An Issue I Have With Detailing Business Owners

I will tell you a story about a customer I had several years ago.  I was referred to him by multiple people in his circle.  I insisted he READ the website that provided detailed information for transparency about services and pricing.  He acknowledged that he did all of this.  After arriving to this wealthy man’s home, he expressed surprise at my pricing.  Then admitted to not reading my website.  After an amicable compromise, while going above and beyond both the husband and wife made the experience extremely uncomfortable with over the top impersonal attitudes.  The undertone of animosity was beyond the pale.  I remember the wife smacking her gum and asking in an aggressive tone why I was there so long.  This person uttered the following famous words that nearly every new detailing business owner has heard.  “I had a guy who would do all of this for (much cheaper) but he just stopped showing up.”  Makes you wonder how his employees that often go think of him.  I digress, there is something this person has in common with many people the owned different businesses in my area.  Lack of success and in some cases a scandalous reputation.  The person whose wife mean stared at me for hours, bought a beloved bar and eatery in the community.  Universally while the price increased substantially, the quality of the food and customer service went down noticeably.  That is a belief shared by a number of people in the community.  He eventually sold the business.

Many of these business owners have not left a great legacy for city, employees, and customers they worked with.  Although I can not say they are doing terribly for themselves, I could say confidently there are cases where a change in values could have made their business more profitable.  I want you to know that while most of you reading are cheering, I see many of the same qualities in detailing business owners.

Projection is a major issue and clue to the problems business owners have sustaining success.  I boldly write articles and practice what I preach in defending premium prices for premium expectations.  I actually believe a business owner works for himself or herself.  Imagine that!  I have this belief that regardless of the perception a potential customer has about the detailing trade, this is a real business.  I know the state and federal government remind me of this.  I am a professional detailing business owner.  My question is are you?  For many of those in the industry, it does not show!

It has been brought to my attention so many times public complaints about business pricing and offerings.  Without naming any specific company, a popular software company that has brought incredible value (by the consumers’ own admission), is now sparking public outrage over a change that costs at most a few dollars per transaction.  As if that business does not have its own problems being profitable too in 2025!  I remember a online detailing supply store with a known policy against discounts against certain machines, had a glitch.  People were notified within 24 hours about the cancellation of their orders.  There was a massive outcry because people ultimately were not successful in gaming the system.  I have seen representatives of coating and PPF companies issue a memo in ADVANCE of a modest increase in price.  As I see another public outcry of entitlement, I ask why don’t you price with the times?  “Well I can’t lose customers” and “it’s easy for you” etc.  Who told you to attach your business to people who can’t afford your services or people who do not appreciate your efforts!  The words ‘accountability’ and ‘entitled’ have become popular words in the past few years.  Many people are proud to say it until they look at how they run their business and deal with other businesses who have THE SAME PROBLEMS you have.

How many people have a story about why they stopped working for other people.  Those problems you have with getting good employees, is it because you are bringing those same experiences with you?  Do you have the same character traits of the wealthy man I described, that assumed I would not charge him accordingly like a real business owner?

Although I deal with potential customers like I described before, I also have amazing clients.  I noticed they were drawn by my efforts to remain congruent in how I operate my business.  It is a character trait of people who do not spend much time complaining, even when there is adversity that we all will face.  When people have a gut feeling about a business, and magically they just decide to go with another detailer, think about what you sub-communicate.