Man talk about under charging
- Thread starter Beavis
- Start date
medicscott
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- Mar 16, 2015
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My favorite is, I'm returning the car I need a detail.
Why on earth are you making it beautiful for the next guy while you drove and paid for it to look like crap for 3 years. Makes no sense to me...
Why on earth are you making it beautiful for the next guy while you drove and paid for it to look like crap for 3 years. Makes no sense to me...
DeansDetailing
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- Jan 31, 2015
- 284
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Hmm.
It's a decent discussion, but let's not drink all the haterade just yet.
I couldn't find that guy on Facebook or Googe. Perhaps he cleans carpets or something and is doing cars on the side. Maybe $45 is a complete teaser rate and he ends up charging a bit more for a extra dirty vehicle, and most are extra dirty.
The guy has a steam cleaner but no polisher since he's hand waxing. So, he's a "car wash" guy with minimal investment making a few extra bucks.
Like others have stated- could be a young kid. Could be someone just starting out.
A lot of people would (and are!) fine with the $20 quickie services!
The majority of those folks will never be our customers because our level of detail is lost on them. It is up to US to find and grow relationships with fellow ENTHUSIASTS.
If we are active on here, we are after the minority of drivers, not the majority.
Just my .02
It's a decent discussion, but let's not drink all the haterade just yet.
I couldn't find that guy on Facebook or Googe. Perhaps he cleans carpets or something and is doing cars on the side. Maybe $45 is a complete teaser rate and he ends up charging a bit more for a extra dirty vehicle, and most are extra dirty.
The guy has a steam cleaner but no polisher since he's hand waxing. So, he's a "car wash" guy with minimal investment making a few extra bucks.
Like others have stated- could be a young kid. Could be someone just starting out.
A lot of people would (and are!) fine with the $20 quickie services!
The majority of those folks will never be our customers because our level of detail is lost on them. It is up to US to find and grow relationships with fellow ENTHUSIASTS.
If we are active on here, we are after the minority of drivers, not the majority.
Just my .02
I love it.
cardaddy
New member
- Nov 20, 2012
- 3,937
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OMG... isn't that the truth!
I had a woman bring me a ice blue metallic 325i and wanted it done inside and out. Wanted an AIO, wheels done, barrels, wheel wells, you name it.
Car gets here and the wheels are TRASHED! I mean brake dust that would have to be grinded out, curb rash everywhere. Exhaust tip completely pitted. Body damage front and rear bumpers as well as one side. And the list goes on.
Inside it had knobs missing from some of the controls. The drivers seat would only go forward and back, and tilt (not up and down). The passenger seat would tilt on ONE SIDE (was locked up on the other side) and wouldn't go forward OR back.
Hey... her money. Thing is she was acting like she wanted her 'baby' really dressed up because she loved the car so much. Never told me she was trading it in.
WHAT?
TRADING IT IN!
There was literally nothing I could have done to that pos that was going to help with trade-in value. Had she told me I'd have just done my regular wash, (which take 4+ hours) and added a basic interior cleaning and called it a day.
Come to find out... she took it to CARMAX and traded it in on another BMW. :laughing:
I used to do towing for CARMAX, for years at multiple locations here in Atlanta and trust me... they will NOT give you jack for your vehicle. That thing was not resellable, period and was going straight to the junk aisle headed to auction for parts.
But by George, $295 later it was shiny and had a coat of WGDGPS 3.0 on it!
:laughing:
Last edited:
DogRescuer
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- Apr 6, 2013
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Man some of you are harsh. Remember there are sooo many variables to consider when setting our prices. Not all of us live in busy areas so we have to adjust our rates to fit the community. Sure most of us can make a trashed mercades look beautiful but we may not be exposed to high end cars, again be flexible. Are there hacks out there of course, stop worrying about what they're doing and do your best.
DogRescuer
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- Apr 6, 2013
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Awesome
richy
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- Mar 27, 2007
- 5,158
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I don't compete on price. My job is to show the customer why I am worth what I charge. If they don't agree, so be it, they'll go elsewhere. I charge what I believe is reasonable for my skill level and the products I use. I am thankful for 2 things: 1, that I have been booked up solidly every weekend and 2), even if not, this is not my full time job.
It's funny this came up b/c there's a guy at my work who has started detailing on the side a few years ago (I've been doing it more than a dozen) and one of my co-workers commented "He said his price is less than 1/2 of yours". I just winked and said "You get what you pay for".
It's funny this came up b/c there's a guy at my work who has started detailing on the side a few years ago (I've been doing it more than a dozen) and one of my co-workers commented "He said his price is less than 1/2 of yours". I just winked and said "You get what you pay for".
