Remote Owners Only: Do You "Hand Wash"?

crobinso

crobinso

The Grand Marquis Man
Same questions, directed to the remote owners - those who own a trailer or who operate from home:

If a customer comes to you and just wants a hand wash, for say, $20 - $25, would you take on the job? Or would you refer him to someone else?

Charles
 
I would take it. Just starting out, I would. If I were the only employee, and had a very busy business, with higher paying details, I would do it to. I would make it where I would go out of my way and do it after hours if it came to it. That's just me though. Showing a customer that you are willing to go above and beyond, will most likely become a regular customer. I would also make it a point that it won't be like that all the time though. They would have to be fit into the scheduling somehow. Thats just me though......... I know some who will frown on something like this. But to each his own. :eat:
 
Sean and I where doing one of my clients two cars and an SUV, when the contractor asked if we minded giving his truck a wash while we were there. It worked out and he got two top notch detailers Pimping his ride.
 
I'll just quote myself from the other thread, since I am a from-home operator.

Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Well I don't fit exactly what you're describing a "shop owner" to be, but I can say that if I were a perspective customer of a shop, I would probably be inclined to go there and have them do a hand wash only, and see the quality of their work on that.... BEFORE I let them do anything else with my vehicle. If the shop were unwilling to do a simple wash job, they'd be out of the running for my business.

Just my $0.02....
Click to expand...

That kinda makes my answer obvious ;)
 
i would. i do a it for $30 now. Plus i do the inside. i'm just starting out and plus some people have said that that was too much. maybe its the area i'm in. ????????
 
I would do it for 30 bucks, and include a vac. Normally I like to only wash cars I have previously detailed but I would probably do just a plain wash.

Greg
 
I do it all the time. $25.00 for a 2 door car up to $55.00 for a big SUV like a Hummer. But I don't add anything extra like vac, clean interior windows, nothing.
 
I'd take the job, 20-25 bucks sounds about right for an outside wash and dress. If its a larger vehicle i'd up it 10 or 15 bucks. These are my favorite jobs, it takes what, 30 minutes to do? Not bad if you ask me.
 
Guys,

Thanks a bunch! I wasn't sure whether "hand washes" were "beneath one's station" for car detailers. I'm getting the same answers from shop owners in my other thread, that yes, definitely, take in all of the work you can get.

As always, fellas, :yourrock


Charles
grateful
 
I don't mind doing a hand wash. I charge an hourly rate, so whether I'm just hand washing or claying or whatever, I still make the same money. Since my minimum is one hour, usually I can tell them that I could wash and clean out the interior a bit for the same price. That keeps me busy for the hour. Then I tell them that for another 40 bucks they could get this that and the other done too. It's all about upselling. Will I turn down a wash? Depends on how far I have to go to do it. I'm not canceling dinner with my wife so I can wash someone's Neon. Then again, this is still just a hobby and not the main income of the family. I wouldn't turn down anything if this was paying the bills.
 
Not addressing the $ issue, but the will I do a wash only service...
Yes, I do. For someone to ask me to do this that is not already a customer means that they are a referral from an existing customer. For an existing customer, I'm providing customer service, that is providing a service to meet the customer's needs/wants, and for a referral it will likely provide future business down the road. And, as already stated, I'm getting paid :yes: And, I'm quoting a price that will include a vac, dash wipe, and interior glass - not an interior detail, just tidying up the driver's compartment.
 
I will usually do it. It's either that, or they take it to the car wash. With a lot of regular customers, I find they want a full detail every 4-7 weeks, and when I myself am washing the car, it makes the full detail a lot easier and quicker. I know that since I washed it, there will be no swirls to buff out, no really dirty interiors, and the wheels won't be covered in brake dust. That way, I'll be spending less time on the full detail while still making the same amount, giving me more time to do another full detail for another customer that day.

I have everything organized. For instance, I like to do washes in the areas south of me on Wenesdays. That way I don't have to do extra driving to make another $35, it's all local.

Plus, it definetly builds up loyalty with the customer. If you turn down washes, they might find another detailer that will be willing to, and before you know it, that detailer will be doing full details for them. I'd hate to admit it, but this is how I got a few customers.
 
I would have to agree with that said above $ is $. Right now I would say that the majority of my business is me setting up at a location and washing vehicles all day. I have several accounts that I do this for and even some clients cars I go to their house (as they have been there with me since my very first days).
 
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