Some customers just don't get it (pics)......

I recently worked on a Mercedes for a new customer. Car was destroyed and the guy wanted it to look its best so he can sell it. I spent 7 hours on it between polishing and interior, I could have spent 7 more. When he heard my price (which was a discount) he was shocked. When he came to pick the vehicle up, he brought a flyer for a “popular” detail shop in town that has been here for 15 years apparently. This is also the detail shop that he had used before coming to me.

He wanted me to see the prices that they were charging, since they are my “competition” here in town. After looking at the prices I flat out told him, “I understand your concern and appreciate you bringing this in, but this place is not my competition.” It’s a shop that charges dirt cheap prices because they have 20 hired hands and use subpar products. I explained to him that I use only the best products for my customers and charge accordingly.

He still paid my price but actually said “I just thought you should know about your competition since I can’t really tell much of a difference.”
Can you guys tell a difference?

Before


That's how my "competition" left it.

After




It’s just frustrating to break my back because I actually care what cars look like when they leave my hands and then have customers not appreciate the work.

I'll remember that when he comes back to have his other cars done right.

-Kody-

 

how did he not see a difference??!?!?!?!?!?

 

Yeah people just dont understand the difference between a 5 dollar car wash and a 50 dollar car wash or expensive detail for that matter.
But pictures like you posted should really help explain your point.

 

And honestly i think he brought you in a flier because he really likes your work, becauase he does see that it is much better then the rest. He just wanted a cheaper price. I dont think he understands that if he takes his time to do things right the car wont have to be brought back to you looking like the before pictures.

he just wanted the best work, for minimal money.

 

Price is something to be discussed BEFORE any work is to be done. If said client has any objections, he can go see somewhere else.


I would never walk into a Gucci store and tell them that the store by my place has a purse that goes for 10% of their price....that would just be insulting. (I don't walk around with a purse anyways...justsayin'yo)

 

To some (perhaps most), a clean car is a clean car. Whether that is fully polishes and jeweled, or just washed and dried.

 

^ wat p1et said
especially in Hong Kong, having a clean car is really what matters to most people, and when you're dealing with the rich guys, some of them are bastards who will critique your work even if its done properly and make you work on it again and again.

 

Thankfully nobody has done that too me, but really, he basically embarrassed himself.

 

Prices were discussed up front, he just thought he was too important to pay my prices.

 

WOW...what a douche.

I had someone like that not too long ago. Only I refused him as a client.

 

I refuse a lot of clients like this, I just don't want the trouble.

 

LOL he made a fool out if himself. My first two cars are from the same guy and I have his wifes Audi A4 Cab for this weekend. Probably the opposite end of the customer spectrum. Gives me a keys, leaves it the night of, and I work on it the next day. His requirement: Anything to get the paint looking great again. Naturally I could spend about 24h on it, but price wise he likes to keep it near $200-250. On top of the agreed price, he tips me (was not expecting this from anyone). Hes a great guy! Just hoping he can tell some of his friends about me.

 

That customer sounds like a prick.... he brought you a flier of another shop? Why the **** did he come to you if those guys are just as good and charge much less? I cannot stand that type of Deuchebag.

If some guy did that to me after my hard work, he would be immediately off my client list.

 

Just save these photos to show him when he comes back - THEN have him see if he can tell a difference.

 

Guys a jerk and not worth the time. Sounds like he is just working you over to see what you will do.
I had a client telling me what i should be charging and then started short changing me, he is now history.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys! Yeah, I'm not too worried about it, I won't be changing my prices, won't be changing my quality and won't be changing my quality products. If people don't want any of my trio, then they can go down to the "spin and swirl" gas station car wash.

D-bags have d-bag friends. Give one d-bag a break and all their friends think they will get the same.

I learn from the best, all of you, and I refuse to compromise the blood, sweat and tears that I put into this business.

Onward and upward.

-Kody-

 

This is a good point to add that everyone should get the services you are offering and the price in writing and signed by your client.

 

I've done that too. I just refer people like that to the car wash place down the street, people usually come back crying because the $5 place put a bunch of buffer trails on the car, lol.
THEN I CHARGE THEM MORE TO FIX IT!

 

This isn't too uncommon. I've had situations where i've given someone a quote and then they ask if I could do it for cheaper.
At the time I was extremely offended, to the point where I just replied, "Why would you ask that?"
Now that i've had time to think it over, a simple "no" would suffice and you either take their money for your price, or you walk away.
The question is, "What's in it for you?" As in, what's in it for you if you do it for less?

 

Hahahaha nice one.

Yeah, you shouldn't be too worried about the people like that. They might be trying to lowball you too. If he thinks one of the cheaper competition will suffice, then just let him be. Hopefully that silly man will have enough pride to come back to you when he learns he was wrong.