How NOT to make money detailing

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Ryan R

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Browsing through my local Craigslist auto services and came across this...
Hopefully the screenshot comes out clear... 20 bucks for an interior/exterior. Wow
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Yeah I don't care what supplies that guy is using there is no profit to be made there. I do see these listings all the time though.
 
Yes no profit whatsoever. And I as well come across listings like this alot. Usually 60 for full details..this one marks the lowest.

I can understand starting off with lower than average prices in order to attract customers if you're just starting but no need to go drastically low and work your butt off for nothing
 
Craigslist always amazes me. I just found one for 25 including full interior/exterior wash, compounding, polishing and wax.

+5.00 is you bring in an SUV

In a different one I found this little gem of a red flag " I'm looking to trade my services For Electronics, Gold, Laptops, $$,tattoos or anything valuable what do you have ???"

and yes I found it under auto detailing :)
 
These guys are training to be corporate CEO's so they can lose money on a larger scale.
 
These guys are the reason someone looks at u like you have three heads when you throw out something over $200..." we'll so and so does it for $25" and I say well go for it cause I'm not price matching here.
 
The best part is his last line....you gotta wash the vehicle yourself!!

So I'm paying him $60 to wipe on some wax and spray Fantastic around the cabin? That's, well......Fantastic.
 
Here's the problem with "detailing" there is no industry standard. sounds like he's going to wash vac dress your car probally less than 3 dollars worth of product. He puts 17 bucks in his pocket and he's moving on. I like to get 95 bucks for what i do wash clay aio quick vac and wipe of int. and some guys like to two step for two hundred plus. again really no industry standard as to whats a "detail"
 
Ugh. I see these morons all the time. Whoever said, this is why people look at u like you have 3 heads when you quote $200',...they're exactly right.

Good news is these clowns go just as fast as they came. It never lasts. Until the next genius thinks he can corner the market by wh0ring his services out.
 
DaVinciAutoSpa said:
Ugh. I see these morons all the time. Whoever said, this is why people look at u like you have 3 heads when you quote $200',...they're exactly right.

Good news is these clowns go just as fast as they came. It never lasts. Until the next genius thinks he can corner the market by wh0ring his services out.
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I know a guy, Lee. He parks his van in a city I service. He is an auto detailer. He sleeps in his van. He had a home, family, whole deal. Wife got sick with cancer. Cost of treatments and all wiped him out. His wife died, he lost his house, etc....

He posts ads on CL and waits for calls. I've been helping him with his processes and such. He never smiles and is still in pain from his loss. Poor guy. I don't think he is a moron or a clown. I do what I can and I pray for him. I do my best not to judge other too harshly.
 
More like how to wash so many cars you need to hire a helper. At our office park, when the mobile car washer decides to take a week off, people say "too bad Juan didn't stop by this week" =(
 
rustytruck said:
Here's the problem with "detailing" there is no industry standard. sounds like he's going to wash vac dress your car probally less than 3 dollars worth of product. He puts 17 bucks in his pocket and he's moving on. I like to get 95 bucks for what i do wash clay aio quick vac and wipe of int. and some guys like to two step for two hundred plus. again really no industry standard as to whats a "detail"
Click to expand...


Industry standard? In this business, you get what the market will bear. His customers are probably the type that will seek out charity car washes for donations. They probably don't know the difference between a swirl and a squirrel.

The biggest plus that he has going for himself is that he is targeting a specific market. So it shouldn't affect anyone not targeting that market themselves.
My .02
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
I know a guy, Lee. He parks his van in a city I service. He is an auto detailer. He sleeps in his van. He had a home, family, whole deal. Wife got sick with cancer. Cost of treatments and all wiped him out. His wife died, he lost his house, etc....

He posts ads on CL and waits for calls. I've been helping him with his processes and such. He never smiles and is still in pain from his loss. Poor guy. I don't think he is a moron or a clown. I do what I can and I pray for him. I do my best not to judge other too harshly.
Click to expand...

Thats terrible :(

Does the guy have a paypal account?
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
I know a guy, Lee. He parks his van in a city I service. He is an auto detailer. He sleeps in his van. He had a home, family, whole deal. Wife got sick with cancer. Cost of treatments and all wiped him out. His wife died, he lost his house, etc....

He posts ads on CL and waits for calls. I've been helping him with his processes and such. He never smiles and is still in pain from his loss. Poor guy. I don't think he is a moron or a clown. I do what I can and I pray for him. I do my best not to judge other too harshly.
Click to expand...

While I stand by my statement, and I do feel bad for Lee, maybe you should help him a bit more with his technique, and then Lee can raise his prices and make more money.

He's the exception and not the rule. And good on you for not judging others too harshly. Myself, I'm still working on that. ; )
 
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