Griot's Garage products

[TNT Autowerkz]

Hello I run and operate a body shop that does custom paint and body! I reached out to several product providers to ask for some samples of their products! I listed that I was going to do a fair and honest test and review of their product(s) on my facebook page and other places! Griot's Garage who also has a link to this web site turned down my sample requests. I know companies have that right, But how would a small amount or a few products hurt? Kind of wondering if we should steer clear of their products?

 

[Will Allen]

I wouldn't give you samples, either. If you want to buy the product and do a review then go ahead.

I have read a lot of reviews on a lot of different products over the years. I don't pay much attention to them.

 

[4xdog]

I'd have probably made the same call as Griot's, with no offense intended.

Think about where you'd draw a line if you were in their position. If everyone who asked for free samples got them, it would make the business of selling them a loser. And trying to weed out the legitimate opportunities to promote a brand vs p*ssing off those who don't get chosen seems to be a no-win for Griot's. A one-size-fits-all approach to not supporting free samples for editorial content seems the best to me, even if imperfect.

 

[bdbecker]

With all due respect, you have 41 followers on your FB page and almost no engagement with the content you have posted so far. What is the upside for them to send you a couple hundred dollars worth of product?

...Kind of wondering if we should steer clear of their products?

You haven't even tested or reviewed their products and you are already suggesting that we avoid them because they turned down your request. You now have shown a bias against them, so even if they did change their mind, how could we trust that your review of their products is impartial?

 

[HAULNSS]

I don't think Body shops are their target market. Griots caters to the car care enthusiasts more so than paint and body shops.

If you are truly looking for a great product to use on your work I'd recommend investing some time, research, and money into finding out what is best for you. Join a body work site or detailing site and you may find out that there are a lot of great products out there, but not one perfect brand or line for all applications. I use several products from multiple companies as I have preferences for compounds, polishes, and last step products that are usually from several different companies.

Some members of detailing forums will also send samples to other members if they have extra or it may not be their favorite product and they no longer use it.

I do own several Griots buffers (and love them) and have tried many of their products. The products are okay, but I like others that are usually less money. Detailing products are like beer, everyone has a favorite.

Good luck,
Randy

 

[gorilla]

Griot's products seem to be excellent in my experience. Your post indicates to me that your not capable of doing a ethical evaluation of a product. Your bad mouthing a company because they wouldn't give you free products.

 

[TylerRNEMT]

I agree with what has been mentioned multiple times..... Simply asking for a free sample isn't going to get you very far with a lot of companies...... In this age of youtube and social media "celebritism" you're not going to get any attention for sponsorship or free merch until your digital "presence" is far higher.

Would you give free repairs to a customer simply for a review on their Instagram page?


As far as steering clear of their products as a result of this post alone.... Definitely not.... Multiple reports of poor customer service or performance of their product on this forum ....maybe.

 

[firebirdparts]

They sell exclusively to rich folks, FWIW. I can't boycott them, because I would never pay what they charge for anything if they were my own mother. They've been in business a long time. Probably feel like they have enough of a handle on how to advertise.

 

[bob15]

Why would they want to? And I will agree with regards to you giving them a fair review when your already wanting to basically boycott their products because they turned you down. it makes you sounds like you're coming off as a poor or sore loser because you didn't get it your way with freebie items.

What other companies did you ask? And have they too turned you down?

I have no issues with Griot's products and will buy from them again in the future.

Why not just buy a sample directly from GG?

Or try here: https://www.autogeek.net/

and try this guy's products: https://www.mckees37.com/

 

[bob15]

They sell exclusively to rich folks, FWIW. I can't boycott them, because I would never pay what they charge for anything if they were my own mother. They've been in business a long time. Probably feel like they have enough of a handle on how to advertise.

Rich folks? Didn't realize I was rich......

Their car detailing items (waxes, soaps, polishes) are very good as are their polisher/buffers.

Some of their shop items are somewhat pricey, but so aren't tool-truck brands and I don't recall people saying they sell exclusively to the rich.

 

[Snip]

I believe I would be in the same boat as others have posted. There might be the thought on their end that the free samples might be thought by others as leaning the reviews one way or the other.
In my opinion I have had very good experiences using their products. Another of my favorites for appearance products is a company called Adams Polishes. They were local to me when I lived in the Denver area

 

[ezriderga]

Someone posted they only sell to rich folks. LOL. I have bought several products directly from them including this G8 polishing machine. The previous one I had lasted 8 years and that’s with me changing the brushes twice. GG provided the brushes both times for no charge. Their polishers have a lifetime warranty so when it failed recently they sent me this updated model.

