Would you even bother with this potential client?

Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Makes sense, I've just never seen it done at any of the businesses I've dealt with. Since I process credit cards through my iPhone using Square, I just eat the transaction fee since not that many people do pay with a card anyway. If I were larger scale I might be more inclined to look into that further.
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yeah I can take CC via square as well, but I have only been asked a handful of times and people are more than willing to grab cash! I'll take cash all day everyday!
 
There are many red flags here...it almost sounds like no matter how good of a job you do, he is going to be unsatisfied in hoping to get a break on the price because of his dissatisfaction. secondly, as stated above, let him make good on his end and purchase a yearly maintenance program, this way he doesnt back out on his end of the bargain should you give him any discount. I tell my clients that each car is different and needs different proceedures (such as wetsanding, etc) and different time alotments, so that is the reason for price differences. Lastly, I made the fatal mistake when first starting out, quoting a price on a minivan from a client who told me "its not that bad". When she dropped it off and I saw it, I politely told her, that I have to re-evaluate the price because her definition and my definition of "not that bad" were polar opposites. She subsequently declined to have it done for the new price, which is ok, because I was not going to take a loss on this job, and since then, I dont quote prices until I have seen the vehicle; which only prevents me and the client from wasting our time, and so there are no suprises on either end. I guess we all learn from our mistakes.
 
Me: "Yes sir, Mr. Camry owner, I worked up that quote you requested and it's $250."

Mr. Camry owner: "Wow, I wasn't expecting that. Can you give me a good price?"

Me: "ABSOLUTELY! I hear that every once in a while and to be candid about it, my reply is always that the price I give for my level of service and results are already a stinking good price!"

Mr. Camry owner: "Oh...."



Now he either decides he wants to pay to play or he walks. Either way I win. Learn the method and love it.



Then again, if someone has a reasonable amount of volume of work I am happy to pass on a reasonable discount. Today I hooked up a new client who had 4 cars he wanted full details on. He ended up with a deal and I ended up with some nice coin in my pocket. ....guys like the one you described though? Tell him what I told you to say. You sell a specific service at great value, not an arbitrary "low price" that happens to include a "detail".
 
If you do take him on as a client I would be sure to have him sign a work order outlining what is included in the quoted price.
 
I guess it's easy for *me* to turn away somebody else's customers, but whenever somebody sounds like a, uhm...[jerk] I think how I'd simply hate to get into some contentious situation with them and that I'd rather blow off the job.



FWIW, most of the really good service providers I know (in any industry) are like that; no problem customers, period. They say that they've always runs their businesses that way and that it's one reason they've been successful enough that they can afford to turn away potential trouble.
 
Hi Brian,



I'm more or less like you with regards to detailing as a hobby I can get some occasional "pleasure pay " out of when I like. I've never had anyone try to haggle pricing with me. I wouldn't necessarily be taken off guard if I encounter it, because I think in many situations it's wise, but it sounds like your client is going to want $300 work for $30 which simply can't happen in an hour's time nor without at least some decent products and equipment.



If it were me, I'd probably assume this type of client doesn't understand what goes into the detailing process, but I'd do my best to cooly explain it. I'd anticipate hitting a brick wall with this type of client. I'd probably just offer what I think I could do the fastest and cheapest and leave it at that. I've had one or two folks try to get me to do rather abbreviated work and it wasn't worth it to me. I guess rule of thumb is once you feel the pleasure part of the job not going to be there, consider probably passing. No harm, no foul.
 
speedfreak81 said:
Thanks for the replies guys, all input is appreciated and really just reinforces what I was already thinking. I wasn't going to mention any nationalities.....but am seeing a trend with the guys from the middle east as this gentleman originates from. Like someone else mentioned, it's like bargaining is a sport. If he has the money to drive a high end car, why pester me about every last dollar?



My price list quotes "starting" prices, and final dollar amount is reached after inspecting the vehicle in person.



I think I may offer him 15% off if he agrees to a 1 year contract but other than that I'm pretty firm on what I've given him thus far.



-Brian
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In most circles this statement would be labeled "Racist"...................when in reality it is the truth "You are what you eat". I had a client who is from Iran who lives in a 16,000 SQ/FT house worth at least 10 million, and used me over 6 years and would grind or should I say attempt to grind me.........and would be stopped cold everytime.



Finally after the last time we spoke, he started in playing Mr Cheapa** and I said "You know what....it is time for you to use somone else from now on" as expected he rails at me "Mr Bob I have used you for years and."......CLICK I hung up "With the quickness".



Post haste last year his Lambo is @ a event looking like a** and one of friends who uses me busted his balls with "Car looks like you had your ten year old clean it, time to call Bob Willis" only he can't because he is done son.



