let you use their hose and give it a good washing with a strong mix of either citrus wash and gloss or Dawn soap. And wash it a few times. If the trails are just starting to show themselves, im sure more will appear. And just because your paint was brand new doesnt mean the body shop who painted it knows how to detail paint.



    And that alfa you saw on the front page probably cost the owner more than what you were quoted because that is Paul Dalton`s work, aka this: World`s Most Expensive Car Wash - YouTube

    The video mentions his work can cost up to £5000, aka $7800 US.



    And after reading the first line of his article on our forum, where it says "£5k 50 hour detail on his Carrera CGT" thats £1000 every 10 hours of work. or $1500 for only 10 hours.

  11. #41
    Nth Degree's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DetailBurger
    After this thread I am sure Dave wont work on my car anyways. He`s probably pissed. Mostly because most of you have responded like I was an idiot for asking. I appreciate the one person who spoke up and stated I asked a reasonable question. But im sure I`ve burned this bridge with Dave.



    When I go to the home page of this web site and there`s an Alfa 8C that looks like an utter disaster, and it says underneath, something like "WHOPPING 18 HOUR DETAIL!" ....



    Yet my brand new BMW needs 20 hours.... ?



    My brain still isn`t registering why.



    I should have had Dave view the vehicle before giving me his price quote. Because now, even without having seen a single photo of the car, he has told me to "Take it or leave it" with a 20 hour timeline. So I guess I screwed myself. Live and Learn.


    I don`t know Dave personally, only from his online posts. Based upon the demeanor of his posts I don`t think he will have taken this personally. I`m sure he knows his prices are above average and would likely take it as a compliment that you still consider using his service after this thread. I know I would. His 20 hour timeline may simply be his way of weeding out the tire kickers. Still can`t hurt to take the vehicle to him to see it and see if he adjusts his quote, though I wouldn`t think by much.



    As for the "Whopping 18 hour detail" vs. the 20 hour quote, it`s all about expectations. I routinely take 15-20 hours on paint corrections, even for well kept garage queens and that does not include the full polishing of the wheels or Opti-coat. Unfortunately black is always more difficult and often takes longer to achieve perfection.



    If someone quotes you $350 to do the job, RUN! Run as fast as you can and get a restraining order to keep them at least 500 feet away from your vehicle.

  12. #42
    autoconcierge's Avatar
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    Here is a point the op seems to forget is that he contacted Dave and not the other way around, based upon information he gave OVER the phone/ e-mail.



    A price was quoted based upon those parameters and the OP in a way calls out Dave for "Gouging", then Dave provides clear examples of other services who charge this rate daily(Myself included) and then goes on a open forum to ask "Is this reasonable" and actually the majority of guys who do this level of work chime in..



    Next he names the service in San Diego(I am sure the guy would love that) and proceeded to describe how he got everything for "Only $350.00" in a California market where if it is North County(eg: Rancho, Fairbanks Ranch, La Jolla, Olivenhain) which is VERY "Monied up" a guy doing "Greatwork" for only $350.00 is just not realistic and in my opinion did not happen as any service capable of doing this level of work charging that low of price point would not survive.



    The "Best of anything" has a price point that reflects this, if the OP can find this level of work for "Cheapness" ..............go to it and search out that person, but know this your car will not be corrected properly and that is something that cannot be disputed.

  13. #43
    mikenap's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smoknfastlegend
    The majority of people here are saying your paint is indeed not perfect. You want to see how nasty your paint really is? Find someone to let you use their hose and give it a good washing with a strong mix of either citrus wash and gloss or Dawn soap. And wash it a few times. If the trails are just starting to show themselves, im sure more will appear. And just because your paint was brand new doesnt mean the body shop who painted it knows how to detail paint.


    Joey makes the best point here. Paint and Body shops are not detailers by trade. They spray, buff and then glaze to make it look "perfect". They will NOT spend the hours needed to actually make it perfect, since 99% of people wouldn`t know a hologram if you pointed right to it(I`ve tried this, and it amazes me that they just can`t see it). You yourself said buffer trails are starting to show. Most likely they will be worse than what you`re seeing now once all the fillers have washed away. You also said removing holograms is easy...and it is. But after the holograms are gone, finishing down perfectly on black paint is far from easy, and that`s what will separate someone like David from the rest, including your SD detailer.



    If you`re as OCD about your car`s paint as you seem to be about your polished HRE`s, you most certainly will come to regret going the cheap route. Look at it this way, you COULD find someone for less that does the job to your standards. Or you could come away disappointed. David, and many others as Bob mentioned, has gotten to the level he is because his work is NOT a gamble. You know what you`ll get with no surprises, so in essence you`re paying for his skill, his time, AND his reputation. If you`re still wanting to get your car done right the first time, contact him again. I`m sure no bridges have been burned.

  14. #44
    CCH Auto Appearance, LLC C. Charles Hahn's Avatar
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    DetailBurger, I just want to know one thing, honest answer:



    What did you hope to accomplish when you created this thread?
    Charlie
    Automotive Appearance Specialist - Serving Greater Lansing, Michigan
    http://www.cchautoappearance.com/

  15. #45
    autoconcierge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shiny Lil Detlr
    DetailBurger, I just want to know one thing, honest answer:



    What did you hope to accomplish when you created this thread?






    Charlie as I have a "Light day" this morning(Only estimate appointments) allow me to opine.............................





    The internet has brought many advances in our day to day life, the "Flipside of the coin" is it allows opinions and statements that are so devoid of truth or commonsense that it has become a everyday thing..................posts are made regardless of fact checking, embellishments read....lies are "Normal" and when someone is obviously stirring poop some people will even defend this "Bad conduct" and say "take it easy" he asked a innocent question...........my a** he did.



    Lately I am past my zero tolerance level already with guys coming on here espousing utter nonsense, had the OP said something like this..............."I had my car detailed in California for X price..................the price I have been quoted seems high to ME, can someone chime in here with any comments to explain possible pricepoint differences?" takes a entirely different tone does it not?.



    The truth is much different in this case...as "Cheapness" is a disease that is uncurable(As statements made by the OP that you guys are not privy to would "Convict him deadbang"). The answer to your question Charlie is to "Call out" Dave pure & simple case closed, however when guys of this ilk make flaming statements then pull the "What did I do" card I am sick to death of this conduct and the following posts made by experienced guys in the trade reflect this.

 

 
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