why people shop for maintainance

Brian_Brice

Brian_Brice

New member
i was in my work truck at the gas station when a guy on a bike asked me what i charged for wash/wax, i explained that most vehicles need plenty prep work before they are ready to wax but if a one step was all he was interested in that was fine. he called me out to his house for a free estimate of a 00 black s430 identical car my fatherinlaw has and i did a full job on it in march i think.



anyhow i quoted him a full exterior for 150 dollars and planned on putting a good seven hours into it. he agreed and even setup for him to bring it to my personal garage to work on. that time came and he didnt show. i saw his car down the road from me at one of the local wash n waxes. (this particular owner also stopped me one day while i was working on a car and he asked me to show him how to "detail") i asked him how that mercedes was coming he explained the guy tried to talk him down from 60 dollars. i asked how bad the swirl marks were(i already knew) he said he had to buff em out real good and hard (with his ten inch random orbital via wool pad) i think he waxed it with nxt liquid.



my point is, why buy a fourty thousand dollar used car and shop for the cheapest guy to keep it up i dont understand. when i was in the mercedes dealership for maintainance there was a gentleman complaining about the five hundred dollar 60k or whatever it was and a manager in suit came out and explained "if you can't afford to maintain a mercedes don't buy one" wonder if that guy would make a call for me lol.
 
Agreed. I never understood why people who spend money of expensive vehicles cheap out on everything else. Maybe they give up everything else so that they can afford the more expensive car? Not smart, but hey, its not me ;)



I do know that if you buy a new MB, at least at our local dealership, you can take it there anytime for a "free detail" which I'm guessing includes a wash, and quick wax. I put free in quotes because you have to at least tip the drying boy - at least that's what I hear from one of my family friends who bought a S550... $120,000! its black too
 
Some people don't care or know any better when it comes to taking care of their cars . In thier eyes a $7 wash and hot wax from the local carwash is good enough. They can't justify spending $150 if the $7 wash job looks just as good . I know your thinking it doesn't look just as good , well that's the detailer in you thinking , now try thinking like a cheap A** !
 
There are two major reasons why people shop for the cheapest price when it comes to maintaining the appearance of their car.



1) There always seems be a detailer out there willing to work for a very low price.



2) They have no pride in taking care of their ride.
 
I'm with you 100% on people buying expensive cars (usually black) and then letting them go to hell". If your'e going to spend $800/month in payements, $300 every 6 months to keep it looking good should be no problem. But most people aren't very smart in this regard - many stretch way to far to get into a car they really can't afford. Hey, if you don't have a ton of money...buy a $30,000 ride and keep it detailed to perfection...in one year it'll look a hell of a lot better than a 40,000 ride you let go to hell.



I know we always say "people just don't care"...but most do (whether they know it or not)...or they wouldn't have bought the most expensive black mercedes or bmw they could afford. Around my neck of the woods, seems like everyone has a black merc or bmw, and 98% look like hell after one year.
 
[quote name='mirrorfinishman']There always seems be a detailer out there willing to work for a very low price./QUOTE]



I concur. Whether it's a detailer who is just starting up or another who is producing substandard work, yes there is always someone out there that wil perform a detail for less than the other guy.



The interesting thing about consumers seeking detailing services (in general) is that each has such a wide variety of comprehension for what a detail entails and expectations on the finished product. There are endless scenarios of a vehicles use, meaning to the owner, driving habits, personal hygiene, schedule, yada-yada it blows my mind. The single thing they al have in common is that they have inquired about (your) detailing services and know they are responsible for some sort of maintenance beyond hosing it off.



The hardest task I have in operating my business isn't removing paint defects or interior stains, managing dollars . . . it's gauging those needs and expectations of each prospective client. As a blatant generalization, I will say that 90% of people have very low expectations for the finished product which is in my opinion due to a lack of understanding any one of the various fundamentals of vehicle surfaces and/or detailing procedures. It's not entirely their fault.