I have bought other detailing products from different suppliers and have been satisfied with all of them. I don’t consider myself rich however I believe in buying quality products I know I can trust, especially when they come with a lifetime warranty. You get what you pay for. Below is a picture of an area I polished on my truck using their the G8 polisher. I recommend this company.

 

[M6erfan]

You'd be better off ponying up for the products and giving an honest review. But as other have said, Griots isn't aimed at the bodyshop crowd.

 

[JP Chestnut]

They sell exclusively to rich folks, FWIW.

You could potentially make that claim RE Obsessed Garage -- it would be wrong but defensible. Griots is positively middle class in comparison.

 

[dsaabm]

I've worked for companies that got 'sponsorship' and 'review' proposals daily, it's pretty wild. Unless you have substantial following and can show a tangible benefit to them you shouldn't expect anything. It is certainly no reason to go sh*t on them.

 

[Ralf11]

Griot's products are all rebranded and made by someone else. That may apply to their chemicals too.

The rich people comment was likely a response to their extremely high prices.

On the good side, they do honor their warranty, so you are paying for that.

I have bought 3 or 4 items from them but never their chemicals. I use 3M or Meguiars.

I don't mind high prices if I'm paying for something of high quality, reliability, etc.

But I like to buy polishes, waxes and engine oil from places that have teams of chemists.

And BTW, Griots moved form near or in Seattle to Indiana, so high-priced real estate is no longer an excuse for them.

 

[bob15]

Griot's products are all rebranded and made by someone else. That may apply to their chemicals too.

The rich people comment was likely a response to their extremely high prices.

On the good side, they do honor their warranty, so you are paying for that.

I have bought 3 or 4 items from them but never their chemicals. I use 3M or Meguiars.

I don't mind high prices if I'm paying for something of high quality, reliability, etc.

But I like to buy polishes, waxes and engine oil from places that have teams of chemists.

And BTW, Griots moved form near or in Seattle to Indiana, so high-priced real estate is no longer an excuse for them.

Who makes their da polishers? Someone else might make them to their specs, but that isn't re-branding.

I believe the chemicals are their own formulas as well, contracted out for manufacturing and bottling.....like many other companies.

 

[dsaabm]

Griot's products are all rebranded and made by someone else. That may apply to their chemicals too.

And BTW, Griots moved form near or in Seattle to Indiana, so high-priced real estate is no longer an excuse for them.

Prices are high and there are a lot of private labels but they do manufacture a lot of their own chemicals in Indiana. They do stand behind what they sell.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/category/about+us/manufacturing.do

Their HQ and store is still in Tacoma WA

https://www.griotsgarage.com/category/about+us/corporate+hq+flagship+store.do

 

[Showkey]

They sell exclusively to rich folks, FWIW. I can't boycott them, because I would never pay what they charge for anything if they were my own mother. They've been in business a long time. Probably feel like they have enough of a handle on how to advertise.

What constitutes a rich person ?


As far a free product for review .........suspect they several 100 requests per week from the the want to be influencers ( influencers with no money or presents).
Not mention as soon as accept free product your journalism integrity is suspect.

 

[Will Allen]

What constitutes a rich person ?

According to the county I am rich and my house should be taxed more.

According to the government I am rich and I should be taxed more.

According to what is in my pocket I am poor.

 

[tinmanwpk]

What a wasted thread merely because of sour grapes.

 

[16again]

I’m new to the Griot’s Garage products. So far the equipment and product purchased as well as customer service, has been excellent.

 

[dr_clyde]

I don't trust reviews of people who have been given the product for free unless it is in a side by side with several competitive brands, and the stakes are the same for everyone.

An honest review is one where there are no repercussions if you say it is bad. Sponsored or endorsed is not the same as reviewed. I just actively assume a product isn't good if they heavily sponsor people on youtube or instagram. If a product is good, it will earn the reputation of being good without some doofus on youtube yapping about how good it is because they got one for free or are paid to have their sticker on their racecar.

I've reviewed a few products. They were either products I had purchased, or products that were on demo loan, with no strings attached. In either case, I wouldn't expect any company to give me free stuff in exchange for a review.

 

[Ralf11]

Porter-Cable used to make their da polishers, maybe still does.

If they are making their own waxes, that is new since they moved to Indiana.

I still suggest buying pro products from places who employ teams of chemists...

 

[coljar]

I don't trust reviews of people who have been given the product for free unless it is in a side by side with several competitive brands, and the stakes are the same for everyone.

