Who paid the new PDTA fee?

I really hope that the PDTA takes off and I say to myself I want to join, but at this time I am still looking into it.



One reason why I have not joined as of yet is the $75.00, this site seems to have everything that I get her on Autopia for free. I have networked with many, many pro's here on autopia, I have made many friends, I have help uncountable people her and one reason there are so many people here is that it is free and everyone is helping everyone.



Don't get me wrong, i am looking into the PDTA and will probably join to help support them. It is only $75 and i will give them 1 year to see what comes from it.
 
detailbarn said:
Shineshop you seem very passionate on this topic you do have some very valid points but I don't really agree with you're over all point of view.



For starters let me say that I am a one man detail operation and I work out of my home and I am only part time by choice and successful by my standards. Personally I enjoy being small and running my business this way , if I where to go out and open a shop on a main highway I'd have to pump up my volume and higher employees just to pay the shops bills and I wouldn't profit as much as I do now.



Again it's just a matter of what works for one might not work for another. The way you make it sound that unless you're a large shop with all the bells and whistles you're not a professional detailer. I do not agree with that , remember detailing started as a "cottage industry" and I don't feel it will ever be "big business".



As for your comments about joining the association for clout , that's the wrong reason for me to join I do exceptional details on my customers cars for clout or recognition both with my fellow detailers and more importantly my customers.



I'm all for it if it will benefit me, not the customer and certainly not the owners of the association. Don't get me wrong it's noble what they are doing but it has to benefit me and my business if I'm going to dish out any money. And at present it has nothing to offer me , I do not use any of the products that have been discounted through the association. The only benefit that it could offer me is the group rates on health and other insurance and I don't think that will become a reality , mainly because insurance companies want to make the most money possible.



So in conclusion I personally don't see a benifit right now but if that changes I'll gladly fork over the $75 , I'd even pay up to $250 a year if it had real benifits to offer me and my business.
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I am passionate about lot's of things - business being one of them (not just the detailing business). I never said that anyone has to have a large operation or have employees at all for that fact. What I said was that for many people this is just a gig "to make a few extra bucks" or "weekend work". That's fine with me and does not affect my business one bit. However, I do believe that these types of people "cheapen" the trade and serve to degrade the credibility that real professional detailers deserve. I am not trying to pick a fight with you or trying to make you out to be something that you are not but as someone who details part time and at home:

- how do you deal with your water discharge as per federal law?

- are you fully insured for working on your customers cars with proper garage keepers policy and insurance to drive them (if you do drive their cars)?

- is your home properly zoned to use for automotive work? Have you ever checked?

- are you properly licensed by your city/town/municipality to operate a business?

These are questions that 99% of guys that detail will dance around and not answer fully not because they are not valid questions but because they don't cater to what they want.

I am just making a point about professionalism here. How many "weekend warrior" or "I want to start detailing" posts are there every week in the "professional detailing" section of these forums? How many guys that are doing this actually have the necessary insurance (and can prove it). How many are complying with the Federal clean water regulations? How many are breaking city zoning by-laws and don't care? These are all issues that are dealt with by a trade organization. Like I said earlier, I am not trying to pick a fight here although some who don't want to deal with answering those questions will take it that way. This should be the basis for some constructive discussion - not a flame war so let's not take it there.
 
Shineshop no flame taken , I am open to listening to all different opinions. I do agree with this comment.



"That's fine with me and does not affect my business one bit. However, I do believe that these types of people "cheapen" the trade and serve to degrade the credibility that real professional detailers deserve."





As much as I agree with it, I'm not as affected by this so much to consider it a big problem. I do however see it as a problem for many others. Personally I specialize in luxury and exotics so my customer base is very loyal and my work speaks for itself. I rarely have a negative conversation about my pricing compared to other detailers becuase they cannot offer the level of perfection I offer. I turn away work all the time if I feel the customer is a bargin shopper , becasue most of the time these type of customers have cars in the worst shape and will nit pick just becasue.



I do understand your view alittle bit better now and I certainly respect it as a vaild on , I'm just in a different situation. As for the issues that alot of people side set , I have them covered. I have insurance under my main company and rider policies to cover the garage and an addtional million dollar umbrella to cover anything else that could not be covered. As for the zoning my township only requires a business liscense and enough parking for customers which I have plenty of , as for water run off I have a deal with the local car wash and thats where I do all my pre-detail washes, other than that I'm using QEW.



On a side note about the clean water act , if I understand it correct the water is not be drained into city drains or sewers but it is exceptable to drain into grass or soil? I'm not sure if this is correct but I remember reading that somewhere. Please let me know if this is correct ro if not what is.
 
"On a side note about the clean water act , if I understand it correct the water is not be drained into city drains or sewers but it is exceptable to drain into grass or soil? I'm not sure if this is correct but I remember reading that somewhere. Please let me know if this is correct ro if not what is."



From my understanding I believe you can "filter" your car wash run off by washing on grass, soil or gravel but suggest you check with your municipality to be sure.



