Client differences

[Tex Star Detail]

Just a quick question. No names.

Who tips better for you? "wealthier" or "middle class" average joes?

My answer is "middle class".

90% of my tips are from them.
Example, today I had a Van. Interior was in bad condition. Not as bad as some I have had, but enough to make you think twice. Here is the run down....
Client was quoted 175 and up.
Client only wantd to spend 150, so I removed some services.
Client had to leave, so I was paid up front.
Client came back as soon as I was loading up.
Client handed me a "wad" of money, to which I replied, you already paid me.
Client said take it.
Client looked at vehicle and loved the outcome.
I talked to the client about a referral program.
I left.
I was given $175 instead of $150. Extra $25.
The tip was $41
Came up to $66 extra

I hardly get any tips, which is fine. But when I do, they are average folks like me.


What about you? Any stories to tell?

 

[audiboy]

Detailing isn't really a sought after service around here and most of my clients are co-workers or from the base I'm stationed at. I guess you could call them all middle class. I really don't do too many cars though, so my input won't be as valuable as full times. Out of about 20 full details, I've been tipped 3 times and none of them were higher than $20. I was very thankful each time though.

 

[RTexasF]

I've found the same to be true for me although tips are rare. It's not the Caddy or Range Rover owner it's the "average Joe" car owner.......they have older cars or those less than $25K when new.

I consider myself "on the road to being a pro".........long damn road too!

 

[Tex Star Detail]

Ditto, I rarely get a tip, which I never expect, but when I do, like you said, older cars as well

 

[Brk4euros]

I get a good mix of the average folks and wealthy ones. Stoked to get them in general. :bigups

 

[BLACKWRX]

i have gotten tipped once.....

 

[gator1]

My coustmers normaly tip on average $20.

 

[shadybreal]

All little off the topic but; After you do a job for someone to do look at the money or check they give you right in front of them or just put it in your pocket and look later? I usually just put it in my pocket and look once I'm in my truck driving off. I did a wash/vac on E340 last night for one of my best customers and charged 30, but she gave me 45. Now that's a tip! I was thinking that it might be better to look at the money to be able to tell them how much I appreciate the tip. Any thoughts?

 

[Tex Star Detail]

That can go both ways. I usually put a CHECK in my pocket, and not worry about looking until I am in my truck. That or I glance at it quickly while I am putting it in my pocket.

CASH is tricky. If you just put it in you pocket, it may be too much and they want change back. If the job was say, $65, and they gave you four 20 dollar bills...............
I usuall do a fast count and ask if they need change back if it is over the amount I quoted....

 

[audiboy]

I fill out reciepts that I make the customer sign, so I look at all money tendered.

 

[Autogeek]

On the other side of the coin, I'm curious how our fellow detailers tip for services rendered.

I'm happy to give 20-25% gratuity for excellent service and I would be considered "middle class".

 

[audiboy]

I'm an excellent tipper while dining out, as long as the service is good. If the service is bad, I'll usually tip about 10% and have gone up to 30% on larger tabs. I used to work in that industry and servers got an average of $2.20 an hour. Any other services that I feel deserve a tip will get one.

 

[RTexasF]

Me too audiboy...........

If it's a haircut or a restaurant I'll go above the "required" amount for top notch service. Average service receives an average tip. Cruddy service gets the same,a cruddy tip.

 

[ajbarnes]

I get tipped here and there and it averages anywhere from $5-$20.

Hey Chris, was that service a interior detail only or full detail?

 

[Beemerboy]

I for some reason have never felt that this was a tip kind of service, you are quoting a service based on what the customer wants. I'm sure that they are expecting a good job to be done. If tipping is because of that then everyone would feel like that, I do know if they don't like something we end up reducing the price or offering a free wash to accommodate

Its not like I tip the guys that cleaned our carpets, or the fireplace flume

However that said I still get some once in a while, its not expected.

Any where from $10 to $20 on my jobs

I just soon that they don't, and bring their cars back to me more often

 

[Tex Star Detail]

I get tipped here and there and it averages anywhere from $5-$20.

Hey Chris, was that service a interior detail only or full detail?

Interior Detail and outside hand wax, but it was a Van, and it was messy.


I tip good for haircuts and dining out.

 

[Troy@Protekt]

I get tipped about half the time and it really has to do with the person, not the class they are in or what they drive. A lot has to do with whether they respect what you do and appreciate it.

I've had some crappy jobs where the people didn't take care of their cars and expected too much for too little (Had one today in fact ). Those are the ones that get me asking myself, "What am I doing in the detailing business?" Thankfully, I think I have priced myself out of the reach of most of the people who don't care about their cars, and have learned to be ok when I get the reaction that I'm too expensive.

I have gotten to a stage where the good customers far out weigh the bad ones. That's when detailing for a living can be enjoyable.

Troy

 

[davekt]

I find that its more the average joe that tips.Sometimes its a dollar sometimes is twenty.Probably the best tip I got was a fifty not long ago I actually had to double check to make sure he had wanted to give me that much.I dont expect tips but when I get them I always make sure I do something extra for them.
Dave

 

[Poorboy]

it really has to do with the person, not the class they are in or what they drive. A lot has to do with whether they respect what you do and appreciate it.

Thankfully, I think I have priced myself out of the reach of most of the people who don't care about their cars, and have learned to be ok when I get the reaction that I'm too expensive.

I have gotten to a stage where the good customers far out weigh the bad ones. That's when detailing for a living can be enjoyable.

Troy

I really agree with these points:rockon If you can get good clients that are good people in general, charge what you deserve so that you can make a living, detailing can be enjoyable and tips for me were really not expected but were a welcomed surprise :bigups

 

[Beemerboy]

I really agree with these points:rockon If you can get good clients that are good people in general, charge what you deserve so that you can make a living, detailing can be enjoyable and tips for me were really not expected but were a welcomed surprise :bigups

Steve & Troy

This is where I am with detailing....I have no issue any longer pricing not to get some jobs, and if they take it them I know I have a lot buuilt into it.

I price my details to stay in the top end of things