We know because we live it. Some know because they enjoy small tasks as a weekend hobbyist. Without getting too far from my point; it is too bad the PDTA is failing at what it set out to do. . . aside from supporting detailers in various ways, I was looking forward to a sort of consumer awareness campaign. It could have been a great resource for someone who doesn't want to sift through seven years of (mainly subjective) Autopia posting.



Everyone learns differently. Some retain knowledge through reading, some visually and others are good listeners. I find that is it best to chose two of these educational tactics when consulting an individual on the work that is needed to bring the vehicle up to my standards. I typically "talk shop" about the vehicles needs and if/when they gloss over with confusion walk them to my van and start pulling out visual props to give them a physical reference. No, it's not a ten minute estimate but it is proving to benefit the consciences of both parties. The more the client knows the more at ease they are with compensating me adequately for my services.



There will always be the low-baller, the nit-picker and the unreasonable. While I dislike being in situations with these sorts of consumers, it keeps me on my toes. That's what I find challenging and thats a taste of how I deal with it.



Sorry, no Cliff's notes.
 
It is just amazing how large the percentage of calls from my yellow page listing are price shoppers. Even those with high end cars.



I have found those who hear about my business via the internet seemed to have done much more research and understand why I charge more than the competition around here. I am now actually going down to Austin every few months to detail several cars at a time and another person is driving down from Oklahoma for me to detail his Boxster-so not only is he willing to pay what I want but also to endure a 400 mile, 6 hour round trip! I am finding more and more that a strong internet presence is important in this day and age to help you reach potential customers.
 
I had a person tell me he can have his car done for $100. I said go ahead and have them do it.

just remember you get what you pay for.



He paid my price
 
pssstue said:
The hardest task I have in operating my business isn't removing paint defects or interior stains, managing dollars . . . it's gauging those needs and expectations of each prospective client. As a blatant generalization, I will say that 90% of people have very low expectations for the finished product which is in my opinion due to a lack of understanding any one of the various fundamentals of vehicle surfaces and/or detailing procedures. It's not entirely their fault.



We know because we live it. Some know because they enjoy small tasks as a weekend hobbyist. Without getting too far from my point; it is too bad the PDTA is failing at what it set out to do. . . aside from supporting detailers in various ways, I was looking forward to a sort of consumer awareness campaign. It could have been a great resource for someone who doesn't want to sift through seven years of (mainly subjective) Autopia posting.
Click to expand...



It's a shame that an organization with so many good people could not figure out that there is a greater need to focus on a 'consumer awareness campaign', rather than satisfying their own needs.
 
pssstue said:
[quote name='mirrorfinishman']There always seems be a detailer out there willing to work for a very low price./QUOTE]



I concur. Whether it's a detailer who is just starting up or another who is producing substandard work, yes there is always someone out there that wil perform a detail for less than the other guy.

....

....

Sorry, no Cliff's notes.
Click to expand...





Yeah, but more people ought to know that you get what you pay for...I mean if you find someone that'll re-paint your ride for $500, your gonna get a $500 paint job.



But it's okay, I'll just keep doing my best to educate people one at a time.
 
What would have irked me the most was the guy making the appointment and then not even having the courtesy to call and cancel.......obviously a considerate caring human being.
 
RTexasF said:
What would have irked me the most was the guy making the appointment and then not even having the courtesy to call and cancel.....
Click to expand...



Nothing upsets me more. Almost nothing.





RAG said:
Yeah, but more people ought to know that you get what you pay for...I mean if you find someone that'll re-paint your ride for $500, your gonna get a $500 paint job.



But it's okay, I'll just keep doing my best to educate people one at a time.
Click to expand...



It is my belief that there are two camps in the somewhat isolated community of Santa Barbara; your area may vary.



Camp A: Buy local, support local. Our urban planning commission has done everything in it's power to keep the big-boxes out. This supports the growth of local businesses and puts money directly back in to the community. This mentality breeds the consumer who is more interested in having their vehicle detailed properly at any non-ridiculous expense.



Camp B: Price shop for the best price for said service or good. These are the people who drive 35 minutes to go to Target or our Costco (in nearby Goleta) on a Saturday at noon. They'd rather spend time than money and when another detailer comes along at a lower price, they test 'em out. . . often times blinded by the savings.



