Derek's Auto Detail & Hand Car Wash

I took my car in there today, It needed to be waxed really bad. They did a great job and had it ready really fast. I want to return and get my entire car detailed when I have the time!

Pros: Friendly staff and affordable

Posted 10/08/09

Great car detail

Posted 10/03/09

After a longer absence than I'd care to admit to, I brought my embattled car to Derek's (having heard of their reputation), and the manager (I believe his name is Matt - sorry if I am mistaken :) worked on it personally for 2.5 hours, along with another employee. Although I came in for a simple wash and vacuum, the state of my car required much more work, and this work was done diligently, carefully, and as fast as was humanly possible (they even worked beyond opening hours - and on a Saturday evening!). I could have been charged twice as much as I'd paid, and I'd still be more than happy with the quality of service I got. I am coming back as soon as I dirty up my car sufficiently.

Posted 02/04/09

GREAT SERVICE AND DETAIL ORIENTED

DEREK'S DID AN AWSOME JOB ON MY CAR. EVERY CORNER AND CREVICE WAS SPOTLESS.
THE PRICES WERE REASONABLE AND THE CAR WAS READY WHEN PROMISED. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND DEREK'S

Pros: REASONABLE--EXCELLENT JOB

Cons: NOTHING

Posted 01/22/09

I am super happy with the job these guys did. They knew their stuff and helped me make the best choices for my truck. Everything inside and out looks great. It's as close as you get to looking new for a 15 year old truck.
I would go with them again.

Pros: Quality of the work

Posted 08/31/08

I am a returning customer, and I just brought my 5th car to them. They really know how to make a sad dirty car new and happy. I have built a relationship with Derek's and will continue to use them in the future. I would reccommend them to anyone!

Pros: Easy to work with

Cons: Want all my cars detailed

Posted 08/26/08

I just bought a used car in good shape from a private party and since I'd been looking at excellently detailed used cars on the lots, I decided a good detail would make my bargain look great. I read the reviews and saw the Jekyll/Hyde quality of Derek's but since it was near and the vast preponderance of reviews were positive, I took it in. I got a quote for their #9 wash/polish/wax that was a little less than on their website and was asked to bring it in the next morning. I dropped it off at 8AM. When I stopped by the shop at 5, the detailer had evidently been in the middle of buffing when he was called to take care of a customer. He said it would be ready in half an hour but I told him not to hurry, I was more interested in a good job than one that only took 8 1/2 hours. When I went back to pick the car up about 5:45, I had to ask the detailer to finish wiping off streaks of dried wax. He said his eyes weren't so good so I showed him were the streaks were. Looking over the work carefully when I got home I noticed one little chip out of the hood down to metal, another chip at the top of the hatchback window, and a couple of gray streaks on the bumper and mirror where the paint had evidently been worn away by their buffing. The dirt on the paint on the inside of the doors hadn't been touched, nor had that on the strips under the doors. There were specks of dried wax on most of the window trims and a small areas that hadn't been touched. The promised interior vacuum had been cursory at best. It took me another hour to put things to right, not counting the new touch-ups that will have to be done. So, it's a good thing I got the paint the detailer asked me to buy so he could touch up a couple of scrapes he never got to. For nearly $200, this is not at all the type of detailing anyone should expect.

Pros: Close to home

Cons: Most everything else

Posted 08/06/08

My car is 11 years old, and I've owned it all that time. I've had at least 10 professional details done on this same car in three states. I also have had it cleaned regularly, paid my teenager to wax it many times, have a shop vac for the interior, etc. I like driving a clean car.

Derek's did the best detail ever!

At first I inquired about just having the inside done. The man working there said I'd be happier if I had the whole car done. He wasn't giving me any grief about it being an old car, which was refreshing, just sharing his expert opinion. So I signed up for the whole car, and asked them to concentrate on the interior. It's a mystery to me how they got the inside so clean? No detailer has ever gotten it so clean, and even I haven't been able to get it that clean with q-tips as a follow-up. Even the outside and wheels looks better than they have in ages.

I had been putting off getting it detailed due to time and cost. Now I can't believe I even hesitated. This is so pleasant!

Imagine if I had a newer, luxury car detailed, how nice that would look?

Posted 07/26/08

Here is another happy customer. These guys have excellent customer service. They did amazing detail job on my car and made my 9-year old car look like new. Reasonable pricing as well. Definitely, coming back next time!

Posted 07/11/08

They took me with short notice and I haven't seen the interior of my car this clean since I first bought it!!! The pricing was reasonable (would've preferred $20 cheaper) but for $170.00 my interior was awesome and they also did a "smell bomb" to have it smelling terrific again. I would DEFINATELY go back and will recommend my co-workers & friends to Dereks.

