Nobody ever asks me what I use when detailing their cars. Most people want a shiny, clean car, and they pay no attention to how long the wax is lasting, the water is beading, etc. It is instant gratification. For most of the customers in my area, they want the car to be really clean, and occasionally they want it protected from the elements with a nice coat of wax or sealant. I do not have even ONE customer that get's their car done enough times per year to keep it protected. Not ONE. Yes, I have repeat customers, but most people think that if you wax your car once a year it is fine, no matter what I tell them. I cannot undue perceptions that people have formed over many years.
Professionalism is in how you conduct yourself with a customer, not what products you use. Being punctual, having a clean appearance (both in yourself and your rig, or building), standing behind your work, etc. is what makes you come off as professional.
My wife has a house cleaning business. ANY of those people she cleans for could clean their houses themselves and do a good job (maybe not quite as good simply because my wife has learned tricks of the trade throughout the years) and would be able to do so with products from Wal-Mart or any other such store. My wife would be foolish to buy so called "professional strength" chemicals to clean their homes, as it would likely cost more for products that basically do the same thing. She is merely providing a service that saves people the time and effort of doing those things themselves, and so am I when I detail a car.
Products are marketed at people that buy them. Everyone wants to feel that their product is better. At the local discount store, they make regular earplugs that they sell for $1.00, but they make "special" ear plugs for ladies that are pink and they charge $3.00. What is the difference? Nothing but color. I've tried a lot of detailing products, and for the most part, I don't see that much difference, and I guarantee that most of your customers won't, unless they are the impressionable type that would spend the $3.00 for $1.00 ear plugs with a pink color added.
Professionalism is in how you conduct yourself with a customer, not what products you use. Being punctual, having a clean appearance (both in yourself and your rig, or building), standing behind your work, etc. is what makes you come off as professional.
My wife has a house cleaning business. ANY of those people she cleans for could clean their houses themselves and do a good job (maybe not quite as good simply because my wife has learned tricks of the trade throughout the years) and would be able to do so with products from Wal-Mart or any other such store. My wife would be foolish to buy so called "professional strength" chemicals to clean their homes, as it would likely cost more for products that basically do the same thing. She is merely providing a service that saves people the time and effort of doing those things themselves, and so am I when I detail a car.
Products are marketed at people that buy them. Everyone wants to feel that their product is better. At the local discount store, they make regular earplugs that they sell for $1.00, but they make "special" ear plugs for ladies that are pink and they charge $3.00. What is the difference? Nothing but color. I've tried a lot of detailing products, and for the most part, I don't see that much difference, and I guarantee that most of your customers won't, unless they are the impressionable type that would spend the $3.00 for $1.00 ear plugs with a pink color added.
