Client differences

**Tex Star Detail** · 01-31-2007, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by ajbarnes

I get tipped here and there and it averages anywhere from $5-$20.

Hey Chris, was that service a interior detail only or full detail?

Interior Detail and outside hand wax, but it was a Van, and it was messy.

I tip good for haircuts and dining out.

**Troy@Protekt** · 01-31-2007, 05:34 PM

I get tipped about half the time and it really has to do with the person, not the class they are in or what they drive. A lot has to do with whether they respect what you do and appreciate it.

I`ve had some crappy jobs where the people didn`t take care of their cars and expected too much for too little (Had one today in fact

). Those are the ones that get me asking myself, "What am I doing in the detailing business?" Thankfully, I think I have priced myself out of the reach of most of the people who don`t care about their cars, and have learned to be ok when I get the reaction that I`m too expensive.

I have gotten to a stage where the good customers far out weigh the bad ones. That`s when detailing for a living can be enjoyable.

Troy

**davekt** · 02-12-2007, 07:46 PM

I find that its more the average joe that tips.Sometimes its a dollar sometimes is twenty.Probably the best tip I got was a fifty not long ago I actually had to double check to make sure he had wanted to give me that much.I dont expect tips but when I get them I always make sure I do something extra for them.
Dave

**Poorboy** · 02-12-2007, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Troy@DetailCity

it really has to do with the person, not the class they are in or what they drive. A lot has to do with whether they respect what you do and appreciate it.

Thankfully, I think I have priced myself out of the reach of most of the people who don`t care about their cars, and have learned to be ok when I get the reaction that I`m too expensive.

I have gotten to a stage where the good customers far out weigh the bad ones. That`s when detailing for a living can be enjoyable.

Troy

I really agree with these points

If you can get good clients that are good people in general, charge what you deserve so that you can make a living, detailing can be enjoyable and tips for me were really not expected but were a welcomed surprise

**Beemerboy** · 02-12-2007, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Poorboy

I really agree with these points

If you can get good clients that are good people in general, charge what you deserve so that you can make a living, detailing can be enjoyable and tips for me were really not expected but were a welcomed surprise

Steve & Troy

This is where I am with detailing....I have no issue any longer pricing not to get some jobs, and if they take it them I know I have a lot buuilt into it.

I price my details to stay in the top end of things

**LikeaRock** · 02-13-2007, 08:07 PM

I get tips from some of my regular clients, and from some of the one-time-only clients. It truly does depend on the person IMO. My first/favorite client always tips me, and I never know how much it`s going to be, it varies from $10 up to $40. I don`t show up and flat out expect a tip from her, but I know it`s coming. She`s been a client of mine since I was 15, waaaay before I even knew what a clay bar was.

I worked at a Christmas tree lot Christmas of `05 and `06, you want to talk about tips...

But when you`re carrying out an 8.5 ft bushy-as-hell Noble Fir, load it on top of a Suburban by yourself, and walk away empty handed, it gets dicouraging. But I snagged a few $30 tips from a select few folks, I even offered some of the money back because I thought there was no way I deserved that much, but they made me walk away with it anyway.

When it`s my turn to tip I`m always generous, I guess it`s partly because I believe that "what goes around, comes around"

**Fireball** · 03-03-2007, 11:24 PM

I have been getting better tips as my professional appearance has improved. The more legit the business gets the more tips I get from my new clients. I do little things like bottle up a few ounces of leather cleaner (idea I got on this site) with a new white micro fiber for touch-ups, put "found" items into little plastic boxes in the console, "Fireball" air-freshener trees, ect. I spend about three bucks per car on nifty little things and that makes people really happy. Of course, if you don`t do a good job....

$.50 each
http://www.papermart.com/itemimg/jpg...83-1149-01.jpg

**TrueDetailer** · 03-03-2007, 11:43 PM

I don`t think it has to do with how much one has. Chances are If you perform a service beyond the customers expectations than you might get a decent tip. Just like at a resturant, if i don`t have to ask for a refill or ask another server to get the one who is supposed to be waiting on me than i tip really well, and if i do have to ask than chances are i`m not.

I`ve got really good customers, Even though they don`t need to, most tip everytime.

**dr_detail** · 03-04-2007, 06:10 AM

For me, tips are strictly an added bonus if the client feels so inclined to do so... period. I don`t expect them, don`t work for them, and certainly don`t do a lesser job if they don`t (I do throw in extra lil` niceities for those who do tip weekly -- like rim waxing, floormat cleaning, motor details, undercarrige cleaning, etc.).

Hands down though I think the best tip is a referal. I would rather have clients telling someone about "the great job their detailer does!"

**DLR Detailing** · 03-04-2007, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by dr_detail

Hands down though I think the best tip is a referal. I would rather have clients telling someone about "the great job their detailer does!"

Another customer goes along way! That`s how Detailers grow their business.

An extra $20 is always appreciated though!

Dave

**Troy@Protekt** · 03-04-2007, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by dr_detail

Hands down though I think the best tip is a referal. I would rather have clients telling someone about "the great job their detailer does!"

Very true. Referals are appreciated as much as tips in my book. However if the person was handing me a fifty and said would you rather me just give you a referal, I might have to think about that one.

**southerndetail** · 03-04-2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by shadybreal

All little off the topic but; After you do a job for someone to do look at the money or check they give you right in front of them or just put it in your pocket and look later? I usually just put it in my pocket and look once I`m in my truck driving off. I did a wash/vac on E340 last night for one of my best customers and charged 30, but she gave me 45. Now that`s a tip! I was thinking that it might be better to look at the money to be able to tell them how much I appreciate the tip. Any thoughts?

Great question, I usually just put the check in pocket and untill recently did the same with cash. I think of it this way if I were giving someone a tip would I rather see them notice it or not. I almost think I would want them to see the tip so I know they know that I appreciated there outstanding services, if that makes any sense.