Pre-Detail Walk Around

8

89GTA

New member
Hello Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone had any thing that they use when first consulting with a client. For instance when I was stationed over seas and sent my car back to the US the guy at the port had a paper with a generic outline of a 4 door car and used it to annotate any existing scratches, dents, etc... I want to use something like this and if anyone has one or knows where to get one please let me know. Thanks for any help. :)
 
89GTA,

Here's a thought. Why not take a few 'before pictures' of the clients vehicle using a digital camera? That way, you could easily document any existing scratches, dents, etc. and simply note your findings on your pre-detail walk around form.

Just a thought...
 
Take your time, the client will probably appreciate your thoroughness......It takes me a good 10-15 min to do a pre detail inspection.....
Good idea also Frank......
 
I try to have an open mind.
I don't do any 'before' pics or notes. After hundreds of details, I haven't encountered a situation where it would have been needed.

Maybe I'm overlooking something... so I'll be listeniing for some insight.

Thanks
 
jimmybuffit said:
I try to have an open mind.
I don't do any 'before' pics or notes. After hundreds of details, I haven't encountered a situation where it would have been needed.

Maybe I'm overlooking something... so I'll be listeniing for some insight.

Thanks
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Actually, I don't do any before pics or notes either. I've been in my own detailing business since 1986 and have really never had a single situation where it would have been needed either.

I was only offering a suggestion because 89GTA asked about using something for a pre-detail walk.
 
NEW AGAIN said:
Rental agency

But Remember this concept is TIME CONSUMING
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10-15 minutes could easily save you hours upon hours and thousands of dollars. If you're a f/t pro, or p/t detailer who does any decent volume at all you really can't afford not to do a drop off inspection with a check in sheet. The client shld have to sign off before they leave the vehicle at your shop or in your care.

It only takes that one time for someone to notice a scratch or ding after they pick up the car from you. It could be an honest mistake and they just didn't notice it before (and it could be someone wanting to get that new paint job on your dime). Without something to back you up it is your word against theirs and at the very least will cost you $$ in time to fight it, a customer and their future business and some bad will toward your business which could impact other clients both current and future.

When I was detailing p/t I didn't do a steady volume but even so, I had a sheet for people who weren't close friends. The most difficult thing about a check in sheet is that typcially the cars are dirty when you get them which makes seeing the defects a struggle. Even worse when they are wet.

I bet Dwayne has some sort of check in sheet he used when he was in da biz. Got to be some pros here with a check in sheet too.
 
My reasoning for this is partly what NattyBumppo stated and also because my short term memory is shot and I would like something that would remind me where the original scratches were so that I may be certain that those scratches and or blemishes were dealt with.

I don't think it would take more than 10 minutes as I would be annotating as I was doing the walk around with the client.

Thanks for the idea of rental agency. I will try there.
 
I always look the car over and see if I think there are problem areas. I point those out to the customer and give them an idea as to what I think I can do. I've never had a single problem on return. You have to let the customer what is realistic and what is not
 
tpgsr said:
Allright i can help here, this form has been DL hundreds of times from the folks over at autopia. You may feel free to edit and change it in anyway that you wish. Enjoy:

www.diamonddetailing.biz/report.xls
www.diamonddetailing.biz/report_R2.xls

One was my original, the second one has a line for a price quote on it that someone else had suggested. It is a good thing to have if you do make a mistake and the insurance company wants proof.

Michael
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Excellent! I've seen that one at Autopia. It is nicely done. I used the one from AutoInt a few times though it is nothing like yours. Thanks for posting that. One heck of a first post :bigups
 
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