{"id":28078,"date":"2020-05-31T00:00:34","date_gmt":"2020-05-31T04:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.detailedimage.com\/Ask-a-Pro\/?p=28078"},"modified":"2020-05-12T11:09:59","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T15:09:59","slug":"5-mistakes-customers-often-make-looking-for-a-new-detailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.detailedimage.com\/Ask-a-Pro\/5-mistakes-customers-often-make-looking-for-a-new-detailer\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Mistakes Customers Often Make Looking For A New Detailer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Brush-Interior-Cleaning\"<\/p>\n

I have received quite a bit of feedback from clients in regards to why they picked me to detail their cars.\u00a0 As I hope you do, they often invested quite a bit of thought and time researching me before handing over the keys to their cars.\u00a0 Some of my clients have told me about unfortunate past experiences with other detailers.\u00a0 I have also read on social media groups and listened on the phone to people who have vented frustrations about other detailing experiences.<\/p>\n

I was once just an enthusiast, who is empathetic about not feeling completely comfortable entrusting my car to most people.\u00a0 When it comes to detailing it can be such a mystery that many people choose not to have anyone other than themselves touch their car because they are afraid of having a bad experience.\u00a0 That is understandable.\u00a0 But many times bad experiences can be avoided, or at least the likelihood significantly reduced, if these 5 common errors are not made.<\/p>\n

Not Communicating Expectations<\/h2>\n

Not all detailing is the same and not all shops are the same.\u00a0 But they all exist to make a unique customer happy.\u00a0 So what are you looking for?\u00a0 Just thinking about this question, may lead to you being able to decide if a particular detailing shop is a right fit for you!<\/p>\n

Let’s look even deeper than just purchasing the right services options for you!\u00a0 Let’s also explore your expectations.\u00a0 What service are you thinking about purchasing, what do you want the detailer to focus on, and what are you looking to have accomplished?\u00a0 It is okay not to know detailing terminology!\u00a0 \u00a0But if you smile and nod mindlessly to whatever a service manager or detailer says, that is on you. If you care about your car I strongly encourage you to be curious and have a conversation.<\/p>\n

Even categorized by skill level, if I asked a group of detailers what is their definition, package for a particular detail, the idea of express detail, paint correction, full, interior, etc, I promise you I will get a minimum of several different answers.\u00a0 In fact, I do not use nor encourage other professionals to use the word FULL for this reason.<\/p>\n

Not Doing Enough Overall Research<\/h2>\n

As a customer when I have a specific or even general inquiry, if I start hearing cliches and a generic script I will quickly lose interest in that product or service.\u00a0 It should take more than hearing ‘we’re the best, etc’ to impress you!<\/p>\n

Many of my new clients who have booked with me have followed me on my social media sites, read thoroughly my reviews, and looked at my website.\u00a0 I have talked to many customers on the phone not used to having their car detailed.\u00a0 Many of these people, when asked about my website, will respond, “I did not even know you had one, etc.”\u00a0 Not to scare you, but this industry is not the most regulated.\u00a0 Do you have a good idea of the quality of work of who is actually touching your car, not just the owner of the business?\u00a0 Is this business licensed and insured?<\/p>\n

If what I am suggesting is foreign to you, then you may have overlooked several red flags.<\/p>\n

Not Communicating At All<\/h2>\n

I had recently booked a mid-level detail with a client.\u00a0 After booking, we had talked for an additional hour.\u00a0 I have had lengthy conversations with clients before, which does not bother me.\u00a0 Building a rapport tells me how serious this person is about this experience and their car.\u00a0 It also, more importantly, tells me how much time was spent doing research on me, in order to have comfort in communication.<\/p>\n

I have consultations prior to booking with my clients for a variety of reasons.\u00a0 One of the main reasons being, I want to be present with a potential client looking at the problem areas on his or her car.\u00a0 I want to point out and explain what can, may, and can not be accomplished with each level of service.\u00a0 I do not just explain what I am doing but the ‘why’.\u00a0 I encourage you to ask why.\u00a0 This is also a great time to listen to your gut!\u00a0 If something does not feel right, trust your instincts!<\/p>\n

Do you have an auto repair and maintenance shop you are comfortable going to?\u00a0 Can you imagine the service manager engaging in cryptic communication over what they were doing with your car.\u00a0 I am not going to give people a how-to detailing tutorial, but I do not believe in being secretive about the process.\u00a0 Most high quality and high integrity detailers do not operate from a scarcity mindset, in other words, ‘my secret detailing technique\/product’ attitude does not align with my values.\u00a0 Detailers who are not transparent should make you uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Focusing on the Wrong Things (One Magic Pill Syndrone)<\/h2>\n

Someone asked me if I had an extractor.\u00a0 I was told she asked because the detail shops were not getting the dog hair out of her car.\u00a0 She did not book with me, but if I was to take a guess she likely picked up her car disappointed thinking the use of an extractor would solve all of her problems.<\/p>\n

I hear chatter and debate on social media over ‘which coating should I choose’.\u00a0 Whenever I involve myself in these discussions I always redirect them to ‘what detailer do you want touching your car.’<\/p>\n

I am proud of the products I use.\u00a0 But knowing first hand what goes into a quality detail, I hope it is me and not one product that has won over my clients.<\/p>\n