Im sick of...

Car magnets... automatic mirrors (some have them some don't) and taking antennas off... just though id share!

Im sick of ppl saying we fkd up there car when really it was a p of s to start out with. Last friday HAD THREE ppl say something. Two at the same time of the day. I have 16 cameras and they do come in handy and a life saver. Lady calls, just thought I would tell you but you most likely wont do anything about it, but tell the lady that drove my car around, she hit a wall with it and there's a hugh mark on my bumper. I was speechless.

oh and " Lets get a good wash today, its REALLY dirty" ... " lets go with the cheapest... " LOL, aside from that our customers are great! I love being around all different kinds of people and dealing with the public in general... but venting is necessary sometimes!!!

On the service side, all this stuff people put in the beds of pick ups or on their cars screws up the car wash. We get these easy service calls because people are either too lazy to even look at the wash to see whats wrong or there is only one cashier on site. We end up driving 100 miles to remove a pop can from a prox! My favorite was when a cow got caught in the conveyor! It was one of those stupid plywood cutouts people put in their yards.

All of that stuff bothers me too, but the most is "the last time I was here the...." didn't come clean. And you know the customer says it everytime. So now I call them on it and ask. If your rims or whatever never come clean why are you back here? nothing pisses me off more because all they are looking for is a comp on something, I will give the customer credit on the 1st time but everytime doesn't fly with me!

I always just say "we never want you leaving our lot unsatisfied, i'll make sure it comes clean today" no comp.

I'm sick of car makers (Subaru being the latest with their Outback model commercial) intimating to consumers that when it rains it cleans your car!

As for the customers, 99.5% of them are great and I enjoy meeting with them and educating them about their vehicle's appearance. The other 0.5% who come every 2-3 months and then complain that their 2000 Chevy, with faded paint and in desperate need of a $200 detail job more than a car wash for $10, didn't come out looking like a 2008 Chevy, are a pain in the ass.

While we offer to always rewash a vehicle, we also track those vehicles by license plate number. Those who do this continuously we list their make, model, color and license plate number in the tunnel and gently confront them after 2-3 times of doing the same thing and tell them that we cannot re-wash their car every time they come in. Once confronted, most stop doing this. Some however get in your face and we simply have to tell them that should go elsewhere. There are times when a "customer" has to be fired.

As for customers who say they don't have the time to get a re-wash or don't want to wait in line on a busy day, we give them a free wash coupon with an expiration date of one week from today. Otherwise, they'll end up using it 2-3 months later and you'll do the song and dance all over again.

This problem seems to get worse as the economy is getting worse and when they catch on to the policy of a re-wash for those who complain. You juts have to nip it in the bud.

I love it when a customer comes in and says "my husband/wife told me that my car is so dirty that I'm going to have to go through the wash twice. Am I going to have to wait in line again?"

I usually tell them with a smile that I'll make sure their vehicle is clean with one wash and not to worry about pulling around again.

All very valid and annoying points. How about the steady flow of customers who feel they can negotaiate your prices, or are regular customers who feel entitled to something free, or a customer who only comes in with a coupon or ask if you have one on-site.
Don't misunderstand me I LOVE this industry and 99% of the customers are really great and really fair, but it just seems the general perception of this industry is of a lesser standard then most other industries.
The key is knowing who YOUR customers are and reducing the customer who you wouldn't consider a customer.

my absolute favorite is when they hop a roller... and you say NEUTRAL NO BREAK! and they give you the shrug like "WTF" and a dirty look... and their foot is on the break and when you point it out as they hop several rollers they act like you are the idiot!! or they are in park... and swear they are in neutral! I love this industry though!

I have similar issues with customers trying to get onto the treadle in the automatic bay - they often steer hard left when they run up against the guides, then they can't get in place. I've lost count of how many times I've said "Let go of the steering wheel and it will guide your car in," and when the wheel turns as it's supposed to they grab it and wrench it to the left again.

Of customers saying when they see a small line "you guys are making a killing today!"
Or
"raking it in"
"stuffing the mattress"
"cleaning up"
"I should open up one of these"
etc, etc, etc

"Stupid is as stupid does"