People want detailing done for pennies!!!

If I have a customer who doesn't want clay, I just do a quick prepsol wipedown before I wax. It cleans quite a lot of contamination and makes the wax bond MUCH better. Sure, it would be better to clay them all, but sometime you have to work with budgets. It's also worth mentioning to be sure to use a stronger wash since you won't be claying.
 
Hey, this is how I look at it. Either you wanna do it or not. I wouldn't go down on my price, because it will happen again. Once you give a discount, you just degraded your business. Look at my price list.

South Beach Auto Spa
 
OvertimeDetail said:
I charge what I think I'm worth, I don't care what the corner shop charges.
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Here here! I couldn't have said it better myself. Too often you see people on here trying to compete with other shops by dropping their prices. Does Audi drop the price of their A4 to $15,000 to compete with a Kia Forte? No, they charge what their product is worth. They add features and target a different consumer.

Do you think the guys on here that are detailing Ferraris and Lamborghinis drop their prices when someone whines? I highly doubt it. You get to that level by being the best and charging accordingly. Don't sell yourselves short.
 
Car detailing is HARD WORK. There's a reason why when us geeks go drive our pristine cars around, you see 90 - 95% of the cars out there that look like $h!t. That makes me feel all the better knowing that our cars stand out from the crowd, knowing that all my hard work was worth it in the end. I want the owners of the cars I detail to feel the same way. I charge accordingly, to what I think my work is worth, and what I feel is fair. I won't drop down in price to please a whining customer. I just do this on the side, so I rely on word of mouth and the quality of my work to speak for itself.
 
as said by jumpingbean..."Do you think the guys on here that are detailing Ferraris and Lamborghinis drop their prices when someone whines? I highly doubt it. You get to that level by being the best and charging accordingly. Don't sell yourselves short."

I couldn't have said it better :iagree::buffing:
 
sportscarhiatus said:
Car detailing is HARD WORK. There's a reason why when us geeks go drive our pristine cars around, you see 90 - 95% of the cars out there that look like !t. That makes me feel all the better knowing that our cars stand out from the crowd, knowing that all my hard work was worth it in the end. I want the owners of the cars I detail to feel the same way. I charge accordingly, to what I think my work is worth, and what I feel is fair. I won't drop down in price to please a whining customer. I just do this on the side, so I rely on word of mouth and the quality of my work to speak for itself.
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I'm with you 100% on this qoute.:props:
 
I think you did the right thing in lowering your prices (and the work you plan to do) to meet the customer's expectations.

"Getting in the door" is often the hardest part, and you've now done that and have the potential to sell him on some of your other products and services. It is often VERY easy to get someone to agree to claybarring once you have them try the plastic bag test.

FWIW, your original prices are exactly in line with what I charge for an SUV.
 
sportscarhiatus said:
Car detailing is HARD WORK. There's a reason why when us geeks go drive our pristine cars around, you see 90 - 95% of the cars out there that look like !t. That makes me feel all the better knowing that our cars stand out from the crowd, knowing that all my hard work was worth it in the end. I want the owners of the cars I detail to feel the same way. I charge accordingly, to what I think my work is worth, and what I feel is fair. I won't drop down in price to please a whining customer. I just do this on the side, so I rely on word of mouth and the quality of my work to speak for itself.
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You're absolutely correct. Most people don't put any time at all into their vehicles appearance, other than an a quick wash once in a great while. They have zero appreciation for the amount of work that goes into even a basic detail.

Getting results that stand out is why most of us do this for our vehicles. It's a labor of love for us.
If it's a customers vehicle, you still take great pride in your work and deserve to be compensated accordingly.
 
Now I did state that I do this work on the side... meaning, I have a full time job and don't rely on "detailing" to feed my family. Anything I earn there is extra stuff for me to use as I please :D.

Given that, perhaps, if detailing WAS my sole source of income, I probably would need to be more lenient with "whining" customers and lower my prices INITIALLY to get in the door, so to speak. After all, when building a business, it is expected that work is done at very low profit or sometimes a loss. I don't remember if the OP has detailing as his sole source or on the side.
 
Doesnt mean you have to upsell clay.

Pretty shady IMO.
 
OvertimeDetail said:
I did a Lincoln aviator for $120 no clay, wash-wax- steam interior
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Grizzly said:
Whats the point of waxing a car without claying it?

1. Application/Removal is a PITA.
2. Wont last long at all.


For $120, I think claying should have been included.

Never undertsood why someone would just "wash and wax" the paint.
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OvertimeDetail said:
well he didn't wanna pay for clay, to each n their own prices. it's what I charge, so if the customer doesn't like it, go else where. but he was very very happy, n got couple referrals from that detail. I charge what I think I'm worth, I don't care what the corner shop charges.
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This is what I was directing my comment at

Emm said:
Me?
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No sir.
 
So, I ended up finishing the Explorer in about 3 hours(not rushing). Washed, cleaned tires, wheels, wheel wells, and windows. Dressed tires and wheel wells. Vacuumed and quickly wiped down inside. Applied Duragolss 105 w/blue pad via Flex 3401. $50 plus $15 tip. He was happy(wife's car). I will be doing his car in a few weeks. :righton:
 
Grizzly said:
Whats the point of waxing a car without claying it?

1. Application/Removal is a PITA.
2. Wont last long at all.


Never undertsood why someone would just "wash and wax" the paint.
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I agree 100%. However, if the customer wants just a wax, I'll gladly do it.


rwright said:
I agree with your list and price, sometimes you have to settle. Do you have OCW or DG Aqua Wax?
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I have DG Aqua Wax. I ended up using DG 105(I really wanted to try it) with the Flex 3401 and a blue pad. Didn't take long at all to apply and remove.:dblthumb2:
 
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vet said:
Sounds reasonable to me. Maybe you could show him what you're going to do, what you're going to use, and how much the stuff costs. Then tell him how much time it will take. If that doesn't work, tell him to bring the refreshments, and help you do it. If he doesn't get the picture by then, he never will.
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i agree you need to explain to the customer how long the process is and make sure they understand that they are not getting a glorified car wash.. they are getting their car restored to like new or better condition... customers cant believe the time i spend on their cars sometimes.. they are like.. they state the last guys they used only took 2 hours.. I said well you were not getting a true detail then… I usually show the customers swirls in the light and explain where they come from and that im removing them so they are left with a mirror finish.

Have not lost a customer yet.. still working on gaining some more but that’s another topic lol
 
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