Both could be auto enthusiasts no doubt. There are different classes in the auto world. . . do F1 fans jive with NASCAR fans? Over time, I think loyalty is what differentiates the two camps in relation to your business. Camp A will do what it takes to maintain their investment and get the most out of it. Camp B is going to do the minimum to get by. . . which means balk at seemingly higher prices for restoration type servicing.





:hide:

Should I go find my flame suit?
 
Five Star said:
I had a person tell me he can have his car done for $100. I said go ahead and have them do it.

just remember you get what you pay for.



He paid my price
Click to expand...





yeah i had a guy at a local small dealer corner lot call me about his black f250. he said he heard i was the guy to call to "wax" black. i quoted him 8 hours work at 25 dollars and hour which is what i normally charge dealers, pretty much wont call you back anymore than that around here. he said something like "whoa 200 bucks" not with the tone of no way but he said the words. i simply told him that im aware he can get his truck waxed for 70 dollars down the road and that hes also paying them around 70 dollars an hour. minus the two ounces of zymol and one ounce dawn thats a hellova overhead. if he does pay my price ill post pics i have done work for him before.



it seems the more i read here the better prepared i am for certain excuses and comebacks so at times it is very important to have your sales gameface on i do believe.
 
For the true car enthusiasts I think it's mostly just ignorance, they can't understand that one detailer is better than the cheap $50 detailers. If half of these people knew how good you could get their finish they would be sold for life.

I've seen plenty of cars with $8,000 paint jobs that are totally covered in swirls. A little bit of education and next time they might get a $5000 paint job and spend the rest maintaining it for a few years.
 
I would have to agree with many that posted on the fact that many people buying expensive cars are barely getting by, strapped with thousands of dollars in debt. They just want to "keep up with the Jones'", and really have no appreciation for the cars they've got themselves into debt for. So they want, no need, to get detailing done as cheap as possible.



The rest are probably just uneducated, which I would have included myself under. Until I found this site, I had never realized you could polish a car like you guys do over and over and not ruin the paint. I figured scratches and swirls were something to live with. I used to cringe at the thought of paying someone $60 for a detail of just wash/wax. If I would have heard it cost $300 for a real detail I probably would have fainted. I now know what kind of work goes into it (I still can't believe the reports of 10+ hours some people give), and understand the cost. I still wouldn't pay it because I can't justify paying $3-600 a year to have someone detail my car; which is why I bought the equipment so I can do it myself. And I'll be thrilled if I can get half the results some of you guys end up with. But if I made twice what I do; and drove a BMW, it would be a different story.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
More proof of the need for professional detailers to finally get together and establish a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign.



It is not that difficult. We all can help.
Click to expand...





A chance of that is looking pretty dismal in the near future. What are your thoughts on implementation? Sounds like you've got an idea. :nixweiss
 
pssstue said:
A chance of that is looking pretty dismal in the near future. What are your thoughts on implementation? Sounds like you've got an idea. :nixweiss
Click to expand...



In order to be successful, a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign should be clearly focused on meeting the needs of our customers and especially our potential customers. It should not be focused on satisfying our own needs as detailers.
 
I would think going to car shows like some have mentioned they do would be a good start. Bring along a car that is in good shape, but has a lot of the usual swirls and such, and enter it in the show. Then tape off parts of the car and detail it at the show. This will give people the opportunity to see a direct comparison of how a car looks before and after a proper detailing.
 
Quote: Originally Posted by mirrorfinishman

More proof of the need for professional detailers to finally get together and establish a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign.

It is not that difficult. We all can help.



Quote: Originally Posted by pssstue

A chance of that is looking pretty dismal in the near future. What are your thoughts on implementation? Sounds like you've got an idea.



-----------------------------------------



I posted a new topic about implementing a consumer awareness campaign.

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78112



Let's hope some of the professional detailers who regularly post here will step up and get involved by contributing their thoughts on the subject.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top