72Elco

Beautiful family Adam.

Since you posted yours, I'll post mine. The picture attached is from the finish line of the 2019 Bataan Memorial Death March. I just completed 26.6 miles of rough and rugged terrain.
 
Wife Karlie. Katie 9 (holding our female German Shepherd "Sami"), Ella 6 (in white), Mark 4 (in black), Matthew 1 (in stripes).

Thanks Mike and each of you who responded to this thread.  I absolutely care.  This business is my baby.   I lived on Top Ramen and canned tuna with ranch dressing in a 950 sq ft warehouse on the railroad track,s next to the 405 freeway for three years while starting this business.  I'm not up to see Adam's be gimmicky, or low quality. 
 
Stand by, we will continue to develop and launch new, quality products, and I certainly hope to continue to earn your trust, and your business.  Realize, I'm no longer the only person launching new products, and if I was, I'd have 5 hours of things to focus on for each hour of the day. Tough for a detailer with OCD and ADD to do!
 
I've leaned on our entire team, as has our CEO, to bring excellent, high quality detailing products and accessories to the market.  
 
Forgot to include a photo of our young family, this one from last week in McCall, Idaho, heaven on earth.  Celebrating my wife, Melissa's birthday.  Towel wrapped Luca, 11, Cristiano, 9, and Enzo, 6 with a LaCroix on his head: 

Thanks Adam for taking time out of your busy schedule to address this.....well said!

Friends, thank you.  Thank you for caring enough to post your thoughts, and taking time from your life to do so.  Thank you for making your feelings known,  and I can appreciate that you feel we have drifted from our core.  Thank you for continuing to care about our company and brand, even though it's not the company and brand that you supported initially. 
 
The reality:  I understand your point.  We have become a much larger enterprise. At the same time, our customer base has changed as well. Over 60% of our customers are under 30 today!  We have a fantastic marketing department that turns out limited edition promotional products and Adam's branded apparel. While I certainly appreciate the sales, it's not something I had in mind when we started. Nor would I ever have thought old or limited edition products would sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay. Never in a million years, and our marketing team has created tremendous brand equity, and demand.
 
I started this business to offer great detailing chemicals, matched with premium application and removal tools, and easy to understand instructions.  (Eventually, videos, to help the DIY enthusiast achieve incredible results at home, with ease.)  Above all, I want our customers to be impressed with the quality, ease of use, and results achieved with everything that comes from Adam's.  
 
The reality:  The promotional stuff sells, and the new majority of our customers are young.   I now have partners, a bank expecting us to meet goals, etc.  It's not just me and my small team, boot strapping to make payroll, and kick out a few new products each year.  Adam's Polishes has grown exponentially, and as a result, it has changed.  While the changes at Adam's are good for some, they are not appreciated by all. Especially the original customers, those who remember us small, with nearly all American made products.  Those who have supported our brand for a decade or even two. 
 
As some of you are aware, our ownership group acquired our chemical manufacturer last year, and now have access to truly amazing chemistry.  We have invested heavily in the business, updated the lab, and are now making products that are more advanced than the big players in our industry.  Crazy enough, we now have 150 employees, plus another 25 part time show champions.  While I'm humbled that we have established a much larger company, and are roughly 10X the size we were just a few years ago, I also miss the old days.  I miss the days of taking our entire staff out to lunch daily.  Miss indoor parking and a cross-fit gym at the HQ.  I even miss the days of whacking payroll on a credit card, and living in my first warehouse.  While those days were tough, doing whatever it took to survive was invigorating, exciting!  It's hard to do things like that as a large company.
 
You asked about DVK?  Dylan VonKleist is incredible at identifying and developing new products.  He knows detailing as well or possibly better than I do, and has his thumb on the pulse of the detailing community.  He was instrumental in starting this very forum!   I also miss Ashley Wilson.  She worked with us since high school, with her fantastic dad, Mike, one of our original team members.   Ashley was amazing with our resellers, and everyone she came in contact with.  When we moved the business to Colorado, she was unable to move with us, understood.  We had an outstanding controller, Patti.  She started with us in 2009, and helped us get through many, many hurdles.  Her positivity and influence on both me, and the staff was awesome!  She eventually moved on to work with a non-profit, which helps children.  Understood, and she is missed by all of our employees that knew her, and was replaced by a super capable CFO and eventually, an accounting team of five that are much needed to keep this enterprise afloat.  Great people, certainly needed, but a big company team is different feel than a small few person team.  Realize, those people who are gone have moved up, and as our business grew, we had to make changes.  We are friendly with each person that moved on, no bridges were burned in the making of Adam's Polishes!
 
