Does anyone remove labels from products?

[kpagel]

I was talking to a buddy of mine that details as a side business. He uses a mixture of boutique products, bulk products (mostly Meguiar's Detailer line) and consumer products (again, pretty much all Meguiar's). Anyways, when he buys a consumer product, he removes it from its original container and puts it into a blank bottle. For example, he pours all of his NXT Tech Wax into a non-market bottle and simply writes "sealant" on the bottle. His reasoning is customers get the wrong idea when they see him using the same stuff they can buy at AutoZone, in that it could possibly make him look unprofessional. The other side of his logic is people see he's using a certain product then they just go buy it at the store and use it instead of calling him back.

Anyways, does anyone here do this, or does my friend sound a little weird? IMO its a bit extreme, but I can see where he's coming from. Just wanted some input from pro detailers.

[Murr1525]

Sounds reasonable, esp if you at least make it known you are using Meguiars products in the bottles. Want to at least have the name recognition somewhere.

[Erik Mejia]

I don't personally remove labels or anything like that, however I do put certain products into smaller containers when I purchase them by the gallon... makes pouring/applying a whole lot easier.

I am proud to let my customers know that I use Meguiar's. If they can't trust a company that's been around for over a century then who can they trust?

Plus I've come to the realization that although you may have a good product... you also need good technique and this is why I feel that most customers will keep relying on you to maintain their cars, I feel that many customers are too busy and or lack the skills to achieve the results that they seek, and thats where the detailer comes in. I love working on cars and although I do it as a side job/hobby this work brings me great satisfaction.

So to summize, although you can purchase a great wax such as NXT, I don't think your friend should feel threatened by letting his customer know what type of product he uses, after all there is much more to detailing than just soap, sponge, and wax... Just think 5 step.

[SpoiledMan]

After all the money I paid for my Sean John jeans, there is NO way I would tear the label off. Same goes for my detailing products. The only items that I use that one can walk into a store and buy are the Interior QD, Interior and Carpet Cleaner and the brushes. Heck, they can't even find some of the brushes!

[the other pc]

Hey Kyle, you know I'm not a pro, but...

IMHO it's mostly pointless but there's little harm in it.

I say mostly because there can be significant benefit to consistent dispenser packages at point-of-use. They can be used very efficiently with totes, caddies, carts and other organizational aids. The down side is that it takes more effort to always check what's in the bottle before applying it unless they're very clearly differentiated by color or large markings.

I think the chances a customer will respond to factory packaging in a negative way are negligible.

First, the vast majority of people don't even know that there are separate consumer and professional detailing products in the world, let alone care. They'll never notice one way or the other. For that small percentage of people who do have some passing knowledge of finish care, seeing a reputable brand name bottle is more likely to be a plus than a minus.

The really, really tiny percentage of people who know about specific companies, products and practices are going to know why the products are appropriate and won't be offended by good consumer stuff. And they're the ones that'll ask what's in the generic bottles anyway. Telling them negates the genericness of the bottles and saying something like "it's a secret" makes you look like a goofball.

And no customer is going to run out, try to duplicate your collection and do it themselves. Everybody knows they can try to do things themselves. They pay you because they don't want to. You're selling service not products. The more time, effort and skill you put into a customer's car, the less they'll ever consider trying it.


PC.

[N.E.W.car]

PC is right, in my opinion.

The type of person who would care that you are using an off-the-shelf product is most likely the type of person that would appreciate that you ARE using Meguiars.

I PROUDLY use Meguiars - and wouldn't take a label off of any of it.

The percentage of people who are going to think they can duplicate my work by just buying the right products is so slim it doesn't bother me.

I say let them spend $50 on products only to spend hours going in circles on their own car...I'll just get another call to fix what they did anyway...

I am partially kidding, of course...though even after all of that, I can still see where your buddy is coming from.