Moral of the story is no matter what you charge, if you deliver quality by any definition to the point people are seeking you out, your price point is that "The point". These clients would never allow this to happen to them......how do you think they aquired thier wealth if they run a business by giving it away?, of course not as business is defined as " Providing goods and/or services at a profit".
 
All I can say is... I get it.



RE: the original post. I would not take that job. I would suggest he take his car to a shop whose price he is more comfortable with.
 
Hrm....I missed the part Bob highlighted in red.



I must say that in the last year I have gained a notable amount of clients from the middle east and every single one of them have been an absolute pleasure to do business with.
 
That prospective client isn't going to be satisfied with anything you do and you're going to have to do the car over and over and over again and even then, nothing is ever going to be acceptable.

The best advice is to follow the advice of Picus.

-John C.
 
I had 3 clients from the "east". Never again. I'd rather just pick ANYONE off the street and do a free detail. Auto Concierge is wright. Do you think these people ever discount their services?



Even if you did this for a living I'd suggest to skip this person. Who needs this type of stress?



Good luck what ever you decide to do.
 
Different cultures I guess, years ago my wife and I shared a dinner table on our honeymoon cruise with 2 other couples, the guys were both Iranian and funny as hell. There was no mention of religion and I'm guessing since they left Iran after the Assaholer took over they were not into that whole gee-ha thing. Fast forward to today and I work with a middle eastern guy, he wanted me to detail his E500, I told him I'd do the car for 150-200 bucks for wash, clay, polish and wax and interior, it was in decent shape. Que crickets - c'mon, you drive a friggin E class and you balk at that price?



Stick by your price, even if it's a friend, co-worker and especially family!
 
UPDATE: So the gentleman contacted me on Monday, and in the voicemail he left he again mentioned the price. I just decided not to call him back as I was sure where this was going. Fast forward to today, he calls and leaves a message. Again, he mentions we need to "discuss on the price." After I listen to the voicemail a text msg pops up from him asking me to call. I responded to his text because I am in the office and keep personal matters like that outside of work. I politely told him that I am booked up through the end of May (which is true) and that I could try to fit him in one evening after I leave the office during the week. I also told him that at this point I am firm on the prices I gave him unless he would like to buy a discounted one year service plan. Just as I thought, he replied with a "Never mind, thanks."



I just don't get it. The guy drives a $65,000 car, was referred by a past client who told him about the exceptional work I did......but I somehow was not worth my asking price to him? Sorry but good riddens......



-Brian
 
I can understand the guy that says "I'm going to sell this so it needs to look better but at a reasonable price". Gotcha, I can work with him. For those you've never even met where price is the only object (via phone)......no thanks.



Also, you answered your own question when you initially posted:



I don't NEED to do it, and really have decided it isn't worth it to me unless I'm making a certain amount per hour.
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speedfreak81 said:
UPDATE: So the gentleman contacted me on Monday, and in the voicemail he left he again mentioned the price. I just decided not to call him back as I was sure where this was going. Fast forward to today, he calls and leaves a message. Again, he mentions we need to "discuss on the price." After I listen to the voicemail a text msg pops up from him asking me to call. I responded to his text because I am in the office and keep personal matters like that outside of work. I politely told him that I am booked up through the end of May (which is true) and that I could try to fit him in one evening after I leave the office during the week. I also told him that at this point I am firm on the prices I gave him unless he would like to buy a discounted one year service plan. Just as I thought, he replied with a "Never mind, thanks."



I just don't get it. The guy drives a $65,000 car, was referred by a past client who told him about the exceptional work I did......but I somehow was not worth my asking price to him? Sorry but good riddens......



-Brian
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You don't understand because the two of you think about things differently. These things always work out for the best.
 
Driving an expensive car does not automatically mean that person is a lavish spender on everything.





Some people might drive an old clunker and live in an old house....but will buy (without much hesitation) the latest digital SLRs, mobile phones, premium mountain bikes etc.



To many owners of luxury cars, they might be ignorant about detailing and cannot think why it should cost a certain price. It's not an important thing in their lifes.





Forget this customer.

If you accept his car, he could recommend his cronies to you and they'll all demand the same low-price and expect further discounts.





Do not be deceived by owners of rich cars.

You don't know their backgrounds, how much they are indebted to the banks, and whether that nice car really belongs to them or not.





I'll give an example on a new thread:becky:
 
Some folks I know with $100K+ vehicles rave about their little Mazda or their Isuzu pickup truck.



Personally speaking,although mine are clunkers compared to what they have,my non status symbol vehicle is the one I actually do most of my driving in and I wouldn't hesitate to keep it for 20 years, yet I keep it a good 95% as good looking and detailed as the garage queens.
 
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