Need Advice.

A2D Signature

A2D Signature

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2013
Messages
563
Reaction score
0
Detailing is only "side work" for me. Helps me stay calm and is beneficial for my PTSD.

I have recently taken on work for a family friend. He purchases salvages, fixes them and resells them. Initially he wanted wash, clay, wax, full interior with either leather protection or carpets shampooed. I was charging him 150 per car because I wasn't hurting for money.

Since he got a new painter, the last two cars have terrible rotary hologram. I've easily removed the hologram with 2 passes with M205 and orange LC CCS.

My question is, if this becomes consistent and I have to correct, what should my price per vehicle rise to? I'm trying to stay flat rate for him because I make an extra 1000 to 1500 a month and I'm doing him a solid by not getting a detailer that'll charge him 300 for everything and full correction.

Suggestions?
 
For a basic 1 step correction, I charge £225, that's $342 USD.

The way I see it, people say that's expensive etc, but there paying for MY time and knowledge.


Explain to your mate, that the new painter is causing damage to the paint, show him, so he knows what your talking about.

Have a chat with your buddy, see what he's willing to pay.
If he is a close mate, keep it mates rates.
 
I understand how your relationship and situation is ok with $150 but you are providing more than $150 worth of work. I would try to negotiate more than $150 but not your $300 ceiling. Somewhere in between where you're both happy. You should be compensated for your skill level he doesn't have. Plus he sells these vehicles for maybe more after your "corrections" anyway.
 
Puckman said:
I understand how your relationship and situation is ok with $150 but you are providing more than $150 worth of work. I would try to negotiate more than $150 but not your $300 ceiling. Somewhere in between where you're both happy. You should be compensated for your skill level he doesn't have. Plus he sells these vehicles for maybe more after your "corrections" anyway.
Click to expand...


Point taken! Just got back from checking out the next car. Scion TC, Black, no rotary hologram but overspray all over the Windows. I think he needs a new painter. I think renegotiating is appropriate for the cars that he "wants" corrected and stick to the $150 that he doesn't want corrected. Thanks for the insight
 
Best of luck with it brotha and sounds like a pretty good gig. :dblthumb2:
 
A2D Signature said:
Point taken! Just got back from checking out the next car. Scion TC, Black, no rotary hologram but overspray all over the Windows. I think he needs a new painter. I think renegotiating is appropriate for the cars that he "wants" corrected and stick to the $150 that he doesn't want corrected. Thanks for the insight
Click to expand...

I would just make sure you document the before and afters of your work or let the friend know when you get a car that is swirled out from the painter.
 
A2D Signature said:
Absolutely


View attachment 38776

View attachment 38777
Click to expand...

Nice work. I was actually meaning if you go ahead with not raising your prices and only performing a correction when specifically asked to. No statement on your friend of course but I could see a situation where a car is swirled and the painter points the finger at you and you would need documentation to show how the car was delivered to you.

"I think renegotiating is appropriate for the cars that he "wants" corrected and stick to the $150 that he doesn't want corrected."
 
If he is selling the cars and has hesitations about giving you what your worth,just fill the swirls .Been in that situation with a wholesaler that buys highend trainwrecks such as overspray shoddy bodywork key scratches banged up rims trashed interiors and paint.I gave myself 3 hrs per car and that was it,you will be replaced so fast if he finds a cheaper detailer may not be the same quality,but those guys don't care about quality so don't bang yourself up.For a grand a month you can get a partime job with zero overhead and less aggravation .
 
It's your friend. Maybe a good friend for a long time. Obviously you don't want to be a jerk or lose him as a friend. Just simply explain that some of these jobs require more time and more energy. You don't seem to mind doing the other cars for $150. An easy way to explain and come to a price would be to time how long it takes you to do a normal car and divide that time by 150. See how much longer it takes for correction and possibly add a little more due to the difficulty and energy spent to do a correction.
 
A2D Signature said:
Initially he wanted wash, clay, wax, full interior with either leather protection or carpets shampooed. I was charging him 150 per car because I wasn't hurting for money.

Since he got a new painter, the last two cars have terrible rotary hologram. I've easily removed the hologram with 2 passes with M205 and orange LC CCS.
Click to expand...

If all he wanted was a "wash, clay, wax, full interior with either leather protection or carpets shampooed," what prompted you to begin correcting the paint with polish? I suppose it may have been because you take pride in what you do and you wanted to return a quality product...which would probably be the reason most people such as yourself decide to go above and beyond.

This, to me, is you point of leverage. Does your "family friend" know that you are exceeding his expectations by polishing the paint? In other words, perhaps it would be helpful when you are making your case for a larger fee to have him there when you are correcting so he can see what he is getting as a result of your extra work. Then let HIM decide if it's worth more. If he likes what he sees then he should be willing to pay extra for your additional services. If not, then you just continue to "wash, clay, wax, full interior with either leather protection or carpets shampooed," for $150.

Just my .02. Best wishes in whatever you decide.
 
Just explain that theirs damage done previously by the other person, and you'll have to spend more time fixing it which means more money, he should understand since its your friend
 
First here's the car.... doesn't look to bad from this photographic angle

watermark.php



Here's an example of the painter's or the painter's helper's buffing style...


watermark.php


You know it's completely possible whoever is doing the buffing,

A. Doesn't realize what a quality buff job looks like? (it's not this)

B. Never inspects their work in the sun?

C. Actually thinks this is what buffed paint is supposed to look like.

D. Doesn't know there's new tools, pads and products that EASILY leave a hologram free finish.


Just throwing that out there...



A2D Signature said:
Since he got a new painter, the last two cars have terrible rotary hologram. I've easily removed the hologram with 2 passes with M205 and orange LC CCS.

My question is, if this becomes consistent and I have to correct, what should my price per vehicle rise to?
Click to expand...


Instead of continuing to fix the symptom why not fix the root cause. Introduce the painter or the "painter's helper" to the AutogeekOnline.net discussion forum.

In fact, get their e-mail and send them the link to this thread.


Need advice


Other than that you've received some pretty good advice so far.

You're friend is basically trying to make money without working. That's why he's hiring you... to do the "work".

If you want to detail cars for money aim for a higher demographic clientele. Charge more and you'll attract a cliental that appreciates quality.


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
First here's the car.... doesn't look to bad from this photographic angle



watermark.php






Here's an example of the painter's or the painter's helper's buffing style...





watermark.php




You know it's completely possible whoever is doing the buffing,



A. Doesn't realize what a quality buff job looks like? (it's not this)



B. Never inspects their work in the sun?



C. Actually thinks this is what buffed paint is supposed to look like.



D. Doesn't know there's new tools, pads and products that EASILY leave a hologram free finish.





Just throwing that out there...













Instead of continuing to fix the symptom why not fix the root cause. Introduce the painter or the "painter's helper" to the AutogeekOnline.net discussion forum.



In fact, get their e-mail and send them the link to this thread.





Need advice





Other than that you've received some pretty good advice so far.



You're friend is basically trying to make money without working. That's why he's hiring you... to do the "work".



If you want to detail cars for money aim for a higher demographic clientele. Charge more and you'll attract a cliental that appreciates quality.





:)
Click to expand...


Thanks for chiming in Mike. Greatly appreciated.

Everything until these last two cars has been smooth operating. I actually discussed with my fiancé last night about approaching my side work differently and soliciting to a higher end clientele. I don't know who his painter is, as I have no connection with the process until the car gets dropped off in my yard. I'll definitely get their contact information and send that link over.

Here is the end result from fixing that hologram

View attachment 38796

View attachment 38797
 
See now? THOSE are money shots. That skill should be appropriately compensated!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top