Emails from "customers"

[garyg7133]

Just curious how often you all are getting an inquiry either via email or social media or heck even by phone that you KNOW is another detailer trying to find out what you're charging? Seems like I've gotten a handful over the last month or so and when I ask what kind of car they have they either disappear or try to divert to another question.

[dcjredline]

Who cares if they want your prices? Dont you have any pricing on your website? If you know they are another detailer give them a crazy number like $1111 or something. LOL

[garyg7133]

I was just curious. Having to answer emails form someone who clearly isn't actually going to pan out is just an annoyance is all. Most of my work comes from referrals anyway so I rarely have to book work any other way. As an aside, the only time I jacked a price quote was when I got a text from a customer who had given me a really hard time and cancelled the night before I was supposed to do the job. Unfortunately, she took the price and I had to do the job. She called me a couple of months ago to do another car ( which she had booked last summer and when I got there the car wasn't there ) and I told her I was booked through August so my next appointment would be in September. I was only booked through July at the time but she panicked and said she would go elsewhere. Good.

[garyg7133]

..and I actually do not post pricing on my page. I got burned on a car once and will never let that happen again. I give an estimate over the phone for various packages but have to see the car in person for a final quote unless they want to pay me hourly. When they hear my going rate is $50/hour it usually leads to them waiting to see what a final quote will be.