Ok, so as a mom of a 12 month old and that works 2 jobs, I really just didn't have time to detail my car before MOTD. So I took it Picture Perfect Auto Salon in Columbia, MD. Needless to say, I won't do that again and highly recommend no one else does either.

My biggest complaint is that they didn't remove the XM antenna on the drivers side of the bonnet, they just slid the antenna and scratched the heck out of the bonnet when they moved it. To fix this mistake (when I came to retreive my car - like they couldn't have seen this before hand) they put some compound on it...which didn't work. The car is scratched and they weren't willing to do anything else besides use the compound to fix it. Isn't that the opposite from what a detailer or "salon" is supposed to do?

The car was mostly clean, but for $99 the windows weren't completely clean (how hard is it to wipe all the windows inside and out completely??), the tray in back of the front cup holders was dirty - not even touched, and then there were other misc parts on the outside of the car that weren't clean.

Was the vehicle cleaner than when I brought it in? Yes. Were there more scratches on it when it left? Yes. Would I ever, ever, ever bring it back to them?? NO.

Not that there are all that many MINIs in the Columbia area, and most people just detail their cars themselves, but I wanted to throw this warning out there anyway, just in case you ever decide to use a professional detailer, don't use Picture Perfect Auto Salon (not picture perfect and not a salon with the service I got).

 

Sorry to hear about that.

I think for next time, you might want to try our Jeremy's detail service.

 

Thank you. I should have asked on NAM in the first place...duh. Note to self for next time.

In the end, I have nicks and chips on the bonnet that need to be fixed so I'll just add on the scratches from the antenna when I get them done, but I was really disappointed when I picked my car up.

 

geeezzz what a bummer..

 

I know. Maybe $99 is at the low end of the detail spectrum, so they did a hurried job, but you certainly don't expect to have your car come back damaged.

 

Sorry to hear this...I must say I feel your pain (after that nimrod at Winners Tint cut my car with a razor blade). He offered to take it to the detailer next door but a detailer is NOT a body shop.

How bad are the scratches? I know this is a huge hassle but you could always ask that they pay for your scratches to be fixed/blended properly at a body shop of your choosing. I'll admit that that would probably not be worth the trouble but at the least you could report them to the better business bureau. You could also dispute the charges with your cc company if the damage is truly bad.

Thanks for warning us about this place, though.

 

It's always a good idea to check references for places like this, as the perceived quality of their work is somewhat subjective.

 

Well, they actually do paint repair there and I was going to have them touch up the nicks on the bonnet that day, but the paint guy had an emergency and couldn't do the work (may be more a blessing than the curse I thought it was that day - oh they have really poor communication with their customers too). The car is definitely damaged, but it's not horrendous. They should have volunteered their services to have the damage fixed at a later date and time when I pointed out the scratches that day. You are right, I probably need to go back to them and have them correct the damage done.

Yeah, I agree. Definitely will keep that at the fore front next time.

 

Next time bring it by my house... Ive been detailing since I was 16. For $99 i'll probably do a better job then their most expensive option.

 

does anyone know of a good detailer place in the vienna/fairfax area, or surrounding areas?? thanks. and sorry to hear about your experience rhina! and thanks for the warning

 

I wouldnt trust anyone who's looking to make a profit with the condition of your paint.

 

Bring that gorgeous MINI out to me sometime, Wendy and I'll take care of those scratches for you. I'm sure they're just surface scratches and I can get them out with my RO buffer and some polish.

I'll write you out a receipt for the services and you can take it to that "salon" and demand reimbursement for my payment.

Seriously. If you and Dale don't have a buffer... the offer is out there. I'd be glad to take care of it.

 

Wendy, does the phrase "once bitten, twice shy" mean anything to you? I wouldn't go back to them to have the damage repaired...given they caused it, they'd do a crappy job all over again and you'd be in even deeper...

 

+1 From me, I'd have no problem helping with those scratches.


And thanks Maxi for the reference, when are we going to do your Acura?

 

Thank you, you might be a little far for me to get to, but I will certainly keep you in mind - I'm sure (depending on where you are) I can find some type of shopping to do whilst I wait for my car. Especially if I only have the car detailed a couple times a year (not including regular washings). And you're right for $99 you would probably do a much, much better job, being a MINI owner too. It's not like I didn't take all my stuff out of the car too, so they didn't have anything to clean around.

No, we don't have a buffer, so maybe we could get together next month or one weekend we are both free. Thank you much!!

Yeah, definitely untrustworthy to touch my MINI again! That's all I'd need would be to cover the scratches with a poor paint job etc.

Cool! If I can't arrange a good time with Chris I'll contact you to fix the scratches. And I maybe detailing too!!

Now see some good has come out of this small tragedy, I have two people I can call now if/when I need my car detailed and help with my scratches.

 

Off-Topic: But hows the Little One Wendy?

 

With pleasure.

For the detail on the RSX, it's been raining every weekend since last time we talk.

I might want to do both of the car at the same time.

I will let you know.

 

Alrighty, you know where/how to reach me

 

Sorry, just saw this post today. She is doing great! Just had her first birthday on 5/20. She is walking and almost talking. Chris and Roxanne got to see her last weekend when we went to visit them to have the scratches buffed out. The scratches were pretty deep, but they look a heck of a lot better now then before. Huge thanks to Chris on that one!!