imported_ajbarnes
New member
This is why I have such a difficult time selling my services to new clients....
From craigslist....
:hairpull
From craigslist....
:hairpull
Low Ballers!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter imported_ajbarnes
- Start date
Showroom Shine
New member
This is what is called a Mini Detail. This person more than likely will do a fair job, but as far as paint correction, clay bar, and other needed services you will not get them. I also wonder what products he'll be using at that price. I would be afraid to ask for buffing of the paint.
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
No it isnt.
You are why you are having a difficult time selling services to your new clients.
If potential clients dont see why they should give you $400 instead of giving this clown $85, you failed to sell them. If you dont have them agreeing with you 100% at the end of your phone call / pitch, you failed. If they arent looking to get on your calendar A.S.A.P at the end of your call / pitch, you failed.
If people see a detailing service listed for $85.00 and they call you, there are a few choices you have:
1. Tell them what you do and why it is different than the $85 job. People buy benefits, not features. Give them the benefis of having you detail the car. If you dont know why you are different, or what benefits you provide, figure it out and develop a pitch before you blow away any more clients.
2. Develop a "price chopper" level of service. Set the expectations of the client BEFORE you take their business. Let them know what you are willing to do for $85 and do it.
3. Let them go, they are penny pinching price shoppers and will needle you for every dime and never be happy anyway. Why waste the time talking to them?
You are why you are having a difficult time selling services to your new clients.
If potential clients dont see why they should give you $400 instead of giving this clown $85, you failed to sell them. If you dont have them agreeing with you 100% at the end of your phone call / pitch, you failed. If they arent looking to get on your calendar A.S.A.P at the end of your call / pitch, you failed.
If people see a detailing service listed for $85.00 and they call you, there are a few choices you have:
1. Tell them what you do and why it is different than the $85 job. People buy benefits, not features. Give them the benefis of having you detail the car. If you dont know why you are different, or what benefits you provide, figure it out and develop a pitch before you blow away any more clients.
2. Develop a "price chopper" level of service. Set the expectations of the client BEFORE you take their business. Let them know what you are willing to do for $85 and do it.
3. Let them go, they are penny pinching price shoppers and will needle you for every dime and never be happy anyway. Why waste the time talking to them?
PROServices
New member
At those prices he will never be able to do anything significant in your market. 3 hours work time plus travel plus set up and break down? He can maybe do 3 vehicles a day if they are all close. Unless he is doing stellar work (which at those prices would be suprising and sad) he wont be able to stay in business very long... Not to mention gas prices.. $50? That wont even put a tank of gas in my work truck!!
Next time you have a wet prep position open, offer the guy a job, he'd make more money as a lot attendant!
Next time you have a wet prep position open, offer the guy a job, he'd make more money as a lot attendant!
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Please, just ignore him.
(Just like he ignores Spellchecker...)
Like an obnoxious fly, he'll soon be gone.
Jim
(Just like he ignores Spellchecker...)
Like an obnoxious fly, he'll soon be gone.
Jim
Spilchy
New member
Dude needs a grammar and spell checker.
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
Spilchy said:
The guy makes about $300 per week. He sould consider himself lucky taht someone let him use their computer to post the ad...
What happens if he runs out of Turtle Wax mid-detail? Does he hit you up for a $9.00 advance and a ride to the auto parts store to get more?
Bunky
Detailing Gnosis
PROServices said:
I do not think he is spending anywhere near 3 hrs per car.
Phantmsquad
New member
Yeah.....no need to worry. After this guy butchers this car, they will more than likely call an Autopian to fix it.:bat
jimmie jam
Active member
DANG. you guys are brutal. :faint:
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
Everything you do other than the actual detailing will make you have a much easier time of selling your detailing services to new clients.
Think about it. Do you really want to attract the type of person who price shops? or would you perfer aiming your marketing efforts directly at those potential clients who are truely willing and able to pay the higher prices normally charged for honest professional detailing services?
Think about it. Do you really want to attract the type of person who price shops? or would you perfer aiming your marketing efforts directly at those potential clients who are truely willing and able to pay the higher prices normally charged for honest professional detailing services?