Pros: Cost given up front, took me same day, super detailed work

Cons: Dirty waiting room, sketchy staff

Posted 07/04/08

I dropped my car SUV off for a full detail inside and out. I was a little leary after reading some of the reviews, but I needed somewhere close since my free time is second to none. I picked up my vehicle 7 hours later and barely recognized it. It was spotless. There wasn't a piece of dirt anywhere. My vehicle has a lot of hidden little compartments all over, and they found everyone of them and cleaned inside of them. They even found a couple things in my car that I've been missing for quite some time and everything was placed in a bag in my console. From the time I first made my appointment last week, to the moment I left after my car was finished everyone was wonderful. Customer service is great. By far the best job anyone has ever done on my car. Thanks guys!!

Pros: Your car will be as clean as it was when it was brand new!!

Cons: The time originally quoted to me to get it finished was a little less than the time it actually took, but it was completely worth the wait

Posted 07/01/08

I took my 3 Series to Derek's by pure luck, being stood up by a downtown Seattle detail. I got there with no appointment but that did not seem to be a problem. The person in charge took the time to see the conditions of the paint and hear my questions about swirl marks and tiny rock chips, always being very friendly and helpful. I passed to pick up the car after work and the $89pt wash n wax was worth every cent. After the Seattle winter it was just what my car needed. I took a quick inspection there and when I got home I looked more carefully: this is a kind of wash that gives detailing it's name. Spotless!!! Add to that the very good imrpession of the staf I left with and be sure it is worth going back. Not to mention being cheaper than many other detail washes. Guess I will not have to look further on where to polish my car for next fall. Two thumbs up!

Posted 06/30/08

I brought my truck in and they did such a great job with removing road tar and tree sap that I brought my wife's van in for a full detail. We were very happy with the outcome both times. This was my first experience with having my vehicles detailed and they were able to make my 10 year old cars look great.

Posted 06/23/08

I took my car to Derek's because it's close to my house, and on the bus route to my office. I'll gladly forego the convenience next time. The job was only 3/4 done -- they didn't clean the headliner as we had agreed, and they hadn't cleaned the roof of the car at all. The rest of the job was just OK -- not great. I had much better service and results (at a MUCH better price -- about $100 less -- at the Finish Line at Materpark Garage near SeaTac. I'll go there again next time.

Pros: Convenient to the bus line to downtown

Cons: Too expensive, slow service, job was only half complete

Posted 06/23/08

All I can say is that you should go into this experience expecting your car to be there ALL DAY. I was told that the detailing would take 3-4 hours...it was done 8 hours later. I had things to do during the day, but because I didn't have a car I could not do them. When I expressed this to the manager he could not have cared less and his only response was "yeah, sometimes it takes a long time". If they would have said that they needed it the whole day then that would have been fine, but they didn't even get around to shampooing the interior until 2:30. They did clean my car pretty well, but next time I'll be going somewhere with better customer service.

Posted 06/16/08

I had a great experience!! I was a little concerned because I had read a couple of reviews that were not favorable, but it was so close to my house I decided to give it a try. I called and they were VERY professional on the phone, I got an appointment and they let me know what the price was before I left and told me what time I could pick it up. I got my car back and it was in great shape. Everything and I mean everything was washed and cleaned. The seats looked great, the door jams, the carpet, the dashboard, underneath the seats everything was immaculate. I am truly impressed. They even cleaned the outside!!!! Defiantly a must if you are going to get your car detailed.

Posted 06/09/08

Worst business ever!!! These people pressure washed my car and chipped off tons of paint. The paint will cost hundreds to fix, and I might need to repaint my entire car! In addition to this, Derek's managed to make my door hinge loose, and puncture a hole in my leather door panel, which was previously perfect! To top it off, the interior detail wasn't even done as described. In the description it says they will clean your vents, and guess what? They never did! They admit to the paint being their fault, but now because my car was painted multiple times, they say that "we dont need to paint this, the paint already looked bad". The "manager" at the Seattle location, has no customer service skills. Take this as a warning, and don't ever give them your business! What kind of detail shop uses a pressure washer anyways? Couldn't I take my car to the car wash and pay $1.50 to preassure wash my car? For a hundred and fifty dallors I expect them to do something by hand! PLEASE DON'T GO HERE!!!!

Pros: didn't total my car

Cons: Damaged door hinge, puctured leather interior, and destroyed my paint job.

Posted 06/06/08

I have always gone to the quick drive through wash and vacuum places in town for car washes. But always noticed missed spots on the outside or it wasn't vacuumed very well on the inside.
A friend recommended me to get a hand car wash at Derek's last month and I have gone 2 times now and I love this service. Derek's wash is much more thourough than the drive through wash places. My rims always look so good after. . Also, I had two paint marks on my bumper last time and they rubbed them off for me. Good times!

