I want to start off replies with my most current experience. I have been prompted to
start this thread, as I sit and cringe with my "should've known better" mindset.
Because, I do know better.
I need to expect that the majority of my budget customers will have a budget mindset.
This will lead to price confusion and upset customers a large percentage of the time.
Even knowing to expect this type of customer, I am convinced that I have the optimal
budget technique. This technique is incredibly valuable to detailers who can use it to
market to car lots, and market their own services randomly through the city.
I always offer my full detail services to people first. 9 times out of 10 they say that they
have a detail guy in the back that does everything. At a Fiat that I went to, they have ONE
detail guy. I don't want to explain how this is for 60 cars, and we are in a very sandy
environment. It is just not possible for him to keep all of the cars in pristine condition.
I have that method.
I offer to Hand Wash and Wax their vehicle (paint only) for 7 dollars. I add in a tire and
window wipe down for a dollar more a vehicle. Trucks and SUVs are same price,
I just opt out of doing the roof for the same price. As I am dealing with vehicles on lots,
I will not have exceptionally dirty vehicles. Those would be cover by actual detailing
packages or additional charges as they wish.
As I can offer such a competitive price, with good service, I expect to have TONS
of work here in a month or two. This is tax season folks, and every lot that I talk to
expects to be SLAMMED late January and early February. Now is the time to secure
relationships with the local dealers. Their detail guys need help.
Even as I walk onto a lot, which is the worst that I've ever seen.... I expect them to not
desire my service, as they have some kid in the back washing vehicles. How can we
explain the need for higher quality service, without insulting the guy who is doing their
work presently?
This is not the first dealer that I have done work for, it is just the most current one that
has made it an undesirable relationship. I quoted the guy on the phone and in person
the same thing 7 dollars per car, plus 1 dollar for windows and tires.
They chose to have me do a nice Black Cadillac. I made that thing beautiful.
The guy that I was talking to was gone, so the boss came out and looked at it.
When I mentioned the price, he immediately said that the other guy said 6 dollars per car.
Basically, both of them said that I said 6 and they made the entire thing upsetting.
The owner didn't even want to pay me for the car that I did.
I really didn't know what to say, but my feelings were made apparent by a few comments
consisting of things like. "I am sorry for the confusion, but I can't tell you anything than
the price where I have to be is 7 dollars a car, adding a dollar to make it 8 including
windows and tires." and "I would challenge you to find any service with comparable
quality for less than 10 dollars".
Basically, if they want to undercut my extreme value, I have no need to deal with them
as a customer. I should never speak to them again.
At least that is how I felt at one point.
A few minutes later, I realized that why should I turn away from a customer who is
interested, and has seen my quality, just because the customer does not have good
business skills. I am the business man here. I deserve the work, and should expect
to deal with idiots every day. How can I use the idiots to my benefit. That should be
my mindset. Why let an idiot get in between me and the money that I deserve.
That being said, as soon as I am successful, and am busy enough to turn down customers,
these ungrateful ones will be the first that I drop. I made that black caddy look gorgeous,
and they didn't even mention HOW much they liked it, or HOW good it looked. I could
instantly tell that they were hung up on the price and not about my quality.
After some thought, I recontacted the dealership. I told them that I understood and
apologize for the price confusion. If you like the quality, perhaps we can find a way to
get it down to 6. I then sent another message saying that I could give a bulk discount
down to 6 for 20 or more cars, but that 7 is my single car rate, for paint only.
Did I just swallow my pride and give in too easily here?
Was I just scammed?
Should I have stuck with the 7 dollar rate and stuck to my guns?
I still can say that I have reconsidered the bulk discount, and that my price is 7 for paint only. period.
With how the owner acted, this is the attitude that I want to take. I just do realize how
childish that would be. How much would it actually help my business to be firm?
I can always just adjust my quality output to coincide with their desired price-point.
They told me that One Dollar was a big deal over cars over a period of time.
One dollar is also a HUGE deal for me, when I take pride in my work.
Maybe I should just put less work into my pride, if they put Less Money into my Work.
Any Thoughts?
