Samurai Shield

[briteauto]

A few months back, we started using Rain-X Complete. We purposely did not get their merchandising/advertising package, as we were going to experiment with a few products before we settled on "the one."

After using Samurai Shield by JBS, I can honestly say, it is every bit as good as the Rain - X. The cars have an incredible shine, and they dry very well. Customers who regularly purchase the product tell me they have never seen their cars shine as much - even if they were hand waxed.

The Samurai Shield is obviously more expensive than a regular sealer, but quite a bit less than the Rain-X. I know I don't have big brand recognition with this product, but I do have customers purchasing something that they are hooked on and see a real result with in terms of shine and long-term beading. It is sold for and additional $2 on the top package.


I am in no way affiliated with JBS, and I do not use any of their other products, but I have to give them kudos for this one.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

Shield x by kr is also a product i like better than Rain X at 1/3 the cost. Probably is either a somoniz or JBS product. I also like blendcos protectant better than the X.

 

[Greg Pack]

Yes, Rain-x is very good, but my local distibuter quit carrying it. His replacement product smeared windhshields, so I tried several others and have found a couple of products that work very well for much less.

 

[pitzerwm]

briteauto, please go to the customer reviews and document the kudos.

 

[briteauto]

briteauto, please go to the customer reviews and document the kudos.

Will do, Bill.

 

[rph9168]

People recognize the RainX name so it may encourage them to buy it at least once. The key to any super sealant is to get the customer to try it. There are many good super sealants on the market that are as good or better than RainX that cost much less. The key is product performance. If a customer tries a good super sealant and sees the results they will keep buying it.

 

[robert roman]

"I don't have big brand recognition with this product" You may want to consider creating your own "brand" for the product.

"I do have customers purchasing... and see a real result... shine and long-term beading." If the product is providing your customers with a tangible and measureable benefit, you may want to provide your own guarrantee with the product.

"It is sold for... $2 on the top package." By branding the product and backing it up with a guarrantee, you may be able to charge more for it.

 

[briteauto]

"I don't have big brand recognition with this product" You may want to consider creating your own "brand" for the product.


We did - that is why we did not use the Rain-X merchandising package. It allowed us to try a few products all under our own "Brand" and not have to change any signage. No matter what I call it, however, it will not be immediately as wide recognized as the name Rain-X, a name you can see in any drugstore, auto supply etc., that is what I meant by my comment. But we definitely are building our own brand recognition of this product.



"I do have customers purchasing... and see a real result... shine and long-term beading." If the product is providing your customers with a tangible and measureable benefit, you may want to provide your own guarrantee with the product.

We are considering a rewash guarantee with the purchase of this with our top package.


"It is sold for... $2 on the top package." By branding the product and backing it up with a guarrantee, you may be able to charge more for it.

If we go with the rewash, we will.

Thank you for your comments, Robert.

 

[TheChemicalGuy1]

Since we are on the topic of total car protectants, anyone ever tried, or is currently using Blendco's durashield? I know i sell it, but I'm interested in everyone's opinion on the product.

All input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Since we are on the topic of total car protectants, anyone ever tried, or is currently using Blendco's durashield? I know i sell it, but I'm interested in everyone's opinion on the product.

All input is greatly appreciated.

My Blendco experience was that the mixing was a PITA so I discontinued it. Soem facilities may be better set up for such a system than I was.

 

[buda]

KAADY Chemical - CLEAR COAT SHIELD

Since everyone is giving their opinions on "no name" products might I suggest the KAADY Clear Coat Shield.

Used this in my exterior wash and it put a very high shine on the car that customer's really liked.

It is a super concentrate so the cost is reasonable.

Developed for and used in the Kaady Carwash chain, one of the most successful chain of exterior carwashes in the country.

Might try their Tire,Wheel, Body (TWB) all in one product. It leaves such a high shine on the car you almost feel guilty selling a polish or wax service.

All of that said, you cannot argue with "consumer brand recognition."

I have never heard a customer using RAINX that did not say it was worth every penny they paid for it. Much easier to sell.

Of course people buy it because they think it is the same thing as the water repellent product that made the name famous.

Regards

 

[TheChemicalGuy1]

My Blendco experience was that the mixing was a PITA so I discontinued it. Soem facilities may be better set up for such a system than I was.

PITA as in pouring in the powder?

 

[TheChemicalGuy1]

Since everyone is giving their opinions on "no name" products might I suggest the KAADY Clear Coat Shield.

Used this in my exterior wash and it put a very high shine on the car that customer's really liked.

It is a super concentrate so the cost is reasonable.

Developed for and used in the Kaady Carwash chain, one of the most successful chain of exterior carwashes in the country.

