I want to know the fellow professional's take on the matter at hand. I prefer to meet clients before actually performing a detail to work out a deal. I inspect the vehicle and have the paperwork ready for the scheduled detail. For the inspection, I like to meet them in my highly detailed personal vehicle to give some insight as to what a detail has to offer by example. This can be an effective promotion to pressure clients into a larger sale, but what about meeting them in my detailing rig? Would the first impression be a mightier one?
Meeting clients for estamates (Mobile Setup)
- Thread starter wicho661
- Start date
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
...
Is that the goal? Lure them with a low offer, and then hope to upsell?
That's called "Bait and Switch".
Frankly, I think that is a losing proposition.
We're not selling carpet cleaning services here, or, are we?
Hmmmm.
Jim
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
Why not start out with a much higher 'List Price' and then deduct accordingly based on age and condition of the vehicle? That way, clients usually begin to believe they are getting a good deal.
Brian_Brice
New member
well considering the fact that 99% of new clients calls are wash or wax calls i pretty much give em a prcie between yada and yada, and explain there is much more they CAN do for thier vehicle, but not go into specs to avoid sounding trained by amazon.com. i examine the vehicle thouroughly before working on it, alot of times the client is working themselves so they dont really have time for a long explanation of what process is needed so this makes it difficult. in cases like these i simply do what they request and then leave a may we recomend list with the keys attached. for instance may we recomend clay detail to remove bonded comtaminants.
i normally just show up in work truck, as i sell most jobs on site not over the phone as most are completely unaware of what a full job really is. i have plenty of people tell me they can get a full detail at the local wash n wax for ninety dollars. i tell them its not what i consider a full detail. and explain they pay the car wash three times an hour what they pay me.
alot of times doing this will create thier curiosity, but it definitely helps to go over it in person. make sure to explain that wax doesnt correct paint damage. alot of people dont know that, one person we did a cherity event for asked if id wax the scratches out of her car. i stress the amount of time that it will take but also i am speak very confident on how it would look when finished. if i dont think i can do it those natural juices dont flow and i dont explain with as much enthusiasm im sure. only had a few stumpers lately but they were due to lack of troubleshooting time, i never leave a loose end.
i normally just show up in work truck, as i sell most jobs on site not over the phone as most are completely unaware of what a full job really is. i have plenty of people tell me they can get a full detail at the local wash n wax for ninety dollars. i tell them its not what i consider a full detail. and explain they pay the car wash three times an hour what they pay me.
alot of times doing this will create thier curiosity, but it definitely helps to go over it in person. make sure to explain that wax doesnt correct paint damage. alot of people dont know that, one person we did a cherity event for asked if id wax the scratches out of her car. i stress the amount of time that it will take but also i am speak very confident on how it would look when finished. if i dont think i can do it those natural juices dont flow and i dont explain with as much enthusiasm im sure. only had a few stumpers lately but they were due to lack of troubleshooting time, i never leave a loose end.
imported_chpsk8
New member
I think it is more profesional to meet them in your detailing rig. Most people are going to be lost on the point that you showed up in a clean car. They won't miss the fact you show up in a profesional looking truck/trailer.
Keep your detailing rig clean and it will send that little extra message.
I think if you show up in a non work vehicle it looks far less profesional.
Here's an example. I bid a landscaping job and drove my Miata to the customers house. He came out and asked if I pulled a trailer with the car. Needless to say I didn't get the job. On the other hand I never get any comments about my transportation when I show up driving my work truck.
See how that works?
How you sell them your package is your business. Being up front is best and retaining good paying customers is the key to a long lasting business. Low ball bids and high price invoices is not my way, but it may work for you.
Keep your detailing rig clean and it will send that little extra message.
I think if you show up in a non work vehicle it looks far less profesional.
Here's an example. I bid a landscaping job and drove my Miata to the customers house. He came out and asked if I pulled a trailer with the car. Needless to say I didn't get the job. On the other hand I never get any comments about my transportation when I show up driving my work truck.
See how that works?
How you sell them your package is your business. Being up front is best and retaining good paying customers is the key to a long lasting business. Low ball bids and high price invoices is not my way, but it may work for you.
Driven Auto Detail
New member
VaSuperShine said:
Can you or someone else explain this? I know it's true but I can't remember the explanation behind it. I should probably right it down so I can remember it...
imported_Grouse
New member
Jimmy Buffit said:
you hit the nail on the head. I fought this kind of deal in the carpet industry for years.
While i think he is on the grey line of bait and switch. I certainly would not approach it that way.
I'm a low pressure guy.
Talk to the customer about what they want, and what they need. Those are different things. Once the customer has told you their needs and wants. Give them the best options you can to meet both the needs and wants. Let them decide based on your exp, presentation, and deamenor. Not a sales pitch.
I too meet my customers for a estimate, I ask them specific questions. If they are not intrested in answering my questions or do not have the time that is a key indicator that they are price shopping and simply want the lowest cost at the least effort.
I am not intrested in that, So i try and describe what my services can do, my exp, time ect ect.
It's about 50/50 of the price shoppers that end up going with my services.
that is fine with me.
Brian_Brice
New member
mshu7 said:
explain what? how youre paying ametuers more than pros if you have them treat you to thier whole package? simple, they add shampoo and wax, ive seen some that might polish your wheels or whatnot, anyhow all this taking them between 45 minutes and 3 hours.(depending on what lot were talking and how many swirl inducers are employed.) so if you pay 90-150 dollars for their full job that averages between 40-80 dollars an hour. not many pros that i know of charge that.
I never upsell customers.
I include everything in my price. Thats why i dont have 15 packages to offer
there are too many shops that do the old bait & switch. have a $99 price listed and end up telling them they need this, that, and bill them over $300
I explain it exactly that way to my customers, and they really appreciate it.
As far as answering your question, Either way is fine.. personal vehicle or detailing rig.
however you may want to take your rig if you want to do any test spots on the vehicle.
and try to group your inspections together, when working mobile, you need to plan your driving routes out.
Thats part of cost management 101
I include everything in my price. Thats why i dont have 15 packages to offer
there are too many shops that do the old bait & switch. have a $99 price listed and end up telling them they need this, that, and bill them over $300
I explain it exactly that way to my customers, and they really appreciate it.
As far as answering your question, Either way is fine.. personal vehicle or detailing rig.
however you may want to take your rig if you want to do any test spots on the vehicle.
and try to group your inspections together, when working mobile, you need to plan your driving routes out.
Thats part of cost management 101
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
Never really answered the original question. Personally, I would suggest that you show up for an estimate in your work rig. And I would take along all of your supplies and products in order to show the potential customer what you are using to get the job done.