- Joined
- Aug 4, 2020
- Messages
- 557
One super annoying trend I have clearly identified with customers about their vehicles is a little comical and irritating. When customers are on a budget, they frequently skimp on vehicle maintenance. What doesn't make sense to me is the choice of things they skimp on. For example, one customer of mine will NOT go past 3,000 miles on their oil change while using M1 and a NAPA Gold. Complete waste. But the same customer will push their tires to the absolute limit, steel showing through and all, and not change the tires until they blow out. They'll also refuse to change their wipers until they scratch the windshield. If either variable (control/visibility) causes them to total the car, what was the point of that 3,000 mile oil change again? But okay, I'll even give the benefit of the doubt, tires are slightly more expensive. So I'll get to the reason I made this post.
Several of my customers will skimp on oil changes (intervals and/or oil choice for their habits), refuse to allow me to change their clogged air filter, or think I'm outright trying to scam them when I recommend a brake fluid flush when it's the original black fluid at 250K on their '98 Accord. Yet, when these same people come to me asking for wipers, I try offering them a legitimate "skimp" that gets refused 100% of the time. For example, someone asks for wipers on an '03 Silverado that takes 22s. I offer them a pair of 22" beams for $25, but follow with a higher quality set of 21" beams for $10 (yes, $5 each, because they are the final remnants of a set I no longer carry. I never explain that though because I fear they will think they are old). I explain they are only 1 inch shorter so basically 1/2" on each side. Definitely still safe, and I'd bet $100 if I installed them without telling them, they wouldn't know the difference. But they choose not to skimp there, guaranteed, every single time. It's maddening. It's not like I'm suggesting they use 14s instead of 22s. It's one lousy inch.
If your favorite beer is offered in 16oz cans as a six pack for $10, and beside it was a limited-time deal for the same beer/6-pack in 15oz cans for $2.99, what compels someone (when made aware of both items' prices) to pick the 'normal' 16oz can?
I just want to move four 21" blades...
Several of my customers will skimp on oil changes (intervals and/or oil choice for their habits), refuse to allow me to change their clogged air filter, or think I'm outright trying to scam them when I recommend a brake fluid flush when it's the original black fluid at 250K on their '98 Accord. Yet, when these same people come to me asking for wipers, I try offering them a legitimate "skimp" that gets refused 100% of the time. For example, someone asks for wipers on an '03 Silverado that takes 22s. I offer them a pair of 22" beams for $25, but follow with a higher quality set of 21" beams for $10 (yes, $5 each, because they are the final remnants of a set I no longer carry. I never explain that though because I fear they will think they are old). I explain they are only 1 inch shorter so basically 1/2" on each side. Definitely still safe, and I'd bet $100 if I installed them without telling them, they wouldn't know the difference. But they choose not to skimp there, guaranteed, every single time. It's maddening. It's not like I'm suggesting they use 14s instead of 22s. It's one lousy inch.
If your favorite beer is offered in 16oz cans as a six pack for $10, and beside it was a limited-time deal for the same beer/6-pack in 15oz cans for $2.99, what compels someone (when made aware of both items' prices) to pick the 'normal' 16oz can?
I just want to move four 21" blades...