Jobs that just don't come out right

[Romad81]

Anyone ever had the job that just doesn't satisfy you no matter what you try? I've been fortunate with the paint correction jobs that I usually get the results I want without going crazy trying to figure out combinations. My problem was a headlight restoration this morning. I had a 2005 Mercedes SL500 with one original headlight and a newer replacement. The owner wanted me to clear up the haze on the older one. He is in the plastics industry so I knew up front there were high expectations for this one. I started very lightly trying to clean up the original coating by hand since it seemed to pretty much complete. Unfortunately it was so hard I couldn't make a dent in any of the usually removable imperfections. To make any progress at all I had to take off the old coating by DA, finish down with 3000 Trizact, and then polish out with D300 and 301. The lens was smooth and clear but there was still a noticeable (at least to me) difference in the overall clarity. Maybe it was because it was an older, more weathered lens, inside and out. The bright metal on the inside just didn't sparkle anywhere close to the newer one. It took me 2.5 hours to get it done but I just wasn't happy. I let the owner know I wasn't happy and he didn't have to pay me although he did, with a tip. He said there was a pretty good improvement and was satisfied. He said he'll only have the car another year or two so we talked about replacing the old one in the near future prior to sale. I have a commercial auto parts account and would save hundreds over the $1200 from the dealership. I'm thinking about giving him the headlight for cost minus what he's already paid me, then install for free. He'll be a repeat customer with other vehicles and want to do what's right for the customer and in my heart.

[calbach]

Try starting a job and then half way through the hood (first panel to do of course) your buffer shorts out on the wire so you have to finish it by hand. Worst part was is this is a customer I've had for three years that finally wanted full correction. I had to do it all by hand. He was happy with it but I was not by any means. As soon as I get the Milwaukee I ordered im going back for free. Luckily it didnt happen on his corvette.

[Selectchoice]

Re: Jobs that just don't come out right

Romad81, sounds like you were up against it from the outset. A newer lens verses an older original will most times show some differentiation, even if only mildly. If he is going to sell it soon, chances are he didn't purchase the highest quality original replacement and even if he did, often times there are running changes with the design during production on a particular model. So even if it fits, it may not be the exact same item.

In business your only concerns are keeping the customer happy, and making a profit. Your customer was happy and told you so, and included a tip. I can't see someone unhappy tipping just for the sake of it.

I'd be reluctant to give your client such a discount in this case. There's many other ways to keep a client happy and maintain a relationship for many years.

As much as you love any job, doing it for free, or worse costing you money, is a guarantee you will lose that love very quickly.