55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months!

Cosmin said:
i am Romanian.

a quick update... i hired a helper , he doesn`t polish yet , but he helps with everything else.
to have an idea how things go: he helped me 17 days with a total income of $7880 in those days, we had days with $50 a day and days with max $770. and remember he doesn`t do any polish or correction yet.

i had day with
- black porsche 2 step correction(swirl free) interior included,
- range rover , maserati , jaguar all washwax and interior
Total time 10hours and 40 min - drive to 2 locations included.

another day :
- SUV Porsche cayenne black , 1 step correction , interior , engine ;
- Ferrari f430 wash wax , interior , engine
- Bentley black - wash wax and interior
total time 10 hours 20minutes - drive to 2 locations included.


i see a lot of people who start new business and offer cheap price service , if that`s your value.. is fine with me , but here is an example that even if you charge right for your time , value and knowledge things roll and you don`t get stuck with 1 car a week as a few think.
with my prices i may not be booked for a month but i do have cars to do , regular clients to visit and my name is out there ....
Cosmin
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eşti român? Good to know I'm not the only one here :D
 
I'm not sure what the differce between high end cars and regular cars is. If my stated price for a detail is x amount of dollars then that's the price. If a customer shows up with a ford or a Porsche. I don't raise the price on him just because he bought an expensive car. I really don't understand this mindset.
 
rustytruck said:
I'm not sure what the differce between high end cars and regular cars is. If my stated price for a detail is x amount of dollars then that's the price. If a customer shows up with a ford or a Porsche. I don't raise the price on him just because he bought an expensive car. I really don't understand this mindset.
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sorry if my posts were confusing , here is a little more detailed view.
the only time i raise my price is: stains , heavy-bugs/tar/sap , trashed interior , trash/soiled exterior , and anything that wasn`t included in the initial quote.
i don not care what badge the car has or what cars , house , thick wallet the client has.
i have a mile radius/round trip that i cover , if that is pass travel fee is apply and mention to the client prior any schedule /work done to the vehicle.

my hourly rate is around 30+/h on washes and 45-60+ /h on corrections. as i mention with a helper the working time is improved and the $/h is better.

and the difference between hi-end car and regular is that one of them is very expensive and you take a higher risk to work on them. but in my books are quoted on the same amount of money per hour rate.


as a side note: it may look to be harder to get into hi-end line but you may work for people that can afford your service more often and sometimes for multiple cars.
thank `s
 
What an inspiring post! It's really great to see somebody posting from a business perspective, and from a perspective of actually making money. A lot of guys talk, but you are actually doing it! Great job! You've inspired me to use ad words as well. Thanks
 
Having lived in Austin when many became wealthy with the dot com boom and later when many went bust I know how the mood of that city can change instantly. There is still money there obviously but those that kept some of it can be incredibly fickle in spending it. I congratulate you on what you have accomplished in a rather unusual city citing the "Keep Austin Weird" stickers as but one example.

The amount of repeat customers you have acquired speaks highly of your skills as a businessman and a top quality detailer. I look forward to the continuing story......
 
I am not even in the Detailing business, it is only a hobby for me, but you still inspire me.
I have owned my own Business Forms business now 28 years and your insight into how to make a good profit are right on.
Nothing can beat good customer service like good customer service.
Congrats!!! Keep up the good work.
My wife & I have some really good friends who now call Austin home.
We were there in Nov. 2010.
Very nice city, but I don't like the humidity.
I love the high desert here in Central Oregon.
You make us all proud of the Detailing business.
 
* UPDATE: after 2 years and 3months
since i start this adventure.

I rich 2 goals: 1x helper and closed to $10k a month
as some of you may know i hired a helper. half month he was part time, after that 2 months full time. i lost the helper because of 2 weeks when i had a lot of rain and a few clients cancel.
over the "helper" period , the experience show me that my system works, i am able to duplicate the results with another person , i am able to train my system to another person ,if busy the income can get skyrocket , my packages/prices/ finish product are improved with helper.
Now i am busy for a 1 person , but not busy enough to hire and keep someone. i do increase the regular clients list and rethink my business plan , and my goal is to hire again as soon as i rich an more consistent list of regulars.
i also did a few mistakes in spend some money in an advertise that didn`t pay back and it kind of sucks. but i learn from it : to don`t trust persons who sell you anything , read contracts twice , i end up running 2 more months in a magazine i didn`t have any returns.
now the good news , the van works great , the wrap does the job and bring me clients, and even without corrections i still get 30-50$/hour from cleaning/washing cars.



4AudiQ said:
I am not even in the Detailing business, it is only a hobby for me, but you still inspire me.
Congrats!!! Keep up the good work.
You make us all proud of the Detailing business.
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Thank you sir!
i like Austin , after a few years of moving up and down the state , now i can call Austin , HOME!

RTexasF said:
The amount of repeat customers you have acquired speaks highly of your skills as a businessman and a top quality detailer. I look forward to the continuing story......
Click to expand...

repeat customers are the best!
as far as the van starts and the buffer spins i will post the updates... :)

statusdetailing said:
What an inspiring post! It's really great to see somebody posting from a business perspective, and from a perspective of actually making money. A lot of guys talk, but you are actually doing it! Great job! You've inspired me to use ad words as well. Thanks
Click to expand...

Thank you for your words!

and here is my secret weapon :))

aug.jpg
 
Is there any way you could rethink how your website shows up on a Google search. I just goggled "auto detailing Austin TX and your website is buried pretty deep.

