How to raise prices

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Abram86

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As some of y'all know I charge a low price for my services due to my area I live in. I've been doing this for about 2 months so far. I plan on raising my prices in the future so im wondering how long should I wait before raising them and how would I go about it? I really dont want to lose my first customers because I feel loyal to them for helping me get my start. Also I dont want to charge too much to where I dont get any business at all. Im stuck in a hard place.

Xtreme Auto
 
I detail primarily from March to October. When I start back up I rearrange my prices to fit. Honestly I wouldn't tell then you're raising them, but when your return customers come back do it for the same price, if not too far off, for them. I have a loyal customer discount.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using AG Online
 
You can't raise prices on existing customers. You may be able to charge an extra $10-$20 w/out them raising an eyebrow, but for such a small amount, what's the point!

What is the average time spent on a car and what are you currently charging?
You need to be working on an hourly basis
 
Flash Gordon said:
You can't raise prices on existing customers. You may be able to charge an extra $10-$20 w/out them raising an eyebrow, but for such a small amount, what's the point!

What is the average time spent on a car and what are you currently charging?
You need to be working on an hourly basis
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On a lightly soiled car I spend about 3 hours minimum.
Trucks about 4 hours and if its really bad upwards of 4.5 hours.
Full sized vehicles average about 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
So i average a minimum of $14 per hour up to $20 per hour.

Xtreme Auto
 
with the money you are getting you would be better off working for a detailer then working for your self.
 
In general I wouldnt raise my prices until I am so swamped with work I cant keep up. Then when you raise prices and some leave you arent hurt as bad.
 
Abram86 said:
On a lightly soiled car I spend about 3 hours minimum.
Trucks about 4 hours and if its really bad upwards of 4.5 hours.
Full sized vehicles average about 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
So i average a minimum of $14 per hour up to $20 per hour.

Xtreme Auto
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On your existing customers charge $20 an hour and don't budge from that (and don't work fast). Tell them you won't be around (out of business) if you charge less

New customers charge $30 per hour. When they ask how much the total will be; ask what their expectations are then guestimate from previous expeirence

dcjredline said:
In general I wouldnt raise my prices until I am so swamped with work I cant keep up. Then when you raise prices and some leave you arent hurt as bad.
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Good advice

Nothing like raising your prices then no one calls



:autowash:
 
master detailer said:
with the money you are getting you would be better off working for a detailer then working for your self.
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As I've said before I am making profit because I work out of my garage and my expenses are low. If I was to work for someone else they would pay 35.00 per vehicle or 8.50 per hour.

Xtreme Auto
 
I adjust prices yearly but grandfather in current clients at last years rate. Sounds much better when you say since you are a returning client I am going to give you last years prices.

You will quickly realize who is using you because you are cheap, and who loves your services when you raise prices.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
 
On my website I have a listed price,but always charged less, then I came to the thought of a coupon with x amount off listed price, coupon/ad states if no coupon full rate from $35.00 or more due at time of service. so when I used to charge $15.00 for my basic SILVER DETAIL which is listed from $35.00 I now offer a coupon/ad for $15.00 OFF which makes the TOTAL NOW $20.00,Next coupon/ad may be save $10.00, which means now my lowest fee would be $25.00 and coupon/ads ARE NOT AWAYS AVAILABLE
 
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I actually raised my prices on Denali's and full sized vans and Escalades to $135 instead of $100.
Should I raise Suburbans?

I posted that im having a sale for $108 then reg price is $135

Xtreme Auto
 
I raise my prices every year. The cost of doing business keeps raising so do my rates.
 
I raised my prices slowly every year and as other have said for my repeat customers I do not charge them the new price. I've raised my complete detail price in the last year by $60 and no one has complained at all.
 
FUNX725 said:
^^^:xyxthumbs:^^^

We used the annual C.O.L.A.-%-increases, (if any),
as a guideline.


Bob
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That's not a bad idea and can add to printed materials like (flyers, brochures, etc) stating under rates increase per yearly C.O.L.A rates.
 
I believe advertising prices increase due to COLA will probably will do more harm that good. No need to overly advertise. I would suggest handling the explanation on person by person basis. It is too pat an answer. Every price increase has different reasons.

Most people only like COLA when it benefits them and not when someone uses as a reason to just raise prices.
 
Bunky said:
I believe advertising prices increase due to COLA will probably will do more harm that good. No need to overly advertise. I would suggest handling the explanation on person by person basis. It is too pat an answer. Every price increase has different reasons.

Most people only like COLA when it benefits them and not when someone uses as a reason to just raise prices.
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I don't advertise my raised prices ever and I keep a log of what I've charged ever customer I have ever detailed so I now what I charged them in the past. I recommend everyone do this so when they call to make appointment you what you charged them last. You also know what you did on their car. I have a "contact Journal CRM" on my ipad and phone. This is a great app for this.
 
Abram86 said:
I actually raised my prices on Denali's and full sized vans and Escalades to $135 instead of $100.
Should I raise Suburbans?

I posted that im having a sale for $108 then reg price is $135

Xtreme Auto
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They are the same car. Why are you charging by brand?
 
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