Strictly By Hand II

VW GTI (aka Golf) is NOT a compact car?! I’ve heard some ridiculous things in my day, but this takes the cake. It’s so absurd that I’ve created a Unilocal account just to vent about my experience at this car wash. I arrived at this location Thursday (1÷21÷16) and spoke with a middle-​aged white guy about the pricing. When I asked if I pay the compact price, he said no. Upon waiting in their dimly lit lounge area, I did a little research. I’m not a grease monkey but I know cars. I can tell the make/​model of most cars by just a split second glance. I know what a compact, mid/​full and small/​large suv looks like. I checked wikipedia regarding the classification of compact cars and a big picture of my car was on that page. I thought maybe they reclassified my car or something. I didn’t want to come off arrogant about my knowledge. Upon time to pay, I explained that I liked the idea of buying the wash coupon book and getting «x» amount of washes free. I explained that my car is compact and I would like the compact rate. The same middle aged white guy (sorry, didn’t get his name) claimed my car was mid/​full and that I couldn’t get that price point. I then asked what he defined as a compact car. He said a small two door car. My car, the VW GTI is a small two door hatchback. He then said no, like a Mini Cooper, or something like that. I explained that his definition of a compact is not the industry standard for what is classified as a compact. For example, the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus are compact cars. The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus are mid size cars. After some back and forth he didn’t cave on the idea that he was wrong. I paid the amount requested and went about my day. I remembered that famous quote from Sam Walton (co-​founder of Wal-​Mart). «There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.» That being said, I will take my business elsewhere.

Have no idea how they stay in business unless it’s strictly location because that’s the only good thing about this car wash. Rude manager/​owner, they do a so so job and don’t take kindly to pointing out mistakes, like «please actually vacuum my interior.» And lame excuses as to why my car was dried with a rag covered in some sort of oil requiring me to go back and have it re washed. Boo!

Just about every Saturday for years, I stop at the Target on Van Buren across the street from Strictly By Hand II (and before the Target was there, I still drove by every week). Because we have had a hand car wash within a block of our house for about 10 years, I always went there, paid the $ 13, and got an excellent top-​to-​bottom, inside-​and-​out cleaning of whatever car I had at the time. That car wash shut down recently, so I decided to give this place a try. When I pulled in, I saw their extensive «menu» of services posted prominently on a large sign hanging from the ceiling in front of me. A full-​service wash was $ 18 for a «normal» car and $ 16 for a «compact car.» Although I was used to paying $ 13 for a great wash, I figured $ 16 was not a big stretch (assuming that my Honda Fit would be considered a compact car). There were only a couple of cars before me, so my wait was not very long. When I paid, they said it would be $ 18. I pointed out that their price for compact cars was $ 16, but was told that a Honda Fit was not considered compact. I asked what would be, and they said «something like a Corvette or a Mini Cooper.» I am guessing everyone pretty much knows the size of both of those cars, and you can look up Honda Fit if you haven’t seen them, but everyone knows it qualifies as a compact car. I objected, but the guy would not agree to $ 16, so I reluctantly paid $ 18, thinking that they must have done a great job.
When I got into my car and started to drive away, I noticed a few things: 1) the top of the dashboard was still covered in dust, 2) the car seats, which are upholstered, were covered in hair (yes, we have cats), and 3) they also use towels that «shed» tiny fibers everywhere. I literally backed up from the street into their exit and got out of the car to point out the areas they missed. They wiped the dashboard and vacuumed the seats, getting a good amount of the hair off, which was fine. The little fibers were still all over the front of the dashboard, but I was pretty much done at that point.
Washing cars is clearly not their specialty, and not knowing the difference between a normal-​sized and compact car was pretty disturbing, too.
Bottom line: Take your $ 18 elsewhere. I am sure you can get better service and a much better wash somewhere else.

I should have read the Unilocal reviews first!!!
Took my car in for a oil change and full detail. Drove in a 7:30 in the morning and left… I chose this plays primarily because it just around the corner from my work, and since I am out in the city most of the day leaving my car for the day close to work is super convenient.
I was told that my car would be done between 4 and 4:30 that evening.
I came back at 4:15 and was told that my car wasn’t quite done and was asked if I could wait for another 30 minutes. No problem! Well, an hour and 15 minutes later the owner/​manager came and asked me to come out to the garage to look at my car. When I got to my car I was told that the inside was done but that I’d have to come back tomorrow to have the outside completed. Okay… I understand that things happen and I have no problem being accommodating. When I got into my trunk to get the seat covers out I noticed that the trunk area had not been cleaned… the employee apologized and said that he would clean it tomorrow when I brought it back.
Later that evening when the floors dried up a bit more I noticed that carpets were only partially cleaned; I also noticed that little things like the corner of the windows/​windshield were still dirty. The plastic trim was not clean on the floor or the door.
In the end I was charged $ 115 for a partially cleaned interior and was told that I would need to pay the remainder of the $ 155 detailing cost when I brought it back the next day to have the outside finished.
Needless to say I did not bring my car back! I did not feel that I received $ 115 value for the interior, and I was not going to take it back so that I could pay another $ 40 to have the outside done as poorly as the inside.
I certainly will never bring my car here for anything again. I got taken for a ride and am out $ 115.

