Trying to educate the uneducated

mcate

mcate

New member
Perhaps it should be educating the less educated? Anyway, I post regularly in the detailing sections of a few Mustang forums. I really enjoy helping the young guys learn, & I'm always learning things for myself too. I love spreading the "Poorboy's Gospel" & turning guys on to Poorboy's products. I try not to sound like a PB salesman, but I know how much better my cars have looked since switching to PB a few years ago. I see guys on forums talking about how good their cars look with Turtle Wax & Armour All stuff, which to me is all entry-level. My 1st reaction is to try to correct them, but I think more & more I should just back off & let them learn. When I see someone who appears to be serious about detailing, I'll shoot them a PM & tell them to feel free to PM me with questions. I think that's better than trying to "fix" everyone at once. Some of them just aren't ready to make the move up to serious detailing.
Anyone else find themselves in similar situations?
 
Well for one, I find the logic of "PBs > TW/AA/etc." a bit flawed. I think even Steve would readily admit that while a lot of his products are better in terms of being easier to work with and/or more versatile than some of the "parts store shelf" brands, it's still entirely possible to get great results with those other products if the proper technique is used/effort is applied.

That said, I've long since stopped trying to educate people on car forums that aren't detailing specific. Every single time I've tried, it seems like within a few months time I'm generally hated by the membership and end up banned from the site because people think I'm either spamming or just a jackass. These are folks who generally refuse to listen when you tell them washing, claying, and applying a single coat of wax by hand doesn't have to take 8 hours and/or can't understand why this process (which usually ends in them having consumed enough alcohol that they can't even drive their cars afterward) isn't adequate.

I'll take all the time in the world to help people out who come to a detailing forum because it is a sufficient indicator that they actually want to learn. Other than that, it's not worth the aggravation to me.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Well for one, I find the logic of "PBs > TW/AA/etc." a bit flawed. I think even Steve would readily admit that while a lot of his products are better in terms of being easier to work with and/or more versatile than some of the "parts store shelf" brands, it's still entirely possible to get great results with those other products if the proper technique is used/effort is applied.

That said, I've long since stopped trying to educate people on car forums that aren't detailing specific. Every single time I've tried, it seems like within a few months time I'm generally hated by the membership and end up banned from the site because people think I'm either spamming or just a jackass. These are folks who generally refuse to listen when you tell them washing, claying, and applying a single coat of wax by hand doesn't have to take 8 hours and/or can't understand why this process (which usually ends in them having consumed enough alcohol that they can't even drive their cars afterward) isn't adequate.

I'll take all the time in the world to help people out who come to a detailing forum because it is a sufficient indicator that they actually want to learn. Other than that, it's not worth the aggravation to me.
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I've had similar experiences with some people at shows. It turns into more verifying credentials/experience than it's worth sometimes.
I'll always help someone who is willing to listen though.
 
I prefer to only give advice when asked. No, you can't stop trying to educate, because there may be someone that it does reach which will make a difference. People ask me all the time how I can answer questions day in and day out, it boggles Pockets mind :lol2: ... but I like sharing information with those who are curios.
 
I was an instructor in the Navy for a few years, & I guess it's just my nature to try to help people. I do get aggravated when someone contradicts something I say, & I was probably making cars shine before they were born! Like the other day I mentioned that when claying, you can use water for lubricant if you run out of QD. The owner of a body shop showed me that a few years ago, & I find myself doing it quite frequently. A couple of these kids said no way, it'd mar the finish. I don't know everything, & I don't pretend to. But when I know something, I damn well know it! I'd rather avoid getting into arguments with kids (Guess I'm too old to enjoy it anymore!), so I just left it alone. I like what Steve said: give help when asked.
 
mcate said:
I'd rather avoid getting into arguments with kids (Guess I'm too old to enjoy it anymore!), so I just left it alone. I like what Steve said: give help when asked.
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Hey don't be an age-ist lol I'm 22, most likely fitting into your catergory of "kids" and I subsribe to everything ya'll vets of the trade have to say. I'd like to build my experience on what ya'll have already learned. I'm damn sure I'm not the only one of my peers on here that feel this way.
 
DJsDetails said:
Hey don't be an age-ist lol I'm 22, most likely fitting into your catergory of "kids" and I subsribe to everything ya'll vets of the trade have to say. I'd like to build my experience on what ya'll have already learned. I'm damn sure I'm not the only one of my peers on here that feel this way.
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You're right, I shouldn't lump all of you young'uns into the same lot! I'm sure there's a few "bad apples" in every age group. You do seem to be the exception as opposed to the rule however. And, by being here, you're probably more serious about detailing than the average Mustang forum poster!;)
 
Mike, I can thank you for the arsenal of PB products I now own. After having you detail my mystic it really showed me what results a quality product can produce. If it wasn't for you taking the time to talk to me about the products and show me how to properly use them I would still be one of the guys who run to walmart to grab some turtle wax.
 
Part of selling our services often requires educating customers/potential customers. We aren't all lucky enough to have the educated knocking on our door saying "I need a 40 hour correction." I run into the same issues at shows. 98% of the owners get insulted because they think their car is perfect and they spent 12 hours last weekend "detailing" it. It takes a little experience and tact to learn how to find those who are open minded or already a little knowledgeable. I have a few customers who always attend the local C&C. Their cars get compliments and the owner is always quick to sing my praises. I couldn't buy that sort of advertising anywhere. Inevitable, people become a little more open minded when they actually see your work and are impressed.
 
Nth Degree said:
Part of selling our services often requires educating customers/potential customers. We aren't all lucky enough to have the educated knocking on our door saying "I need a 40 hour correction." I run into the same issues at shows. 98% of the owners get insulted because they think their car is perfect and they spent 12 hours last weekend "detailing" it. It takes a little experience and tact to learn how to find those who are open minded or already a little knowledgeable. I have a few customers who always attend the local C&C. Their cars get compliments and the owner is always quick to sing my praises. I couldn't buy that sort of advertising anywhere. Inevitable, people become a little more open minded when they actually see your work and are impressed.
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Somebody else singing your praises is always better than you trying to sing them yourself!
 
Nth Degree said:
Part of selling our services often requires educating customers/potential customers. We aren't all lucky enough to have the educated knocking on our door saying "I need a 40 hour correction." I run into the same issues at shows. 98% of the owners get insulted because they think their car is perfect and they spent 12 hours last weekend "detailing" it. It takes a little experience and tact to learn how to find those who are open minded or already a little knowledgeable. I have a few customers who always attend the local C&C. Their cars get compliments and the owner is always quick to sing my praises. I couldn't buy that sort of advertising anywhere. Inevitable, people become a little more open minded when they actually see your work and are impressed.
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I agree. The people who are satisfied with your work are your best advertisement. They already relate to their piers with similar tastes.

It goes both ways. I've found it sometimes hard to sell someone with even a luxury vehicle when they are focused on an exotic your working on. They see the work but don't want a "Ferrari detail".

I think people sometimes place price as value first. A well done detail will always look better longer than a wash and fill if maintained.

I've had people say "I only pay $150" I ask how many times? "4 or five a year." Why... "All these marks and swirls show up after I have them wash it 3 or four times. We just wait till it starts bothering us and have it detailed again" ......I'm not talking about a neglected daily driver in this example. The owners don't touch the paint.

That's where you can explain it's not the vehicle but the amount of work done. Plus how it is maintained. Once they realize that point the ice seems to break.
 
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