Cancelling appointments

[Junebug]

I'm in the weekend detailer program too, and I've had guys call and cancel hours before, once - I can understand, things happen, but twice - find another detailer. I have to contend with too many varibles like weather, family obligations, and a bad back that can go out for no apparent reason. It's too hard to reschedule someone waiting on your detailing at the last minute because somebody has a hang-over or spent the detail money at the boobie bar the night before.

 

[todd@bsaw]

I'm in the weekend detailer program too, and I've had guys call and cancel hours before, once - I can understand, things happen, but twice - find another detailer. I have to contend with too many varibles like weather, family obligations, and a bad back that can go out for no apparent reason. It's too hard to reschedule someone waiting on your detailing at the last minute because somebody has a hang-over or spent the detail money at the boobie bar the night before.

Or the earned detail money at the boobie bar that day.

*cough*



:faint: :laugh:

 

[anson89]

anyone have a sample of their contracts or what not then can provide or post up?



I have seen this happen to many times and it got the the point as everyone else mentioned where asking for a certain percentage of the detail is the proper thing to do.



You can ask for what you feel comfortable with and have them sign something stating they gave you that is to go towards the final bill for the detail on: XXX kind of car. Just so that they feel like you are looking out for their best interest as well.

I'd second that, a sample of the contract would be great!

 

[adrock2003]

I'd love a sample contract as something I can use to type up my own contract.

 

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

Like Todd I too use a deposit to schedule that goes toward the actual detail service. If paint correction/polishing is involved, which for me is $250 and above, then a 50% deposit is required. For all services above $100 where no paint correction is involved, such as a light clay with a wash & wax, wash & wax with interior, etc. it's $50. For wash & wax, which are usually below $100 for me, and regular washes I don't require a deposit because I schedule does on evenings after my 'real' job so even if they cancel it's no biggie to lose $50 as I usually don't have many clients coming for such services other than a few regulars who are already scheduled.



Definitely make it clear in a nice way why the deposit is required and that it will go toward the detail and it's not an extra fee.



Honestly though, I do this for probably only 25% of my clients because I try my best to simply judge a person by our initial conversation, pre-detail inspection, how they treat and talk about their car, etc. I have had maybe 2 cancellation issues and no lost clients in 2-3 years of doing this regularly so I think it's working pretty well.