Might try their Tire,Wheel, Body (TWB) all in one product. It leaves such a high shine on the car you almost feel guilty selling a polish or wax service.

All of that said, you cannot argue with "consumer brand recognition."

I have never heard a customer using RAINX that did not say it was worth every penny they paid for it. Much easier to sell.

Of course people buy it because they think it is the same thing as the water repellent product that made the name famous.

Regards

True that, name recognition plays a huge roll in how many people purchase the product. But I also believe firmly, that if you have proper marketing and are educating your customers on the benefits of upgrading to your total car protectant, no matter what product being used you should be able to sell against Rain X. I know of a few washes the used rain-x for years and switched to another product that sold just as much, and then eventually more than rain-x. It just depends I guess, that's my 2 cents again. : )

 

[Earl Weiss]

PITA as in pouring in the powder?

As I recall there was one drum with an electric mixer that fed other thanks with specific products. So for example there was a hydrominder that drew solutions from 2 places, the mixing tank wit the powder and the specific product tank. My Blendco rep was lucky to get out alive. Once the specific product wasn't drawing, then the stuff from the mixer wasn't drawing, then the mixer was broken or burned out. Solution lines running every which way from the mixing tank to the other tanks.

Much easier to check one supply line from concentrate to hydrominder, and no powder to mix, or mixer to go bad.

 

[TheChemicalGuy1]

As I recall there was one drum with an electric mixer that fed other thanks with specific products. So for example there was a hydrominder that drew solutions from 2 places, the mixing tank wit the powder and the specific product tank. My Blendco rep was lucky to get out alive. Once the specific product wasn't drawing, then the stuff from the mixer wasn't drawing, then the mixer was broken or burned out. Solution lines running every which way from the mixing tank to the other tanks.

Much easier to check one supply line from concentrate to hydrominder, and no powder to mix, or mixer to go bad.

Unfortunately it sounds like a rep who wasn't very familiar with installing Blend Co's products. When done correctly, its neat, and things work. When installed incorrectly, looks messy and can malfunction just like anything else. It is nice being able to customize your own detergents, not having to chase cleaning by adding to the foaming of the product or vise versa. So its versatile for season changes and easy adjustments.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Unfortunately it sounds like a rep who wasn't very familiar with installing Blend Co's products. When done correctly, its neat, and things work. When installed incorrectly, looks messy and can malfunction just like anything else. It is nice being able to customize your own detergents, not having to chase cleaning by adding to the foaming of the product or vise versa. So its versatile for season changes and easy adjustments.

Part of the issue may have been the facility. This one is older. No Chem supply room. The former customer walkway has the mixing tanks and they are spread down the length of the walkway, near the arches. So, the one mixing tank had to supply solution tanks anywhere from 10-40 feet away.

In other facilities where the tanksare all lined up within 15 feet of each other I could see the mixing tank in the miiddle.

 

[TheChemicalGuy1]

Part of the issue may have been the facility. This one is older. No Chem supply room. The former customer walkway has the mixing tanks and they are spread down the length of the walkway, near the arches. So, the one mixing tank had to supply solution tanks anywhere from 10-40 feet away.

In other facilities where the tanksare all lined up within 15 feet of each other I could see the mixing tank in the miiddle.

Your right, some facilities are not conducive to certain set ups. I appreciate your insight.

 

[RykoPro]

The name Samurai shield makes no sense! Upper-class Japanese warriors (bushi or samurai) never used a shield since both hands were needed for the bow, spear or sword. Their armour was designed to absorb both arrow hits and sword thrusts.
I will stick with Rain Shield.

 

[buda]

Protectants

By the way the KAADY product I mentioned earlier is not Clear Coat Shield, but PAINT SHIELD, a great product, leaving a great shine and beading water and it is formulated by and used by one of the best car wash operators in the country/industry.

Companies spend literally "millions" of dollars to creat "brand recognition" I find it interesting how some of the posters try to demean the value of brand recognition in selling a product.

Whether RAINX is better or not than the other products mentioned, including KAADY Paint Shield, the reality is that RAINX will sell itself far easier than anyone of the other products.

Why would you want to try to market your own product and try to develop a "brand awareness" when using RAINX will sell itself moreso than a non-recognized brand.

Like ArmorAll or Turtle Wax the reality is that these brands have 98% consumer awareness.

Why would you want to reinvent the wheel???

Just some well intentioned thoughts to consider.

Bud Abraham

 

[rph9168]

No doubt that brand recognition can help initial sales but product performance keeps them coming back. There are many fine super sealants out there that work as well or better at a much lower cost. With good on-site marketing, sales of non-branded products can and often do very well.