I introduced Dylan to Cody, then the owner of Cyclo Tools, and he was hired there.  Then, Cyclo was acquired by Rupes, which is how Dylan landed there.  It was a good fit for him, the right move at the time.  Truth:  Dylan is one of the smartest, most OCD, focused detailers I've ever known.  His focus on detailing products made our line better, and makes Rupes a better company today.  We never replaced Dylan, and are still looking today. (If you know someone, please shoot me an email with a resume: Adam@AdamsPolishes.com.)  

Today:  Our customer service team is awesome.  Our marketing team, led by Matt Butcher, is amazing.  Our chemicals are outstanding, and our ceramic program is world class.  Our towels and accessories are very good as well.   As I always say, "VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!"   We are one of the only companies on earth that honors a 110% Satisfaction guarantee.  Pleas, return any product you are dissatisfied with.  Whining about products online doesn't solve a problem.  Remember, you get 110% refund on products you are unimpressed with. Please, no whining, just contact us so we can make it right!
 
I gave 200% to Adam's Polishes for decades. (Gave 200% to detailing for the previous two decades as well. Been detailing for nearly 40 years now!)  Today, I've shifted priorities, to a family man, and business man.  In that order.  I used to come home after work and get on AdamsForums, and on other social media platforms.  Today, when I'm home, I'm a Dad, and husband. Today, I don't always get to the HQ, rather, I travel all over for business.  I'm on a plane at least 4X a week, and while my United Airlines status is rocking, my absence is noted at home.
 
God has been incredibly good to me, and our business.  I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to start and grow this business from zero. Blessed with an incredible and dedicated team.  Blessed to have met my wife, and blessed with our three healthy children.  Blessed to live and work in Colorado.  Blessed to have incredible customers who care enough to report your feelings on our direction!  
 
Finally, I encourage everyone to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!  Focus on the high quality products that keep your car shining, and your shine therapy soothing.  I'm still detailing something every week, sometimes daily.  It's my therapy.  It's always been my therapy.  Detailing is how I unwind and find clarity in this complicated world.  
 
I'm here as the Chief Detailer, and Founder of Adam's Polishes.  I'm not the CEO, not the marketing director, just the Chief Detailer.  If you don't like a product, please, contact our customer service team, and we will make it right.  (orders@adamspolishes.com, or 866-965-0400.)  When I tune in to listen to people complain about our business, it certainly hits a nerve.  If you have a product that has not impressed you, please contact us!  Vote with your dollars, and you will see more products that you love from Adam's Polishes.
 
Thank you very, very much for your loyalty, and for your business.
 
Humbly,
Adam

I love Adam's products and will continue to support them, I do not use ALL of Adam's products however. I use what I want to use and have the luxury of doing so. Not every product will be for everybody. Any company that is not changing will be left behind and we see this with so many industries. I for one applaud Adam's for the attempt and execution of attempting to relate to the younger generations and bringing in fresh ideas. I feel Adam's still has an excellent platform for the base car care experience, Car Shampoo, paint correction liquids, and waxes/protectants. The company is so much more than that product wise, but you get the jest of it. Anybody can still wash and detail their car with the same Adam's products we have always known and loved. Not buying a product due to the origin is a whole different topic, but Adam's gives us all the luxury of buying American and by gosh when given the option I am going to continue to do so! I think the major decision is, do you want to wash your ride with an Adam's shirt and socks on or not? I'm not making light of the fact that they are venturing into new markets, but YOU are allowed to do as you like and make the decision to stick to the basics of what you like with Adam's. You do not have to jump ship because they are selling non American made pressure washers, just don't buy into what you don't want. Its your dollar to spend, and its hard earned at that! I think anybody would be hard pressed to find products that compare to Adam's. I have found a few, but again, these are from American made companies. Point being, its your dollar to spend, so do so wisely and buy American made when you can.

