Why don`t detailers sell warranties? You are losing $$.

[imported_Quenga]

I am 7 months away from grabbing my degree in business. I started my detailing company purely as a learning experience. I devote all my free time to learning about other businesses and detail to pay for equipment. I`m not so much into it to make it a 30 year career. My goal is to become a consultant, project manager or similar service. Way more money than detailing!



I got to wondering, why don`t detailers offer fabric guard or paint sealant warranties? Why does everyone call them a gimmick and bash dealerships for swindling customers? Why are detailers forcing their opinions of quality and good business practice down their customers throat?



I remember getting excited to go through a tunnel car wash as a kid, and as an adult, I drove my cars through them all the time. Then, like most of us, I learned about detailing and my paradigm shifted. As with most detailers, I believe too far. I`d like to get input and respond accordingly, but why don`t you offer a warranty program? It`s "easy" money.

[Richard Grasa]

I`ve never given this any thought, but my first thought now is that we can`t control what the customer does to the car after we are done detailing it. What if they put a big scuff in the paint and try to claim it as the sealant not doing it`s job. Or if they put a burn in the seat and claim the protection didn`t do it`s job. While these things obviously wouldn`t be covered under warranty, what if the customer is a d-bag and insists that it is and takes you to court. While they may never win, it`s a huge headache we can all do without. It may be money, but IMO, it`s money that could come with a huge headache. And what if someone wants to claim that you won`t honor the warranty and puts it all over the internet and to uneducated people it makes you look bad. Too many dishonest people out there IMO that want easy money.



a large dealership or other company may be able to deal with these negatives, but to the sole proprieter, it`s just not worth it. Just my $.02.



And the reason we bash dealerships for doing this is they ARE swindling people into thinking they are offering a permanent paint sealant, when it may be something that will only last a year at the most. And this "permanent sealant" is always disgustingly overpriced like the Simoniz sealant that lasts maybe a year that they claim is permanent and they charge $600 for it. It`s not our opinion that these products don`t do what the dealers claim, it is a fact.

[David Fermani]

The ones that ARE doing the warranty services are among the most successful in the industry. Hopefully Optimum will give more detailers a chance to finally offer a product/service that works and see the big picture.

[imported_Quenga]

The ones that ARE doing the warranty services are among the most successful in the industry. Hopefully Optimum will give more detailers a chance to finally offer a product/service that works and see the big picture.

This is what I`m getting at. I think too many detailers are confused and too many "telephone" games have been played about what dealerships do and don`t claim.





Explicit, you`re thinking about it in the wrong way. Can you show me where a dealership offers a "permanent" paint protection coating? I hear about them all the time, but have never seen anyone provide evidence. Just a lot of gossip. The only time I`ve seen one it said nothing of the sort. It was a 5-year paint sealant, but you had to come back annually to have it touched up. I`m not denying some dealership offers it, just I`ve never seen proof.



I also think most people believe customers will actually take them to small claims court. One of my customers fought with a car wash company because they apparently ruined her steering wheel mechanism by spraying product all over the car. $3000 fix. She argued with them, but never went further. She`s currently saving to pay for it herself.



The "fine print" states what the sealant does/doesn`t do. You have to inform them that it does not protect against scratches, scuffs or bird droppings that sit on the paint for too long. It`s up to you to explain it, but if you don`t give it a shot, I think you`re losing too much money based on gossip.



Also, many of the scenarios you listed are "what if" situations. Do you have any experience with anyone actually doing this to you or someone you know? I`m not trying to be negative, you were the first to reply and I already had this comeback ready, lol. The fact is, I don`t know anyone who has! What if a meteor smashed into your garage and all of your equipment was ruined. Possible, but highly unlikely.

[Legacy]

The ones that ARE doing the warranty services are among the most successful in the industry. Hopefully Optimum will give more detailers a chance to finally offer a product/service that works and see the big picture.

They do and will charge the detailer 45% more for the product.

[imported_Quenga]

They do and will charge the detailer 45% more for the product.

Which only makes it easier. Now, you don`t have to handle the burden if any case pops up. I highly doubt Optimum will have very many cases to deal with. There is money to be made.

[Richard Grasa]

This is what I`m getting at. I think too many detailers are confused and too many "telephone" games have been played about what dealerships do and don`t claim.





Explicit, you`re thinking about it in the wrong way. Can you show me where a dealership offers a "permanent" paint protection coating? I hear about them all the time, but have never seen anyone provide evidence. Just a lot of gossip. The only time I`ve seen one it said nothing of the sort. It was a 5-year paint sealant, but you had to come back annually to have it touched up. I`m not denying some dealership offers it, just I`ve never seen proof.



I also think most people believe customers will actually take them to small claims court. One of my customers fought with a car wash company because they apparently ruined her steering wheel mechanism by spraying product all over the car. $3000 fix. She argued with them, but never went further. She`s currently saving to pay for it herself.



The "fine print" states what the sealant does/doesn`t do. You have to inform them that it does not protect against scratches, scuffs or bird droppings that sit on the paint for too long. It`s up to you to explain it, but if you don`t give it a shot, I think you`re losing too much money based on gossip.



