Do you call yourself a "professional detailer??"

0

01bluecls

New member
THis thread is open to everyone... I have a hard time determining what "quick response" I should be giving people when I tell them I detail. I'm a college student that works and goes to school fulltime. I have been detailing "Autopian Style" for two years roughly. I have detailed 30 plus cars not including my car or family members for money. I feel very confident in my detailing abilities and have pretty much everything I need.



When I run into people and tell them I detail, I would like to say "I'm a professional detailer" so they dont think Im some punk that just "cleans" cars. What I want to know is mostly you non-actual business owners of detailing shops...do you claim you are a professional to other people? What would consitute a "Professional Detailer?"



I know you could explain to people that you aren't necessarly a "Pro detailer" but do professional level work, but it takes time to explain yourself to them and etc. Im talking about running into someone, mentioning you detail, but you only have a brief few minutes to capture their attention. Mentioning you are professional will capture their attention quickly but at the same time I dont know exactly what would give me the right to claim to be a professional? I don't want to lie, but I know I do produce professional results.



Everyone drop some feedback :)
 
Very nice question...Cant wait to hear the responses because I am also dealing with this situation. Currently if people ask about my service..I tell them I am able to detail their car at my home or theirs and I guarantee their satisfaction and produce quality results with the botique products I use.



Dont be scared to call yourself a professional..ive seen your work in your posts and it is top notch....there are so many pro detailing shops out there that dont deserve the "professional" name
 
I'm in your situation too. I use to be kind of shy about calling myself a pro but once i started having some confidence behind my work, people were much more willing to pay good money for my services. You have to almost be cocky, as long as you can back it up.



Good luck!



Jordan
 
IMO, I wouldn't call my self a professional unless detailing was my *only* means of employment. These guys have my respect in every sense of the word.



Those of us that "play" professional on the weekends are nothing more than "serious enthusiast." When you have to start paying insurance, buying *real* equipment, paying workers comp, etc. then you can call yourself a pro(not*you*, but "you" in the collective sense of the word).



That's just my opinion though. I don't really have a problem with it, just let your work speak for itself. Once referrals start coming in, there is no need to prove your self verbally--they will *know* what kind of work you produce.
 
01bluecls said:
THis thread is open to everyone... I have a hard time determining what "quick response" I should be giving people when I tell them I detail. I'm a college student that works and goes to school fulltime. I have been detailing "Autopian Style" for two years roughly. I have detailed 30 plus cars not including my car or family members for money. I feel very confident in my detailing abilities and have pretty much everything I need.



When I run into people and tell them I detail, I would like to say "I'm a professional detailer" so they dont think Im some punk that just "cleans" cars. What I want to know is mostly you non-actual business owners of detailing shops...do you claim you are a professional to other people? What would consitute a "Professional Detailer?"



I know you could explain to people that you aren't necessarly a "Pro detailer" but do professional level work, but it takes time to explain yourself to them and etc. Im talking about running into someone, mentioning you detail, but you only have a brief few minutes to capture their attention. Mentioning you are professional will capture their attention quickly but at the same time I dont know exactly what would give me the right to claim to be a professional? I don't want to lie, but I know I do produce professional results.



Everyone drop some feedback :)
Click to expand...



Titles become very important for young people and it was no exception for me looking back. Calling yourself a professional isn’t going to make people respect you, it’s showing them. A true professional, IMO is someone who has at least 10 to 15 years full time experience in a profession. I suggest a book, (portfolio) made-up of your work and letters of recommendation to show prospective clients.



I’m going to have to start charging for this information soon!!! :xyxthumbs
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
Im just an enthusiastic detailer, offering professional services.........
Click to expand...

I like that. :buffing: And for some reason I always thought your avatar was a troll doll. It's a monkey though isn't it? LOL
 
ebpcivicsi said:
IMO, I wouldn't call my self a professional unless detailing was my *only* means of employment. These guys have my respect in every sense of the word.



Those of us that "play" professional on the weekends are nothing more than "serious enthusiast." ..That's just my opinion though..
Click to expand...



Uhm, you really oughta rethink how you classify yourself- you are a "professional" in every sense of the term ;) Heh heh, just ask the Porsche dealer who paid you to detail that Cayenne.



To me, you don't have to have detailing be your *only* source of employment; I know MDs who do other things for money but they're certainly "medical professionals".



Just IMO (and check a few dictionaries, there are different definitions), but a "professional" is somebody who does something for money. The term gets used/abused/misused all the time. There are lousy pros (who are still *very* successful remuneration-wise) and there are incredibly skilled "amateurs" who could show them up every time. The "professionals" in my area have many clients, get paid big bucks, work on exotics, and do work that wouldn't be good enough for my snowblower (if they were any good I'd probably pay them to do the MPV ;) ).



I'd rather see a distinction between "expert" and "laymen", or something along those lines.

But IMO if you get paid to do something you're a professional.



Gee, lots of "IMO"/etc. in this post, but that's all this topic really is- our opinions on how the term oughta be applied.
 
01bluecls said:
When I run into people and tell them I detail, I would like to say "I'm a professional detailer" so they dont think Im some punk that just "cleans" cars. What I want to know is mostly you non-actual business owners of detailing shops...do you claim you are a professional to other people? What would consitute a "Professional Detailer?"
Click to expand...



