Price Refinement

kdubski

kdubski

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Whatsup AG,

It's time again to restructure my prices as I gain footing into the exotic car game. Thanks to all your expertise and help here is what I established for pricing spring 2013:

$160 - sedan -$180 s.u.v.
-wash (degrease), clay, wheels/jambs cleaned, wax, tire shine, muffler shined, interior blown/steamed/vac'd, windows, all surfaces shined, leather treatment (griots)

$200- sedan -$220- SUV
-I included a "buff" using Meguiars reconditioning cream "d151"

CONFLICT: When I get high end cars (2013 porsche panamera) I feel like d151 is cheating the car, so I do a 1 step with m205 and seal with collonite. It's a lot more work than what I usually do for my $200 package but it is still a "buff and wax" as d151 is. How can I price more accordingly for an exotic car and include the extra work?

What would some of you boys charge for example a 2013 white porsche panamera s for a REAL 1 or 2 step polish (menzerna fg400 with pf2500)
or an e92 bmw m3 in white (inquiring for a quote) for a 2 step polish and coat of collonite? What if these cars where black? Should I include a markup for "exotics"?
 
I've seen these discussions before and many detailers have suggested that separate pricing for "exotics" makes it appear that you are gouging owners of high-end cars.

Why don't you make your pricing a range, or say that your above pricing is typical and actual pricing depends on you seeing the car? Then you can size up the customer and their expectations and refine your price based on that, the color, the condition, and how much you "owe" the car.
 
Your prices are too cheap if I am honest. I bet you will attract more business from "exotics" or high end cars if you are priced accordingly.

I wouldn't touch a 1 step correction for less than 300. Detailing is hard work and doing it for pennies is not worth it.

I would start by figuring out how long it takes you do a vehicle and then base your cost on a reasonable hourly rate. For example: 1 step correction takes 8-10 hours then you would charge 240-300 if your hourly rate was $30.
 
I charge $75 hour for any kind of paint correction and most guys are between $40-$75hr. Your doing way to much for no $$$$ detailing is hard work and you need to get paid what your worth.
 
Awsome so I'm basically working for free! Would you guys mind telling me your prices per service or linking me to your websites? I need some sort of guide to see what others in industry are doing.
 
My 2cents:

I don't care if it's a brand new Ferrari or a 20 year old work truck, I'm billing my time the same and I'm certainly not giving price discounts just because it's a nice car. The point of this business is to make money and properly detail cars, don't cheat yourself for the ego boost of working on exotics. If you own a $50k+ car, a hundred extra for a proper detail is not going to be an issue IF they value that sort of detailing (most don't). I wouldn't tailor my prices to someone else's budget, but I would tailor the services they receive to their price point.


Here are my starting prices: Auto Detailing Service List | Incredibly Detailed
 
What is charged in other markets may be of little value when trying to establish competitive pricing locally

Do a Google search using Detailing and the name of your town to view your competitors websites

Here is one in Hartford:

Services - A TOUCH OF CLASS AUTO DETAIL

It does nit appear that they are getting $75 an hour
 
That's really cool that you mentioned them because I work right down the street from there in an "upscale" body shop. 85% of the "detailers" in the Hartford area are your typical hack production detail centers. Most charge $1-200 range and do run of the mill work with production chemicals. I target enthusiasts and people who really care about their cars and avoid these places. Even the "professional" detailer at my job uses 3 products to detail: wheel cleaner, APC, and silicone free tire shine. He uses microfibers with hot water to clean the inside and doesn't even follow with any sort of protectant. It really just is glorified cleaning with a wax after a wash.


allenk4 said:
What is charged in other markets may be of little value when trying to establish competitive pricing locally

Do a Google search using Detailing and the name of your town to view your competitors websites

Here is one in Hartford:

Services - A TOUCH OF CLASS AUTO DETAIL

It does nit appear that they are getting $75 an hour
Click to expand...
 
Scott, I like the way you have your business pricing set up. It's actually more of what I am attempting to do except with the confusion of breaking down services and packages.

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
My 2cents:

I don't care if it's a brand new Ferrari or a 20 year old work truck, I'm billing my time the same and I'm certainly not giving price discounts just because it's a nice car. The point of this business is to make money and properly detail cars, don't cheat yourself for the ego boost of working on exotics. If you own a $50k+ car, a hundred extra for a proper detail is not going to be an issue IF they value that sort of detailing (most don't). I wouldn't tailor my prices to someone else's budget, but I would tailor the services they receive to their price point.