Interestingly, I found there has been yet another debate raging regarding this very subject in the "detailing" forum. No surprise to me that there is copius bitching and moaning and calls to unite and fight any attempts to ban washing in the streets or at home rather than come up with creative solutions that actually may solve the problem. Here's the link:



http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49836&perpage=12&pagenumber=1
 
Paid in full last month. I believe the organization has the potential at the very least to become a great networking resourse for professionals who share the same "issues/problems" in their respective markets.
 
I would like to see what they have to offer later down the road before I put money into it. Don't dislike the idea..I do like what they want to do..but untill everything is proven and shows a benifit i'll wait.
 
I don't think some of you get it. You refer to the association as "they" and "them" for example - "I would like to see what they have to offer later down the roadâ€Â� -



The association is US, ME, YOU. Join, participate, make suggestions, and volunteer your time.
 
We do get it..but the people behind it "they" are shooting for goals that some would like to see started before spending money on. Im not going to spend $75 to have my name on a website... when it shows benifits then i'll join.
 
To all the people not in favor of joining> I think if each of you had the opportunity to talk with Jim and Brian face to face you would change your mind. These guys are NOT doing this to benefit their own needs, infact they used much of their own money to get this thing off the ground, how many of us would of done such a thing? With that in mind, and knowing their intentions, I joined to give them a fair chance of being successful. If things go as planned all the members will reap the awards. Just my 2 cents. Gary
 
I do get it Joe, just like I got the intentions behind the PDA. Problem was, there just wasn't any tangible benefits in it. Like I said, if a few months down the road, this new organization is delivering on their promises, I'll most likely join.
 
Superior Shine said:
I don't think some of you get it. You refer to the association as "they" and "them" for example - "I would like to see what they have to offer later down the roadâ€Â� -



The association is US, ME, YOU. Join, participate, make suggestions, and volunteer your time.
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Joe, Scott, Gary, Dean and David,



Thank you for your support of our efforts.



You are exactly right about the association as a whole meaning "they, us and you." Jim, Rob, Scott, Gary, Renny and myself are the ones who are running the show behind the scenes. A lot of people forget that this is a NOT FOR PROFIT association. The money we receive, we spend it on the benefit of our members. The Board of Trustees doesn't get a taste of any profits. Security and piece of mind to show this is a legitimate association will come from an outside audit, which will be made available to all paying members.



The $75.00 is a business expense and can be written off on your taxes. A way of justifying the payment can be done when you receive your free Stoner, Inc. sampling kit -- which costs $49.95 right there. That's 66% right there.



As of now, we are 45 members strong and growing. Not bad for only 2 months of mandated paid memberships. We are expecting the number to soar even higher after our ad in this month's issue of Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine.



If interested, you can read a few articles here:



http://www.carwash.com/keyword.asp?mode=2&keyword=PDTA

http://www.carwash.com/News.asp?mode=4&N_ID=50352

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?indexid=6634842

http://www.detailersassociation.com/reasons.html



Thanks again for the continued support by our colleagues.
 
I payed up this year, as I did last year.



The PDTA supports the industry, and they promote the industry, and thats just what the industry needs if it is to move forward. So I'll gladly pay even though my company is in the UK and can't take advantage of many of the benefits.



However, if I need a justification for shelling out $74, thats easy, they provide a link to my website from thiers. That alone is worth $75.
 
I have been looking into it. This post just reminded me of it again. The only thing I don't like is there forums. I was reading through them and some poor guy asked what products to use and a manufacturer jumped down his throat about it. Maybe they should move to a dedicated forum on their own or something.
 
Danase said:
I have been looking into it. This post just reminded me of it again. The only thing I don't like is there forums. I was reading through them and some poor guy asked what products to use and a manufacturer jumped down his throat about it. Maybe they should move to a dedicated forum on their own or something.
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There is a forum within the members section which is dedicated and private... You have probably been to the forum that is a subsection of another well known web site.



I know what you mean, but the internet is a bit like the wild west and you do have to learn to hold your own. In all honesty, even as a professional I find certain forums intimidating when they are full of enthusiasts, who will often act as groupies to an established member who may be very knowlegeable, but may be a complete blowhard! That can be very difficult to deal with as you end up arguing against a crowd. But if a manufacturer is shoving things down your throat, then you can politely tell them to stop (where to go). As far as I know, some manufacturers are better respected than others over there, but none has an unhealthy amount of influence.
 
!Danny! said:
There is a forum within the members section which is dedicated and private... You have probably been to the forum that is a subsection of another well known web site.

I know what you mean, but the internet is a bit like the wild west and you do have to learn to hold your own. In all honesty, even as a professional I find certain forums intimidating when they are full of enthusiasts, who will often act as groupies to an established member who may be very knowlegeable, but may be a complete blowhard! That can be very difficult to deal with as you end up arguing against a crowd. But if a manufacturer is shoving things down your throat, then you can politely tell them to stop (where to go). As far as I know, some manufacturers are better respected than others over there, but none has an unhealthy amount of influence.
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Oh ok, so the members forum is seperate. Thanks for the info.
 
IMHO they need to show a mission statement on their web page. From what I understand of their goals it’s to big of a mountain to move for the chiefs. Maybe some realistic goals would increase the membership. It’s only $75
 
I saw that key members, including Ketch, are trying to do just that. It looks like they need all the feedback and support from the members that they can get.
 
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