Question for those who detail for $$$

bluzman

bluzman

Card Fan!
I was thinking of doing some detailing on the side. What is the best way to offer your services to someone without telling them there vehicle/paint looks could look better. I would think you would have to aproach the situation delicately. Thanks!!
 
Hmm... That's an interesting question. Perhaps some before/after pictures of your details on your own cars? Some pro detailers could probably answer this question more fully :)
 
I think one of the most impressive things is to lead them to the right conclusion by example. If your personal vehicle is stunning that alone will be enough to convince them. Tell them to check out your car, feel the paint then compare to theirs. then casually say if you want yours looking that good let me know and you can make it happen for them.

Get them hooked on the look then spring the price on the,



Don
 
rotts4u said:
I think one of the most impressive things is to lead them to the right conclusion by example. If your personal vehicle is stunning that alone will be enough to convince them. Tell them to check out your car, feel the paint then compare to theirs. then casually say if you want yours looking that good let me know and you can make it happen for them.

Get them hooked on the look then spring the price on the,



Don
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Thanks Don! I really expected a little more out of this forum though!!
 
ajbarnes said:
Try posting in the "Professional Detailing" section.
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I just posted it over there. I figured almost eveyone who is a member here checks out the detailing section.
 
I think you should just tell them "Hey nice car, but with the proper steps it could look awesome!"

Knowledge is key. Sell yourself, sell the service.

I hope this forum meets your expectations.
 
Or just simply ask how long its been since it was polished and waxed... Normally they'll say last summer... Try and get them this summer :)



Or let them know that their car CAN look brand new forever, it just requires regular exterior maintenance.



I think giving someone the brand-new-car feeling again can be a powerful tool :hifive:
 
LangMan37 said:
I think you should just tell them "Hey nice car, but with the proper steps it could look awesome!"

Knowledge is key. Sell yourself, sell the service.

I hope this forum meets your expectations.
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This forum has alot of great info. Clearly there are alot of people on here who have alot to offer in the world of detailing. All I was saying is that I was a little suprised at the lack of responses to my question.
 
Potential. Sell them the cars potential.



It not only tells them their paint us under par, safely, but it also shows them that their paint is not as bad as they might think you're saying it is. It's a win win tactic. :)



Once that's out of the way, you can further expound upon what "potential" you can derive out of the cars paint.
 
And while you're working on the potential, you can let them know about scratches that may come out, chrome or metal bits that can be polished, rubber that can be cleaned up, wheels, tires, lights, everything you pay attention to when detailing!



Customers love long lists of things that you include in detailing :)
 
Also, if potential customers are still a little hesitant, offer to do a small section of their car. I'm sure they'll be impressed but be left with one really clean area of their car. They can't leave it like that!!! :bounce
 
Denzil said:
Also, if potential customers are still a little hesitant, offer to do a small section of their car. I'm sure they'll be impressed but be left with one really clean area of their car. They can't leave it like that!!! :bounce
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I've done that a number of times and it has not failed even once. One time it was a little claying on a white MDX to show him how his paint went from dull orangey-white to stunning pearl white. Another time it was a quick scuff removal via PC, to show him what the thing could do. Another time all I did was dress the guys wheels and wells to show him what a difference it made to the entire appearance of the car. It worked every time.
 
Denzil i realy dislike sales tactics like that. I put up with them by other carpet cleaners, in many cases the clients were very vocal about their distaste for that kind of behavior. I think you are better off offing a discount rate on 1st time customers than offering a half finished job.



I think there is a fundemental difference in what picus did an the "let me clean a quarter pannel for you for free."
 
Grouse said:
Denzil i realy dislike sales tactics like that. I put up with them by other carpet cleaners, in many cases the clients were very vocal about their distaste for that kind of behavior. I think you are better off offing a discount rate on 1st time customers than offering a half finished job.



I think there is a fundemental difference in what picus did an the "let me clean a quarter pannel for you for free."
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I'd hope it would start like "Would you like me to do a small spot, just so you can see?"



They'll usually either say "sure, lets see!", "No thanks, just do the whole thing", or "No, you smell bad".



Like I said, one of the three ;)
 
I think he was getting at more of what I was doing; showing them a specific part of the detailing process based on their complaints about their paint. For example, the MDX guy was complaing to me (while I was doing another car) about little orange spots all over his new SUV. I said "clay will remove that" and he said "no way", so I showed him. The guy whose scuff I removed was the same way... "You can't remove scratches, just hide them" to which I said "well then I must be a miracle worker", so I showed him... I don't think anyone on Autopia (well maybe, I hope not though!) would polish just a fender then take off. :)
 
I have done the section thing to sell someone on a full detail instead of just a one step



did one half panel with just 80 one time over, then the other half with 83, then 80....needless to say, this person was shocked in how much better the 83/80 combo worked....so I used IP and FPII on the whole car and she was saying things like "its a brand new car, you're going to be busy with more cars once I tell everyone, wow it looks really good, much better..etc" all throughout the detail.....all i could do was smile and appreciate her gratitude



the test shots work well....and like the other person said, it leaves them with no choice really, not that its a bad thing when it comes to the car...most people would spring for it once they see the results in person....its the uncertainty in some who dont want to spend the money to have the car two stepped because they dont know if its worth it or not....this shows them it is
 
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