Botique products vs. professional
- Thread starter carzzz
- Start date
1 Clean WS6
Detailing Rottweiler
I think it all depends on the client and the vehicle. I do use some high end stuff (mostly the expensive Meg's products like Medallion Premium Paint Protection...however since finding this site my detail arsenal now contains several different high end products) on some vehicles while on others I will use something as inexpensive as Meg's A-12 Cleaner Wax (the $5.99 maroon bottle stuff). You have to judge your client and their vehicle. For instance take a typical soccer Mom's Chevy Suburban that serves as the family school bus and gets a good detail maybe twice a year. This type of client will be happy with a good shine and a nice gloss/slick feel to the paint. Another type of client would be the CEO of a Fortune 100 company and their $80K+ BMW 745Li. This client expects the best and if you take the time to show him or her how the different products you are using is bringing the maximum shine and protection to the paint of their Bimmer...they will appreciate it. In either case regardless of what you use your PROCESS and overall QUALITY of your work will make those clients the highly valued bread and butter of detailers...repeat customers.
So I guess the answer to your question, in my opinion, can be answered with that classic Autopian phrase "it depends".
So I guess the answer to your question, in my opinion, can be answered with that classic Autopian phrase "it depends".
1 Clean WS6,
"You have to judge your client and their vehicle."
In my shop a typical customer comes in and chooses a package detail at a set rate. Now are you saying that if you have two customers come in asking for the same detail, you choose which products you use on the cars by what class of car they drive or type of person they are?
Seems like someone is getting ripped off.
please explain
carzzz
"You have to judge your client and their vehicle."
In my shop a typical customer comes in and chooses a package detail at a set rate. Now are you saying that if you have two customers come in asking for the same detail, you choose which products you use on the cars by what class of car they drive or type of person they are?
Seems like someone is getting ripped off.
please explain
carzzz
imported_BretFraz
New member
When I had detail shops we bought stuff like Pro and Meguiars in bulk. Now that I detail part time, I focus on the "boutique" end of the business. But if I needed to do volume and watch my costs carefully, I'd be back in bulk.
teamvegas said:
I don't think it is that, but someone who has a high end vehicle is willing to pay more for you not only to spend more time on the vehicle, but also to use the best products available. The soccer mom in the Suburban is usually more concerned with the interior and just wants the outside to shine. It all depends on how passionate someone is towards their vehicle as to whether or not they are willing to pay more for a more extensive polishing process and higher quality products.
I use Meguiars BSP line for paint leveling/swirl removal and Clearkote, Poorboys, S100 and even some Klasse, Menzerna, 3M and now testing 1Z products for my final glaze and seal/wax. Why? Because I like the results. Clearkote gives me a very deep, wet shine that is great on dark colors, S100 is terrific on light colors...especially light metallics, Poorboy's gives me carnauba depth and wetness with good durability and I am testing the other products to see where they will fit it.
Clearkote, Poorboys and S100 are all very cost effective products. I can get 25+ wax jobs out of any of them (actually, about 35 with S100) and even though they may cost me a bit more than buying a gallon of Meguiars #26 or #20, I think the results are worth it for both me and my customers.
BTW, I average around 900-1000 cars a year, about 40% are weekly washes and the rest a combination of wash/wax, interior only or full details.
1 Clean WS6
Detailing Rottweiler
teamvegas said:
Thank you teamvegas...that is exactly what I meant. Carzzz I am not saying that if your client drives a Yugo I am immediately reaching for the $5.99 wax...if that client is meticulous and wants the maximum look from the detail (one once over the vehicle and you can IMMEDIATELY tell what type of customer you are dealing with) I will use the high end products. The key to being an exceptional detailer (or any business owner for that matter) is knowing each individual client and knowing what they expect from you...then delivering it and then some
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
I still consider myself new at this. I want my clients to be happy 3 months from now, so I gravitate towards LSPs that last, and that ususally means a 'boutique' product.
It may end up costing $1-2 more per car, but ...
It brings referrals,so it all works out.
Jim
It may end up costing $1-2 more per car, but ...
It brings referrals,so it all works out.
Jim
jimamary said:
I think i still get referrels from the Yugo (etc.) that i detailed. The owner was happy that his paint could still look good. The owner loved the job and that is what I think WS6 is talking about. Being able to know what kind of a person you're dealing with.
Im not trying to be harsh if thats what it sound like.
:nixweiss
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
teamvegas:
Listening to the customer's needs is key.
as someone said, soccor moms care about the interior...
The Dad with a Porsche 'garage Queen' cares about the shine.
The salesman turning in a lease car...
They're all different.
Jim
Listening to the customer's needs is key.
as someone said, soccor moms care about the interior...
The Dad with a Porsche 'garage Queen' cares about the shine.
The salesman turning in a lease car...
They're all different.
Jim
imported_ajbarnes
New member
jimamary said:
.......and following through with exceptional results and customer service, and that'll pretty much sum it all up.:up
1 Clean WS6
Detailing Rottweiler
ajbarnes said:
Indeed!!!
You can use P21S and still fill every door handle with excess and stain every trim piece on the vehicle with it!! As ajbarnes said...deliver great results REGARDLESS of the product you use and you will have a repeat client.:xyxthumbs
1 Clean WS6
Detailing Rottweiler
SamIam said:Actually, you may be able to fill every crevice with P21S, but I don't believe you can stain every trim piece with it, because I don't believe P21S will stain trim, will it?
Actually...I don't think it does...I haven't used mine yet...but you get my point.
