Dreaming customers

[Scottwax]

I get this too, and understand it, but its a lot different than the people who just outright lie to my face and go behind my back and find an under-cutter or drop off the face of the earth and refuse to return any calls or texts.

Had that happen the other day. Guy calls about a Jaguar detail, says he has an event this weekend and needs it done ASAP. He wanted to know what I charged, gave him the a staring price for a basic (1 DA polishing step detail) and he said "well, that's more than I am used to paying but if you do a good job its worth it". Since Thursday is the day I just have wash regulars and there was a decent chance of rain, I told him odds were high everyone would cancel but I would call him in the morning. He said it was very important I call him because his regular detailer was really flaky and had not shown up to detail the Jag as scheduled. I check with my regulars this morning and as expected, they decided to pass this week based on the forecast. I called the Jaguar owner and he says "well, its like this. My regular detailer showed up last night and detailed the car so I won't need you today". He expected me to call him this morning but he couldn't have called me yesterday evening to let me know his guy finally showed up? Not sure I buy it anyway, when he and I talked it was already after 5, I can't imagine someone can show up after 5 (especially since he is used to lower prices) and do a decent job with a 7:30 PM sunset. I think he just kept calling around until he found someone cheaper and just didn't have the guts to tell me.



And seriously, he owns a Jag, wanted it to look great for some show this weekend and he cheaps out on details?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

And seriously, he owns a Jag, wanted it to look great for some show this weekend and he cheaps out on details?

I think the real issue there is just how bad some people's definition of "look great" is. They either don't care that much, or they don't know anything better exists so they simply assume the folks charging higher prices are just trying to gouge them.

 

[CosminTX]

But it someone starts hitting me up right away about discounts or "a good price" then they usually turn out to be a terrible customer who is both cheap and picky.

u say it right Scott.

for multiple cars i give discount , i mention that the first car get`s charged in full , for all others it may get extra work add into packages or i cut on price but depends what car , what it needs to be done etc.



i didn`t have a lot of clients who flake on me so far.

i did have a few who ask for price ....even if is listed on my website!



i don`t take a job without see the car first and inspected !

i rarely give the price on spot.

i do not give price by phone , i schedule an apoiment , i inspect the car , i talk with the owner and if is a positive vibe i take the project and give the owner few quotes to choose from , and available days. i may waist some time there but looking as long term i see it as investment...because the client has chance to meet me first, and he has chance to see what i know and trust me .



i don`t fall for promises , no way. i know how much work i put into business and in any detail and i value my time and my work. you can ask me to buff your bimmer and flash me your exotic as next and u will still be charged for bimmer full price.



i don`t call for business , i do keep in touch with regulars who ask me to give them an heads up once in a while.



bottom line if i mess up anything on a clients car , do i get a discount when i fix it? nope , he will want it new...



like someone said... it may miss a loop there when you screen your clients or when you sell your service. i think if the business is legit , good work , trust and your image is serious you shouldn`t have flakes .....the clients should respect you, and appreciate your work. but that`s my opinion.

 

[autoaesthetica]

And seriously, he owns a Jag, wanted it to look great for some show this weekend and he cheaps out on details?

Same thing happened to me but after tell the person a couple months ago a range of which it would cost after he even mentioned "its all swirled up"(figured 2-3 days of solid work), inspect the XF, black, tunnel washed on a regular basis, guy then confirms the price as "its too high".



I feel you here Scott, a black(not-so-small vehicle) tunnel washed weekly jaguar, and you want the swirls and scratches eliminated but you want to pay next to nothing for 2-3 days of solid work from someone who was a direct referral from a good friend of yours especially considering we fix all these hack garbage around here?



I give a range immediately to weed out, but something about people feels like they want to waste more time.. schialaguado!

 

[Nth Degree]

I have considered charging $25 to go out of my way to assess a vehicle. If they go forward with it the $25 will be applied to the detail. If they bring the car to me they can avoid this deposit. This would help weed out those who want to waste my time by agreeing to the range on the phone, then want to talk me down in person.

 

[autoaesthetica]

I think I have mentioned it before, but the 1st question being a "price" is a tipoff - though lately it has been a bit different.. the customer even understands the after care.. I guess being there in person means they are getting potentially closer to spending that amount so they bail..

 

[Scottwax]

Same thing happened to me but after tell the person a couple months ago a range of which it would cost after he even mentioned "its all swirled up"(figured 2-3 days of solid work), inspect the XF, black, tunnel washed on a regular basis, guy then confirms the price as "its too high".



I feel you here Scott, a black(not-so-small vehicle) tunnel washed weekly jaguar, and you want the swirls and scratches eliminated but you want to pay next to nothing for 2-3 days of solid work from someone who was a direct referral from a good friend of yours especially considering we fix all these hack garbage around here?

What really irritated me is how he talked about needing someone reliable who shows up for scheduled appointments, then never bothered to let me know when the detailer he had been using supposedly showed up. If the other detailer is such a flake, he should have sent a message by sending the guy home when he showed up.

 

[Envious Eric]

I'll give a discount on multiple cars if I am doing them on the same day (or weekend if it is a particularly large job) because they are saving me drive time and the price of gas. But it someone starts hitting me up right away about discounts or "a good price" then they usually turn out to be a terrible customer who is both cheap and picky.

ding ding ding!!!!



I dont give multi-car discounts unless same day. OR they commit and I actually do the 2nd/3rd car of theirs, or they get me their friends car....BUT, I dont really go down in price, Ill throw in a more in-depth interior job, or add a carnuba on top of the sealant next time I am there for them...



discount shoppers (like the groupon crowd) are not my clientele!

 

[Envious Eric]

I have considered charging $25 to go out of my way to assess a vehicle. If they go forward with it the $25 will be applied to the detail. If they bring the car to me they can avoid this deposit. This would help weed out those who want to waste my time by agreeing to the range on the phone, then want to talk me down in person.

may not be enough really...those who are serious and want you to do their car wouldnt mind $100 "inspection" fee. If you charge 500 per car, yet only charge a 25 fee, and they find someone to do it for 125, then they just saved 350. BUT, if they had to pay 100, and had to pay 125 for a detail, the cheapo detail isnt as enticing since it just cost them 225, yet you still made $100 for your 30-60 min of time...