[OctaneGuy]

I conduct my detailing sessions a bit differently than most detailers in that I involve my customer if they want to. I'm glad to show them which products I'm using to solve specific problems. Since, I'm not in it for repeat maintenance visit, I recommend they purchase certain products to maintain the finish themselves.

Most of my customers have never seen the stuff I'm using. And then of course, some have, and then they test my knowledge--which is better Quik Detailer or NXT Speed Detailer.. etc...

In that case, it just gives me more reasons to educate the customer about the products I use and why.

[N.E.W.car]

Originally posted by OctaneGuy
I conduct my detailing sessions a bit differently than most detailers in that I involve my customer if they want to. I'm glad to show them which products I'm using to solve specific problems. Since, I'm not in it for repeat maintenance visit, I recommend they purchase certain products to maintain the finish themselves.

Most of my customers have never seen the stuff I'm using. And then of course, some have, and then they test my knowledge--which is better Quik Detailer or NXT Speed Detailer.. etc...

In that case, it just gives me more reasons to educate the customer about the products I use and why.

I am not in it for repeat maintenance either - and helping the client learn about detailing is good for referral business as well.

Also, I feel if you do a good enough job, they will probably call you when they need a REAL detail again anyway...especially if they are interested and you involve them in the detail.

[OctaneGuy]

Agreed. The argument is the same as for wedding videographers and event photographers. Anyone can use a video camcorder or even purchase a digital SLR and shoot a wedding but very few have the skill, the knowhow, the technique, that will produce professional results with that same equipment. There's a reason customers hire a "professional".

Just because the customer knows the products I use, doesn't mean that he will want to use it himself.

Richard

Originally posted by N.E.W.car
I am not in it for repeat maintenance either - and helping the client learn about detailing is good for referral business as well.

Also, I feel if you do a good enough job, they will probably call you when they need a REAL detail again anyway...especially if they are interested and you involve them in the detail.

[DaGonz]

Why are we worrying about letting people know what we use to detail their vehicles?

Do you think they give a fat rat's rump? Tha's why they brought them to us in the first place!

They either don't have the time tp operly cleean and detail their car, or they don't have the patience!

[kpagel]

Originally posted by Gonzo0903
Why are we worrying about letting people know what we use to detail their vehicles?

Do you think they give a fat rat's rump? Tha's why they brought them to us in the first place!

They either don't have the time tp operly cleean and detail their car, or they don't have the patience!

I don't see why you're taking such a strong stance against this topic?

I only brought it up because this is something my friend does. I thought it was a little weird, but I wanted to get some input from some of the people here to see if others do the same thing.

[Rollman]

I re-bottle my products into smaller bottles only because I buy in bulk ( 1 gallon & 5 gallon ) . I do label everything after I transfer it . I have no problems letting customers know what I use .

[MandarinaRacing]

Originally posted by OctaneGuy

Just because the customer knows the products I use, doesn't mean that he will want to use it himself.

Richard

Yes that, and also I've done demos using the good ol' ScratchX, DC step 2 & NXT combo, and still blew people away witht the results....most poeple don't know or don't want to learn how to correctly use products....(even the OTC stuff)

Thank goodness we have this board.

Alex

[DaGonz]

edited for spelling.... I hate when I rush!

Why are we worrying about letting people know what we use to detail their vehicles?

Do you think they give a fat rat's rump? That's why they brought them to us in the first place!

They either don't have the time to properly clean and detail their car, or they don't have the patience!

Posted by kpagel

I don't see why you're taking such a strong stance against this topic?

I only brought it up because this is something my friend does. I thought it was a little weird, but I wanted to get some input from some of the people here to see if others do the same thing.

I'm not taking any stance. I just don't need to keep secrets, as most of the people I detail for use my services because of the aforementioned reasons.

As a matter of fact, when I deliver the vehicle, I put an envelope in the car that gives them the "details" of what products were used to detail their cars and what to use to help maintain their cars shine.

I too transfer bulk products into smaller bottles for ease of use... I use a Brother P-touch labelmaker to make the labels.