In a sales meeting, every detail company sounds about the same. Quality people, great communication, competitive price. The difference shows up three months later. These questions help you see it before you sign.
Leadership and accountability
- Who runs the department on site every day, and is that their whole job?
- Who above that person will be in my store, and how often?
- If I have a problem, who do I call, and how fast will they answer?
People and coverage
- What happens when someone calls out? Who covers, and how will I know?
- How do you hire and train? How long before a new detailer works on my customers’ cars?
- What’s your plan when a key person leaves?
Quality
- What standard is every car checked against? Can I see it in writing?
- Who does the final inspection, the person who detailed the car or someone else?
- How do you handle a car that comes back?
Safety and liability
- How are your people trained on chemicals and protective gear?
- What insurance do you carry for work on dealership vehicles, and what happens if a car is damaged?
The working relationship
- How do you get priorities from my managers each morning?
- What do you need from us: space, equipment, utilities?
- Is the agreement in writing, and what’s the notice period?
- What do your current dealers say? Can I call a GM you work with today?
What the answers tell you
Listen less for the right words and more for specifics. A company that runs departments will answer with names, routines and examples. A company that sells labor will answer with reassurance.
We’re glad to answer every one of these. Schedule a sit-down and ask us.
Prime One operates the detail department inside franchise dealerships: a Prime One manager on site every day, a trained team, and an Operations Manager in your store every week.