[matrix_808]

Do you guys turn a job down because the owner doesn't want the "best"? Recently i had someone ask to do just a wash and wax, but the car is in really bad shape, plenty swirls and oxidation. I recommended claying, but the owner didnt want it, just the wash and wax, but i know applying sealant over oxidation wont last as long and will still feel like sand paper. Would you turn a job like this down for fear that he may tell friends he just got his car "detailed" by you and they may all think its a bad job and maybe start some bad word of mouth.

I do understand though that not everyone wants the best and it was still a job which is why i took it. I am kinda just starting out doing details on the side, but at the same time dont want to develop a bad reputation.

[woodenshoes]

I don't detail for a living but as a self employed consultant I can tell you that work is work and I have been ordered to do some incredibly stupid things at the customers request. Yes you will have it come back to you occasionally as what a bad job, or what were you thinking, to which you reply "customers request". Let your good work stand as an example of what you can do, and make the best of the "cheap work". Because at the end of the day it pays the bills and that's the bottom line when you work for yourself.

[P1et]

If after my recommendations and suggestions the customer still wants what they want, then of course I go ahead and do it. Remember, the customer is king and it's HIS car, not yours.

I do turn work down all together. For example, I don't do horrid interiors.

[matrix_808]

I should have taken a picture of all the dirt and crap that came out of the wheel wells. There was a LOT, i probably could have swept it up and potted a little plant LOL.

[911Fanatic]

[quote=matrix_808;74842]Do you guys turn a job down because the owner doesn't want the "best"? Recently i had someone ask to do just a wash and wax, but the car is in really bad shape, plenty swirls and oxidation. I recommended claying, but the owner didnt want it, just the wash and wax, but i know applying sealant over oxidation wont last as long and will still feel like sand paper. Would you turn a job like this down for fear that he may tell friends he just got his car "detailed" by you and they may all think its a bad job and maybe start some bad word of mouth.

I agree with you here 100%. If I had a client that brought in a car that needed more work than he was willing to pay for in order to make it look good enough to put my name on it, then yes, I would turn it down for the exact reason you stated. He tells his buddies you detailed it and it still looks like crap-he won't tell them he was too cheap to get it done properly. At this point, you have to make a choice. You can turn it down and go work on something nicer if you are busy enough. If you are just getting started, my advice is to take whatever this client is willing to spend but go to town on his car. Give it back when you would be happy to say you did the job. For you, its only time you are investing and when he shows anyone his car they will ALL be blown away. Your goal should be to make every car look incredible, even if you put in more time than you are paid for. Eventually, your reputation will spread to the clients who will pay you for your time.

[matrix_808]

[quote=911Fanatic;74936]

Originally Posted by matrix_808

Do you guys turn a job down because the owner doesn't want the "best"? Recently i had someone ask to do just a wash and wax, but the car is in really bad shape, plenty swirls and oxidation. I recommended claying, but the owner didnt want it, just the wash and wax, but i know applying sealant over oxidation wont last as long and will still feel like sand paper. Would you turn a job like this down for fear that he may tell friends he just got his car "detailed" by you and they may all think its a bad job and maybe start some bad word of mouth.

I agree with you here 100%. If I had a client that brought in a car that needed more work than he was willing to pay for in order to make it look good enough to put my name on it, then yes, I would turn it down for the exact reason you stated. He tells his buddies you detailed it and it still looks like crap-he won't tell them he was too cheap to get it done properly. At this point, you have to make a choice. You can turn it down and go work on something nicer if you are busy enough. If you are just getting started, my advice is to take whatever this client is willing to spend but go to town on his car. Give it back when you would be happy to say you did the job. For you, its only time you are investing and when he shows anyone his car they will ALL be blown away. Your goal should be to make every car look incredible, even if you put in more time than you are paid for. Eventually, your reputation will spread to the clients who will pay you for your time.

Ya thats where im getting at. I want to start off with a decent reputation, not one that "looks" like i turned out bad work.

Unfortunately my customer only wanted to pay $50, for just a basic wash and wax. How much extra would you do? i wasnt willing to throw in claying and a buffing all for $50. Maybe i should just do a full detail on one panel and make it stand out so hes forced to fix the rest

[Nica]

Well this is just my opinion but like 911Fanatic said when your getting started you'll have to scarifies a little..um..almost a lot for less (when I say less I'm referring to money).

Heck some of my co-workers want a full detail for $100 if not less and to be honest I haven't turned down a job yet. Some only want a wash and wax and if the vehicle is in really bad shape I'll do the paint correction just to prove to them what a detail should look like. When they see the vehicle after and they tell there friends the craftsmanship shows and that's what I'm after.

However, keep in mind that I don't do this for a living, just to keep me entertained

[detaildoc]

Originally Posted by Nica

Well this is just my opinion but like 911Fanatic said when your getting started you'll have to scarifies a little..um..almost a lot for less (when I say less I'm referring to money).

Heck some of my co-workers want a full detail for $100 if not less and to be honest I haven't turned down a job yet. Some only want a wash and wax and if the vehicle is in really bad shape I'll do the paint correction just to prove to them what a detail should look like. When they see the vehicle after and they tell there friends the craftsmanship shows and that's what I'm after.

However, keep in mind that I don't do this for a living, just to keep me entertained

Agree - for those of us who do it for fun.

[Chris]

Here's the thing though the majority of people out there don't know what good work is in the first place. A coworker of mine got her car back from the bodyshop last week for a fender bender. When I come in she says to me "car looks good huh they polished it up nice". Anyway here is a pic of the car that was fresh from the bodyshop after being polished up real nice. The pic is a bit washed out but come on who looks at hologramming like that and thinks, yep that's a good lookin car right there.







So when you throw out a number that it would take to be worth your time to make a car look good to one of us the average person think that's just nuts.

[shiny]

Don't forget that for someone who doesn't really understand what 'detailing' is, $50 is a lot for a car wash.