Update on 2005

Shaun Carollo

Shaun Carollo

Slave to Swirls
This past friday I detailed the interior of a Hyundai Sonota (which isnt that bad of a car by the way.) He paid me $20, plus 65 free wash cards (total value=$220) which I plan to sell off to my customers at a discounted rate. Before you say something about swirlamatics think, more swirls=more business for me right. This Sonota wasn't just any old car, the owner of it owns the most popular car wash/quick lube/self serve in town. He got a stack of my business cards and said that 2-4 people ask for a recommendation on where to get their car detailed every week. I also got 3 jobs out of it upon delivery inspection.

Yesterday I placed an order with Top of the Line. Here is what I got:
Item Name
2 Menzerna Intensive Polish: Menzerna Intensive Polish 32oz 47.90
2 Menzerna Final Polish ll: Menzerna Final Polish ll 32oz 49.90
1 Menzerna Power Gloss 23.95
1 Klasse All-In-One: Klasse All-In-One 33.8oz 27.95
1 P21S Carnauba Wax 31.95
1 Optimum Car Wax Gal. 32.95
6 Terry Pads Scrubbing 6.60
6 Wax Applicator Foam 3.00
1 Tar Remover: Tar & Wax Remover Gal. 15.95
1 Wheel Cleaner Power: Wheel Wash "Better Buy" 14.95
1 Aluminum Polish One-Step 10.95
1 Chrome Polish: Chrome Polish Gal. 25.95
1 Plastic Polish: Plastic Polish Gal. 25.95
1 Lexol Vinyl Protectant: Lexol Vinyl Protectant 101.4oz 27.95
2 Microfiber Sponge Applicator 3.90
2 Leather Care Products: Leather Cleaner Conditioner Gal 21.90
2 303 Spot Remover 13.90
1 All Purpose Cleaner Extreme: All Purpose Cleaner Extreme 32oz 8.95
1 Protein Stain Remover 8.95
1 Pet Hair Remover 10.95
1 Black Light Stain Detector 13.95
1 Hose Nozzle 6-Way 5.95
1 Lexol Leather Conditioner: Lexol Leather Conditioner 101.4oz 24.95
1 Lake Country Pads 6.5"
Orange Cutting 8.95
1 Lake Country Pads 6.5"
White Polishing 8.95
1 Lake Country Pads 6.5"
Black Finishing 8.95
2 Detail Brush Twin Tip 5.90
Subtotal: 492.05
Shipping: 58.07*
Tax: 0.00
Total: 550.12

Feel free to comment on any of my product choices, recommendations for better ones. Whats nice is, I'm making 60% of that total back next weekend if the weather is nice.

For all you guys who designed brochures, what kind of return did you get compared to a flyer? I have both, and they look pretty dope. This finally feels like it's taking off, needless to say I'm happy.

Thanks,
Shaun
 
So, you send your customers to a place that potentially puts in swirls, then offer to fix those swirls for a price? Hmm...
 
I gotta question the ethics behind your decision to pass out those cards. I don't know that slapping the price on your order is really necessary either. How much they cost has nothing to do with how well they work. If those are the only items in your arsenal then you don't have everything you need yet. If that is just a restocking order, then I really don't see why you posted it.

Good luck on the business. I really don't like the handing out free swirls idea, but whatever lets you sleep at night.

Brochures are nice, but they aren't really effective as mass marketing tools. Those are nice to leave at a location for people to pick up and look at while flyers are good for plastering parking lots or neighborhoods. They are both effective at what they do, but they don't do the same thing.
 
Before you say something about swirlamatics think, more swirls=more business for me right.
Click to expand...

You posted in the professional detailing forum but that is far from professional. I know that there is alot of crime in Detroit, that does not mean that you should be a criminal as well. You should care for your customers and you should also care for their cars. If you need to ensure that they get swirls so that you have more business, that is just wrong.

Also, on an order like that, they could have at least given you free shipping and a discount for buying so much. Not a great deal at all. I'd ask for a refund of the shipping price and a discount.
 
If you want to build a quality business and earn your customers trust, it seems like a bad way to start out by selling them something that will potentially damage their car. I am sure you didn't mean it to be, but posting products and prices from a company that doesn't support Detail City, apears to be spam. A great business is built on integrity, trust and treating others fairly.
 
