How many dreamers?
- Thread starter mini1
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JohnKleven
New member
Sometimes you get the people who aren't even dreaming about getting a detail, they just want to talk to you for about an hour about how cool that Porsche is that I'm detailing.
John
John
JohnKleven said:
I wonder how many times that this is true. Think about it, people might just be envious of you and think wow I wish I had talent like that to be working on a Lotus, or Porsche, etc...its so cool....
Plus a lot of the time, when I am out detailing at someone else' house they will come and hang out talk the entire time you are there, there friends/neighbors will come over and talk. I have a few clients that buy from autogeek and detailedimage, one in particular has a collection that will revival mine in some cases. But when it comes to talent and skill, he knows who to call. Plus when I come over he gets to try new stuff, its like an addiction.
A tool in the wrong hands be comes a paints worst nightmare, but in skilled hands its an artful expression of skill that yields amazing results.
I dont necessarily think they are dreaming perse, I think they are lonely and just desire contact from someone else, that or they just want someone to talk to. Money can get you a lot of things, but happiness isn't one of them.
autoconcierge
New member
After talking with someone for a minute or two and you can see it is going nowhere....... (when on a mobile job) I put my earplugs back in and start the buffer and get back to work, only once did this one guy tap me on the shoulder and say do you have a few more minutes to talk........ and my reply was "have to get this car done by end of day" he still stood there and tapped me on the shoulder again and asked can I watch you work............ I just gave him the look:ignore.
Believe it or not this guy still stood there, so I said "can I have your business card?" and he replied "why?" and I said"so I can stand at your desk and watch you work tomorrow", he finally took the hint and as he was the neighbor of the client I was working for he rings the doorbell and complains to the client about my "conduct" and my client told him "your a PITA go away"
.
Every inquiry is important, but when you have "dreamers & time waisters" you have to nip that stuff in the bud pronto.
Believe it or not this guy still stood there, so I said "can I have your business card?" and he replied "why?" and I said"so I can stand at your desk and watch you work tomorrow", he finally took the hint and as he was the neighbor of the client I was working for he rings the doorbell and complains to the client about my "conduct" and my client told him "your a PITA go away"
.Every inquiry is important, but when you have "dreamers & time waisters" you have to nip that stuff in the bud pronto.
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
Auto Concierge said:
Very good point Bob. I've suggested many times that detailers need to be salesmen too. They should take classes in selling and learn how to qualify. Asking key qualifing questions that expose someone's true intensions can be a savior. If you do this for a living, you'd be ahead of the game taking a simple 8-10 hour class instead of wasting 10 times that.
brwill2005
New member
A feel the services I offer should not be a hard sell. I will admit that I am not a born salesmen. I do know how to recognize a good lead when I see one, and will pursue it, up to a point. I never want to seem like I am overselling. You either realize the value in the service, or you don't.
Junebug
JAFO
My day job is sales. I work for a large corp, and sell service contracts on equipment we build. It's insurance and preventive maintenance for the most part. I've had the opportunity to get sales training and customer relations classes. They do work, but some are a bit cheesey! The biggest challange is to be able to size up a customer QUICKLY! This comes from experience, training and just plain "born with it" instinct. We're not all super smooth, slick talking guys that can sell condoms at the nursing home.
My advice: be youself - to a degree, be polite, professional, listen, know when to talk and when to shut up. Keep focused, we are all pretty good with swapping stories and such, but you have to keep things on track. Don't take crap from nobody, if they say,"well Billy Joe will wash a car for 15 bucks" say well, if that's the quality you are willing to accept, then I can't help you, smile and turn away.
My advice: be youself - to a degree, be polite, professional, listen, know when to talk and when to shut up. Keep focused, we are all pretty good with swapping stories and such, but you have to keep things on track. Don't take crap from nobody, if they say,"well Billy Joe will wash a car for 15 bucks" say well, if that's the quality you are willing to accept, then I can't help you, smile and turn away.
I have worked in b2c sales "face to face" for about 7 years now, I have a 75%/80% conversion rate.
Anyway, there are time wasters, BUT, unless you are super busy then I would call these customers "mild" they have shown an interest and unless you feel they REALLY cannot afford it then only then would I ask for a card.
The main problem is giving the price TOO early, build the service up, create a desire for your service and link your benefits with reasons why they want to use a detailer.
Just out of interest how many visit homes i.e. visit the home with a suit and briefcase and sell your service as a high end product, you may find this is a good way to build your business, not everyone that wants their car detailed will know who to contact and PLENTY of people have the money - mostly in the strangest of areas. So knocking on doors that evening is a good idea.
My advice is don't use heavy sales tactics, this is not to cause offence to Junebug but the technique you mention about "you are looking for a lower quality then turn your back" this alienates the customer and bad news travels fast bad social skills are lightspeed because then its not the service it is YOU that is at fault.
Be courteous no matter what the customer says, never give them ammo NEVER. :work: And I am done.
John.
Anyway, there are time wasters, BUT, unless you are super busy then I would call these customers "mild" they have shown an interest and unless you feel they REALLY cannot afford it then only then would I ask for a card.
The main problem is giving the price TOO early, build the service up, create a desire for your service and link your benefits with reasons why they want to use a detailer.
Just out of interest how many visit homes i.e. visit the home with a suit and briefcase and sell your service as a high end product, you may find this is a good way to build your business, not everyone that wants their car detailed will know who to contact and PLENTY of people have the money - mostly in the strangest of areas. So knocking on doors that evening is a good idea.
My advice is don't use heavy sales tactics, this is not to cause offence to Junebug but the technique you mention about "you are looking for a lower quality then turn your back" this alienates the customer and bad news travels fast bad social skills are lightspeed because then its not the service it is YOU that is at fault.
Be courteous no matter what the customer says, never give them ammo NEVER. :work: And I am done.
John.
The main problem is giving the price TOO early, build the service up, create a desire for your service and link your benefits with reasons why they want to use a detailer.
That is good advice. I found that it generally works well if I explain everything and keep avoiding the price question (which is generally the 1st thing out of the potential clients mouth), then give them their price options LAST.
That is good advice. I found that it generally works well if I explain everything and keep avoiding the price question (which is generally the 1st thing out of the potential clients mouth), then give them their price options LAST.
imported_Larry A
New member
We have a 150.00 special on a complete detail , it includes buff and wax, interior and engine . Youd be amazed on how many people think that its overpriced. One guy I talked to said that the 220.00 the detail shop down the street charges was way out of line. Were I live people wont spend the money. A hand car wash opened up last summer . They charged $15.00 for a hand wash, vaccum, windows , dress tires . They are now out of busness. People would not spend that much for a hand car wash.