My Professional Detailing Journey: Part 5 – Why Education And Transparency

“I got one of those paint corrections. The car looked worse afterwards.” Many times, detailers do not get the chance to prove what sets us apart.  It is often assumed all detailers do the same exact thing.

Why Education And Transparency

If you asked many of the people that know me reasonably well, they would probably never question my pricing.  My most loyal, nicest, and understanding clients are doing it yourself, enthusiasts.  I believe one of the main benefits of doing mobile detailing is the interactive experience I have with my clients.  Communicating that quality takes time often falls on deaf ears until I am in someone’s garage and they observe me for an hour focused on polishing a panel of their car.  Telling someone what that person wants to hear and providing the allusion of quality is much easier in the short run.  This is not sustainable in the long run.  It can leave a bad experience for those who have unrealistic expectations.  In short, I find it to be a poor alternative to marketing oneself.

What Business Owners May Not Realize

There is an invisible group not being accounted for when people say, “99% percent of people don’t care about quality and just want cheap products and services.”  There is an invisible group not being accounted for when detailing business owners complain that “nobody appreciates a good detail or people have unrealistic expectations.”  This invisible group consists of enthusiasts who are uncomfortable having their car professionally detailed because they only see businesses cater to what is perceived to be 99% of the detailing market.  Their first and likely last time was an awful reminder that what is normal for most people is not the kind of detailing they were expecting.

I educate people on my value knowing I was not meant to provide a service to everyone.  My contributions may lead to someone making a more thoughtful and informed decision.  This may lead to someone supporting another business owner who is invested in providing a quality service.  That is why I publicly support and defend detailers (even my local competitors) on social media when they receive the same critiques I have.  My growth is not only tied to that of the industry, but it is my way of honoring the people that have supported me and provided me a platform.  With a foundation of self-respect of course, I believe in honesty and helping others.

There are not enough positive representations of the industry.  I hope to change that.