Asking some advice to the professional detailers. Customer oriented questions.

[3.0 Rider]

Hi fellas.

As some of you, I work on detailing as well. Not full time since I'm still in school in body shop just to expand my knowledge.

I'm getting some issues I like to ask and hear some opinions. I consider myself lucky and have had some wonderful clients. No complains what so ever. But once in a while I get some funky clients with some unethical (to my opinion) requests. Thankfully most of the times they let it go and let me concentrate and work for better clients.

So here we go. A client who wants to watch how you're working on a car. I don't mind at all. However they usually have many questions, and I gladly answer them. The downfall is it's very time consuming. I once had a guy taking pictures of the polishes, tools, and everything I used. I'd never refuse a client to stay with me, and 95% of them understand that the car needs all my attention and they let me work without distraction.

then there are the clients who want to learn how to detail their car. Now the tricky part is that a client wants the price to be cheaper since he will help me. This is where a little red light comes up in my head and feel to just refuse the job or tell him I'm busy, and I really consider myself very customer oriented. (I usually will stay with the client at the end to give some tips on how to properly maintain their car. I'll take a look with them to their tools they use and give them good info on what's missing or what's bad on their batch) I have reached a good efficiency after years of working on detailing.. if someone is willing to help, this will actually mess with the routine and will be time consuming.

How do you guys react when someone gives you such request?
I feel like if I go to a mechanic and I ask him if I can help him doing my oil change. Ask him lots of questions, see their tools, take 1 hour instead of 30 mins because of my help.. and never come back since I now know how to do it myself. Is it something like this?

Thanks all. I've been detailing since 97, on and off, but started on my own about two years ago, on the weekends. Next year the plan is to go full time detailer and big projects are on the way.

[Jetta]

Your best bet is to tell them that your insurance does not cover them and that you can not legally let them assist you in the detail.
Or If they ask to help so they can learn, then tell them that you can help them learn, but it will take a lot longer than the usual detail and therefor you will have to charge them $x more for the time spent and lessons.

[3.0 Rider]

Thanks

That's what I thought too.. I guess what really bugged me is that some people don't take our job seriously.

[Mike @ einszett]

I agree with Jetta.

First, liability issue is one reason why you don't want to have them work with you. BTW, I recommend all detailers are bonded and insured. It's very little cost for great piece of mind.

Second, tell them that you were considering holding a detailing class if they were interested or if they want to get serious about detailing recommend that they take a class... that would give them the hint. But in the meantime, your schedule does not permit you to spend time teaching.

Bottom line, there has to be some consideration on the part of the client. They need to understand that your time is valuable.

I would also make sure that (and this applies to everyone detailing) you present yourself in the most professional manner possible down to an embroidered shirt or t-shirt with your company logo on it. Charge the correct amount for your work, possibly make a check list showing the customer what you did and you can present it to them with your invoice. I would also make sure that you are able to generate an invoice with an itemized list of work done.

If you are not presenting any of these items, then you'll appear as someone who just happens to be doing it as a hobby and you won't be taken seriously.