Going Overboard On A Detail?

JSFM35X said:
Excellent point.


IF it is your own car, then treat it like your baby, and detail until your hearts content.

IF it is a customer's car, then detail what you are getting paid for and make sure to set realistic expectations.
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I, as well as most professional detailers (I assume), have been guilty of not setting realistic expectations a few times. It is one of those situations that you only repeat a few times (perhaps in different aspects) before you stop repeating that mistake.

When I was first starting out I was willing to do just about anything to earn business (a drive that all hungry business owners should have) BUT if you don't learn how to control the situation from the beginning, you will loose in the long run. I quickly learned that those who wanted the most for free were the same ones who were never happy with anything. They couldn't comprehend how a 180 dollar detail didn't deliver the same results as a 400 dollar detail, or how a 400 dollar detail didn't deliver a Pebble Beach ready show car...
 
Im sure for a customer there is a point where the efforts and product expended will exceed the return.....

but for my own vehicle.....well no.....I once had a situation where I came up against a vacation policy from my real job of use it or lose it......late september I had a week that needed to be used......Kids in school and wife working..........

I did a seats out, wheels off, engine bay, suspension, anything I could reach with a brush full detail. In total it was nearing 40 hours on a car that is regularly well maintained..........

One of the best vacations of my life.....by 7:30am, it was just me, the dog, the radio and the car..........
 
Yes, I'd say so. You can go so above and beyond that you're actually hurting your business. I did that once, and I think it's gonna come back and bite me. Since the vehicle was black, plus it was a real good friend of mine, I went above and beyond. Now people are asking who did it. Not sure if he's saying how much he paid (I sure hope not!!!), but my work has a certain quality to it that I can't back down from.
 
You would think that obsessive compulsive disorder and detailing would go together like cops and donuts, but they do not. I always feel like I could've done just a little bit better no matter how hard I try
When the customer see's the finished product and is estatic, and doesn't see the flaws that I still see, I can't help but second guess myself and wonder if I spent more time then I really should have


:help:
 
Trouble said:
You would think that obsessive compulsive disorder and detailing would go together like cops and donuts, but they do not. I always feel like I could've done just a little bit better no matter how hard I try
When the customer see's the finished product and is estatic, and doesn't see the flaws that I still see, I can't help but second guess myself and wonder if I spent more time then I really should have


:help:
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It's the sign of someone who truly takes pride in their work
 
I don't mind handing over the bikes after a detail, I just wish they wouldn't insist on getting the bottoms of the tires dirty, as they ride it home. :D
 
ziggo99 said:
Yes, I'd say so. You can go so above and beyond that you're actually hurting your business. I did that once, and I think it's gonna come back and bite me. Since the vehicle was black, plus it was a real good friend of mine, I went above and beyond. Now people are asking who did it. Not sure if he's saying how much he paid (I sure hope not!!!), but my work has a certain quality to it that I can't back down from.
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Whenever I hook up friends or family, I always make sure they know what they should be paying., and that if they happen to mention it to someone that is what they should say. But I prefer that people do not mention their individual price...only that they are satisfied with the finished product. What fits for one doesn't fit for all.
 
I seem to be facing the same problem. Since going from doing freebies to having paying customers I find myself having trouble. Stopping at a given point when wanting to do more isn't a easy thing to do. I figure my name is on the detail and reflects back on me. Over time I'm learning to control the OCD urge in me but still cross that line now and then.
 
I think most of us have this same problem Paul. Remember the conversation we all had over lunch at the detail fest. I think we all strive to make the paying customer as happy as we possibly can.
 
Yes a person can as I just found out. I thought I was done with winter prep until I read Todd's thread on preparing a vehicle for winter. Nice write up but wished I would not have read it! Well after 10 to 12 hours 2 weeks ago stripping, polishing and putting 2 coat of wax on and then read that article and it stated to wax the door jams. I have never in my life waxed the door jams. I have wiped them down occasionally but never waxed them. Well it was barely in the 50's today and garage temp about the same decide to fire up the heater and warm it up a little and put a 3rd coat of wax on the whole car including the door jams. I never had it before but I think I got OCD now when it comes to my car. Damn detailing bug! Is there any cure?

:wall
 
skibik said:
I have never in my life waxed the door jams.
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It is always interesting to see how much more you can do. I will use a spray wax on jambs. I will usually clean with a detailer so they will usually clean up very easy.
 
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