Terrible. Don’t let its convenience attract you. The convenience is not with the money. Even worse is the uncaring staff that are less than concern when you call to complain that your car is still filthy. I got rushed off the phone! My husband tells me to stop coming here and I will finally listen.
I’m going to figure out how to post pictures of evidence from my phone.

One thing about this place is that it is right across Target, so it is very convenient to just stop by on the way to target. In regards to their job. They did an alright job in a reasonable amount of time. The exterior was well cleaned except the front window (to be fair I was never satisfied with how the front window is wiped down from any car wash I have been to). Interior was cleaned relatively well.
Out of convenience I would come back here whenever I would need a carwash. Well, I guess the next time I get to move back to Chicago.

The only hand car wash I’ve ever been to in my life that doesn’t wipe door jambs.
My front floor mats were put in backwards
One of the employees wiped down my leather seats and door panels with glass cleaner.
When done with my car they just pulled up and left the keys in it and walked away No, ‘Here’s your care have a nice day’
Place is a joke. If you value a good Hand car wash stay away!!!

Interiror/​exterior detailing delivered. Add on a discounted oil change, and my 2007 Acura TL is like a new car.
Great job.

Happy we squared up on floor matts. I gave them receipt of new matts I purchased and they reimbursed me on the spot. Actual car wash is still average at best. If you see a line of cars that stick out if the garage entrance door. Expect an hr wait.

I’m over an hour in and my car isn’t even wet yet… This is at least the third time this has happened. They always forget the center console. Not exactly polite either. I wouldn’t be back if I hadn’t bought a package.

great job on my car, love the guys singing and dancing as they wash my car. even change my wipers and filled washer fluid

Great consistent car wash. Be prepared to wait 15 minutes for your car, but it’s because they do an excellent job. The waiting room overlooks the car wash, so you can watch the workers slaving away! And if you are a car lover like me, you will enjoy watching the endless line of high end cars getting washed… it’s like the Chicago Auto Show!
I recently took my car there for a complete detail and wax… WOW! It was like brand new again. Very pleased. Clearly I recommend this place to my friends as well, and they all are regular customers now as well.

Slowest carwash is the city. If you plan on spending two hours of your day at a wash this is the place for you! Mind you you would think they do a good job as slow as they are… Yeah right! Place sux

I agree with the other bad reviews this used to be a good place. On severa occasions I was charged two different prices for my RR sport. When the short chubby guy is there he charged me for a full size but the owner charges me for a mid size. When I finally brought it to his attention he yelled at me in the presence of my five year old that he is ALWAYS there and that nerve happened. I told him I guess I’m crazy then. Or he is if he thinks anyone believes he is ALWAYs anywhere. This place is a dump!!! Never going back.

They are really nice to customers. However, I did ask them to focus on my car’s cup holders because I had a drink explosion in my car. When I got my car back, I noticed they didn’t clean them very well. That was disappointing because I payed the $ 20 wash option they had. I had pay less in other places and they do a better job. I don’t think I will be going back there. This is my second time I go there; the first time they let me down as well so I was giving them a second chance and they let me down again.
This blows because this car wash is so close to me.
Oh well.

You better allow more than an hour if you want your car washed. Today my receipt was stamped at 3:28. It’s 4:24 and my car still has suds on it. There’s like two guys working in the car wash. They do an ok job on the wash itself it just takes FOREVER!

Came in to get a car wash and what a waste of 22 dollars. The manager and team are so lazy. I watched them wash the car in front of me and they saw me watching yet they missed washing the whole front of my car. I had to complain and the guy looked at me like I was crazy. People — if you want to waste money then come here but I don’t recommend this place at all. We are not on carwash number two. Lets hope they do a better job this time.

This use to be a great car wash. Now they are always in a hurry and miss all kinds of stuff. Windows look better before you came in. The owner is the most arrogant person you will ever meet. I was getting my car washed here weekly for the last two years and I am done. If i wanted a wash like this I would just
go to speedway!

Not bad. I’ve been coming here for about 5 years. It slipped a little since it changed hands about 2 years ago but still for the price it’s a good deal. On a scale of 1 to 10 I’d give it a 8. At times you may have to point something out but not very often. Once your car makes it inside and they begin washing your car, it takes about 15 minutes. Pretty good for the price. Never had them wax a car so can’t comment on that. Enjoy!

Seems like hand wash places are popping up all over the place now. I’ve been using this one for about four years now. They used to be really good, but anymore they’re rather hit or miss. Sometimes they do a fantastic job, but when the owner, Ziggy, isn’t around, they do seem to slack quite a bit. I’ve had to call the guy back to wipe down my seats and dash when they left them straight up wet a few times. Paying an extra $ 5 for them to spray down the mats and put them back inside the car wet is annoying, too.
Other than that, it’s hard for me to wash my car myself in my parking garage space. I typically start at a place like this and then head back to my garage for a once-​over with a spray quick detailer product followed by a coat of wax. It’s a good city routine.
As for extended services, I don’t think I’d have my car detailed here. I’ve had my car waxed here a handful of times, and even when I’ve paid extra to have them use 2-​step Zymol, they waxed over bugs on the front end and obviously used an old bonnet. Embarassing, I’d think, for the guy standing there waiting for a tip. Their base level wax isn’t worth it at all, and going up one notch for them to use Zymol Cleaner Wax prices itself out of being worth it, too.
Now that they’re combined with an auto service shop, and there are more «higher ups» around, I’m interested in seeing if their quality starts creeping back up.