It is basically just words when you try to tell someone that you are a professional detailer.



What really matters, and this goes for someone who has been in business for 20 years or just starting out, is the high quality professional service that you provide, along with your professional business appearance. In other words, when you look like a professional, act like a professional and provide services like a professional, then most people will begin to think of you as a professional.



Nothing you can say will ever convince anyone that you are a professional. It is all in the professional experience and the professional results that you provide. That is what will be remembered long after the words have been forgotten.



Imagine yourself as a professional detailer and you will become a professional detailer. It is basically that simple.
 
IMHO its important to have a portfolio of your work and clearly define what services you offer, at what costs, and what benefits they provide.



If you're well organized, able to get the job done up to expectations and on time, I think you should have the title 'Professional Detailer'.
 
My understanding is that the Professional Detailing Technicians Association ( PDTA) is focusing on establishing a firm definition of "professional detailer" by trying to maintain a spotlight on who detailers are what exactly they do. Educating the general public about what detailing is increases credibility of the profession.
 
Bill D said:
My understanding is that the Professional Detailing Technicians Association ( PDTA) is focusing on establishing a firm definition of "professional detailer" by trying to maintain a spotlight on who detailers are what exactly they do. Educating the general public about what detailing is increases credibility of the profession.
Click to expand...



Interesting answer!!!

How many members do you currently have? How long have you been a NPO?
 
I'm not an associate. Jim Hammill and Brian Angelucci run it. I couldn't find stats, but I'm assuming membership is at least in the hundreds.
 
Spilchy said:
I thought that was Patrick :confused:
Click to expand...



Patrick isn't that good looking. :LOLOL



I'm not either, so I guess I can't talk!



------------------------



I'd say as long as you charge money for detailing, you are a professional detailer. Unfortunately, the hacker down the street putting swirls in people's cars is also considered a professional. :(



I like what Patick said about being an enthusiast who charges. :)
 
01bluecls said:
I have a hard time determining what "quick response"



When I run into people and tell them I detail, I would like to say "I'm a professional detailer" so they dont think Im some punk that just "cleans" cars.



Mentioning you are professional will capture their attention quickly but at the same time I dont know exactly what would give me the right to claim to be a professional? I don't want to lie, but I know I do produce professional results.
Click to expand...



01bluecls, There's a reason why your having trouble calling yourself a "professional detailer," don't know if it's your age, that your a student, or your confidence level.



What mirrorfinishman said is true, "Imagine yourself as a professional detailer and you will become a professional detailer."



If You believe your a "Professional", then your are. :woohoo:



Your right to claim yourself a professional is your Intention.



Get yourself some nice business cards and let that do your talking for you, I don't know of any "punk that just cleans cars" that have them.
 
Scottwax said:
I'd say as long as you charge money for detailing, you are a professional detailer. Unfortunately, the hacker down the street putting swirls in people's cars is also considered a professional. :(
Click to expand...



Yes, that's bad. I think calling those people out is an objective of the PDTA. They're trying to gain momentum to strenghten the profession's prestige.
 
Soarer V said:
01bluecls, There's a reason why your having trouble calling yourself a "professional detailer," don't know if it's your age, that your a student, or your confidence level.



What mirrorfinishman said is true, "Imagine yourself as a professional detailer and you will become a professional detailer."



If You believe your a "Professional", then your are. :woohoo:



Your right to claim yourself a professional is your Intention.



Get yourself some nice business cards and let that do your talking for you, I don't know of any "punk that just cleans cars" that have them.
Click to expand...



Seeing is believing!!! You know I have this bridge in San Francisco for sale LOL........



Cards????
 
doged said:
Seeing is believing!!! You know I have this bridge in San Francisco for sale LOL........



Cards????
Click to expand...



I meant every word of what I said; "Imagine yourself as a professional detailer and you will become a professional detailer".



The first step towards becoming a professional detailer is to create a mental image of the person that you want to become. Notice that I did not say create a mental image of the person you are now. That's something completely different. I am talking about everything that you do in the future to improve yourself and improve your business and detailing skills.



Becoming a professional means that you intend to do everything you possibly can in order to provide high quality professional service, along with creating a top notch professional business appearance. "In other words, when you look like a professional, act like a professional and provide services like a professional, then most people will begin to think of you as a professional".



"Nothing you can say will ever convince anyone that you are a professional. It is all in the professional experience and the professional results that you provide. That is what will be remembered long after the words have been forgotten".
 
mirrorfinishman said:
It is basically just words when you try to tell someone that you are a professional detailer.



What really matters, and this goes for someone who has been in business for 20 years or just starting out, is the high quality professional service that you provide, along with your professional business appearance. In other words, when you look like a professional, act like a professional and provide services like a professional, then most people will begin to think of you as a professional.



Nothing you can say will ever convince anyone that you are a professional. It is all in the professional experience and the professional results that you provide. That is what will be remembered long after the words have been forgotten.



Imagine yourself as a professional detailer and you will become a professional detailer. It is basically that simple.
Click to expand...





Since there is no "official" Professional Detailing Accredidation, I think this is a very solid answer.



Try benchmarking yourself to the local "pros", then compare what they do to your business. Go above and beyond them in every area...It will show and can be used as leverage when discussing with a future customer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top