Most of my clients are my female co-workers, who I consider more of sisters/mothers than clients. As I detailed their cars I noticed their tire pressure/threads were low. So I began checking all cars that I worked on just to give them a heads up. When I get a compressor I'll fill the tires up. Are there any other courtesy services that I can offer that does not require much knowledge of automobiles? I can clean them but I can't fix or diagnose them. I just want to do this to let them know I appreciate their business.
Courtesy Services for customers?
- Thread starter twopu
- Start date
You can also look to grease the door hinges. That is something very overlooked by a lot of people. I have this as an extra charge, but you could do it as a courtesy service.
You can also give a heads up with tire tread depth. I have seen a lot of cars running just about slicks in the back. Very dangerous especially with the rain vegas gets. Roads get really slick.
Other than that, if you feel like it you can add a quick wash and wax after a rain storm or also a quick carpet spot remover for good customers that just have a wash.
Little things go a long way sometimes.
You can also give a heads up with tire tread depth. I have seen a lot of cars running just about slicks in the back. Very dangerous especially with the rain vegas gets. Roads get really slick.
Other than that, if you feel like it you can add a quick wash and wax after a rain storm or also a quick carpet spot remover for good customers that just have a wash.
Little things go a long way sometimes.
ScubaStevo
New member
I lub up their door seals, fill up the tires, sometimes if I'm doing a interior, I'll even give them a courtesy wash.
I always note tire condition since I probably get a better look at the tires regularly than my customer's do. I also remove and replace registration stickers. They go inside the windshield here in Texas, so I prefer to remove the old ones, clean up any remaining adhesive then apply the new sticker. It benefits them since they don't have to dig out a razor blade and do it themselves and benefits me because I make sure there is no remaining adhesive that smears when you clean the windows next.
I also put their vehicles away, close their garage doors, etc.
I also put their vehicles away, close their garage doors, etc.
Spilchy
New member
Buick_guy1 said:
I do the same according to vehicle specs if they're low.
imported_SouthernZ71
New member
1) check wiper blades
2) air pressure/tread depth
3) grease hinges with clear penetrant grease, not a white lithium or WD40. WL leaves a nasty white residue all over, WD40 washes out and doesn't protect.
4) washer fluid
As for the actual services they are paying for, I go far beyond their expectations.
2) air pressure/tread depth
3) grease hinges with clear penetrant grease, not a white lithium or WD40. WL leaves a nasty white residue all over, WD40 washes out and doesn't protect.
4) washer fluid
As for the actual services they are paying for, I go far beyond their expectations.
imported_rayvenn
New member
SouthernZ71 said:
imported_SouthernZ71
New member
Guess I did a no, no. Thought by disclosing that I worked for the comp. it would be okay. Anyhow, Zep 2000 is a great product for hinge areas.
WD40 stands for water displacer trial # 40. Over time, the chemical make-up of WD40 has changed, so they could keep it priced super cheap.
If you haven't applied WD40 in a while to those areas, you probably won't need to clean anything as it's all washed away. If you've applied something in the last couple days, and it hasn't rained, shoot the area with a little brake cleaner.
Again, wasn't trying to undermine.
WD40 stands for water displacer trial # 40. Over time, the chemical make-up of WD40 has changed, so they could keep it priced super cheap.
If you haven't applied WD40 in a while to those areas, you probably won't need to clean anything as it's all washed away. If you've applied something in the last couple days, and it hasn't rained, shoot the area with a little brake cleaner.
Again, wasn't trying to undermine.
rayvenn said:
Superior Shine
New member
Although I believe in excellent customer service I don't believe with mess'n with the tires or under the hood.
Imagine the liability you have with doing that.
We show up right on time, do a walk around and evaluate the vehicle with them, do an outstanding service then teach them how to take care of it.
Also, we are mobile. In an 8 hour day I have about 5.5 to 6 hours of income generating time. The other 2-2 1/2 hours is gone with travel time, set up, lunch breaks, etc....
We do inform if we notice something but we can't afford the time to check tires etc......
Imagine the liability you have with doing that.
We show up right on time, do a walk around and evaluate the vehicle with them, do an outstanding service then teach them how to take care of it.
Also, we are mobile. In an 8 hour day I have about 5.5 to 6 hours of income generating time. The other 2-2 1/2 hours is gone with travel time, set up, lunch breaks, etc....
We do inform if we notice something but we can't afford the time to check tires etc......
imported_themightytimmah
New member
On occasion, I'll do an oil/filter change for a really good customer, and let them have the labor free. This is usually for guys that send me a couple of referrals, or 4-500 dollars worth of business in a year.
