how do you attempt to compete with big shops who charge next to nothing

I'd like to share my experiences with Living Social and Groupon... but to talk about it would make me so angry, all I really want to say with all seriousness and sincerity is: DON'T. DO. IT.
 
Pureshine said:
I have to production shops by me as other people said set your self apart. Both shops by me do not have before and after pictures on there website only after shots which anyone can post after shots of cars. I explain that I only do one car at a time to focus all my attention on their car.
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:iagree:

Look at my web site. If you can get a few "crown jewels" under your belt get pictures up as soon as possible. Just this will tell people you are different. Brag about the products and processes you use.
 
TundraPower said:
:iagree:

Look at my web site. If you can get a few "crown jewels" under your belt get pictures up as soon as possible. Just this will tell people you are different. Brag about the products and processes you use.
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:iagree::dblthumb2:
 
My only advice on this is DON'T try to compete. Establish your niche and slowly branch out. I know for a FACT that there are at least three other detailers nearby and at least one of them has a big shop AND is mobile. I have no idea what kind of business they're doing but I can tell you that the one guy who I know for a fact is mobile has a trailer full of stuff that never moves (I see it when I go to the museum to detail). Working on word of mouth has me booked until mid-October. Do good work and people will talk. Price-wise, I've seen it time and time again here - DON'T cheap out on yourself. Charge what you feel your time and work are worth.
 
garyg7133 said:
My only advice on this is DON'T try to compete. Establish your niche and slowly branch out. Working on word of mouth has me booked until mid-October. Do good work and people will talk. Price-wise, I've seen it time and time again here - DON'T cheap out on yourself. Charge what you feel your time and work are worth.
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Absolutely 100% correct. People will talk and the word spreads quicker than you think, especially in the high end markets.
 
TundraPower said:
Absolutely 100% correct. People will talk and the word spreads quicker than you think, especially in the high end markets.
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That's true about the high end market. The guys with really nice cars aren't hopping on google to look for a detailer. They ask their buddies. A collector called me just yesterday, and said he heard I was the best in town. I'll be working on his m5, and mercedes amg this coming week. The following week I'll be working on his Viper and a customized F650 (That one is going to take a while haha)! Reputation and word of mouth is everything in the high end market.

These guys wouldn't normally dare take their cars to a production shop.

I will say this; once you get into those types of cars there is enormous pressure to perform. The biggest challenge in detailing isn't turning around a trashed car. It's getting a well maintained car and taking it to the next level. It can be daunting, but lots of fun!
 
Time = money
Mr. Client, how much time do you really think they are putting in your car for $xxx?

Find a way to articulate that and you're on the right track.
 
statusdetailing said:
That's true about the high end market. The guys with really nice cars aren't hopping on google to look for a detailer. They ask their buddies. Reputation and word of mouth is everything in the high end market. These guys wouldn't normally dare take their cars to a production shop. I will say this; once you get into those types of cars there is enormous pressure to perform. The biggest challenge in detailing isn't turning around a trashed car. It's getting a well maintained car and taking it to the next level. It can be daunting, but lots of fun!
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Once again I agree 100%. If you want in the high end market you must do exceptional work consistently. 80%+ of my work is in this market and there is very little room for foolishness. In my experience these folks are more than generous with time and money but it had better be right in the end. Make 1000% sure they are satisfied before they leave, follow up with them once a week, if there is anything out of line fix it no charge and no questions asked.
 
Great advice on all posts. Helpful to know for one here who is setting up weekend part time detailing service.
 
inDetail said:
i do production detailing a lot. Some loyal customers who want my level of service as well. I give a client a estimate based on what they would want. Then educate them about paint defects point them out in their paint. I discuss interior issues. Point out all the issues and the long term damage to their cars when not detailed the right way. I explain about decontamination and what it does, my process, tools and products.
When I tell them if you had you car compound, polished and waxed in the past without decontamination the polisher is just grinding all that stuff right back into the paint making it worse.
I never let any of my well maintained meticulous pads, mf towels, buffing bonnets, wax applicators touch a car that has not been at least clayed.
I can always tack on another $ $20-40 to a wash just by showing them the baggy test.
I cannot tell you how many customers I have had that are unaware of paint defects on their own cars. It's amazing how much upselling you can do just by educating your client base.
If I can take a "wash, glass and vac" and turn it into a clay and AIO just by being honest with a client that is easy money. More time spent on a car but I'm not killing 5+ gallons of water and electric for just a $30+ wash, glass and vac.
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Very good write up, I have those that come along and want just the BASIC (Silver Detail) Never started with my PLATINUM or had a GOLD LEVEL SERVICE, so I'll decontaminate (clay) one side of hood lid or truck lid have them feel whole area ask can they feel difference once detail (silver) is complete then upsale for later date does not always work but it gives them the thought. I use a clay mitt while washing on that one area no more then three minutes time top and the area is alot smoother.
 
Those simply aren't my customers. My target consumer demands the best and knows no corners are cut, so that's the service I provide.

People who are looking for the cheapest jobs are typically not loyal customers.
 
Let the customer know the difference between you and a shop. As kids mom was a good cook but we all know, for most of us, dad was the best cook in the house. To be a big company with a ton of employees you have massive overhead ie. payroll, insurance, rent, yadda yadda. In order to pay their overhead they have to do quantity work where you do quality work. A big shop doesnt care about the customers car they have insurance to fix their problems and its on to the next one. So in regards to my mom/dad cooking annalogy. Mom would be the big business where dad would be a mobile detailer. Mom cooks every night, she doesnt care if she runs out of a spice during a meal you wont even notice it. Where dad cooks eh once a month, when dad cooks he makes sure he has all the ingredients he needs and puts his heart into the meal.

So you ask how do you compete with these big places? You dont. You will never win. They do volume and thats not the mentality of a mobile detailer. Set your self aside. You run a different business. A small coffee shop doesnt worry about starbucks sales. They know that they offer a quality service and their customers are happy and loyal. Sure they arent pulling in 6 figures a year but they have a fraction of the overhead the big chain does. Dont worry about the big business. There will always be a demand for mobile detailers.
 
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