how much do you think someone paid for this detail 2 months ago?

$300? I'm doing a jet black M3 this weekend. Got it stripped, washed, and dried today, polishing tomorrow. This black one is almost in as bad of shape .
 

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Barry is this one you were telling me that somebody paid over 1000 dollars for?



I hate to say this, but I see this more and more. A lot of these guys have started charging huge prices for paint correction (which I completely understand) but with out the experience to justify their costs. I think there is an inherent learning curve to polishing paint and some things that reading people's posts on the internet are not going to teach you. It seems nowadays you are judged by the amount you charge, the quality of cars you do, and pictures you take vs. the quality of work you do. My clients opinion of my work has always been far more valuable to me then any praise on the internet (although both are appreciated). How many people charge thousands for concours detail packages they have never performed (but read about)? How many are proclaiming themselves as paint correction experts (while unknowingly filling paint due to a lack of experience).



It seems there is a large contigent of detailers charging premium money for substandard service, who lack the knowledge to understand the results they get, let alone charge for. To each their own, I have no dog in the fight, other then the high end detailing market has been invaded by hacks, which is bad as for everybody, except the hacks, who can now claim that they do 'the same thing for 1/10th the cost'.
 
TH0001 said:
Barry is this one you were telling me that somebody paid over 1000 dollars for?



I hate to say this, but I see this more and more. A lot of these guys have started charging huge prices for paint correction (which I completely understand) but with out the experience to justify their costs. I think there is an inherent learning curve to polishing paint and some things that reading people's posts on the internet are not going to teach you. It seems nowadays you are judged by the amount you charge, the quality of cars you do, and pictures you take vs. the quality of work you do. My clients opinion of my work has always been far more valuable to me then any praise on the internet (although both are appreciated). How many people charge thousands for concours detail packages they have never performed (but read about)? How many are proclaiming themselves as paint correction experts (while unknowingly filling paint due to a lack of experience).



It seems there is a large contigent of detailers charging premium money for substandard service, who lack the knowledge to understand the results they get, let alone charge for. To each their own, I have no dog in the fight, other then the high end detailing market has been invaded by hacks, which is bad as for everybody, except the hacks, who can now claim that they do 'the same thing for 1/10th the cost'.
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Well said. I have been turned down on work before because I did not have enough high end cars to show to be able to get the customers business. Or had a guy turn me down to do correction work on his F430 which was TERRIBLE. Saw it in the sun one day, had swirls all over it, so I dropped a card on his window. He called me a week later asking about pricing and when I quoted him $500 for full correction and interior work he told he that was outragous.



He then told me he takes all of his cars to a place in Atlanta called Catus Car Wash and says they do an amazing job with %100 correction via 1 compound and 1 polish for $200-300 which also includes a full interior and cleaning the engine bay. Even though I looked at his car and it was swirled to hell and back.
 
MachNU said:
Even though I looked at his car and it was swirled to hell and back.
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TONS of people don't see swirls, even if you point them out. We Autopians just have an eye for such things, where-as a lot of people don't.



So Barry, how much was that detail 2 months ago ?
 
WAS said:
We Autopians just have an eye for such things, where-as a lot of people don't.
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The ironic thing is that this swirl job was created by a fellow Autopian. This person tries acting like a Pro, but many of us have figured out long before this what he's all about. No, I'm not referring to Holden either. This guy is actually no different in the way he tries traveling around the country promoting details charging people high-end Pro rates when he more or less is just hacking them up. This is the second car I've seen pictures of from this same person. Funny thing again is that this person is a paid Detail Sponsor on another site. I think Barry has fixed 2 other hack's work that are also sponsors over there. Pathetic!



Barry - I'm sure you made this car look incredible! Too bad the owner got ripped off on the 1st *detail*.
 
David Fermani said:
The ironic thing is that this swirl job was created by a fellow Autopian.
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Wonderful. Like to know who he is so I don't make the mistake of recommending him. I get asked a lot on another board for recommendations for detailers out of my area.
 
Scottwax said:
Wonderful. Like to know who he is so I don't make the mistake of recommending him. I get asked a lot on another board for recommendations for detailers out of my area.
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Just recommend Barry and you'll be all set.
 
Didn't realize this was an autopian.... Before we bring out the pitch forks and torches...



Unless we know the specifics of the detail (i.e. what was promised) then we really cannot judge. I have seen details from well know guys that looked terrible, but then they weren't paid to do a paint correction.

Also, try as we all might, sometimes some paints just don't respond well to buffing and throw a curve ball.