By the time someone finds out about you they have already seen 20 other detailers in your area. This may help in getting more business.
 
rustytruck said:
Is there any way you could rethink how your website shows up on a Google search. I just goggled "auto detailing Austin TX and your website is buried pretty deep.
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it should show in sponsor area , and is listed only if you access it from a local computer.
but i do have this in my homework to redesign the website and optimize it.
looks like i have to keep an eye on adwords.
thank you
 
Word of advise to you ; Don't forget about your lower end clients, they're paying the same for their detail, you should spend just as much time on their cars. This year alone this mistake has earned me 11 of your customers.
Rob Austin,TX
 
DrippingWet said:
Word of advise to you ; Don't forget about your lower end clients, they're paying the same for their detail, you should spend just as much time on their cars. This year alone this mistake has earned me 11 of your customers.
Rob Austin,TX
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Just like a detailer always looks for the next best product even though he already has a great one, I see this tread with customers sometimes, always looking for the next best thing, but like a good product you always come back.
 
DrippingWet said:
Word of advise to you ; Don't forget about your lower end clients
Click to expand...

thank`s for advice, but...
i do not have lower end clients.

when i detail a car i have a system , and i follow it.
if you know anything more specific about any of my clients that are not happy with my service, feel free and pointed out.
agree i may loose some because they look for 20$ wash and i don`t have that service.
 
So your trying to tell me you don't detail anything else but exotics? And if you don't, then why do they keep telling me you were their detailer? And I am pointing it out...... I'm just offering advise from one detailer to another.
 
Perfections said:
Just like a detailer always looks for the next best product even though he already has a great one, I see this tread with customers sometimes, always looking for the next best thing, but like a good product you always come back.
Click to expand...

Well I don't think that is the case here. Like for instance, one customer came to me because he wasn't cleaning the trunk cracks.... another he was passing up on the sunroof cracks, just the little things that matter. I'm not trying to turn this to anything but advise. When you pronounce your a perfectionist, you need to do it on every car you touch, not just the $100k+ ones.
 
DrippingWet said:
So your trying to tell me you don't detail anything else but exotics? And if you don't, then why do they keep telling me you were their detailer? And I am pointing it out...... I'm just offering advise from one detailer to another.
Click to expand...


i don`t separate clients in low end and high end /exotics.
i do offer service for luxury and exotics in austin area , that`s the main cars i work on.
because i touch a car a year ago , does not make me their detailer.
i offer a service ,they buy it , i did what i said i was paid for , i got paid after the car was completed, with no complains.
if i maintenance a car as a regular /weekly, bi-weekly or at least 2-3 times , than yes, i may be their detailer.


about the clients you got , please keep them , i don`t need them.
i will be more than grateful to have their name so i can charge them extra if they ever need my service.
that was about the clients.

now about you... Mr Robert Tanzer
what happen to the steam cleaning company?
have you change your "business" name from Axiom Auto Group's detailing service to Dripping wet detailing ? your ads are confusing
and by the way.. how come you are in business since 2005 and no website , no pictures ? just few lost ads here and there.

after seeing your prices , i am not surprise that the "low end clients" ( your words) choose you.

"We can hand wash your vehicle for as little as $50. This includes carefully hand washing and drying the exterior including all the door jams and moldings, cleaning the wheels and dressing the tires, vacuuming interior carpets, seats, and trunk, light dusting of the dash and gauges, and windows are cleaned inside and out. Mention this ad on Craigslist and receive a FREE coat of wax on your vehicle when you pay for a Hand Wash (a $10 value!)"



"Full Service Detail Starting at $150
(Prices vary depending on overall condition, extra charge for larger vehicles and dark colors)

This includes the basics above, plus claying the exterior for contaminants if needed, high speed buffing to removes swirls and light scratches, polishing with an orbital polisher to bring out the natural luster of the paint, applying wax by hand, interior dash and door panels are thoroughly cleaned, instrument panels, gauges, vents, sun visors, steering wheel and column, center console, etc., are meticulously cleaned and detailed, carpets and floor mats are shampooed, leather and/or vinyl is carefully cleaned and conditioned, engine degreased and pressure washed, and a final air dry and dust with compressed air to make sure every inch of the vehicle has been cleaned and dried. Please allow approximately 5-6 hours for a proper detail to be completed. "


and ... by the way , if you are interested in some paint correction , i can sign you up for my class , i am sure your new clients will love it.

nothing personal , there are enough cars in austin for all of us,
take care
Cosmin
 
Cosmin! How are you? Glad to see you around man. Sounds like the "DrippingWet" character is a little jealous of your work, I wouldn't sweat it man. You obviously turn out great work or you wouldn't have the clientele that you do. Anyway, looking forward to more write ups when you have time! :)
 
rwright said:
Cosmin! How are you? Anyway, looking forward to more write ups when you have time! :)
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is been ok , over planing here :))
is been slow on corrections , and for regular clean up i don`t take pictures. i know i should.
plus i do get a lot of regulars , maintenance washes.
if i show same car 4 times a month after a maintenance wash , is that count as a write up?:))
;)
thank`s rwright
 
DrippingWet said:
Well I don't think that is the case here. Like for instance, one customer came to me because he wasn't cleaning the trunk cracks.... another he was passing up on the sunroof cracks, just the little things that matter. I'm not trying to turn this to anything but advise. When you pronounce your a perfectionist, you need to do it on every car you touch, not just the $100k+ ones.
Click to expand...

In a day I can not complete perfection of a vehicle, and if your telling me that after your detail that takes one day to complete I can't find something that you've missed you would be mistaken. And the same goes for me, I can easily find flaws in my own work but did the customer pay for perfection? Needless to say unless your seeing a vehicle that was just completed I wouldn't comment on another persons work, but that's just me.
 
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