How many options on your detail service list

Hi guys,

Do many of you offer more than four basic detail options to your clients?

ie - A full detail, and interior detail, exterior detail and a "light" detail.

I know machine polishing, etc are all extra options, but I mean the basic and most popular services.

I know when there are too many options, it can be confusing. What works best for you guys?

Thanks in advance.

Why offer anything?

Who is the expert on what the car needs cosmetically you or the customer?

You are of course.

So sell to the need of the car.

Customer may choose not to buy everything you suggest but you would never get anything more than the customer thinks they need if you don't sell to the needs

I can see where you are coming from with that, Bud. And to a certain extent I will be doing that - especially with the machine polishing and reconditioning side of things.

But its like you said in a previous post somewhere, the average car owner doesn't really want anything more than a basic detail. So I think its better if they have a menu to pick from. If I think they will benefit from something else, I would certainly try sell it to them.

Do not agree, if you agree with my premise that you are the expert not the customer, then how can you say that "all they want is a basic detail?"

What does that mean? Hell, I am in the business for years and I do not know what you mean by that.

What if the car needs more than a "basic detail"?

When a customer comes in and asks price the first thing you do is ask if the vehicle is available and then say, "let's go look at it."

You point out the needs. If the customer only wants "a basic detail" whatever that is, they will tell you.

But, in most cases a customer concerned about their car will buy what you suggest just like they do with the mechanic. They go to him for a "tuneup" which is not posted on a menu. And he acknowledges they need a tuneup but also the carbuerator needs rebuilding, spark plugs wires are cracked and the power steering hoses are leaking.

For example, I took my car into the dealer for a lube and oil. When I got out of there I got the lube and oil; a new hose for my power steering unit; a new air filter and found out my splash pan on the bottom of the car wash missing and they ordered a new one for $200. Had they just let me buy what I wanted without selling to the needs of the car all they would have gotten is $19.95.

What you are doing, I think, is projecting how you think and believe that is what you would do in a sales situation. That is, you think you need to see prices. That is wrong.

All sales experts tell you, "price is not a factor in a sales situation unless the sales person makes it a factor."

And in the detail business you make it a factor by posting prices.

What harm is there in not having prices?

You can always give the customer a price if they ask for it. But why let them make a decision to buy without first allowing you to talk with them.

Posted prices close the "sales window" before it is even open.

Just some well intentioned thoughts gained in years of operating my own detail centres (where I made the change from posted prices to no prices and increased my revenues) and consulting with detail operations all over the world. Proving that customers, the world over, are all the same.

Any I would add that detailers the world over are the same too, all have the same mentality.

Regards

You could be right! Thanks for explaining your perspective. It makes more sense to me now so I reckon I will try that.

Thanks let me know if I can help

Glad I read this before I put a menu on m website

What you going to do on your website?

Hello, I'm new to this forum and have found it quite interesting. I've been detailing for sometime now and have actually paid the bucks to be professionally trained by one of the top detailers around. I won't mention our trainers name but those of you who have been detailing for a while may know of his work on "Air Force One".

Anyway, pertaining to the question at hand, I like to look at myself as the "Expert" for detailing services here, BUT, Ultimately, it's the client who is the "Expert" on what they want their vehicle to look like and their finances. I do provide them with a "Menu" of sort, along with a list of add on services. They really take to the idea of having standard menu options to choose from AND the option of customizing it via the add-ons. I do walk around with the client and make recommendations and ask questions about past work that may or may not have been done on the car. If the client mentions that the car has been previously detailed, I reach for my paint guage and microscope. I walk around the car taking readings with the client by my side educating them on what I am doing. I like to know a head of time what I'm up against before I quote a price.

Well, that's my .02 worth.

Thanks for listening....

Pristine Detailing
Southern Oregon

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Hi guys,

Do many of you offer more than four basic detail options to your clients?

ie - A full detail, and interior detail, exterior detail and a "light" detail.

I know machine polishing, etc are all extra options, but I mean the basic and most popular services.

I know when there are too many options, it can be confusing. What works best for you guys?

Thanks in advance.

I have many options but my market is different.
You could call me - "Detailer to the stars" so to speak
Many of my customers are lawyers, millionaires, celebrities and all sorts of rich and fussy car nuts

I make it my number one priority to offer services that no one else in the world can and this shall continue to be my priority.
Thats how you stand above the rest.

My most unique service is Trim Dream. My permanent exterior trim burnish system. No dye, dressing, coating or paint. Deep cleans the trims and seals that in permanently.