If the company had never changed, people would complain. 
If they went back to the way it was 10 years ago, people would complain. 
If they grow and change, people will complain. 
The detailing industry is changing every day. We can change with it, or not. 
My only complaint is that I still have too much of the old products and I can’t justify upgrading yet. Third world problems, I know. 
I will stick with folks that I know personally even if it costs a bit more. Adams is one of those companies. 
 
Just my two cents 

Last night I sent this thread to HQ for review, and then had a reply email and also a phone conversation about it and other developments this morning.
 
Your feedback is appreciated, and the issues presented in this thread are being heard and discussed by the decision makers in this company.
 
I expect that we will see some changes that will address many of these concerns, along with concerns and other issues from previous feedback threads.
 
A quote from the email from HQ: "Feedback keeps us strong and is healthy."
 
So if you have constructive feedback, then the company wants to hear it.  If you are not comfortable posting it on the forum, then send me a PM and I will compile the comments and send them in for review and discussion.
 
 

Adam has also posted the "vote with your dollar" advice on this forum, but it was specifically in regards to the expansion into some of the branded merchandise, like shirts, hats, socks, etc. 
 
His comment meant that if these other products do not interest you, then vote with your dollar and not buy them.  This comment was not meant to be applied to the company as a whole, only specific products.
 
Again, all these other products, including the swag products and the expansion into different equipment lines, have not in any way come at the cost of the constant development and refinement of the core chemical products.
 
Other than the "Made in USA" issue on some of the equipment, I just don't understand why offering any of these other products means that the company is no longer meeting its goal of providing the best quality detailing products, with unmatched support in this industry, to make it easier for customers to get the results they want, and to ENJOY the process!
 
 
Another general discussion topic not specifically directed to @ramflava:
 
The entire "re-branded" argument, when it comes to equipment, does not make any sense.  Adam's Polishes, just like the vast majority of detailing product companies, do not manufacture equipment.  Equipment is manufactured by...EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS.   These manufacturers design and build equipment, either as a standard item, or in many cases, to the specifications of the buyer or client.  For example, Adam's tells the manufacturing company what they want for specifications in a particular product, and then prototypes are built and tested, and then the final product is tested, then released.  In other cases, the main component of the product is already part of that manufactures product line, so Adam's might just make a few minor changes.  And since I know it will be brought up, there is also one major and well known EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER that also sells some detailing chemicals.
 
Simply put, Adam's Polishes manufactures detailing chemicals, and uses equipment manufacturers to build the equipment.  Just like they have textile manufacturers make the towels to their specifications, the brush manufacturers make the brushes, etc.  Yes, some products are off-the-shelf (buckets, some brushes, spray bottles), and some have only maybe color or other cosmetic changes, but they do not manufacture any of it, so why would people expect them to be manufacturing something as complicated as a piece of power equipment.
 
Contrary to what the uninformed masses (that spend too much time trolling FB and IG) might think, just because a specific piece of equipment might appear similar to another, it does not mean that company made it, and Adam's just slapped a sticker on it.  What is more accurate is that the same equipment manufacturer made variations of the different products, so some appearances are the same.  A good example is when the pressure washer was released.  People on IG and this forum were so quick to proclaim that it is just a re-branded Sun Joe, and some said Arksen, and yet more said Realm, and so on.  And none of those were the correct manufacturer.  Kyle stated that Apex makes the Adam's version.  So that likely means that Apex also makes some or all of those other "re-branded" pressure washers that look similar.
 

What did you expect him to say?  He's right.  If you aren't happy, then move on.   

It seems like we get one of these "Adam's isn't as great as it once was" posts every couple of months and it always stirs things up.
 
Here's a fact: The only constant in life is change.
 
Hey - I miss DvK, too. But he's gone.  He's moved on.  So has Adam's and so has this forum.
 
