Today's C3 clinic was excellent. (Except of course the little attitude problem with the guy at the store.) Let me tell you why:

1. I showed up with my very dirty cooper. Richard said to bring it dirty as it would be a learning and training aid.
2. Everyone is soooooo great!
3. My car got washed, dried, clay barred, buffed with scratch remover.
4. I learned how to do it myself with very good instructions from Richard and everyone.
5. I took it home to finish it (due to above referenced attitude) and waxed it, cleaned and finished the trim, and cleaned the windows.
6. Did I mention how great everyone was????
7. It was worth the drive, and I even volunteered to host a C3 clinic in the Inland Empire.
8. Oh yeah, everyone was great!

Thanks everyone! I don't want to name names because there were so many people there to help and encourage us to get together often and help everyone. I will return to help all of you again!

If you haven't participated before, look forwad to joining us in the future. It is well worth it. Mini people are the best!

I'll post some before and after pics later.

Thanks everyone! Thanks Richard for putting this all together!

 

Hi Robyn!

Yeah despite our little problem with our host, we all had a great time! I'm glad we started with your car first! I wished you had joined us for lunch--we ate at the Robin restaurant--but when I turned around to find you, you were already gone.

I'm exhausted. I just said goodbye to the last of the participants--Matthew and Charles--we went to dinner after helping me clean up my garage---where we finished the clinic.

I'll post some pics, probably tomorrow. I don't remember if I got any pics of yours, but I'm sure somebody did.

All in all, it was a good day, made even better by really cool people.

Oh Robyn, I forgot your c3 decal as well. Arrggg, well I guess that means we'll need to get together again soon!

Thanks for the nice words.

Richard

 

TMGRobyn nice to hear that you finish putting the wax's on your MINI. To bad we didn't get to finish it at the AutoBac today due to this guy attitude (No name but it was the stupid owner or top manager) but we all did have fun driving back to Richard's place. Everyone was great and I hope this event will bring all of the MINI's owner together. Love the turn out today we have more MINI at the Autobac then any other car's.

Next stop the August 27th "Julian, aka Apple Pie Country" Hope to see all of you there. Many thank's to Richard and all of the C3 member. I have a really good time today.

 

Hey AC_MINI,
I was really glad you could make it today. You know, one of the best parts of today was our caravan back to my place--seeing the long line of MINIs behind me! Everyone who participates deserves a big pat on the back for their hard work--I mean, not many people would spend their Saturdays waxing other peoples cars for free!

 

1 word:


Superrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........


Thanks every1, especially Richard, ya great! Dunno 'bout you guys but me ain't gonna go 2 that place no more I'm boycotting it!

 

Hey Richard you are a crazy driver...............
What about you Meeneeboy? Your MCS looks so new after just one visit at the C3 Clinic and a free break MOD too. It was nice to hang out with you today Meeneeboy "Michael"

 

Awwww....I'm so sorry I couldn't make it today! I wasn't feeling well. I would have loved to have met all y'all!

I'll be going to the Julian Apple Pie Run, for sure!

And isn't Richard a super-peppy driver? It's a THRILL to be a passenger in his MINI!


Clover

 

That's ok Clover. The event at Autobacs was a complete disaster- I don't think any of us will ever support them again.

Here are some pix from today--more coming later

 

Ack! A complete disaster? I'm so sorry! I know how hard you worked to make it a great event, Richard. BTW, very nice pix!


Clover

 

Well we started the day off like this at 8:30AM with 15 MINIs, and everything was going super! Meguiar's gave us plenty of support and help, a huge improvement over last weekend. We were driving customers into the stores, making sales, people were interested in what we were doing...


After detailing Robyn's car---but yet to put a final coat of wax, and had 3 other cars washed and ready for detailing, we packed our bags and were on the road again due to an unfriendly incident with our host


And ended up here for the rest of the afternoon


Richard

 

Sorry I couldn’t make it, guys. I got about half way there and had to turn around because I was feeling too weak. Anyway, it’s too bad the manager had such an attitude. I have spent a few thousand dollars at that place since they opened - two sets of wheels for the MINI, three sets of tires for the Mini and Jetta, a Borla exhaust, etc. Plus I referred a coworker who purchased $6,000 worth of junk for his Range Rover - rims and a sound system. Anyway, a friend asked me to pick up some lead substitute for his classic Mini. But by the time I saw him, he had already bought a case. So I went to return the three bottles - what am I going to do with lead substitute? I couldn‘t believe the hassle the cashier and manager put me through for $22.00. I doubt I will ever be back and I have stoped refering business to them.

 

Hey Rick-
Considering what you've been through, I'm really honored that you attempted to come. Most likely we would have been gone by the time you arrived, so it's probably a good thing you didn't have to come out for nothing!

It's a shame their customer service is so bad, but judging by the fact that it was the CEO/President of Customer Support that treated us this way, I'm really not surprised at all.

Everybody was quite shocked by this old mans behavior. The sad thing is that after telling us to leave, he had the nerve to come up to me, and try to clear his conscience by making me say that I chose to leave and he didn't kick us out. Amazing what you will find in the car world.

 

Okay, got the pics uploaded so I can show a before and after:

Here is the before:


As you can see, she has been severely negleted.


And the after:


I wrote Richard and told him I really wanted to come to the clinic but had jsut returned from a trip to Utah and my car was DIRTY!. He said to come as it would be a real learning experience for everyone. So I showed up, an ugly duckling among a gaggle of Swans. After a few hours work, Justa could join the group of swans again!

I injured my shoulder about a year ago and have been reluctant to take on a detailing job. After spending the day with the C3 gang I now know how to get the job done with a few good tools and the right product and not kill my shoulder. I am a bit sore today, but not anymore than if I spent the day cleaning house.