I have to agree with the others on the ethics of the autowash. I saw you bought the LC 6.5" pads. I bought those and had a problem because the backing plate was to big so this happend:

P2030472.jpg


THe folks at TOP OF THE LINE gave me the 7.5 inch pads as a replacement for free. They are great to work with. Thats just a heads up of what might happen.

GOod luck on the business!! I wish you the best of success

Greg
 
You posted in the wrong forum . This is the Professional Detailing Forum . Maybe you should look up Professional in Westers , your lack of ethics is exactly whats ruining the Professional Detailing Industry. People aren't as stupid as you think they are. Good luck
 
Hmmm...some pretty harsh responses. Ethics? Spam? A lot of overreaction. We're lucky we have JeffM for some perspective, and GregCavi for providing some product performance information.

I know I'll always take the advice of someone who tells me to look up a word in Westers :nono
 
Seems like this thread has gotten away from what has always made DC different.
Maybe the thread could be reported to a mod rather than everyone jump on the bash wagon.

FWIW, I don't agree with Shaun's post or idea, but I'm not sure we are adding anything good by jumping on his case.

That's the Fuzz's job.:D

Charles

Edit: I guess he did ask for comments, though.
Looks like he got some.:)
C.
 
Mr. Clean said:
Hmmm...some pretty harsh responses. Ethics? Spam? A lot of overreaction. We're lucky we have JeffM for some perspective, and GregCavi for providing some product performance information.

I know I'll always take the advice of someone who tells me to look up a word in Westers :nono
Click to expand...

I would say that the responses were to be expected from those that care about customers and passionate about cars. No need to start being "holier than thou".
 
CharlesW said:
Seems like this thread has gotten away from what has always made DC different.
Maybe the thread could be reported to a mod rather than everyone jump on the bash wagon.

FWIW, I don't agree with Shaun's post or idea, but I'm not sure we are adding anything good by jumping on his case.

That's the Fuzz's job.:D

Charles

Edit: I guess he did ask for comments, though.
Looks like he got some.:)
C.
Click to expand...


You are correct. He asked for comments. He got comments.
The majority of people here are not impressed with the idea of encouraging swirls to get more business.
 
Mr. Clean said:
Hmmm...some pretty harsh responses. Ethics? Spam? A lot of overreaction. We're lucky we have JeffM for some perspective, and GregCavi for providing some product performance information.

I know I'll always take the advice of someone who tells me to look up a word in Westers :nono
Click to expand...

Hey! I read Westers all the time. Surely you've heard of it. :naughty
 
Mr. Clean said:
Hmmm...some pretty harsh responses. Ethics? Spam? A lot of overreaction. We're lucky we have JeffM for some perspective, and GregCavi for providing some product performance information.

I know I'll always take the advice of someone who tells me to look up a word in
Westers :nono
Click to expand...




You busted me :bow I left the B out . I was in a state of agitation at the time.
 
Part of what makes Detail City different is that we have members that don't condone what could possibly be "unethical" business practices, especially in our professional detailing forum.

I can appreciate those that have taken a stand for what they feel is right. There was no name calling, there was no cussing, no threats of bodily harm.

I do not agree with the comment on spam. Although I feel that he could have gotten a better deal, that wasn't spam.

We have to remember, the advertisers here at Detail City DO NOT control the conversations or the members at Detail City. There is a definative line between spammers, shills and happy or enthusiastic customers. That line was not crossed here today.

People gave there honest thoughts and feelings on the subject. Sometimes a standard has to be set. There is a standard here. From the members up to the management, we care about cars and also about professional and ethical business practices.

He will conduct his business as he sees fit. We do not have to agree.

"Sending somebody to a place where you know they will do damage to their car is just wrong."
 
kimwallace said:
I apologize for the spam remark. It was out of line.
Click to expand...

Apology accepted. You didn't mean any harm as I noticed you said "appears to be". I just wanted to clarify the issue. Thank you sir.
 
no fair editing. :lol You know, I figured you'd do that. That is why I didn't bother quoting you. You would have just edited it in my quote too. lol
 
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