R-e-s-p-e-c-t

[Fishpimp]

So know how to close without pressure selling...

[Beemerboy]

So know how to close without pressure selling...

There is no pressure in this process, its not like selling cars..where "if I can get you that price would you be willing to buy the car today" That`s the pressure sell!

If you have done your job right in the presentation process and built up his confidence about you, and understand what his needs are...then all you can do in the end is ask for the business.

I ask the commitment question...I have this weekend open on Saturday is that a good time for you?

The answer will tell you just how deep the water is about his interest...if he says no then he has your card and you have to wait for his call

or "no not this Saturday", then ask what day works for them...if they say I`ll call then thank them for the time and move on with hopes he dose call

if yes book it up!!

You can`t pressure someone into this sale IMO

He might be weighting the fact that you are asking 10X what his comfort level of what he has been paying to clean his car.



example

You have two dentists they both will inspect and clean your teeth..one is 12 bucks the other is 150 bucks...you use the 12 buck guy and are happy with the results...then you talk one afternoon in a store to the 150 buck guy and he talks about the benefits of using him and you decide to give it a try based on the self confidence that you have in his explanation of his services. Its at that point you can tell the difference in services and when you want to see the 12 buck guy vs the 150 buck guy... the same will hold true of your detail customers.

[Fishpimp]

Beemer

Teach me more sensei... hi! I have learnt much mastera... Thezze tings you teach have helped my tiger techique..

Next de broken claw...

[Beemerboy]

Beemer

Teach me more sensei... hi! I have learnt much mastera... Thezze tings you teach have helped my tiger techique..

Next de broken claw...

That will be 50 bucks

Oh and tell my wife that about the you rock part I don`t think she thinks that all the time

[Fishpimp]

That will be 50 bucks

Oh and tell my wife that about the you rock part I don`t think she thinks that all the time

Out of R-e-s-p-e-c-t beemer cannot advise you...LOL She knows alot more than I we do.

50 bucks you still owe me for the water softner...Smile. so we even or something besides I need to buy a new monopoly board cause i`m all out of 50`s.

[dr_detail]

Fact! A detailer cannot generate business BUT a salesman can. We need to be salesmen FIRST and Detailers second...

...the guy down the street who is whack makes more cake...

You got to target, market, sale and THEN and only then do you deliver...

all good advice, I`ll add to it though that you have to be ABLE to deliver... that "whack" down the street most likely has a staff who know how to get the job done; they may not do it all so well, but they can BACK ANY and ALL work that "salesman" sells. If you observe detail shops that are sucessfull, in most cases, you will see that the owner is not the one doing the work; they have others who are in the trenches -- he knows his assests, limitations, and is aware of his defects. Quality, and service have their price, so does speed and volume -- there is a fine line between the two if you want to remain profitable it is a juggling act to keep on it.

Just my $.02

[Beemerboy]

all good advice, I`ll add to it though that you have to be ABLE to deliver... that "whack" down the street most likely has a staff who know how to get the job done; they may not do it all so well, but they can BACK ANY and ALL work that "salesman" sells. If you observe detail shops that are sucessfull, in most cases, you will see that the owner is not the one doing the work; they have others who are in the trenches -- he knows his assests, limitations, and is aware of his defects. Quality, and service have their price, so does speed and volume -- there is a fine line between the two if you want to remain profitable it is a juggling act to keep on it.

Just my $.02

Extremely true and good advice

that`s why 5 minute guy dose so well

Sorry

[Fishpimp]

Extremely true and good advice

that`s why 5 minute guy dose so well

Sorry

Just can`t let it go can you?

[Beemerboy]

Just can`t let it go can you?

No I can`t

I tell ya its the tuna fish!

[Fishpimp]

No I can`t:

You got to know when to hold `em, know when to fold `em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you`re sittin` at the table.
There`ll be time enough for countin` when the dealin`s done.

Ev`ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin`
Is knowin` what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
`Cause ev`ry hand`s a winner and ev`ry hand`s a loser,

[dr_detail]

that`s why 5 minute guy dose so well

Sorry

but he does them by himself......

[Bunky]

I know most detailers want the high end client but there is plenty of money getting the interior of the trashed Honda Odessey cleaned. The average person really cares about the interior. They are less particular about spiderwebbing if the paint has a nice shine. I see many people wanting to write off these potential clients.

I polished my wife`s car to remove some swirls but she still wanted to take the car to the car wash once when I could not wash it....

You can struggle for the higher paying types or go after the others. Yes they are more price sensitive but they can deliver the revenue in between the better jobs.

[Beemerboy]

I know most detailers want the high end client but there is plenty of money getting the interior of the trashed Honda Odessey cleaned. The average person really cares about the interior. They are less particular about spiderwebbing if the paint has a nice shine. I see many people wanting to write off these potential clients.

I polished my wife`s car to remove some swirls but she still wanted to take the car to the car wash once when I could not wash it....

You can struggle for the higher paying types or go after the others. Yes they are more price sensitive but they can deliver the revenue in between the better jobs.

Bunky

You are right I do a lot of middle road type cars...I don`t seek out the kiddie mini vans that look like a rolling cafeteria...but if that`s what there is and they are willing to pay my costs then I will take them...but on cars that someone wants just a quickie wax and clean of the inside sort of an upgraded car wash I don`t take them...they are looking for a price that is close to what they get at a local car wash type place...I end up doing a lot more work on the car and never come out in the end...I would rather not do anything that than work for peanuts

[dr_detail]

...I don`t seek out the kiddie mini vans that look like a rolling cafeteria...but if that`s what there is and they are willing to pay my costs then I will take them...I would rather not do anything that than work for peanuts

Ditto...

I however have no qualms about being honest with a customer and letting them know that it might behoove them to save their money and take it to _________`s car wash (I even give them the car wash`s name, and if they ask phone number).

I know some will say that I am nuts for turning away work, but I would much rather be honest and let them know that I could do what it is they are asking, however my hourly rate is $____.__ per hour and their vehicle will take ___ hours to complete and if they are willing to pay for it, I will do it. I even have monthly customers who now and then ask me to do their work vehicles. The paint is less than & the interiors are about the same; these I take to the tunnel wash. It`s just not cost effective for me to spend $__.__ per hour on labor only to receive $_.__.

Somtimes, however, (I think ya`llbe BS`n if ya said ya didn`t) I will take on a "less than" job just because I like the customers attitude, I like the exposure, the location, I might be bored, I might want to test out a new product or method, or train a new helper, it might be good for a referal, it might just feel rite, or heck -- I might just like the way she looks in that low cut top & skirt (yes, I am a Pig!!). I`ve been doing this all too long and know exactly what a vehicle needs and how long it will take. There are times when I will take on a less than job knowing that I might not make full price -- but there are times that my three teenage boys need to eat, and my mortgage needs to be paid, and I know first hand what it is like to apply for public assistance. For me, DETAILING IS MY INCOME it`s not a weekend job -- production graphics and webwork is.

[Bunky]

I know that most people do not realize the damage being done to the cars at these car washes (swirling brushes and then wipe downs using the same rag that was used on the prior cars).

This effect does not happen overnight either so you are not likely going to scare anyone with just a blanket statement about the dangers. A car that is clean will look good without any scrutiny for several years after purchase no matter how it has been washed.

As my original post said, I have seen little direct marketing by detailers and they seem to work by word of mouth or craigslist. For some this may work, but obviously not reaching many potential clients.

In my area, I think the best approach is flyers dropped off in the better subdivisions and giving a web link to get educated on how good detailing can resale value, etc.