 

Nice pix Robyn. That before really doesn't show just how dirty it was though!! I hope you don't mind I edited your post to put your pictures inline so people don't have to click on the links.

Richard

 

Yeah, It was going so well at the beginning. The support that we had received from Meguiar's yesterday was a 100% improvement from Aug.6th. The weather was great for detailing..hee hee.

Sheryl: I just have one word for you: GENUIS!!!

Richard: Thank you for always being the GUY!! You always work so hard at these things and I don't think you can ever get enough recognition for ALL that you do. I know there are more little details that you take care of and we don't even know it!! THANKS RICHARD!

ACMINI: Good to see you again!!

MeeeenneeBoy: (spelling might have 1 too many e's, sorry) Let's go for a drive to Newport Coast one day!

Linda: Hope your radioactive cat gets well soon!

Everybody else: Thanks, it was good to meet you all.

 

For anyone that's interested, I posted the PC version of what I wanted to say at Meguiar's. As you may recall, I got censored on my first post, so the latest post is just the bare facts.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...9696#post59696

 

Richard - thanks for the help and the shots of my red hottie on this page.

Linda - Can you tell me if you are being monitored by the IAEA because of your radioactive cat ??

Bar10Girl - Nice wheels

AC-Mini - know I spoke with you but which one is you ?!!!! Seen your posts all over the Mini boards...

Rick Anderson - Looking forward to meeting you. Hope you feel better soon. Can tell you are a die hard mini nut like the rest of us.

Sheryl - The leaf blower really helped

Great to meet the rest of you all....

Now I know I will never see the inside of Autobacs...

See you soon Clover...

Best to All,

Charlie

 

Richard, I don't mind the editing at all. Wierd though, they were showing up when i left the forum a bit ago.??? Oh well. Also, the pics does show the dirt really bad when you click on it to see it actual size. It's all there in living color. It's also on my flicker forum at: http://photos22.flickr.com/33947907_f44898ed2a_o.jpg

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMGRobyn

After spending the day with the C3 gang I now know how to get the job done with a few good tools and the right product and not kill my shoulder. I am a bit sore today, but not anymore than if I spent the day cleaning house.

I know what you mean! I'm definitely not in the best shape, and definitely feel it the next day (after one of the clinics), but Richard shows us how to take a MINI from dull to brilliant in a few easy steps. And, more importantly, without spending an arm and a leg doing it!

Below are a couple of photos of the new MINI washing "tool" in action.


RE: Autobacs - I'm forever grateful to that "Attitude Dude" for saving me upwards of $200.00 yesterday.

After the first clinic last weekend, I had made a shopping list of things that I needed to purchase when this clinic was over, and my hubby threw on a few more items. I purposely even saved my $10 gift card for this spending spree. I know several of us spent lots of $$ last weekend, and were going to do it again. I was even going to buy a $50 gift card for a car crazy co-worker who said he always wanted to check out Autobacs.

Now, I'm almost done writing my letter to the manager of Autobacs, and will be mailing him back my $10.00 gift card, with something appropriate (and PC), written on it in indelible ink so it cannot be re-used. I would like to express to him my feelings toward the incident from the viewpoint of a disheartened new customer whose future business, and the business of all those with whom I come into contact, will now cease.

And to reiterate Richard's statement, it was not the store's manager that was to blame. This dude was just a "suit" who came to check out the store's Anniversary Celebration. The Autobacs staff was very friendly and accommodating to all our needs, all the time - before, during and after the incident.

Thank you attitude dude, from the bottom of my checkbook.

 

Cherry2005,

Thanks for turning us all onto the new washing tool! I'd heard about this before, but never seen it in action. I've heard others who used compressed air, but that requires an air tank, and it's not all that portable!

As for the dude needing the Attitude Adjustment, it seems from people I've talked to that Autobacs is sorely lacking in the customer support department, and what a shame that we all know who is responsible for that?

I'm glad you're writing that letter. I'm tempted to write one myself, but I can imagine it getting back in the hands of this dude, and well, I can't think much action will take place.

I do know that one thing is for sure, before this event, I had no idea what this store was all about. After visiting it, I saw myself as becoming a failthful customer. But after yesterday, they can sure bet on it, that I will never shop there, not refer any of my friends there either.

Btw, I'm going to link your pictures inline.





Richard

 

Need more pic please............

 

Sorry I couldn't stay longer on Saturday. It was fun meeting everyone. In the short time I was there I learned about how to best use my leaf-blower, why I need detailing clay, how to get the streaks out of my windows and a few technical things too. I'm still amazed how Robyn's MINI came to life.

I spent over $50 at Autobacs before I left. At least it was on Meguiar's detailing stuff.

I'm looking forward to participating in more events and learning more about my MINI. And I have a lot to learn.

Thanks everyone for being so friendly and welcoming.

David

 

Hi David!

So glad you were able to make it, and I apologize that we didn't get to work on your car. But definitely next detailing event you attend, you'll be at the top of the TO DO list. =)

You got a really nice MCS Cabrio Auto--and I'm eager to taking it to is maximum potential!

Richard

 

Bar10girl, I'm game! Let's pick a date & place, we'll cruise the PCH

Any1 else interested?

P.S. I know there's a place (Mom & Pop store) selling yummy gelato down there. Yeah, but that was long ago, dunno if they still there now

 

Hey Cheryl!!! So you finally got a blower eh? Is that an awesome tool or what? I cannot dry a car without it anymore.

Looks like you guys had a fun time, I would have been there if it werent for my track day.

You guys need to give me the rundown when I see you next about this attitude dude. You guys are being very polite about not naming names, and not using more deserving names for the grumpy old fart.