In the 10 years I've been using Adam's products the line has changed A LOT.   Some of it I use, and a lot of it I ignore.  Doesn't bother me in the slightest if they release a product I'm not interested in.  I just don't buy it.
 
This forum is designed to be a place where Adam's customers can come and ask questions that are answered by other Adam's customers, Adam's employees and - every one in a while - Adam himself. It is not a place for bashing Adam's products or practices or directions. There are plenty of places on the 'net where you can voice your displeasure with anything you like.  You'll have a lot of company.
 
It sucks that you felt disrespected by Adam's "vote with your dollars" comment but try to put yourself in his position. He has thousands of users that love his products and clamber for everything he produces and a handful of people not happy with the "direction" his company has gone.  I'm sure he gave you his opinion in a very respectful way but sometimes you have to just say, "Well - see ya later!"
 

As far as I know, all of Adam's chemicals are still made in the USA.  And that hasn't changed.  The clay bar went to Korean (I think. could be wrong) several years back because it was the best clay made, and Adam has always tried to give his customers the best products he can.  Same as micros. The best microfiber towels are made overseas. Yes, you can go to discount stores and buy cheap micros, but I've never found any that compare with what I get from Adam's.  As for polishers, it's next to impossible to find anything mechanical made in this country any more. We all know that.  And Adam's customers have demanded things like Rupes, Flex, pressure washers, undercarriage washers, etc.  Adam listens, and tries to find the BEST products for a reasonable price and yet he still has to make a profit to pay his employees and operating expenses.  The company has grown so large now, and demand has become so huge, that it's most likely a bit of a struggle when there are sales or holidays to get everything exactly right for every customer.  They're human.  And on your package's way to you, there are many hands that touch those packages too. And some of those hands aren't so gentle, and some aren't so honest.  
Best advice to everyone from me personally is to just relax.  Be patient. Nothing in life is perfect, but we're all trying to do the best we can. 
 
 

The chemical's Adam's offers are excellent but, what really makes 'em KICK ***? The info they provide showing you how to use their products and the no brainer things like color coding the pads to the polishes... I was lost trying to get into detailing with other products, I bought pads & polish from Amazon & proceeded to waste my Saturday detailing my truck with less than good results... Fast forward a few weeks and a bunch of time on youtube watching Adam's Video's and I had AMAZING results!!
 
Can I blame them for offering China made tools, NO WAY! It's not like they're charging a price that isn't consistent with other Chinese made tools, correct?
 
I can't afford to sink the $$ into an American or German made polisher and the more profits Adam's can make the better, it will go into R&D on Chemicals and however Adam sees fit, god bless capitalism... If you want an American made polisher or pressure washer go buy one.. I still have my cheapo PC polisher and it works fine for me.. I have lots of American made items that I count on and use a lot but, something that gets used 2-3 x a year like a polisher I have to make the concession and buy imported stuff...
 
How that possibly makes a company a poser? I do not know... It makes them capitalistic which is what built and continues to build and keep this country great...

I’ll chime in, Adams support has always been stellar and still is. Adam is a great guy, he has helped me out a lot. The products speaking from a chemicals perspective are still excellent. The Chinese made tools I wont fault, but they are not for me. I like to buy premium tools. Adams spoiled me with Flex Rupes and Cyclo I guess. That’s up to you the buyer and I’m sure there are more people willing to spend half what I will on a polisher than those who don’t see price as an issue. The only other thing I’ve seen is that there isn’t really an Adams Expert on the Forum who measures up to someone we knew who used to OWN IT. The guy moved on to another company and those are huge shoes to fill. It will take what’s happening now, which is several contributing members and folks at Adams to fill that gap. That dude was a lot like Adam to me. Them type folks ain’t growing on trees.
 
As long as they continue to keep the customer number one and provide excellent service I will remain loyal to AP. I don’t see Adam letting that fall by the wayside. It starts at the top.
 
Latly I’ll pose this question, have you been delighted with their products and/or service? I have on NUMEROUS OCCASIONS!!! If you haven’t, maybe you aren’t paying attention. Otherwise I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve not had experiences with any company I’ve traded with like I have with AP.