-Tim
-Tim
Just did my mothers friends car and noticed all 4 valve stem caps were gone and the plastic lisence plate frames were chalky and faded so bad they were light brown. After finishing the detail I ran down to the auto store and grabbed a couple new frames and caps. She actually noticed and added a nice tip for the effort, which more than covered the cost.
imported_UnsanePyro
New member
Instead of changing oil/adjusting tire pressure, or otherwise changing anything on the car, you could always just check up on those things. Check the tire pressure vs the reccomended levels, and let the customer know if something is off, along with things like the oil.
I just did a Jeep earlier this week, and the woman who owned it had a few dollars in change laying around the car. The floor, a storage area in front of the shifter, and in the armrest area just hanging around. I grabbed all the money I found tossed about the car, and put it all in a small plastic bag for her, and back into the armrest where (most) of the change originally was.
Just remember that we are all detailers and our work lies in the details. Clean out the jambs, shift the shifter to D and clean the area that is hidden when it is in P, the area you see when you turn the steering wheel, the mirrors in the visor's. The valve caps, license plate frames, even the plates themselves (clean them off realy well, straighten them out if possible/needed). These aren't really extra services, but still go along the lines of 'going the extra mile' for your customers.
I just did a Jeep earlier this week, and the woman who owned it had a few dollars in change laying around the car. The floor, a storage area in front of the shifter, and in the armrest area just hanging around. I grabbed all the money I found tossed about the car, and put it all in a small plastic bag for her, and back into the armrest where (most) of the change originally was.
Just remember that we are all detailers and our work lies in the details. Clean out the jambs, shift the shifter to D and clean the area that is hidden when it is in P, the area you see when you turn the steering wheel, the mirrors in the visor's. The valve caps, license plate frames, even the plates themselves (clean them off realy well, straighten them out if possible/needed). These aren't really extra services, but still go along the lines of 'going the extra mile' for your customers.
ghost_rider_x
New member
lately i've been giving customers (who get a full detail) a bottle of NXT speed detailer and 3 pack of cheapo MF's. costs me 7 bucks, but i've found they really appreciate it and it saves me time when they come back in the future. the 7 bucks is worth it when they're paying me 150.
also sometimes i'll see if the customer wants to hang around and learn how to properly wash/QD his/her car. i may lose 20 if they come back for the QD, but i usually guarantee myself the 150 in 2 months when they come back for the full package. i find exceeding the customers expectations is the key to success. the returning customer and more importantly the referalls they give is where 90% of my business comes from.
also sometimes i'll see if the customer wants to hang around and learn how to properly wash/QD his/her car. i may lose 20 if they come back for the QD, but i usually guarantee myself the 150 in 2 months when they come back for the full package. i find exceeding the customers expectations is the key to success. the returning customer and more importantly the referalls they give is where 90% of my business comes from.
imported_animes2k
New member
I've got a client whose E55 I'm doing this weekend. I did his wife's kid-getter E320 wagon a couple weekends ago and plan on giving it a quick wash and some AIO/SG to the wheels (didn't have it when I did her car) as a courtesy. He's also asked me to help him and his son learn the correct way to wash and take care of the cars between detailings and to pick up all the products he'd need to do a good job. A perfect way for his son to earn a few dollars around the house and a good personal approach leads to referrals - especially important with clients who have a lot of business and personal connections that have high-end cars that they want to keep looking good.
The last detail I had (posted it up) was a Mazdaspeed Protege. The client would never have noticed, but I had my guy polish the entire muffler up instead of just the tip (all stainless/chromed) and he loved it.
With other clients I've notified them of loose parts, missing plugs, tread wear, other mechanical issues - it makes sense, since we're giving every inch of the car a good go-over in places that they most likely never see.
I've also thought about throwing in some MF towels and QD (esp. if you buy it by the gallon and get some inexpensive spray bottles!) or a California Car Duster.
Great thread.
The last detail I had (posted it up) was a Mazdaspeed Protege. The client would never have noticed, but I had my guy polish the entire muffler up instead of just the tip (all stainless/chromed) and he loved it.
With other clients I've notified them of loose parts, missing plugs, tread wear, other mechanical issues - it makes sense, since we're giving every inch of the car a good go-over in places that they most likely never see.
I've also thought about throwing in some MF towels and QD (esp. if you buy it by the gallon and get some inexpensive spray bottles!) or a California Car Duster.
Great thread.
imported_themightytimmah
New member
Good call, ghost rider, that made me think of something. Most of my customers are more picky about their interiors than their exteriors, so I might start giving each full detail a small MF and a bottle of Meg's interior QD.
Anyone know if you can get custom embroidered MF's? I'd love to hand out ones with my company name/logo on em.
Anyone know if you can get custom embroidered MF's? I'd love to hand out ones with my company name/logo on em.