Hard learned lessons

R

RAG

New member
I was thinking it would be nice for other professional detailers to share hard-learned lessons...possibly ones that have shaped or altered your current practices.



Though I don't have any earth-shattering lessons to share, there are a couple that come to mind:



1) Tape off plastic and protuding door handles - the only damage I've ever done has been from not taping off a door handle while compounding with an aggressive cutting pad...and "oops"...I cought the corner of the handle and burnt the paint right off.



2) Don't give a firm price quote over the phone, as you may get stuck in a bad gig.





I'm sure more will come to mind if I think about it for a while...
 
Stand behind your work. If they ***** work on it till they are satisfied. Better to make them happy then have them running theri mouth off about you.
 
Grouse said:
Stand behind your work. If they ***** work on it till they are satisfied. Better to make them happy then have them running theri mouth off about you.
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Exactly, a couple months ago I tried a new tire dressing and, wouldn't you know it, I got a next call the next day about sling on her paint. So I drove a half hour to her house to fix it.
 
Also, I don't know if it's a "hard learned" lesson, but there is someone else on this board who preaches "always under promise and over deliver." The more I detail, the more I believe it following this rule!
 
RAG said:
Also, I don't know if it's a "hard learned" lesson, but there is someone else on this board who preaches "always under promise and over deliver." The more I detail, the more I believe it following this rule!
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LOL that is what I say about stain removal.
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
Dress your tires prior to polishing.......This will help to avoid overspray on the paint after you have polished/sealed....
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:werd: Especially if you also dress the fenderwells!
 
Some learned the hard way, some just learned ;)



Fill out a work order with an estimate for the discussed services and get it signed by the client prior to beginning work. It will only get you so far but that may be far enough.



On "restoration" type details where the service duration easily expands, give an estimate window generous to yourself with the intention of billing to the lower side. JIC.



Don't be afraid to turn down work where you will not be compensated for exercising your skills.



Have a paint touch-up specialist in your cellphone contacts.



Have a very reliable system in place for storing client numbers/addresses and appointments.



Over prepare.
 
[quote name='pssstue']

Have a paint touch-up specialist in your cellphone contacts.

And PDR tech, forgot about that one.......Andrew, have you ever considered (Or anyone else for that matter) about taking on that task yourself??

Scott, thanks for the add-on, very true.....



QUOTE]
 
pssstue said:
Have a paint touch-up specialist in your cellphone contacts.
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And PDR tech, forgot about that one.......Andrew, have you ever considered (Or anyone else for that matter) about taking on that task yourself??

Scott, thanks for the add-on, very true.....
 
pssstue said:
Over prepare.
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:werd: I can't begin to count how many times in the past I ended up in a nightmare situation by not being prepared - lack of products needed to do a job, being late, not having my map with me, not bringing anything drink, not having enough clean towels or pads, not having enough water to wash vehicles with, and on and on..
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
And PDR tech, forgot about that one.......Andrew, have you ever considered (Or anyone else for that matter) about taking on that task yourself??
Click to expand...



Considering a few things right now :secret I am going to stay busy learning "stuff" this winter. :)
 
Don't give anybody $500 cash to do advertising for you. They could close their doors 30 min later like they did to me, and I've never seen them since. Pay with debit/Credit cards or checks.



-Shaun
 
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