This is what it's all about. You tried something, that in theory, should have worked out. It didn't work out to 'your standards'. And you are planning to change it up. The $ lost, in actuality, is not $ lost. It was a transaction cost associated with learning.
You found out, through your own trial and error, that maybe a product (or genre of product) isn't solving or remedying what it could have or possibly should have. You sought to have a thought experiment online... which takes some gusto because people and/ or detailers will judge you based on what you are trying to accomplish with what products and they will remember who you are and think of you as a 'hack.' I was once afraid to post these things but I quickly came to the realization... those people don't pay my bills. And as long as I am being upfront and honest to both the customer and Jesus Christ through my business dealings... then I am not a 'hack', I am an honest business man. Some customers just aren't going to go for correction type prices every time and thus an AIO can make sense. You just have to know where they make sense for you and your customers. I just want to congratulate you on asking the hard questions, using your common sense on what the paint was telling you, and in the end... figuring this out on your own.
Also, you are doing the right thing by detailing vehicles, 'to your standard.' Now, don't go overboard and think, "...well I gotta correct every vehicle even if I'm not being paid." But use your good sense to find what the customer really wants. If it's AIO work... it's AIO work and price they want. Deliver that... but do as you are doing... ensure the product finishes. I don't speak of any swirl or defect removal when talking about AIO's with customers. I plainly tell them... "After decon, the product will further clean the paint and make it shiny with the possibility that very shallow, very fine defects will be filled. It will have the possibility of 8 weeks of protection." Obviously there's more to it than that but those talking points are the meat and potatoes.
In my mind, If the AIO I end up using happens to remove some slight wash marring- cool... very minor swirls- cool... that's just icing on the cake. If it doesn't... I never said it would and the customer should not expect it... so 'no biggie.' If they wanted defect removal... they should have elected to spend the money for a one or two step process.
