Oh, so you're a Detailer? You work for a dealership?

David Fermani said:
I kinda like these differences in opinion conflicts. Makes for interesting discussion as long as tempers don't get too flared. People need to be more honest on here IMHO. Way too much sugar coated opinions.
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I'll +1 that.

I know I hate how any detailer that posts anything is automatically an "autopian level detailer." As others have pointed out in the past - what does that mean? So that means Holden was an autopian style of guy?



I also agree there is a market for all levels of "detail" work, and i too get tired of any car washer being called a "detailer"
 
Jakerooni said:
LOL true dave... And I think we all know I'm not much for suger coating.... But in this instance I know exactly what bryan is trying to quote... It's not a big deal. I still have a lot of respect for his skills.. I just wish he would find something else to focus his energies on ya know.... get's rather boring after awhile.
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I honorably and respectfully disagree. I find all this :argue absolutely entertaining. There's no better way to build thread views/counts? :D



You & Bryan are obviously 2 strong willed detailers that are very clear on your ways & styles. Why not put all these differences to good use by working through your thoughts right out here in the open? (insert popcorn smiley)
 
The last year or so I've spent less and less time on this site. There seems to be a handful of members that watch every thread and just look for an oppurtunity to pick a fight over something petty.



Just my $.02.
 
As long as the discussions(not fighting) are respectful, truthful and within the rules, I don't see anything wrong with it. Most of the other sites are kinda sterile with their discussions. Some of the best threads ever to hit the pages of Autopia are the ones where people converse on their differences.
 
I worked for three years in Quality Control - things were either in spec or not, no gray areas. For the past 13, I've been in sevice contract sales for a big corp - talk about GRAY areas, drives the software guys nuts trying to build a program with all the "what if's". Are there any right or wrong ways to detail a car, sure, there are some basic things, but in the end it's between the detailer and cutomer. I could easily spend twice as long on the work I do if I wanted to, and what would the result be? Maybe a tad more gloss, maybe zero defects vs a few faint rids, but would MY customers want that, or want to pay for that - heck no!





The most important thing is to know what your customer wants and deliver it.
 
Ahh I can co-exsist with bryan, I don't start anything with him I just find myself having to answer to his jibs from time to time. I will agree. We defaintly don't see eye to eye on alot of detailing aspects. But it's all good. His customers are happy and so are mine. He makes money and so do I. So in the end it's all good. (I still think he could take his game to an entirely new level though if he would just open his thoughts on a few things.... But to each their own. I don't come after him... He seems to enjoy coming after me for whatever reason...)
 
Thanks to all of those that have sent me PMs of support about this thread. I appreciate your concern, but I have used the best feature that this forum offers to deal with it. The ignore list. :woot:



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ahhh yes the very childish "I'll say whatever I want and ignore any respsonses" approch... Exactly what I expected bryan... Glad you have sooooo many loyal followers. It's all good though. You show your true colors more and more everytime you post on here.
 
perhaps all the expert detailers need not call themselves "detailers" but maybe something like "Senior Paint Correction Specialist"...isn't Marketing a wonderful thing? ie. it takes "detailing" to a whole different level, which I thik much of this discussion is about...So maybe the junior guy is not wrong in calling himself a "detailer" but I know for sure he definitely is not a "Senior Paint Correction Speciaist"
 
My business card and web site say "Auto Reconditioning Specialist". I know some businesses that refurbish and rebuild cars from the ground up and know they would probably protest to my title, but I also know my place and know when to refer someone for work that is beyond my skills.



I think that is the biggest argument. Knowing your place in the general scheme of things.



Every detailer has their market and should play to that market. It's when you start stretching the truth to snag what is technically beyond your market that irks me (or just don't understand your level in the first place). If you can hit under 70 on the golf course from time to time, don't try to sell yourself as a golf pro. If you have an interest in photography and a DSLR, don't sell yourself for $1000 as a wedding photographer. If you have a PC and some polish and know how to wash a car, don't call yourself a detailer.
 
David Fermani said:
Some of the best threads ever to hit the pages of Autopia are the ones where people converse on their differences.
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That's true... so long as it stays respectful and professional. We've had some all-out brawls, too (not that I ever started any, myself :argue )



Keep the fights -- I mean witty banter -- fair guys!



:hifive:
 
Did an estimate on a black Infiniti M45 that the dealer hacked up good. Customer almost choked when I gave him the estimate. He said the dealer will have to be willing to reimburse him because no way will his wife let him spend that much.







 
Scottwax said:
Did an estimate on a black Infiniti M45 that the dealer hacked up good. Customer almost choked when I gave him the estimate. He said the dealer will have to be willing to reimburse him because no way will his wife let him spend that much.
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Scottwax...how do you create an estimate from just looking at the car? Have you just been doing it long enough to know what kind of work/time will be involved? Do you let the customer know that it might be more?
 
thedetailer said:
Scottwax...how do you create an estimate from just looking at the car? Have you just been doing it long enough to know what kind of work/time will be involved? Do you let the customer know that it might be more?
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I give them a price range where I expect the total to be but let them know that I can't be sure until I actually start on the car.



toyotaguy-5,000 cars? Way low. Over 13,000 now. Obviously not all details but that's how many cars I've had my hands on.
 
thedetailer said:
Scottwax...how do you create an estimate from just looking at the car? Have you just been doing it long enough to know what kind of work/time will be involved? Do you let the customer know that it might be more?
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That skill comes with experience. I know almost exactly how long it will take to complete my packages on any given car. As for paint correction, I am usually very hesitant to give a solid number; there are too many variables involved. As for the other issues in this thread; really guys the word 'detailing' is so ambiguous. It means different things to everyone. I do not see the point in arguing over things, although I have done it myself in the past.
 
I worked at a dealership... And my title, Car Lot Attendant.



What did I do. I WASHED Cars, Vacuumned, and quick rubbed on a coat of wax. made sure it had gas. in it.



A dealership dosen't want perfection, Or a real pretty car. They just want it pretty enough to make it sell, Fast enough that the customer can get it out front waiting for them when they are done signing papers. With a full tank of Gas, and the Liscense Plate(s) on it.



Dealerships worry about one thing maximinzing profit. In the car washing world 10 cars can be done in the time that it takes to do one properly. Using whatever chemicals are cheap and efficent. FAST.



I wouldve thrown a wrench at that kid. If he saw your large collection of materials, ANd then said dude your a rip off? He didn't want to be taught he knew everything. But the time is gonna come when its gonna catch up to him. Like when he screws up somones paint on a High End car. And has to PAY a Professional to have it corrected



And Scott if that was my Mercedes and It was handed to me in that condition. I would have been performing an execution. That was the most horrible Hack Job I have ever seen. Black paint yet to boot, That can be seen a mile away
 
I can only imagine the estimate you would have given on the M45. I had only done paint correction on one of about that condition and that color (brand new from the dealership) and I just have to say that black Infiniti uses is a total PITA! I undershot my estimate by about 2 hours and had to eat the difference. I would take a brand new MF to remove polish residue and it would mar the surface.



The guy asked me what to do in the future to care for his car. I told him to drive straight home, park it in a garage, and admire how beautiful it looks now because it is never going to look like that on a daily basis unless it stays in that garage. The customer laughed and became a regular monthly customer of mine.
 
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