People get busy as companies grow. Can’t fault him for not being able to be on the forums all the time, as i’m sure he’d love to be.
 
as far as the products not all being made in america, it happens. For many years Adams Polishes provided American made products. With time, something has to give. Would you rather have only a couple accessories available because they are made in America, or multiple selections at a fair price?
 
i give major kudos for how long they were able to only sell american made products.
 
IMO, i’d rather have a large selection of products to choose from. If they kept everything American made and it was say double the price of non american parts, you wouldn’t buy them.

Adam is super busy these days and the reason for some of the non American made stuff is to meet all if the customer request.
All companies rebrand look at all the Craftsman tools, Sears doesn't make anything they just put their name on it.
Thanks so much for your concern and taking time out for your feedback.

What’s with all the negative vibes man?
The company is growing, the boss is busy. What did Adam say when you called him to ask these questions? Just curious. 

I hear your frustration. Something I think we all lose sight of sometimes is Adam's is not Amazon. In today's world of 2-day or less shipping at no additional charge, etc, that's just not something Adam's can support.
 
Yes, a week seems excessive, but have you checked your spam folder for shipment notice? Did you select expedited shipping to move ahead of the line? One of those could be a potential update or solution. And if not, I recommend you send an email to orders@adamspolishes.com for the fastest response from their small (😉😁) team.

As of today... As always, if you sent one in, let me know and I'll try to find it. But as you can tell, they're adding up so a unique one is a bit easier to look for.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe it was for a Tuner event.  Check out Adam's Polishes Florida.

I try hard to get into Matt's channel, I really do. There's something about him that doesn't quite click with me. I love the content that he provides but there's something else I don't like. 
 
Pan seems like a really nice and cool guy. I'm hoping to go to SEMA next year and who knows, maybe I'll bump into him and say hello. 

Calling All Adam's Enthusiasts and Shine Freaks Alike! 
 
It's time for your voice to be heard louder than ever-- Coming from HQ in Denver, we value each and every one of the members on this forum and look to it for improving not only our product line, but overall path for creating the greatest products for our customers. 
 
With that being said, I'd truly appreciate any input from you guys personally on how we can improve in the customer experience. Furthermore, I'd like to know what you love about our website and can't stand at the same time-- What could be improved with our checkout process? How our dealer locator could be elevated to the next level? 
 
This quest for information can include sites from which you shop frequently and like a particular feature about, or even a product that you (painful to say this) purchase from a competitor because you feel ours is obsolete/not aware enough. 
 
Too Long,Didn't Read: What do you (the customer) want and how can we help? 
 
Let's stir up the information bucket! ?

Guys, I have to say if there's a demand for a product the company would have to be crazy not to produce it...and obviously there was a demand here since the kits and individual bottles all sold out already. I'm not a huge fan of the untamed clothing line but I did purchase the all the Adam's untamed bottles and a sticker (would have got the kit but sold out before I hit the complete order button). I am an adams fan so I purchase the limited products just to have them on my shelf. As far as the ON gallons...maybe there's not a big enough demand? While I'm sure there will be sales, I can almost guarantee they won't sell out in 1 minute like the untamed did.... I personally love the anticipation of a limited release and the feeling of getting something special that isn't normally available. They're normal products are still there, great as ever, this is just something fun and changes things up a bit and breaks up monotony!  I'm all for it and can't wait to get my untamed goodies! I wonder what the untamed scent smells like?

Woke up at 0630 got kids ready for school, watched TV then at 0830 drove to town to have my mountain bike rear derailler tuned up. Bike store has the best customer service, even as good as Adams. Went home slept for 60 minutes then woke up, and rode mountain bike on indoor trainer, becaue of thunder storms. About 15 minutes and 250 calories into ride, the power went out (2 pm). Got to hot to ride after 20 minutes, so I got off bike, and tried to cool off. At 330 kids got home, still no electric. 400 pm ate dinner then went to take shower, in the dark. At 445 power came back on just in time to go to work. Drove 45 minutes to work and still sitting here until 0600 in the morning. Then I get to drive 45 minutes home, eat something then go to bed and if I am lucky sleep until 1 pm, and start all over.