Should you say "hello" to other detailers?

C

civcklr

New member
I thought so, But I was getting lunch today and saw another moble detailer in the parking lot doing a car (just detailing it, not doing it) so I pulled up in my van to give a polite hello, and ask how bussines is going. The guy was very short with me, and basicly seemed like he was trying to ignore me. :ermm:
Maybe with the half million cars here there is only enough room for one moble detaler....?..... :surrender
 
I personally probably wouldnt stroll up to someone but i wouldnt find it at all impolite if one approached me or If i were to do it. Im guessing that detailer might have felt intemidated or he just wanted to work, maybe he just was anti social haha.

Greg
 
It's possible he felt you were critiquing his technique, or maybe trying to find some "ammo" to use against him if a potential customer were to ask you "Why should I choose you over him?". Or maybe he was using a "special" brand of stuff! :w00t:
If you have never had contact with him before, I don't think it's too unexpected that he be apprehensive at first. Maybe still give a smile and nod if you see him on the street or something, but don't let one instance be the definitive impression that you carry forward with you forever.
 
in my experiences, alot of operations are like that. pdr guys are known for not wanting other pdr guys near them when working. i think Big Leegr is right, some may feel you are looking for anything to damage their reputation. i would stop what i was doing and chit chat back. you never know when you might need each other.
 
I've been wondering about this.
There are only a couple of mobile guys here, mostly doing commercial and farm work. There are 3.5 other shops in my town (the .5 is a not-quite-there guy that does stuff out of his father's taxi stand bay when cars aren't being fixed). I didn't introduce myself, but the biggest guys--been here 10+years--are occassionally sending me things they can't be bothered to do or can't figure out.
Should I say hello to them?
 
PEI Detail said:
I didn't introduce myself, but the biggest guys--been here 10+years--are occassionally sending me things they can't be bothered to do or can't figure out.
Should I say hello to them?
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I would at least acknowledge the business they're sending your way. Even a little Thank You card. (Right about now you could even include it as a Christmas card if you don't want to go right out and say thanks for the business. Sort of a friendly "Seasons greetings. Feel free to stop by for a coffee some time." - Assuming you have/drink coffee. :whistling ) :beer_smil
 
Yeah why not I allways say Hello how you doing I have never found one that wasnt freindly.
Its also a good time to find out where they work what they charge and let them know I dont pinch customers And wouldnt expect them to do so either.
Never had a problem yet.
Jay :santa
 
civcklr said:
The guy was very short with me, and basicly seemed like he was trying to ignore me. :ermm:
Maybe with the half million cars here there is only enough room for one moble detaler....?..... :surrender
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Sounds like a jerk. Some guys can't work and talk at the same time.

Do I like to be interrupted when I'm working? I don't mind a bit. It's part of life.
 
Luster said:
Sounds like a jerk. Some guys can't work and talk at the same time.

Do I like to be interrupted when I'm working. I don't mind a bit. It's part of life.
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Amen, Bill. I am in total accord with that statement!!
 
The guy could of just been having a bad day too though. I mean, it is the holidays and everyone seems stressed out lately.
 
I've been to all the local shops in my area to introduce myself and tell them what I do....part time detailer in the summer mostly...When I have had jobs that I could not do I wanted them to know who was sending them the biz...I didn't want to refer someone to a shop that I didn't think would deliver a good job...Not one of them was short with me...inpart this was how I approached them, on a professional level....There is enough biz for us all here.
 
I have met other mobile detailers at my local supplier. I had good experience. We share tips and talk about fix locations prices and each other business.
 
Yea, He may have just ben trying to get done doing his thang, or in a hurry but he was rude none the less. On the other end of the spectrum, Andrew (aka AZferrari man here on DC) contacted me through the forums and we got together and talked some detial jive. :dcrules
 
i realized that when people are in a hurry threy just don't want to talk unless you u look like this
HBJL_SnF_062%40Carmen_Electra_PEFM.jpg


Also it depends where you live.
 
Luster said:
Sounds like a jerk. Some guys can't work and talk at the same time.

Do I like to be interrupted when I'm working? I don't mind a bit. It's part of life.
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In my area, old guys come to my shop to chat--some times without even a car to wash!
 
I guess it also depends on their tone of voice as well even if they are in a hurry to finish up they can at least say "Hey, how's it going..." or something to that effect. Like everyone else says he propbably felt threatend & thought you were moving into his territory.
 
Could just have been in a bad mood, happens to us all. I don't approach other detailers that I don't know. However most that I know came up to me at one time. There are 3 or 4 that operate currently that we say hello and sometimes stop and chat with each other.
 
When we started up we had another detailer that has been in the business for about 15 years from what I hear plus had his own shop the last few years. He heard about us and stopped by. After talking a bit he asked if we could do some cars for him because he was backed up. We did cars for him for a couple of months. It was good because we were just getting started and could use the money.

We also stopped at another shop because we heard they might do the same thing. The owner was a nice guy. We talked to him for a good 15 minutes and said he doesn't send out his work but if he has someone call that is closer to my shop then his (we are about a 15 minute drive away and he has a lot of work just on his street) that he would send them to us. He said he would rather send them to the little guy then the big shop that he doesn't think does the greatest job (anymore). I know we recived at least one call from someone that got our number from him.

So it can pay off to say hi.

James
 
Hi I find the same thing here, its funny if I stop by someone with my personal vehicle they will talk to me till the end of time, if however I am in my work truck they wont give me the time of day. I will talk to everyone about my business my theory being if your doing your cust. vehicle the right way and are doing a great job most cust.wont look at just the price the other guy is offering and will stay with you. There are more than enough potential cust. around for everyone. I personally like exchanging ideas and methods with other detailers in my area unfortunatly there seems to be an abundance of insecure individuals in my area I even had one guy close up his trailer as I approached him so I could not see his set up and when I showed him mine and asked to see how he had his trailer set up he said thats nice but would not let me see inside his trailer.
 
civicklr : i wouldn't sweat it...he probably treats everyone like that, no matter if ur in the same business as him

personally, i enjoy talking to other mobile detailers around my town...and none of them have ever had a problem with talking...i figure the more u talk to people, the more u learn.....anyways, theres a enuff business to go around....i always give a smile or a friendly wave no matter who they are

joe
 
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