Update on 2005

[Mr. Clean]

...No need to start being "holier than thou".

Ummmmm.....I believe that is the point that I was making.

You busted me :bow I left the B out . I was in a state of agitation at the time.

I guess you're still agitated... The dictionary is Webster unless you are speaking in the possessive tense, and then it would be Webster' s. OK, that’s the end of the spelling and grammar lesson for today.

 

[CharlesW]

Apology excepted. You didn't mean any harm as I noticed you said "appears to be". I just wanted to clarify the issue. Thank you sir.

Hey, Jngr:
I saved Fuzz's quote for you.

And yes, I am prepared for the consequences. They probably won't be too bad, seeing as I still have Fuzz's axe.

Charles

 

[Shaun Carollo]

ALRIGHT, lets back up and let me reiterate things guys. I was just joking around when I said that. I wanted to offer these because, if they aren't paying me to wash their car, then:
A. They do it themselves.
B. Pay me to do it. or
C. Go to a car wash.

1. This car wash was voted #1 in southeast michigan for quality
2. The average income of my customers does not permit weekly $20 washings from me, nor would I do them all day for that price.
3. People take their cars to us at least twice a year, BECAUSE they can't afford to have it washed with care as need be, or can't do it themselves.

I'm am sorry for causing the confusion, I would never associate my, nor my businesses name with a product/service that isn't up to my satisfaction.

 

[TDMAN]

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.

I think that you just don't like them as a vendor because they don't sponsor Detail City. Just because you are married to the sponsors doesn't mean everyone is nor should they be. If you don't want to order from Top of the Line, that's fine. But don't knock them without knowing them. They are some of the finest people I have done business with, and sell great products at a discounted price. They are very ethical and stand behind their product. This isn't the first nor the last time you will take shots at them. But until you "lower" yourself and buy something from them why don't you shut your mouth! People like you are despicable; you talk smack behind their backs with nothing to stand on. If they were a sponsor, you would be their biggest cheerleader and supporter. Instead, you try to smear them behind their backs. They have something that you will never have: CLASS.

 

[TDMAN]

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

I'm not sure why you posted the prices. It is fairly well known that TOL has quality products and discount pricing. Posting pricing just raises the hackles on everybody's neck and sets you up to pasted. We generally call this "leading with the chin". Not real smart. As for selling the cards at a discount rate: I think some of the same people bashing you would probably do the same thing given the opportunity. The real test is: how does your gut feel? There is a very popular book out there that says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged". You decide. I would say that it presents you with a very unique opportunity to be of service and to educate people BESIDES making money. Life is always about opportunities. It's not for me to judge you, but you wouldn't have asked for feedback if it didn't make you feel a little uneasy. They say that a person generally knows the difference between right and wrong by the time they are 10 years old. I am certain that you are past 10 years old. Good luck.

 

[Shaun Carollo]

I hope you can understand my logical and ethical reasoning behind this, but here's onto the bigger part of the question...

IS IT RIGHT? I would like EVERYONES opinion please.

-Shaun

 

[MS22]

First off to get back to your initial concern . . . I would have swapped some Trade Secret for that P21S and definately order some FMJ to complete the Menzerna lineup.
Now my feelings on this debate. I think I understand your reasoning behind the promoting of your local swirl-o-matic. While you will have customers that are completely loyal and want you to do (bi)weekly washes as maintainance you will have others that want their car detailed two or three times a year. Of those other people 90% are not willing to wash their car themselves every week in their dirveway when the swirl-o-matic is much faster and more convienient, especially for $3. There is no way that you personally can control how your customers perform routine maintainance on their vehicles finish; not everyone is sick like us and willing to lose sleep just to make sure their car is perfect. That being said since you can not control your customers habits and they are going to go to the local carwash regardless why not steer them towards someone who not only promotes your business but also has you detail his car? I understand what you were trying to get at in the first place while others were quick to bash you for speaking a thought that should have stayed in your head. It is a simple fact that people do not care about their cars like we do and they will continue to neglect them the second we part, and 4-6 months down the road we will meet again, and so on, again and again. So in closing I say go ahead, ask your customers if they use a local car wash for regular washings, if they say yes promote your friends business as he does the same for you.

 

[CharlesW]

First off to get back to your initial concern . . . I would have swapped some Trade Secret for that P21S and definately order some FMJ to complete the Menzerna lineup.
Now my feelings on this debate. I think I understand your reasoning behind the promoting of your local swirl-o-matic. While you will have customers that are completely loyal and want you to do (bi)weekly washes as maintainance you will have others that want their car detailed two or three times a year. Of those other people 90% are not willing to wash their car themselves every week in their dirveway when the swirl-o-matic is much faster and more convienient, especially for $3. There is no way that you personally can control how your customers perform routine maintainance on their vehicles finish; not everyone is sick like us and willing to lose sleep just to make sure their car is perfect. That being said since you can not control your customers habits and they are going to go to the local carwash regardless why not steer them towards someone who not only promotes your business but also has you detail his car? I understand what you were trying to get at in the first place while others were quick to bash you for speaking a thought that should have stayed in your head. It is a simple fact that people do not care about their cars like we do and they will continue to neglect them the second we part, and 4-6 months down the road we will meet again, and so on, again and again. So in closing I say go ahead, ask your customers if they use a local car wash for regular washings, if they say yes promote your friends business as he does the same for you.

:bigups :bigups :bigups
You know, this may be the first post in this entire thread that makes sense.

Charles

 

[MS22]

I honestly appreciate your approval Charles, Thank You.

I read this before thinking that Shaun was a victim of the "snowball" effect stemming from a few people who picked out that one disputed line and turned it into a fiasco before actually thinking about the point he may have been trying to make.

 

[kimwallace]

I guess, if you want to help promote your friends business, you need to be honest with your customers. Tell them up-front of the advantages of keeping their car clean. At the same time explain the benefits of a hand wash by you vs. the automated car wash and the potential for swirls, etc. I have found that by being completely open and honest with customers that trust is earned and your business will grow. The best part is that you can sleep at night knowing that you treated someone like you would want to be treated.

 

[TDMAN]

Way to go fellas! That is what I was talking about when I said that you have a unique opportunity to not only make money and be of service, but also a chance to educate your customers. Most likely they will still get their cars washed at the other place. So be it. That is their choice. It seems that a lot of people are okay with getting it detailed by someone every 4-6 months, but still get their car washed at the other place. I think you have a wonderful opportunity to build up a nice business and grow it at the same time. I agree with whoever said to get the Trade Secret and the FMJ. Please keep us posted on the year and how it turns out. :bigups