Benefits of having your car detailed...

[kzyman13]

Hey I wanted to put together a large list of benefits of getting your car detailed professionally. I'm sure Meguiars has covered this extensively in their marketing. I feel having a large list of benefits will help me come up with some marketing strategies of my own.

I'd like to find the best ways to trigger people into wanting to have their car detailed professionally. I run into a lot of people that would "like" to get their car detailed, but either can't justify paying the money or just never get ambitious enough to pick up the phone and get it done. I'd also like to reach those that haven't really considered detailing and maybe persuade them into having it done.

I obviously know the basics: protection, clean car without doing it yourself, etc...

I figured we all have some benefit or something we tell customers to intrigue them or "seal the deal".

One thing I found that works well is just having people see me detailing a car at the car wash or seeing the results or feeling how soft or smooth the finish feels.

So what do you guys do or say to appeal to your customers senses. Lets make a list and get more customers!

[Murr1525]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

The big one would be resale/trade in value....

[CAShine]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

It truly is a good feeling when your car is clean.

[TimG]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

some I can think of now; for image conscious people - they wont be caught dead in a dirty car so emphasize on the image factor. And like Murr stated - people who plan to sell their cars, detailing their vehicles will help to sell the car at a better price (and maybe sell it faster).

Another fact-those who are health conscious - cleaning the interior thoroughly at least once a month is a good way to promote to these group of people. I have a few lady friends which are very sensitive to dust and dirt so they need their interiors be detailed at a regular interval.

But of course there are alot more reasons that we can used to educate the customer which may lead to the demand in detailing their vehicles.

Hope this helps.


Tim

[dnoraker]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

I was offered $1500 for my 2000 Impala as a trade-in at a Nissan dealership. That weekend I put a sign in the window and drove over to Culver's for a burger and a guy and his wife were driving by and decided to buy it on the spot, pending an inspection by their mechanic for $5200! I keep the car mostly swirl-free, dressed and vacuumed.

Now, I don't know what I would have gotten for the car if I hadn't taken care of the cosmetics. I certainly wouldn't have sold it that fast. I don't know that it boosts the resale value a lot, but it certainly makes selling private party a whole lot easier!

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

better fuel mileage, I kid you not

looks better, feels better, your car should be a point of pride

[acsuppa]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

I agree with all the points you guys are making. I just like the feeling of driving a nice shiny car. Even after I detail a car, I still take a step back and admire the shine. Protecting the finish is a huge one for me and most people that I know. You spend a lot of money on a vehicle and you want it to look it's best and be protected. Also, trade in or resale value in the future helps if or when you deside to sell it.

[Malo83]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

And it's true when they say your car seems to run better when it's nice and clean

[03mach1]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

better fuel mileage, I kid you not

That is true. the car will move better through the air.

[Funkster]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

That is true. the car will move better through the air.

I would like to see specific info. I believe it actually, I just want to see rough estimate of the difference it will make.

[acsuppa]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

I would like to see specific info. I believe it actually, I just want to see rough estimate of the difference it will make.

Yeah, maybe MythBusters should do an episode on it. The did one with trucks (tailgate down vs. up) and one driving behind an 18 wheeler. It must make a difference but I'm sure it very tiny. Less Drag = Better Aerodynamics = Better MPG

[Funkster]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

Yeah, maybe MythBusters should do an episode on it. The did one with trucks (tailgate down vs. up) and one driving behind an 18 wheeler. It must make a difference but I'm sure it very tiny. Less Drag = Better Aerodynamics = Better MPG

A few other small factors could be less weight as well. I would imagine caked on dirt and mud on the inside of the wheels would greatly increase rolling resistance.

[kzyman13]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

I think one problem detailers face is the leasing option. I dont think most people care as much about their vehicle when its leased. They don't have to worry if their care is going to cause it to rust sooner or the parts to wear faster because they wont own it by the time it starts to fail. Plus dealers seem to be pretty slack on return values of lease cars as long as you lease another one from their dealership. I dont know theres gotta be a stronger motivating factor to get people to desire a cleaner / newer car. Something like... you don't need to buy a new car... yours can be new again. Or remember that feeling of driving your car when it was new.... Dont spend all your money on a new car when yours can be new again.

Those kind of things seem to work better with women than men. I'm wondering what the marketing analysts of Meguiars have concluded from their research and how to target us.

Oh yeah and I love it when a female customer sets an appointment and then cancels because her husband thinks its too expensive or he decides hes going to "detail" it.

[b2bomber]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

Benefits -- hmm what I could think of right now is products purchases/investment. Say, your prospective client's nary a weekend detailer, buying products to use during those occassional detailing sessions and just leaving it there for the rest of the time with the product ending up expired, etc.

And of course if they bring it to a reputable pro, they've got less worries like damaging the paint themselves, etc.

.02 hth.

[APR Tuned]

Re: Benefits of having your car detailed...

you guys are forgetting the most important thing....chicks dig a clean car