Taking 2 steps back, I said: "I think they all bead quite well but, it is the longevity that we are paying for in more expensive products. Has to be a reason for 8 quid vs 80 quid."
You jumped on my statement........You told me "yep it is called marketing mate!" Pretty clear statement.
How else could I assume what your opinion is?
Are the Wilco product and the Gtechniq product made in the same factory to the same formulation with the same quality of chemical? If not, then your whole argument is based on a false premise.
Many similar products are made in the same factory because the production lines are geared for them (e.g. beer - same stuff, same brewery - different products) and there is a huge variation in the purity and quality of the same chemicals available.
Your perspective comes from your 14 years of detailing experience - mine comes from a life time working in an industry building factories, breweries, oil refineries , petrochemical plants, manufacturing and engineering.
I didn't say cheap products are rubbish. I don't buy the stupidly priced stuff and also not the cheapest I can find.
It is a fact that the cheap ceramics do not last as well as the more expensive products do.
My Dacia / MB analogy is perfectly relevant. Both mass produced on assembly lines, your watch analogy is not, one is hand made the other is mass produced.
Well it is marketing and as with many many detailing products (and I'm sure many other consumables). I didn't jump on your statement, it was merely a comment and in many cases one reason behind price difference.
Two examples I have personal experience of, Collinite 845 at £20 and Dodo Juice Supernatural at £65. One is a no frills, highly regarded product that will last 6 months on a car. The other comes in nice packaging, has a funky name, claims to be all natural is three times the price and also lasts 6 months on a car's paint work. They are marketed very differently and in turn are priced differently. Both offer and achieve very very similar results. Personally I like both but if someone asked me to recommend one or other, I'd say, 'Buy the cheaper one it just makes sense'.
Of course not ALL detailing products are made in the same place and I didn't say that they were. I am saying that certainly SOME products are made in exactly the same labs and tweaked very slightly in smell or colour. For example I know a couple of people who have started their own brands - Serious Detailing, ADS Car Care, Maxiwax....all products from Carchem who are a UK manufacturer and the same place that Autofinesse products come from. Another one is Demonshine, Turtlewax, Carplan, Car gods 54 all made my Tetrosyl. Microfibre cloths and towels are another. I got a free wash mitt with an order I placed a while back, it's an unbranded Gtechnic wash mitt and through that seller is considerably cheaper, it's very good but knowing it's cheaper without the label, I know which I prefer. Those are examples of course not definitive of the entire industry but you see my point?
My comment on how long I had an interest in detailing wasn't trying to prove who's opinion was more valid it was to imply that I'm far from misinformed on this particular subject. I'm sure you do have a wealth of experience in the other industries you mention. I was purely referencing that I'm not new to the subject of detailing, nor am I old and cynical but there some facts I'm aware of which are aren't really a point for argument as they are true.
As for ceramics, it's not a type of product I use or have worked with personally. I couldn't comment on specific ceramic coatings as I'm sure there's many cheaper options which don't live up to some of the more expensive ones. I'd probably opt for what is recommended by a professional detailer based on their experience so likely G-Techniq or Khamakaze as I have seen the results of both and both are impressive.
That said, just like the term 'Caurnauba' 5-10 years ago was the buzz word in detailing, everything had to be 100% carnauba it's all about 'Ceramic' now. Ceramic waxes, ceramic quick detailing sprays, ceramic sealants all of which are cheaper than a full on Ceramic Coating but as per my original point, it's marketing. As it happens I'm rather fond of the Meguiars Ceramic Wax although what's ceramic about it I couldn't tell you other than the word on the packaging.
You're right, they are both mass produced but they're not made not he same production line which was the point I was alluding to. They're also designed differently one designed to be built as cheaply as possible so they can be sold at low prices. I don't know if it still stands but the original Dacia line up in the UK all had the same doors from a Sandero to a Duster to a Logan. Quite clever in keeping prices down and I'm sure that went across the range in other aspects of the car. I'm not sure Mercedes work to the same cost cutting principles (other than nabbing the odd Renault engine for the low end models).
In summary my point is that not all expensive products are made super cheap and then hiked up in price BUT I know for a fact that there are some that are priced to be in the premium category because they are marketed to that segment.
Let's face it we're all suckers for nice things and there's a sense of satisfaction in owning or using premium products. I'm not knocking anyone for their choices.
I've gone for Bilt Hamber for consistency of performance and vfm. Additionally when I contact them, the owner of the company takes the time to respond and is very courteous.
I value the credibility that I can determine for myself and also the effectiveness of the products. Particularly if they cost a bit and last a long time.
Ultimately that is the main thing, determining what products work for you and if you like the results. Also the ease of how products work can be a huge selling point.
I've not used Bilt Hamber in any huge capacity but I did use their shampoo once. Clever stuff that it was high concentrate so you literally used a tiny amount for a whole bucket. Lasted ages.
. Enough said?