Posted 03/17/08

This is probably one of the most unprofessional and shady detailing service companies I have encountered. I called the company phone number and was given a greeting of "What's Up??" I ignored this rudeness and unprofessionalism against my better judgement since I saw relatively good reviews on this website. I took my car into the shop and the front desk room was cluttered with all types of junk..and I was greeted by a dog barking at me (within the "waiting room")..whose food dish (a tray from McDonalds) was located directly inside the front door. Next, the attendant (for lack of a better term), went out and checked my car with me. In the process of looking over the car, he placed my car door right up against another person's vehicle. He told me that he really couldn't tell me an estimate of what the detailing would cost. I ignored this against my better judgement. I gave him my phone number and he told me he would call me back to confirm the price and tell me when it would be ready. The next day I called their company, since it had been an entire day without a phone call, and found that the vehicle had been done for hours and that I was now going to be forced to pay their set price. When I came to pickup the vehicle it was parked right next to a tree where leaves and dirt were dropping all over it. I saw that they placed my mats inside my trunk, wet mind you, and closed the vehicle tightly up. The trunk smelled..there was a ton of humidity. They use rags that leave trails of the rag being passed over it. Shortly down the road I noticed that my car was lower on gas and that their were 26 miles added to my odometer. My mirrors were out of position and I attempted to use the mirror adjustment part to put them into position. Low and behold...the reason they were out of position is someone broke off my mirror adjustment part and then glued it back on. If I were you...I would not go to this detailing service at all costs..but you don't have to take my advice.

Pros: None

Cons: Overpriced, shady, unprofessional, damage vehicle

Posted 03/06/08

This is a great place for out-of-town college students like myself to go and get a honest deal on a great car wash! The southern friendly service will keep you coming back. Today was my first visit and I was amazed how they were able to fit my Durango into their busy schedule even though I didn't have an appointment! Shout out to Bryan and Will for making this girl from Tennessee feel right and home in Seattle! And my Durango thanks you too - she has never looked so clean :)

Posted 06/04/07

These guys treat you like you are the only customer in the shop! I've had work done their twice on my Dodge Ram truck. Both times, I got the royal treatment, and so did my truck! Great guys doing great work. Thanks!

Pros: Service and work

Cons: Not much parking

Posted 06/03/07

I needed a quick shampoo for my backseat, as my son had thrown up in the car that morning on the way to school. I called Derek's and they were more than willing to fit me in to their busy schedule for the day. I got over there and Derek immediately took my car around back and started working on my car, cleaning it thoroughly and getting out all the smell! His price was very fair and well deserved... I would pay more for just the customer service level! I live 2 hours away from Seattle, but would take my car back to him before anyone else... and have been recommending him to everyone I know!!

Posted 05/09/07

Called the number listed in the ad. The phone was answered with "hello" instead of a professional greeting with a company name. When asked if it was Derek's Auto Detail, the person hung up on me. Triple-checked to be sure I dialed the correct number. Seemed rather unprofessional.

Posted 04/14/07

I called 8 days ahead to make an appointment to get my car detailed before going on a trip. His website and the signs at his place of business say he opens at 8:00 AM. He made the appointment for 8:30 AM. I was there on time, and he had employees waiting to get in to go to work. He had not shown up by 9:00 AM.

If this service is the best, how bad is the worst?

He did NOT call me to apologize. He had my phone number. No explanation at all. His response to my review is weak. A person told me that he is ALWAYS late on Saturday mornings. Hangovers do NOT count as an emergency! I saw the key drop, but there was no one to give me a ride home, so that was not an option.

Cons: NOT DEPENDABLE>

Posted 04/13/07

I love these guys. I just pull up front and they pull my truck into the shop.. And 45 minutes later my truck is sparkling clean and fresh. ...........Oh, by the way..... I'm not only a customer..... I own the business. I love my crew. They work hard day in and day out. And I appreciate every one of them. Thank you . Matt, Carlos, Jesee, and Ricardo. You guys are the best!!!

I love you all.
Derek
info@dereksdetail

Pros: In and out same day service.

Cons: parking lot gets full

Posted 08/23/06

Derek is a great guy and has the attention to detail necessary to do a stellar job on a car. He found a problem with my car, told me about it then had a shop near him do the work, all in time for me to pick the car up the next day. I even got a good deal on the work that his buddy did! Highly recommended.

Pros: personal service

Posted 05/02/06

I have had my car in for a variety of Derek's services and have consistently been pleased. The crew is always very accomodating and friendly. They do a much better job than some of their bigger competitors.

Pros: Price/Value

Cons: Parking

Posted 11/22/05