Let`s hear from the "Hacks"

[imported_Jakerooni]

Would anyone classify a high volume detail shop a "hack shop" if they do reconditioning for dealerships?

I would consider them a hack shop if they are using "Shady" practices like undercutting the next shop in order to steal customers, or bleaching everything to call it clean, etc etc etc. However volume shops provide an expected service and get low wages because of that comparitively. As long as they live up to those expectations from the dealerships and other customers then no I can`t consider them a "Hack" shop.



If the shop tells the dealership "Hey we`re going to 1 step polish it, Vacuum it out, Possibly steam clean it, Shine up the plastic and do the window all for $X.XX" If the dealership says yes and then gets exactly that then they are meeting expectations and shouldn`t be considered hackish.

[imported_Detailing Technology]

Would anyone classify a high volume detail shop a "hack shop" if they do reconditioning for dealerships?

Depends on the final product and what was paid, period.



I rememebr the hacks I used to send my used cars to. I would only pay them between $75-$100 per car. If the shop barked, I would pull the business. Within a month they would call and ask for some cars back. I only squeezed them for the money becuase who the hell cares! I`d also send cars back for round two frequently if the work was sloppy. The customers had no idea what clean was or wasnt! Moving 600 used cars per year for 10 years, I can verify that no paying customer ever gave a shiiite! The only complaint would be if it rained on the delivery day, in which case I would give them a coupon to go get a $6.00 car wash down the street or a free oil change at their first service.



I`ve said it before, the detailing business has always been extremely THIN in NY. I couldnt even tell you where there is a shop other than Detailing Dynamics in Mineola, which is about 40 minutes from me. I just dont think the masses of people value the service other than the new "We wipe your car by hand with a filthy ripped towel after the tunnel wash" joints that have popped up. They are $18 plus a $5 tip for a tunnel scratch and a wipe with an old terrycloth bath towel that has been on the ground 19 times, and used on 6 other cars wheels before it wped the hood of your $100k S550 Mr. Jones...



Dealerships are just Malco and Car Brite happy. Easy to get, cheap, lots of oily glaze and fillers to make the car look greasy for delivery! Hacks, Im sure, but thats what thier business calls for. If it pays the bills, who cares?



On this site, we can all write and circle jerk till` 2am about which $19 dollar towels to use on our Menzerna 5 step polished hoods, or what brand of IPA mixes best with Poland Spring distilled water, or what Peruvian imported polishing media has silicone fillers that are impervious to sunlight, donkey kicks, and infrared heat to 175 degrees farenheit. But take that mentality out into the world of a clean-up shop with a $20,000 per month overhead, and you will hear a different definition over what is a "hack" and what matters.

[Scottwax]

Would anyone classify a high volume detail shop a "hack shop" if they do reconditioning for dealerships?

Are they doing details or cover-ups?

[salty]

A good portion of my work is cleaning cars bought at auction for the place that i used to work for.



The cars bought have already been cleaned. But as Scott said it is a cover-up. They do it in an hour or so and sometimes they aren`t bad (probably was fairly clean to start with). They are meant to sell at the auction, at a quick glance from 20 feet away (or on the net).



For the most part i wouldn`t call them hacks, but they do some things that are not professional. But why should they care. The cars are being bought by dealerships that have a detailing department, so they just past it down the line.



For the most part they charge $85 an hour. For that you get a PW wash, engine, uncleaned tires and rims with solvent dressing, interior, usually solvent dressing dash and large area wipe and a quick extraction and maybe a heavy hiding wax.



My average price to go over and correct the car is $150, for hours of work. So even though some might call them hacks, they are making more money than me and the customer is still happy.

[Bostonsfavson]

Are they doing details or cover-ups?

What`s the difference?









I kid, I kid :chuckle:

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

they are making more money than me and the customer is still happy.

That`s exactly the problem and one I`m trying to change daily... to customers, just as much as 1+1=2, a `detail` is supposed to cost $60-100 and last 4-6 weeks...

[imported_Detailing Technology]

That`s exactly the problem and one I`m trying to change daily... to customers, just as much as 1+1=2, a `detail` is supposed to cost $60-100 and last 4-6 weeks...

There is your market, can you service them and remain profitable?



Give them the $100 job.





If you can do it, do it.





If not, its time to pick up another trade. :sadwavey:

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

There is your market, can you service them and remain profitable?



Give them the $100 job.





If you can do it, do it.





If not, its time to pick up another trade. :sadwavey:

I`m luckily doing this part time and have my weekends filled so I can charge what I charge and stay away from the `average` clients while still trying to teach them what actual detailing is...

[imported_Detailing Technology]

I saw this on the MOL forum. This was a post from Mike Phillips from a conversation he had with a seller at Barrett-Jackson in 06.











Another attendee from Megs this year stated that 90% of this years cars were swirl-city, some were outright disasters.



I`ll bet it was more like 97%. I remember when I was a selling cars at auction, the cars were lucky to get a free auction provided nylon bristle-brush wash prior.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

^^ Isn`t that Goldberg?

[imported_Jakerooni]

Yep that`s bill goldberg

[Scottwax]

Another attendee from Megs this year stated that 90% of this years cars were swirl-city, some were outright disasters.



I`ll bet it was more like 97%. I remember when I was a selling cars at auction, the cars were lucky to get a free auction provided nylon bristle-brush wash prior.

Nearly every car I saw on the blocks had noticable swirls when they went down the side with the camera and the lights reflected in the paint.

[gamby]

By Autopian standards, I`m a hack. I use mostly OTC products and I use a Ryobi buffer instead of a PC. I still get damn nice results, if I do say so myself. Also, I`ve learned and incorporated a TON from this site, so my techniques aren`t hack level.



I also don`t do 10-hour corrections. My jobs are in the 5-hour range and usually accomplish a 50-80% correction depending on the paint.



The people I deal with simply aren`t going to pay $2-300 for a long, arduous detail when most of them don`t even know the definition of swirl marks.



Also--in New England, 99.99999% of cars are heavily swirled. I notice it, but those people don`t seem to.

[E300Diesel]

Also--in New England, 99.99999% of cars are heavily swirled. I notice it, but those people don`t seem to.

That`s the case mostly everywhere....

[motobuild]

By Autopian standards, I`m a hack. I use mostly OTC products and I use a Ryobi buffer instead of a PC. I still get damn nice results, if I do say so myself. Also, I`ve learned and incorporated a TON from this site, so my techniques aren`t hack level.



I also don`t do 10-hour corrections. My jobs are in the 5-hour range and usually accomplish a 50-80% correction depending on the paint.



The people I deal with simply aren`t going to pay $2-300 for a long, arduous detail when most of them don`t even know the definition of swirl marks.



Also--in New England, 99.99999% of cars are heavily swirled. I notice it, but those people don`t seem to.

Obviously they`re not going to pay $2-300...that`s why they`re going to you right?