Quick Detailing, Wholesale Detailing, Fleet Detailing - Underrepresented Here?

David Fermani said:
This was a great thread and deserves to have a big fat :bump:
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I'm glad you bumped it. I probably never would have found it otherwise. So many good points and I have had many thoughts about how to do higher volume without compromising quality. It made me realize that I sometimes forget to think like my customers rather than like a car guy. This thread: "...lost potential customer" was good for that too.



I find the most important thing when dealing with a new/potential customer is to find out exactly what they are looking for. Sometimes that can be difficult, though, as they often want to hand you the keys and walk away. I'm thinking about creating a questionnaire to help me understand the customers state of mind before negotiating price/services.



I wouldn't mind spending a little time in a high volume shop to learn their techniques for speed. Even if I don't like the quality I can still take what I learn and tweak it to my needs.
 
I just read this whole thread (slow day at the office!) and I have a few things to comment on. First, forget lawn care! Second, having a good, well organized volume detail shop is what I'd love to have.
 
JuneBug said:
I just read this whole thread (slow day at the office!) and I have a few things to comment on. First, forget lawn care! Second, having a good, well organized volume detail shop is what I'd love to have.
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case in point, Barry's shop!
 
What a GREAT thread. My initial thoughts were that the OP was gonna be put on blast, but it was a great informative read. Dutrow, thank you for all you posted.



I've struggled with this exact same thing. I don't want to cut corners as my name and reputation is all

I have. But, I have learned to still do a great job, MEET MY CLIENTS EXPECTATIONS AND THEN SOME, and make more money.



I can still do full correction details, but my bread is buttered by the 'express details'.
 
I've picked up a wholesale customer, prefer to keep it at just one since I don't want to turn down full priced jobs for lower priced ones but so far he seems fine with paying more than he is used to because the results are so much better. New products like Optimum GPS, microfiber pads and Meguiars D300/301 have really sped up compounding work so I can offer a better job at what an wholesaler considers a fair price.
 
DaVinciAutoSpa said:
I can still do full correction details, but my bread is buttered by the 'express details'.
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Same here. Until the economy picks back up, thats just the reality of the business.
 
What I tell people is that car care is on a scale. I---I---------------I----I That first section is what gets accomplished by 'washing' or just cleaning up a car. I'm not a car washer, so I don't deal with any of that if that is all they are wanting. The second area is where a lot more of us work. It goes from just claying and waxing the car on one end to the far end where we are wet sanding and getting every defect we can out of the appearance of the car. There is quite a range there, but it is beyond what gets done at the coin-op carwash for sure. The last section is for the PDR, airbrushing, bondo, and real body work that has to be done to take a car back to showroom quality in some cases. I don't do much there either. I dip slightly into the touchup paint area, but that's about it.



So for most of us on this forum we are in that middle section where 'detailing' happens. Car washing, or the kind of thing you can accomplish with quarters on your lunch break, is something I let the guys who can stand to give the keys back to an owner knowing there are still problems they can fix on that car. I just can't vacuum out a car and leave the stains in the carpet. I can't just wash the car and know it needs to be clayed and waxed, but dry it off and be done with it. My business name isn't OCDetails for no reason after all. ;)



I've got respect for the guys who work in the first section of the scale for sure. Just like I have it for the guys who go beyond what I do. We all have our standards and our business is built on those standards. I can't justify sacrificing the time in my personal life for anything less than a $120 job, and sadly that is not to be found in that first section, so I have to focus on going into a little more detail. Maybe if this was a full time gig and money was money then I wouldn't turn away business when someone just wanted a wash, but as a hobbyist and part time detailer, I have to capitalize on my time the best way I can.
 
im with ya, the most exotic cars that come to me are bmw 750i, m5's and and your everyday ford,chevy etc etc. i feel every car should be cleaned, buffed, and waxed. i would much rather personally take on a faded beater, spend 6 hours on it and make the customer smile like its a new car than clean a $500,000 lambo thats well mostly already clean. though one to do would be nice so i can take a pic of it. lol. my little detail shop is nothing major, i turn between 2-3 grand a week if the sun is out.
 
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