West Coast Detail Supply (Excel) Closing??

S

Setec Astronomy

Well-known member
Some of us who have come from other forums may know of Excel Detail, which rebooted into West Coast Detail Supply a couple of years ago. Patrick, the owner, was pretty active on another forum, but he never pushed himself to the members. His service was great, and even though we are on opposite coasts, I would always get my order in 2 days (priority mail). Anyway, I don't buy much anymore because I flavor-of-the-monthed myself into 20 years worth of supplies, but for some reason this morning thought about WCDS and went to the site only to find the home page announcing "We're closing our doors for good!"

Anyone know the skinny on this?
 
There are two ways to get the answer from the owner.

Email or phone which appear on the website.


Maybe he's going to become PBMA's west coast store?:D
 
Boys, boys...obviously I could have called or emailed WCDS, but I'm kind of bashful so I thought this was easier. Besides, if I had just called or emailed, then all my friends here at AutopiaForums.com wouldn't be in the loop about this news.
 
Mr. Gloss said:
There are two ways to get the answer from the owner.

Email or phone which appear on the website.


Maybe he's going to become PBMA's west coast store?:D
Click to expand...

I agree with this, get it from the horses mouth not the horses a$$

Besides the answer you get third party might not be accurate.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Some of us who have come from other forums may know of Excel Detail, which rebooted into West Coast Detail Supply a couple of years ago. Patrick, the owner, was pretty active on another forum, but he never pushed himself to the members. His service was great, and even though we are on opposite coasts, I would always get my order in 2 days (priority mail). Anyway, I don't buy much anymore because I flavor-of-the-monthed myself into 20 years worth of supplies, but for some reason this morning thought about WCDS and went to the site only to find the home page announcing "We're closing our doors for good!"

Anyone know the skinny on this?
Click to expand...

You probably explained the situation. You can build it and they do not automatically come. Selling in a competitive space like detailing supplies where pricing flexibility is limited requires marketing since there many places that have great customer service so he was one of many like Bob Daniels (Danase) who have folded. It is all about hustle.
 
Its hard to compete with the big guys. Shipping today from one coast to the next is all the same. In the past that might have been the advantage. Not today.
 
The news is a surprise to me as well. And it probably comes as no great surprise for those who have dealt with Patrick that my experience with his service and products closely mirrors those above. Likewise it has been a long while since I last ordered from him.

Is he still active over on Autopia? (Yes, I know I could go over and look for myself...but I'm asking instead.) ;)
 
Mr. Clean said:
The news is a surprise to me as well. And it probably comes as no great surprise for those who have dealt with Patrick that my experience with his service and products closely mirrors those above. Likewise it has been a long while since I last ordered from him.

Is he still active over on Autopia? (Yes, I know I could go over and look for myself...but I'm asking instead.) ;)
Click to expand...

He did not seem to be active anymore on that forum or any forum.

He seemed like a nice guy and most here have explained why they folded: "I have no ordered from him in a long time".

He did not market the business (at least to "forum" crowd). It seems like every seller has to create their own forum to promote their products or sponsor car brand specific forums to get business. He did none of that from what I have seen. Autopia 1 seems busy self-promoting UNO which seems hypocritical to me given it was supposed to be so independent.
 
He seemed like a nice guy and most here have explained why they folded: "I have not ordered from him in a long time".

That sums it up. Praises and support are too late when the doors are closing.

The attendance list here grows shorter day by day.
 
Bunky said:
He did not seem to be active anymore on that forum or any forum. He seemed like a nice guy and most here have explained why they folded: "I have no ordered from him in a long time".
He did not market the business (at least to "forum" crowd). It seems like every seller has to create their own forum to promote their products or sponsor car brand specific forums to get business. He did none of that from what I have seen.
Click to expand...

Well, add him to the list with the likes of Danase, SMP, and probably some others I'm forgetting. All of those guys started their businesses as a second income (although SMP changed in the middle); I'm not sure if they hoped that the detail supply biz would take off enough so they could quit their day job. I think Patrick did what he could to promote his business until David B. flip-flopped the rules around too many times. And I do think that Excel briefly had a forum.

I think there are two other major factors that have contributed...one is that companies like PBMA, which used to have a much narrower product line, paid attention to the "flavor-of-the-month" on the forums, and made an effort to carry everthing that had buzz on the forums. The other is the broadening of the internet, where more manufacturers had websites. The combination of those two made it harder to maintain niche or exclusive branded products.

Bunky said:
Autopia 1 seems busy self-promoting UNO which seems hypocritical to me given it was supposed to be so independent.
Click to expand...

Ha, that's a laugh, huh? I remember when they announced their store, and it was supposed to have "all your favorite detailing supplies from the top brands at the best prices anywhere" or something like that...and then they opened it and it was all list prices. Then before we knew it there were only 3D products in the store. The only way you'll really have an "independent" forum is if it's funded by subscription rather than by sponsors or advertisers. (Although Dwayne keeps saying that this will be a truly open forum)
 
Last edited:
I've been visiting forums related to my specific vehicles.

There's plenty of good advice there too, and no shilling or flavor of the month club promotions to distract you from what really matters most, "technique".

It's also a good feature to have forum topics like tires, wheels, lighting, troubleshooting, tech bulletins, recalls, etc.,and still have good discussions about appearance products and detailing techniques.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
The only way you'll really have an "independent" forum is if it's funded by subscription rather than by sponsors or advertisers. (Although Dwayne keeps saying that this will be a truly open forum)
Click to expand...

No rule that says otherwise. In fact, rule #1 is that this is an open forum!

1. First off, AutopiaForums.com is an OPEN FORUM where all brands of detailing products can be discussed freely. You do not have to limit product conversations to brands that are available from our sponsors. This isn't an open door invitation for spam or shilling by non sponsoring vendors or manufactures. If you are a detailer or car owner not affiliated with a vendor or brand and want to honestly have unbiased product discussion, this is the place.

Maybe it's hard to believe? Maybe it sounds too good to be true? It is truly an open forum. That's the deal but it's up to the members to do the talking. No one dictates what YOU talk about here except yourself.

Also, it's much better to have PBMA pay the bills here than to have members forking over the dough. This forum is free and free is good!

Back on topic, sorry to hear about Patrick shutting the doors. I set him up as a Four Star dealer years ago and he is a good guy.
 
Dwayne said:
No rule that says otherwise. In fact, rule #1 is that this is an open forum!

1. First off, AutopiaForums.com is an OPEN FORUM where all brands of detailing products can be discussed freely. You do not have to limit product conversations to brands that are available from our sponsors. This isn't an open door invitation for spam or shilling by non sponsoring vendors or manufactures. If you are a detailer or car owner not affiliated with a vendor or brand and want to honestly have unbiased product discussion, this is the place.

Maybe it's hard to believe? Maybe it sounds too good to be true? It is truly an open forum. That's the deal but it's up to the members to do the talking. No one dictates what YOU talk about here except yourself.

Also, it's much better to have PBMA pay the bills here than to have members forking over the dough. This forum is free and free is good!

Back on topic, sorry to hear about Patrick shutting the doors. I set him up as a Four Star dealer years ago and he is a good guy.
Click to expand...

I agree with Dwayne 100% on this. I think this will set this forum above the others as a place where any type of detailing product can be discussed. As long as you are not promoting or affiliated with a company trying to promote your product feel free to discuss it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top