Here are my starting prices: Auto Detailing Service List | Incredibly Detailed
Click to expand...
 
Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
My 2cents:

I don't care if it's a brand new Ferrari or a 20 year old work truck, I'm billing my time the same and I'm certainly not giving price discounts just because it's a nice car. The point of this business is to make money and properly detail cars, don't cheat yourself for the ego boost of working on exotics. If you own a $50k+ car, a hundred extra for a proper detail is not going to be an issue IF they value that sort of detailing (most don't). I wouldn't tailor my prices to someone else's budget, but I would tailor the services they receive to their price point.


Here are my starting prices: Auto Detailing Service List | Incredibly Detailed
Click to expand...

Great viewpoint you speak and service menu is one of best I've seen in a minute may have to borrow and then have to arrange if ok with you
 
How does this sound for explaining the difference between and showing the increased value of a Hand Wax vs. Spray Wax when speaking to a Customer?

"A spray wax is, sprayed on the the paint and wiped off. A Hand Wax is worked into the paint by hand."

"Spray Wax will last a few weeks, Hand Wax will last a couple of months"


Do you think that emphasizes the difference enough in a Customers mind to justify a higher price?
 
Wax is wax in a potential clients mind. I prefer to explain the difference between wax, sealant, and coating. The differentiation sets you up for a better up sell.
 
VP Mark said:
Wax is wax in a potential clients mind. I prefer to explain the difference between wax, sealant, and coating. The differentiation sets you up for a better up sell.
Click to expand...

Good input

Thanks Mark
 
I just went through this with a customer because he expected to get a wash and hand rubbed wax job for $40 each on a Camry and BMW. I had to explain the wash product I used(ONR W/W) had a significant wax in it that will last several weeks on its own, plus I was applying a spray wax(OPT Car Wax) which will last a couple months or longer. All in all it will last as long as a traditional wax, especially a cleaner wax which what the customer had been using, and was probably expecting my to use. I explained to him that the vehicles need to be clay barred/decontaminated to get the slick feel he was expecting and would allow any wax to bond properly and last its longest, and that wasn't happening for $40 that day. He pretty much got it after I did a demo on his pickup that was getting a "light buff". Then I did the trunk lid on his wife's BMW that had been resprayed and was very hazy and still had DA sanding marks on it. That sold him on get the whole car done, and he knew that I knew what I was doing and deserved whatever price I asked for, with in reason, of course.
All that said, if you are going to up your prices you need to have a valid reason other than because, the car cost more and is nicer than the average car you do. If your new pricing includes all the services you have been wanting to do on the cars that you've been doing but, clients haven't been able to afford those services, then that is added service along with a price increase. Also, prices have to increase to keep up with cost of living and inflation, so that is another valid reason to increase pricing along with the added service in your "exotic packages".
Inflation and cost of living increase averages about 5-6%, which shouldn't cause too many people to through up a red flag on your pricing. Especially when they passion and value in the detailing services you provide.
 
Hello AG forumers, I need your guys opinion on my new price list for my mobile services. View attachment 31507
PS, do comment how my brochure design looks. And I plan to double the price for paint correction, eg: small car from RM150 to RM300 for paint correction. [RM3.50 = 1 USD]
 
John_Jethro said:
Hello AG forumers, I need your guys opinion on my new price list for my mobile services. View attachment 31507
PS, do comment how my brochure design looks. And I plan to double the price for paint correction, eg: small car from RM150 to RM300 for paint correction. [RM3.50 = 1 USD]
Click to expand...

Using "don't hesitate to call us", is a weak call to action

I suggest using, "Please call us", instead
 
Oh ok thanks, I'm pretty worried about the pricing because there's some of the locals here was very shocked by the price I set. It seems overprice to them. So I'm considering adding tire shine to my mobile package.
 
Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
My 2cents:

I don't care if it's a brand new Ferrari or a 20 year old work truck, I'm billing my time the same and I'm certainly not giving price discounts just because it's a nice car. The point of this business is to make money and properly detail cars, don't cheat yourself for the ego boost of working on exotics. If you own a $50k+ car, a hundred extra for a proper detail is not going to be an issue IF they value that sort of detailing (most don't). I wouldn't tailor my prices to someone else's budget, but I would tailor the services they receive to their price point.


Here are my starting prices: Auto Detailing Service List | Incredibly Detailed
Click to expand...


Scott, your website is amazing! Did you use a template or freelance? If so, through who?


Ronnie Gregory
Owner
Louisville Luxury Automotive Detailing
Louisville, Ky
 
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