215Detailing
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- May 19, 2011
- 1,063
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Hey Richy not to mention you have a website, that displays your work, lol
There is a new detailing business in my area and they have an Android app to support them. Exterior hand wash and wax for $25 at regular price. As a current promotion, first time customer can purchase an exterior hand wash and wax package for... $1.. yes $1. O_O
You fill in your info, make your payment in the app then they come to you and do the detailing. No idea how they make money but at $1 for the general public, they really don't seem to care. Although they do use rinseless which saves some money for water.
You fill in your info, make your payment in the app then they come to you and do the detailing. No idea how they make money but at $1 for the general public, they really don't seem to care. Although they do use rinseless which saves some money for water.
Jaretr1
New member
- Jan 29, 2011
- 2,391
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I am still mostly a hobbiest, but do a little paid work here and there. I will either work on some very good friends cars for free, or I will charge them for my service. And when I charge them, I make sure I am compensated for my time and effort.
For instance, a friend purchased a used car, and the interior was as clean as an average rental car. She wanted it to look as new as possible. She brought it to me, knowing I would charge her at least $50-75. I told her let me see how long it takes me. I spent a good 2 hours detailing the interior. When I was done, she was very happy and paid me $75 with pleasure.
I guess the point of what I am saying is, there are car wash services, then there are quality detailers, both professional and not. People do get what they pay for in this business. Pay someone $45 for a wash, wax and interior clean and you get a $45 job. And for some, that is perfectly acceptable. For others its not.
For instance, a friend purchased a used car, and the interior was as clean as an average rental car. She wanted it to look as new as possible. She brought it to me, knowing I would charge her at least $50-75. I told her let me see how long it takes me. I spent a good 2 hours detailing the interior. When I was done, she was very happy and paid me $75 with pleasure.
I guess the point of what I am saying is, there are car wash services, then there are quality detailers, both professional and not. People do get what they pay for in this business. Pay someone $45 for a wash, wax and interior clean and you get a $45 job. And for some, that is perfectly acceptable. For others its not.
I would hang myself.
SYMAWD
New member
- Feb 10, 2013
- 1,667
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[video=youtube_share;kGLJsjkHxWI"]Dusk T'll Dawn Car Wash - YouTube[/video]
or do what the dealership I work at does even though it wouldn't be feasible. We have an Auto Butler (this is just a photo found online)
We clean the wheels with wheel brightener, send it through our auto car wash, put it through the auto butler and then tire shine and windows to finish it off. So many people have bought it (come back every 6 months) that we now have to book at least a month in advance.
or do what the dealership I work at does even though it wouldn't be feasible. We have an Auto Butler (this is just a photo found online)
We clean the wheels with wheel brightener, send it through our auto car wash, put it through the auto butler and then tire shine and windows to finish it off. So many people have bought it (come back every 6 months) that we now have to book at least a month in advance.
vanev
New member
- Sep 27, 2015
- 438
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Dusk T'll Dawn Car Wash - YouTube
or do what the dealership I work at does even though it wouldn't be feasible. We have an Auto Butler (this is just a photo found online)
We clean the wheels with wheel brightener, send it through our auto car wash, put it through the auto butler and then tire shine and windows to finish it off. So many people have bought it (come back every 6 months) that we now have to book at least a month in advance.
Neither example is an auto detail.
SYMAWD
New member
- Feb 10, 2013
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The point of the first example is why people charge so low. It works for some, not is it a detail or not.
By our standards no.
But people pay a lot for it.
SeanChav
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- Aug 1, 2015
- 434
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I charge $60 for this same thing and ppl still think it's crazy cuz they can go to the "carousel" and get it done for $25
cardaddy
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- Nov 20, 2012
- 3,937
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TWENTY????? Pfffft.... My wife (and daughter) have been going to the same girl (up until the last 2 cuts) for a good 15 years and pay $50 or more!
Heck... I was raised in hair salons, my folks had three. Been there, done that.
One thing I've always said to ANYONE (long before I was charging for detailing services in fact) is this;
"Short of your home (providing they own a home) WHAT is the SINGLE most expensive thing you own?"
Which for most people is indeed their vehicle(s)!
Then they'll (usually) say "My car". To which I respond, "Then why would you not want to protect that investment, the CORRECT way?"
Also doesn't hurt too show them the Post-It note between the fingers and inform them their clear coat is; "THINNER than this". Then watch how their eyes get big! :laughing:
choijw2
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- Jul 25, 2015
- 781
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Good gosh, $50 for probably unnoticeable hair cuts loll