Having lived and worked in FL for many years, I am accustomed to poor business practices. I am referring to something as basic as returning a phone call. This past week I think set the record though. I either left voice mail or email to 8 different companies. Not one bothered to answer. I could understand this if these people knew me, but none did. The companies mostly were varied in what they did. Some were big outfits. None were related to our industry. One of the big reasons my old sales and service did well was that we answered all calls. Sad.
Car Wash Forum
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Normal business ?
- Thread starter mac
- Start date
Car_Wash_Guy
Well-known member
I moved from Florida to Colorado. Although nothing will ever be as bad as FL, it still amazes me out here. In my case it's mostly when I call contractors for estimates/work and they never call back.
OurTown
Well-known member
This has been going on for years here in Ohio and I'm assuming the issue is everywhere. I have even had the issue many times where I get them to come out to look at the project but I never get a price and they basically vanish. They must have so much work that they don't need my business. The situation reminds of the movie The Money Pit.
Eric H
Well-known member
That's hilarious!
I've had this too. I attribute it to it's association to a carwash. When I start requesting all Stainless Steel fasteners and telling them how I'd like it done i think they get overwhelmed. They can make just as much money doing work that they are used to as they can trying to meet my expectations.
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
Give me a call...I'll at least answer or call you back.
As for actually doing the work...well, maybe.
(For an old "retired guy", I've got more work than I can handle. Crazy times!)
MudMoney
Well-known member
I run into that @ ICA annual convention. I spend time and money to attend and maybe 50% call back later. I will call if I haven't heard from them after a week most time a message has to be left and I still do not hear back. So why do the vendors bother going and wasting time and resources to promote and not follow thru with sales leads? Btw I sent a lube manager one year with his wife to Las Vegas ,gave him a list of venders to visit and seminars to attend. He did not attend and I fired him.
copperglobe
Active member
This subject has been my biggest complaint for the past year in both business and home projects. Not getting businesses to return calls, emails, texts, nothing. At least I'm not the only one frustrated with this change in business practices. Drives me nuts.
It can be very frustrating trying to get someone to come out and give you a bid or do any work. I still answer my phone 7 days a week, give free advice, reply to messages and E-mails and go out on service calls if need be. The biggest problem I’ve found is that a lot of people don’t want to pay for quality/excellent service. My son is in construction and he’s told me many times that it’s almost impossible to find quality workers.
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
Ain’t that the truth
I can tell you stories for hours about some of the bastards I've had to deal with over the years.
Well I’m somewhat glad that it’s not just me, and there is a lesson to be learned here. We should be thinking of ourselves as business owners first, not car wash operators. I am fortunate that I can spend time at my business. Whenever a customer has an issue I respond immediately. If someone calls me I always answer. If they call from the wash with an issue I can turn on anything at the wash from my phone. My customers love that. If they have an issue with the IBA I give them a cash refund and another wash. As the founder of this website, Bill Pitzer, used to say, “Deliver more than you promise. “
New Washdog
Active member
I think we all have shared in the miserable vendor response experience. The key is to support and champion the ones that go out of their way! I work at an IBA wash that is staffed 8am-5pm M-F and 8am-3pm and the phone is always transferred to someone on off hours. We push customer service and it makes a difference!
I do have a question for you Mac, What equipment do you run that allows you to turn on anything from your phone? Thanks in advance!