An honest review is one where there are no repercussions if you say it is bad. Sponsored or endorsed is not the same as reviewed. I just actively assume a product isn't good if they heavily sponsor people on youtube or instagram. If a product is good, it will earn the reputation of being good without some doofus on youtube yapping about how good it is because they got one for free or are paid to have their sticker on their racecar.

I've reviewed a few products. They were either products I had purchased, or products that were on demo loan, with no strings attached. In either case, I wouldn't expect any company to give me free stuff in exchange for a review.

I was basically going to say the same thing, but the Doc says it all here.

 

[bob15]

Porter-Cable used to make their da polishers, maybe still does.

If they are making their own waxes, that is new since they moved to Indiana.

I still suggest buying pro products from places who employ teams of chemists...

The PC and GG DA's are different machines.

And GG doesn't have any chemists? So you are saying what is in the link is just BS?

https://www.griotsgarage.com/category/about+us/manufacturing.do

 

[Ralf11]

They didn't use to have any.

If you like their products and prices then buy

 

[Mthomas1686]

I have to say through all the years of owning and detailing my cars, and all the different products I've used.....griots is top quality. I highly recommend their stuff. I have no association or affiliation with them, but would hate to see someone turn down the product without using it.
I will say however advance auto pulled one of their products, an interior aerosol (which I think is great and smells great too.) I'm not exactly sure why but I can't find it there anymore.

 

[MeentSS02]

With all due respect, you have 41 followers on your FB page and almost no engagement with the content you have posted so far. What is the upside for them to send you a couple hundred dollars worth of product?
...
You haven't even tested or reviewed their products and you are already suggesting that we avoid them because they turned down your request. You now have shown a bias against them, so even if they did change their mind, how could we trust that your review of their products is impartial?

The thread should have ended here.

So many people these days want free stuff that they'll pay back in "exposure", reviews, whatever. Exposure doesn't put food on the table.

Griot's has earned their reputation for good quality products backed with a lifetime warranty. I've not used any of their car care chemicals (soap, polishes, etc.), but know some folks that have, and they've all given positive reviews for ease of use and good results. I bought a couple of their polishers last year to replace my older PC7424, and I was thoroughly impressed with both.

If you wanted to start an uprising against Griot's, you came to the wrong corner of the internet. Maybe try Facebook instead.

The original post in this thread is disgraceful.

 

[TNT Autowerkz]

With all due respect, you have 41 followers on your FB page and almost no engagement with the content you have posted so far. What is the upside for them to send you a couple hundred dollars worth of product?



You haven't even tested or reviewed their products and you are already suggesting that we avoid them because they turned down your request. You now have shown a bias against them, so even if they did change their mind, how could we trust that your review of their products is impartial?

Never once did I say the first thing about a couple hundred dollars worth of product All I wanted was a small 1/4 oz or so to test out, The compound that I use is very expensive, I'm just looking for a better alternative to the cost I pay now!
Why would I buy a pig in a poke? And be stuck with it? Ol well guess you wouldnt understand!

 

[TMcCay]

I agree with bdbecker. Besides if you visit any of the large detailing forums you can make an informed decision from there. Griots has been around a long time and if they didn't make a respectable product than they would already be gone.

I have two of their polishers. For the money I am happy with them. There are better ones made I am sure but I am not a professional. I know that they will stand behind their products and with the lifetime warranty for me it was a no brainer.

I do use a different brand of pad and do not use their other products. I researched a couple of different forums and made my decision from peoples reviews on those forums.

 

[Will Allen]

Never once did I say the first thing about a couple hundred dollars worth of product All I wanted was a small 1/4 oz or so to test out, The compound that I use is very expensive, I'm just looking for a better alternative to the cost I pay now!
Why would I buy a pig in a poke? And be stuck with it? Ol well guess you wouldnt understand!

Sams Club used to hand out free little samples of food. Maybe you could go there and see if they are handing out free compound samples. It's worth a try.

 

[bob15]

They didn't use to have any.

If you like their products and prices then buy

I just don't like people spreading/saying/posting information that is incorrect/false or outdated, because it helps no one.

 

[ace10]

To the OP, I need a bumper cover repainted.
Can you do the work free of charge and in exchange I will post a favorable review here on GJ?
Please respond quickly with an enthusiastic YES! or I will post negative things about you on GJ and other platforms.

 

[bob15]

Never once did I say the first thing about a couple hundred dollars worth of product All I wanted was a small 1/4 oz or so to test out, The compound that I use is very expensive, I'm just looking for a better alternative to the cost I pay now!
Why would I buy a pig in a poke? And be stuck with it? Ol well guess you wouldnt understand!

And what compound is it that you wanted to try that is so very expensive that you cannot just buy it? I'm not seeing anything outrageous for pricing on their site.....