OC 3

[Tug Bankert]

What is 10x?

[Mr.Outback]

4 hours ago, Tug Bankert said:

What is 10x?

10 times thickness of "regular" coatings is the claim.

[Ron@Optimum]

Dr G has already weighed in on Graphene (marketing hype) and spends no time "testing" pretenders (Holy Grail Lustro???).

[Tug Bankert]

Ron, I am glad you said what I was thinking. This product sounds like a scam

[TroyScherer]

From the perspective of a weekend enthusiast it is a real shame that so much work and effort is going into the "Pro-Only" coatings when I have to guess that the reality is the enthusiast market could very well be a larger market.

 

The original Opti-Guard was perfectly easy to use and something that even an enthusiast could use.  When compared to the current Gloss-Coat I find Gloss-Coat to be seriously lacking.  While its easy to use there are so many other options that are just as easy but have much better durability and looks.  Knowing Dr G has the ability to improve the pro coatings shows me that the possible improvements in Gloss-Coat are tremendous.

 

I obviously also disagree with the "Pro-Only" when these not something special that needs to be done.  Its really just selling a warranty that isn't needed if the coating live up to the claims.  

[Tug Bankert]

So that I know what perspective you are coming from, are you a pro detailing or enthusiast?

[TroyScherer]

9 minutes ago, Tug Bankert said:

So that I know what perspective you are coming from, are you a pro detailing or enthusiast?

I would say a highly focused enthusiast; that in the past did this on the weekends for money and at times had access to these and other "Pro Coatings".  I gave up the weekend money portion so that I could have personal time and get back to simply enjoying the detailing.  

 

While I would never consider myself a full on Pro since it was never my main source of income; I am very confident in my skills and abilities.  With my background and skill I have no issue using most any Pro grade products.  I also know the reality and expectations I can and should expect.  

[Tug Bankert]

I understand what you are saying. The pro only coatings are to ensure the proper steps to the coating have been taken. To hold us pros to a standard and make us accountable. Dr. G makes a coating other companies can't make. I understand the standard of not allowing the general public to be able to purchase it.

[Mr.Outback]

9 minutes ago, Tug Bankert said:

I understand what you are saying. The pro only coatings are to ensure the proper steps to the coating have been taken. To hold us pros to a standard and make us accountable. Dr. G makes a coating other companies can't make. I understand the standard of not allowing the general public to be able to purchase it.

Fully understandable.  Some pro youtube channels point out difficulties of working with pro coatings, but that (usually) results are worth it. 

As a raggedy customer, my primary concerns are coating's performance , durability, and the manufacturer's support.

Given the bewildering number of coatings out there, I understand Dr. G's reluctance to burn up  time testing "pretenders".  Fortunately a number of detailers  already do that, helping us customers learn what the __real__ "holy grail" products are.

[Ron@Optimum]

Troy, you are welcome to your opinion on how complicated Pro Coatings are to use...but as the Tech specialist for Optimum, I get the calls when something goes wrong.  I'm intimately aware of how often people ignore, disregard, or "creatively interpret" instructions.  If something goes wrong with a pro install, it can be fixed but as Tug can verify, it's not easy.  Add to that OPT does not market and the majority of impressions are made via forums, facebook, youtube, and other social media.  Bad experiences with Pro products in the hands of amateurs broadcast on social media could have hamstrung the introduction of ceramics (which I can promise was a hard sale up front).  Finally, this is Dr G's business model and he's comfortable with it.  Loyal Pro installers helped him gain traction in a world of Big Boys and he rewards them with limited access to quality products.

[Tug Bankert]

Hey, bullseye...Ron just destroyed you. 😆

[TroyScherer]

I am well aware that it is an un-popular opinion when in a place like this.  I am also well aware that Dr G can run his business in any way he sees fit.  

 

At times I wonder if the Pro Only model really makes sense or if it is just what everyone is doing.  In my use very early on with the original Opti-Guard I believe we signed a waver acknowledging we understood what we were getting and the work required.  It then makes me wonder if that would not be an option for Optimum to use to get more sales while also giving people that are willing to go direct and put in a little leg work access.  I find that people that are willing to do the extra work are usually the "right kind of people" you want associated with your products.

 

Questions I have wondered with Pro Only Coatings:

• So if there is an issue who pays for the replacement materials? 
• How is the time to fix it handled? 
• How do you determine installer error vs faulty product?  
• If someone doesn't come in yearly for an inspection detail do they loose the warranty?
• I assume automatic brush washes are out but what about touchless washes?  If touchless also void the warranty how do you determine they were used? 

 

 

Side note: 

When you consider repairing a vehicle or even Painting a car most all of the products and tools are available to anyone that is willing to pay the money to acquire them.  Most of the time you don't need to be part of a special group to get them you just need to have common sense and do the work.  In my opinion painting or even repairing a car is harder then polishing paint and applying a coating.  

I do understand wanting to have and maintain professional level.  It just seems to be an extremely hard thing to do.  I have detailers around me that are part of other companies "Pro Only" model and after seeing the work they put out I am not sure if / how they are able to be part of the program.  

 

 

[Tug Bankert]

I am going to say this and I'm not trying to offend you but I'm going to say it bluntly. This pro only mentality exists in every coating company and you will never be able to change it. I have heard many non pros wish they could get the pro only stuff. Just go after the consumer products and you will do just fine. 

You cannot use what other business, like what body shops do to make an argument that a coating company should do the same. We are a unique business playing by our rules. 

It seems a bit foolish to say that your opinion is unpopular in a setting like this. We are not defending a position we are establishing a standard. We don't need the average Joe buying pro grade coatings. Dr. G does not want that money. He made gloss coat for the consumer. 

[Mr.Outback]

4 hours ago, Ron@Optimum said:

Troy, you are welcome to your opinion on how complicated Pro Coatings are to use...but as the Tech specialist for Optimum, I get the calls when something goes wrong.  I'm intimately aware of how often people ignore, disregard, or "creatively interpret" instructions.  If something goes wrong with a pro install, it can be fixed but as Tug can verify, it's not easy.  Add to that OPT does not market and the majority of impressions are made via forums, facebook, youtube, and other social media.  Bad experiences with Pro products in the hands of amateurs broadcast on social media could have hamstrung the introduction of ceramics (which I can promise was a hard sale up front).  Finally, this is Dr G's business model and he's comfortable with it.  Loyal Pro installers helped him gain traction in a world of Big Boys and he rewards them with limited access to quality products.

Only thing I'd add is some detailers, due to their clientele's requests, may not be able to be "exclusive" (customers may demand 2-part glass treatments, etc).  Other ways to reward "exclusivity" might be pricing adjustments or specialty versions of products.  However, I'm no expert as to coating sales techniques.

[Lowejackson]

Troy does make an interesting point about other industries not using the Pro only model.  Of course some do not need to, the cost and time resources required to access some items makes it an efficient barrier but ultimately the business owner can choose to set the rules for his or her products.  I have questioned many things about OPT decisions in the past.  Ron and his predecessors have engaged with me but still it all comes down to Dr G can set whatever rules he likes.  There may or may not be a lot of profit in opening up a particular market and presumably Dr G weighs up the risks and concludes with a certain strategy which I guess is what he is paid to do.

The only thing I fundamentally disagree with Troy about is the use of a green font, not on aesthetics grounds but because it is damned hard to read.  On the plus side, I did enjoy your Youtube videos.