Also, many of the scenarios you listed are "what if" situations. Do you have any experience with anyone actually doing this to you or someone you know? I`m not trying to be negative, you were the first to reply and I already had this comeback ready, lol. The fact is, I don`t know anyone who has! What if a meteor smashed into your garage and all of your equipment was ruined. Possible, but highly unlikely.

Ok, I`m all ears. I know I`m not always right, so I am very open to learning more about this. I have only had customers say to me that the dealer claimed it was permenant and it didn`t last more than a year. So I assumed they are swindling people. Educate me, please.



I must stop making these assumptions, I must be missing out on something good.

[David Fermani]

They do and will charge the detailer 45% more for the product.

And you`re also getting a lifetime warranty. Compare the price of their offering to what a new car dealer pays for their product+warranty.

[Ron Ketcham]

This subject requires some "real" investigaion of the companies that "provide a warranty for their products"



Such as "who are they, really?"



"How long have they been in business of providing warranties/warrantied products, and are they just in a localized area or is the customer able to obtain warranty resolution all over the USA?"



"Does a through check of their business, show that they actually honor the warranty sold?"



"Is the warranty written in plain English(or whatever lanquage" that makes it very clear what is covered, for how long and what is the requirements of the vehicle warranty, what is the requirements of the "seller" and "application company" of the product/products?



Who administrates the warranty and any claims?



IT IS NOT THE DEALER WHO ADMINISTRATES OR PAYS THE CLAIM, IT IS THE COMPANY THAT SOLD THE PRODUCT AND "WARRANTY" TO THE DEALERSHIP. (this is where the detailer gets put on the "hook")



What is the exposure of the application company, are they legally liable for any claims?



Is it possible for the buyer to move to another area of the country and still be covered, to obtain resolution of a claim, should it be necessary? (in today`s world, people move a lot, out of the area where they were when they bought products/warranty)



Should the application detailer be able to be reimbursed for any corrective work and does a check of the history of such show that they are?



A "big" thing in the "warranty" business is "who is the insurance carrier" for claims, or is the company "self insured".



This means that if "self insured", and they do NOT honor their warranties, IE pay as per the legal wording and coverage of the warranty, have not been in business for over 10 years, they will close up shop when the claims come in and leave the "detailer/dealership" holding the cost of making it right. ( research such company`s as Thermo-Gard, Ultra Seal, etc)



Chose a company that has been in this sort of business for over 10 years, Google them. Sure, as with any insurance/claim situation, there will be some negatives, but look at the percentages, as often it is not that a reputable company does not pay a legitiment claim, but the customer is abusing the written warranty and it`s requirements.



Most "real and long term" companies have written in the warranty, a time to respond, and as like the rest of the world, some will attempt to make claims that are beyond the requirements of the time allowed and the actual warranty as written. (your roof is 20 years old and now you notice it is wind damaged, etc)



There is "paper work" required, there are often, "not real world" sales claims made in the brochures, that have nothing to do with the "actual" warranty and what is required by the customers in order to maintain the vehicle and submission of any claims.



That is where the "rip-off" by such companies come into play and have given the whole thing a very bad name.



You got a Chrysler product, buy the Master Shield product offering, as it is covered and administered and paid by Chrysler, not some one who works from a UPS post office box.



You want to get in the business for other brands of cars? Find one that has been around for over 30 years or such and "READ THE WARRANTY(carefully and be able to understand it`s limitations and requirements yourself before selling the products)--read THAT WHICH THE CUSTOMER RECEIVES AND HOW MUCH SMALL PRINT IS THERE THAT PUTS THE ACTUAL BURDEN OF CARE ON THE CUSTOMER"



Grumpy

[Ron Ketcham]

ONE OTHER PIECE OF ADVICE!



Does the "application detailer" have to "buy"the warranty for each product they apply?



Or, is there a "reasonable registration" fee for a product.



If there is a "warranty" charge of say $35 or $50 or such, for each product, that is the sellers way of making the application detailer to actually pay for the insurance.



A "reasonable" registration fee is just for paper work of putting the warranty in a tracking system and all the other paper work for the life of the warranty. That way the "warranty" is kept and is available for the life of it and allows the "warranty holder" to make sure that should a legitiment come up, anywhere in the USA, the claim may be processed.



Grumpy

[(901)]

Sounds like a way to cheat people out of money blowing smoke up their ***. I`m not a very good liar, so count me out

[gmblack3]

Detailing your grams Oldsmobile in exchange for letting you stay in the basement does not count.

[Ron Ketcham]

Sounds like a way to cheat people out of money blowing smoke up their ***. I`m not a very good liar, so count me out

Then I guess you should never buy insurance for your house, your car, etc.

A legitiment insurance company has the same sort of conditions for coverage, in their policies, just read them.

People buy these "warranties" because they just want to have some comfort level, and are not like those who come here and care for their vehicle, spending hours each month to keep the looking perfect.

It`s a `different" world, as there are those who have different needs, wants and desires than others.

Grumpy

[(901)]

Then I guess you should never buy insurance for your house, your car, etc.

A legitiment insurance company has the same sort of conditions for coverage, in their policies, just read them.

Grumpy

What does buying insurance have to do with "ME" choosing not to sale extended warranties?

[David Fermani]

Hi Flash - because a paint protection warranty is essentially the same thing as an insurance policy. They`re both endourced/backed by insurance companies and pay out in the event of a claimable loss.