I'm Very Upset At This Situation!!!!! Any Opinions In How To Rectify?

9

91redrotary

New member
Just finished doing a detail on my neighboors van yesterday. And I'm 2 seconds from going postal.

While I was washing my car 2 days ago he told me he would like to get his car detailed. In his words" I want you to set me up" "I said sure no problem" You want a full detail inside and out right? (just to confirm" He replied yes. So the next day I started around 11am and finally finished around 6:30. His van was trashed and I did a pretty damn good job at making it look much better. I took my time and made sure nothing was missed. I even did the wheelwells.

Clayed,polished, sealed, hand waxed and washed(3) times
Also did the complete interior, (The Mytee lite is amazing)

But heres the kicker I wake up the next morning by my father giving me an envelope saying it's from you neighbor. I didn't really sweat it because I'm sure I got at least 100 dollars.....
WRONG..... THIS JERK GAVE ME 60 Dollars..........
WHAT THE F.......... Is he serious...

I'm sure some of you guys might be laughing now but how would you go about this situation. I can't go to his house asking for more money and I'tll be downright rude doing so. He is my neighbor..............But I keep asking myself who in the hell would think they could get a complete detail for 60 dollars........

Learned My lesson......... Never assume!!!!!! Quote a price ON THE SPOT!!!!!!!!!!

How would you fellow detailers deal with this situation.
 
OUCH, never EVER do job without getting a signed quote or if you know the customer then, at least get a verbal acceptance. Live and Learn I guess :dunno

Eric
 
id be knocking on his door ... looks like HE didnt care if you are neighbors .. borrow his mower for a year or something .. i know its not funny, but its funny. BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME:phone: :bigscream :dunno :wall :drunk :ranton :ranton :boohoo :flameon :wow
 
For real, some people don't have a clue what things like this go for and he could of even thought he was giving you a good tip too. I always tell them up front.
 
Too bad on being stiffed, but not sure if you want to get into a squable with your neighbor, especially if he lives right next to you. Heard too many stories of neighbors having disagreements, to the point that temporary restraining orders are obtained. In extreme cases, one neighbor ends up moving. Not to say that what he did was okay, but the last place you want static is at home. If you think you have a friendly opportunity and the two of you are on good terms, you can mentioned it to your neighbor. Quite frankly, I just do not think he knows how much work it is to detail a van. If not, I would just let this one go but not go out of your way for this guy again. Hope things work out.
 
I agree with ben and civicex. I find that most people do not know 1.)what a quality detail cost and 2.)what kind of extensive work goes into a job like a van. Don't take it personal. Right that one off and next time let whoever know what kinda of work goes into your detail. Also let them know that you use top of the line equip (ie. carpet extractor) to do your work. Establish your price upfront. You learned a valuable lesson, grasshopper! lol
 
Chalk that one up for experince alway quote a price and by all means take a look at the vehicle first then quote a price
 
yeah let it go - not worth losing a friend over - and if he asks you to do it again tell him the price up front..he if says "it was only 60 last time.." then you can tell him you forgot to tell him the price up front last time and didn't want to cause a problem.
 
Experience is the best teacher but FORGET THAT! I would call or go to other detail shops and get their price lists. I would than circle all that you did for his van and add up the price on each of the price lists and than send a polite note saying something to the effect of, hey nieghbor, I appreciated the opportunity of providing my services to you van. The going rate for what I did is: $$$, (notice I put 3 dollar signs b/c I KNOW it would have run way more than $60, in NYC i'm thinking $200 - $300 min), Since we're nighbors, I would not expect you to pay the going rate, but as a professional detailer, (assuming this is how you make your living) $60 was an insult.

Now this is all tempered by your neighbor, if your neighbor an elderly person living on a stipend consider it chartity BUT if he/she make a decent living, write the note and leave the ball in his/her court.

If nothing comes of it, at least it'll be off your chest! Good Luck!
 
What would you expect from someone with a trashed van?? If he cared, his van wouldn't have been in such bad shape. That's the type of customer that doesn't fully appreciate a full detail anyway. To them a full detail is wash, wax, vac, and windows.

Quoting prices is still tough for me. Especially quoting to friends.
 
Scrub,

As far as quoting to friends, business is business, your frineds should understand that.

My friends understand, if they want a break from my prices, one of two things have to happen:

1. They help with the detail, (do the interior, polish the wheels, wipe on, wipe off, etc)

2. No help but I "borrow" their cars for a few days. Some of my friends vehicles are better than mine!

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it! :-)
 
Since he is your neighbor, I would let him know that he still owes you. Not money, but some type of serious favor. What does he do for a living? Is it something that you could take advantage of? Could you uae the van to move something or a friend? Not all commerce involves money. What type of relationship do you have with him? Don't be confrontational, that will just make him defensive.
 
I would let him know that since you are neighbors and his van needed a lot of attention, you did this as a favor/good neighbor. I would then let him know that normally you get about ?? dollars for this (Insert what you would charge) and explain what you did and the time it took. If he asks you again to do it for $60 then he is taking advantage of you and just let him know that it was a one time deal for that price. If he aggrees to pay your price fine but if he says it is too expensive, then that is his loss and your gain as you won't be working for almost nothing and can dedicate your time to a paying customer.
 
Let it go and consider it a lesson in business management.
Most people have no idea what services like auto detailing cost. He probably thought he was being fair by giving you $60.00.
The best advise I have read and would give is ... Always Quote a Price on the Front End of a Job.
That way everybody knows what to expect and what is expected.
 
groebuck said:
yeah let it go - not worth losing a friend over - and if he asks you to do it again tell him the price up front..he if says "it was only 60 last time.." then you can tell him you forgot to tell him the price up front last time and didn't want to cause a problem.
Click to expand...



I second that. I have been asked casually by couple of my neighbors to detail their cars and politely change the topic because I know 1) they are looking for a freebee 2) they do not know what it costs. Mind you I have been approached by one that seems serious and plan to quote the price upfront, but in a very suttle way like "... you know how much the detail shops are charging, its $XXX for these types of proffessional attention. If interested I will ask for $YYY...", or something like that.
 
I agree with kimwallace. If you would have been happy with $100 then consider it a $40 lesson in good business practises. Remember, it need never to happen again. He probably really does not have any idea how much effort goes into doing the job. I became interested in doing some detailing on the side but since I have gotten into it I am no longer interested. Far as I am concerned, getting $100 for what you did (7.5 hrs work, supplies & equipment) is a tough way to go. That`s gross 13.33 an hour to run a business! I was sort of doing work on the side $85 exterior, $100 for ext & int, just to get started and it didn`t take me too long to realize my free time was more valuable than the money. But that is because I have a full time job. Everyone must decide for themselves. Now if someone asks I say $125 right up front for exterior and I am not interested in the interior. So far, no takers. And that is fine with me! If your neighbor comes back for another detail just quote right up front what you want and I bet you he will pass because he will think you are overpriced.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top