Sometimes it doesn't matter how perfect your technique is, how many alcohol wipe-downs you do, and how much time you spend inspecting it, weirdness just happens... That's why a lot of us spend so long trying to make sure we really did make the paint look as good as it looks (if that makes sense). The problem is when people are promising perfection and don't have the knowledge to deliver. We see this all the time, the whole, "It's detailing, it's not rocket science" approach. It shows a major lack of understanding about the factors involved, and while it may not be rocket science, it is a science.



Then again I know detailer's who charge 600-1000 dollars just for a wax job. Just a wash and wax... Of course the paint isn't going to look great, but if their clients are willing to pay that much and see that value in the service, then more power to them!!!



Argggg I'm rambling on, but unless the detailer promised perfection and then refused to stand behind his work, I don't see a major problem. Fixing our own mistakes is what causes us to get better (IMO) and through this experience is what allows us to charge a premium. Experience isn't how much work you have done, it is how much time you have invested in getting better.
 
Todd, that's a balanced view my friend. Then again, if someone is paying for correction, the detailer attempts to give it and he ends up with this....he shouldn't bill the client or he should go back when called.



I agree with you on how mistakes are handled. It's not the mistake, it's how it's handled. That's how I feel because we all have a number, we are all prone to a mistake/missed spot and it will happen when you do enough cars. But if you're there for your client they will love you even more than before. When someone advertises that they travel to offer these fantastic jobs at premium rates you'd better be sure you get it right the first time...how often you are going to be back in that state or are you even willing to travel 5+ hours to go back on a recall?



I would be interested in hearing more about the exact price and what was exactly sold. But I am pretty sure I know who is being talked about.



TH0001 said:
Didn't realize this was an autopian.... Before we bring out the pitch forks and torches...



Unless we know the specifics of the detail (i.e. what was promised) then we really cannot judge. I have seen details from well know guys that looked terrible, but then they weren't paid to do a paint correction.

Also, try as we all might, sometimes some paints just don't respond well to buffing and throw a curve ball.



Sometimes it doesn't matter how perfect your technique is, how many alcohol wipe-downs you do, and how much time you spend inspecting it, weirdness just happens... That's why a lot of us spend so long trying to make sure we really did make the paint look as good as it looks (if that makes sense). The problem is when people are promising perfection and don't have the knowledge to deliver. We see this all the time, the whole, "It's detailing, it's not rocket science" approach. It shows a major lack of understanding about the factors involved, and while it may not be rocket science, it is a science.



Then again I know detailer's who charge 600-1000 dollars just for a wax job. Just a wash and wax... Of course the paint isn't going to look great, but if their clients are willing to pay that much and see that value in the service, then more power to them!!!



Argggg I'm rambling on, but unless the detailer promised perfection and then refused to stand behind his work, I don't see a major problem. Fixing our own mistakes is what causes us to get better (IMO) and through this experience is what allows us to charge a premium. Experience isn't how much work you have done, it is how much time you have invested in getting better.
Click to expand...
 
TH0001 said:


Sometimes it doesn't matter how perfect your technique is, how many alcohol wipe-downs you do, and how much time you spend inspecting it, weirdness just happens... That's why a lot of us spend so long trying to make sure we really did make the paint look as good as it looks (if that makes sense). The problem is when people are promising perfection and don't have the knowledge to deliver. We see this all the time, the whole, "It's detailing, it's not rocket science" approach. It shows a major lack of understanding about the factors involved, and while it may not be rocket science, it is a science.
Click to expand...



I believe we all are learning by evercycar we do.. As everyone always says, every car is different.

Barry how much was this detail and how did you handle this?
 
I feel bad for the customer in a way when this happens, but also I enjoy seeing a car after I've been turned down because of my price, get hacked up!!! Especially when they call me back. As for this car, its in good hands now!



Barry, or any Pro's can you answer this for me....



Is it bad to charge more when this happens because now your fixing someone else's mess?
 
I don't, I just keep with my hourly rate and go at it from there if it takes more time then I charge accordingly.
 
About what happened I'll throw out there $800 just a shot in the dark. I don't know who might have done it but I do know a few people in your area Barry.
 
How long do we have to wait. I keep coming back to this thread hoping to find the answer.



On the subject though. There have been many times where a CC has given me fits. The key is to stick with it until you get it right. There is no way I could return a car to a customer knowing things aren't right. That kind of crap would just eat at me way too much. I worry enough as it is about the customer being happy.



Also, I wish I had your Florida boys problems up here. When I tell a customer that I have had the pleasure of preparing a couple cars for the Pebble Beach Concours they have no clue what i am talking about.
 
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