Deep Gloss Auto Salon
New member
mirrorfinishman said:
My outlook EXACTLY!!
I really stray from price shoppers...
Even if you were to find a price point they are comfortable with price shoppers are always more concerned with the cost as opposed to the value, not the kind of cutomers I strive to attract.
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
jsatek said:
Bingo. I'd be willing to bet that if business owners learned more about selling, they'd have much more profit. A few hundred dollar sales class could and would gross them 10-20 times that easily in the short term. I guess no one thinks about it. The people that fight that view are propbably the ones who could use it the most. :doh
If you sell yourself and do good work to justify it, it's a win-win for everyone.
imported_ajbarnes
New member
jsatek said:
Maybe I should've clarified a little more in the original post.
I don't have a problem selling people WHEN they call, my problem is those that are not calling due to THE POOR IMAGE LOW BALLER'S ARE SETTING IN THIS INDUSTRY.
Actual sales in person or on the phone is not the problem, trying to make sure image is protected before the customer makes the initial contact is.
Assumption is the mother of all BLEEP, but, unfortunately that's what our customer's do. Image in a nutshell is an assumption of your company, so when you consistently have a bunch of low baller's running out here with a poor image, it puts a bad mark on the entire industry.
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
ajbarnes said:
I figured that was the case. I just posted this info for people that dont get it. Many people that arent good a sales think, "Im the best and I use XYX so everyone should pick me over the $85 guy". They just can verbalize it and sell it enough to make the customers fork over the cash. Work ethic also comes into play.
It seems as a general rule, consumers just dont value car detailing. I dotn know if you watch the market closely, but expect a slow Q1 and Q2 08.
imported_ajbarnes
New member
jsatek said:
I totally agree. At first, I figured it was just certain markets, but this seems to be going on across the country.
Because of this, and the crazy weather up here in the north, I'm in the middle of exploring possible "add on" services such as Paint Touch Up, PDR, etc. The funny thing is, those add on services may become primary services and detailing will be the add on, since profit and labor is alot more friendly.
imported_weekendwarrior
New member
One thing a lot of detailers don't realize is that in the current economy, you are competing with more than just other detailers. Having a car detailed is a luxury item for most folks. When times are tough, and disposable income is limited, people cut back on luxury items.
Right now, for those who detail for Average Joes (non exotics), you are competing for their limited disposable dollars just like the nail manicurists, nice restaurants, electronics stores, etc... In addition to distinguishing yourself from the $85 detailer, you also have to convince the customer that $200 (or whatever your price is) spent with you is a wiser investment than them going to a nice restaurant and to a movie.
Disclaimer - many of you already know this, but I am amazed at how many detailers I talk to that do not.
Right now, for those who detail for Average Joes (non exotics), you are competing for their limited disposable dollars just like the nail manicurists, nice restaurants, electronics stores, etc... In addition to distinguishing yourself from the $85 detailer, you also have to convince the customer that $200 (or whatever your price is) spent with you is a wiser investment than them going to a nice restaurant and to a movie.
Disclaimer - many of you already know this, but I am amazed at how many detailers I talk to that do not.
PROServices
New member
weekendwarrior said:
We will soon be offering a variety of services....From quickie hand wash all the way to Concourse/show work. (In addition to various reapiair services). I can hire and train someone on the basics (how to wash a car and not scratch it). But the truth is that as much as I love full deatial work, the revenue for high end full details (even at $400 and more for concourse work) is not enough to support much more than a 1 man mobile operation. I can provide the same high quality and SAFE hand wash that I would provide in a full detail and suddenly I am attracting the swirl-o-matic customers as well. I figure by broadening the menu I can provide services for a wider crossection of the market.
And yes 08 is going to be a wild year economically. Just keep in mind that its not crashing, its stabalizing after years of fantasy economics.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
ajbarnes said:
I don't know, sounds to me like you guys need some sort of association that will certify/accredit you as a detailer, then you won't have to worry about the low-ball non-certified guys.
Or this could be the problem:
weekendwarrior said: