2024-11-20T18:21:33.000Z

I recently purchased a used car in anticipation of a big move and searched for the most reputable car cleaning service in the area. This company stood out with an almost 5.0-star rating and a strong emphasis on high attention to detail. However, my experience was far from what I expected. I own a Smart Brabus Convertible, a unique and special edition of the vehicle. When I called to book my appointment, the person who answered was polite but made a disparaging joke about how Brabus outfitting a Smart must have “lowered the brand’s value.” This felt unprofessional and dismissive but, wanting to give them a chance, I booked their most expensive package anyway—over $500 for a complete interior and exterior detailing. The job was supposed to involve two people working 4-5 hours. Given that this is one of the smallest vehicles on the market, I assumed it would be straightforward. When the team arrived, they were courteous, and I made it clear that the interior needed deep cleaning. I wanted years of built-up dirt, grime, and unpleasant odors removed. While I worked during the service, they finished in just 2.5 hours—much faster than expected. Though initially impressed by their efficiency, I couldn’t thoroughly inspect the results at the time due to work. They did mention that the brake buildup on the rims was permanent that would require special treatments. Later, when I had time to review their work, I was deeply disappointed. The exterior looked decent, but the interior was barely touched: • The entire steering wheel was still sticky with obvious debris still present. The steering wheel column was also not wiped at all. • The center console remained dusty and filled with debris in coin holder and around gear shifter. • The A-pillars and dashboard were untouched. • The sun visors had dirty, wet residue beneath them. • The convertible top hadn’t been steamed or properly cleaned. It was clear that they had done little more than what a standard car wash would provide. Frustrated, I reached out to the company to give them a chance to fix it. A second team came out, and this time they did what the first team should have done from the start. Their work confirmed that the initial team had cut corners, and the claim about the brake buildup on the rims was false. Had the first team spent the promised 4-5 hours doing the job right, this would have been avoidable. However, during this second visit, one of the team members accidentally dropped a part of the convertible track, causing significant cosmetic damage to my car. This was devastating. Despite the company needing two attempts to deliver what I paid for, they ended up damaging my vehicle. I reached out multiple times about the damage, but my messages went unanswered. After weeks of being ignored, the same person who mocked my car at the start finally responded with an excuse about not responding to anyone during that time. They acknowledged the damage and gave me a recommendation for a repair shop to get an estimate. Unfortunately, the shop they recommended is in San Diego, and I’ve since relocated to Sacramento, rendering the suggestion useless. Adding insult to injury, I continue to receive promotional messages offering their services again. Needless to say, I won’t be returning. My Takeaway: Avoid This Business This company doesn’t respect its customers or their vehicles. Their initial dismissiveness toward my car’s model carried through in the subpar service I received. They charge premium prices but deliver the bare minimum, seemingly trying to maximize profit by cutting corners on time and effort. I paid the same as someone with a larger or more conventional car, yet I received a fraction of the service and experience. Even worse, they caused damage to my car and failed to take meaningful responsibility. Their follow-up was unprofessional and dismissive, leaving me to handle the damage on my own. If you’re considering using this company, I urge you to think twice. There are surely better options out there that will value both you and your vehicle.