pricing issue

rousher99

rousher99

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i have a real hard time selling my services to people in my area, about 90% of my potential customers hear my price and either hang up or try to negotiate a lower price.and i try to explain the work that goes into detailing and how its actually an art. and i think i have my prices too low actually!.they just seem to think a 21 year old doesn't have any knowledge in this subject. this is how i charge

wash-n-wax detail =$120^
includes complete wash/dry,vac interior,inside plastic dressed,windows cleaned in/out,tires dressed, and a coat of poli seal

full detail =$275^
same as above i just add clay, 2or 3 step buff, megs 26 wax, and complete shampooing

interior detail=$90^
shampoo,dress interior, windows cleaned inside/out, deep cleaned top to bottom back to front

if i have a big buffing job that looks like it will take at least a day i charge by the hr
(50/hr)
i am 80% mobile only my buffing i do in a garaged area witch i have to rent from my parents
 
90% thumbs down to be perfectly honest sounds about right. Those folks see a car as nothing more than transportation and most of them are just glad to have a job to require a car to get to. $100 is a lot to drop on non-mechanical car expenses to most people. They know as soon as you get their car looking like new within a few weeks it's going to be looking like a daily driver again.

Detailing is still a niche market like it or not. Yes we read about successful people making a good living detailing cars but they didn't get there without realizing that 90% of car owners couldn't care less about having their car detailed.


The trick is building your business on the 10% that do and have them coming back and telling their friends.
 
I know exactly what you mean. I do your 1st package including clay, a light polish and interior shampooing for $75 for cars and $100 for SUV's. I am very anal and make these vehicles look absolutely mint. I don't miss a single crevice. (8-10 hours work). And let me tell you I get some really nasty cars. For paint correction it seems like everyone wants me to include it for free. I've only had a few people actually have me do the whole package including correction for $150. I've posted some of my work on some of the local car forums that I am on and people were raving about my work. I got over 40 private messages asking how much to do their car and when I respond I never hear back. I guess they are expecting all that work for like $50. It seems like people near me just don't care about their vehicles at all. Just the interior when it gets so nasty they can't stand it anymore.
Its crazy how I see people on here getting $200+ daily for the same thing I do and using the same products.
 
Well first off take a look at your presentation of your service... Do you really take the time to explain the service or do you shout out a price? I you ever cometo deep south Texas I will invite you to our shop.. We have no website for lurkers just good ole fashioned personal service!
When someone comes up we park their car in the shade and we spend about ten minutes covering everything, we pull out mats and have them see the damage for themselves, we ask them to look in between the seats personally and ask them ON SCALE 1-10 what's it look like? By having the owner involved in the process and having him see the sheeet for himself he inadvertently is selling himself into the job, I mean he's there cuz he doesn't want it done remember?!?!? In the shade we do a rinse less wash on a side of the hood or trunk and let them feel the contaminants ... Then We clay that same section, show the customer and let them feel the difference for themselves. We then bring out the car show them their condition of their paint in the sun and ask them what they'd like to see as an end result.. We tell them what a wax does, a syn polymer wax, cleaner wax, polish and compound and let them say what they would like to have... We also have a full illustration of what each service does, for the cleaner wax we have a 50/50 hood showing about 50% swirl removal, compound showing about 85-90% and shiny hoods from 5th away then up close at a foot showing the swirls etc ...
Bottom line man is that you can't just phone up and pitch someone... They have to see it and feel it for themselves otherwise your talents won't be respected. Prior to detailing I was in sales and I trust me when you are out there in the heat with them doing your consultation you are hot, they are hot, you a re sweating, they are seeing the sheeet for themselves when you tell them it's $200+and takes several hours they won't beeeech and if they do I send them on their way.
Good luck man PM me if you have any questions
 
ThirdgenTa said:
I know exactly what you mean. I do your 1st package including clay, a light polish and interior shampooing for $75 for cars and $100 for SUV's. I am very anal and make these vehicles look absolutely mint. I don't miss a single crevice. (8-10 hours work). And let me tell you I get some really nasty cars. For paint correction it seems like everyone wants me to include it for free. I've only had a few people actually have me do the whole package including correction for $150. I've posted some of my work on some of the local car forums that I am on and people were raving about my work. I got over 40 private messages asking how much to do their car and when I respond I never hear back. I guess they are expecting all that work for like $50. It seems like people near me just don't care about their vehicles at all. Just the interior when it gets so nasty they can't stand it anymore.
Its crazy how I see people on here getting $200+ daily for the same thing I do and using the same products.
Click to expand...

when i was 16 i was doing the neighbors cars for $75-$100 then after i could prove i had top of the line skill i started chargeing my price you see now, the select few people i detailed for from when i was 16 till now see my skill and gladly pay for it. and think there getting a deal!
fredcandetail said:
Well first off take a look at your presentation of your service... Do you really take the time to explain the service or do you shout out a price? I you ever cometo deep south Texas I will invite you to our shop.. We have no website for lurkers just good ole fashioned personal service!
When someone comes up we park their car in the shade and we spend about ten minutes covering everything, we pull out mats and have them see the damage for themselves, we ask them to look in between the seats personally and ask them ON SCALE 1-10 what's it look like? By having the owner involved in the process and having him see the sheeet for himself he inadvertently is selling himself into the job, I mean he's there cuz he doesn't want it done remember?!?!? In the shade we do a rinse less wash on a side of the hood or trunk and let them feel the contaminants ... Then We clay that same section, show the customer and let them feel the difference for themselves. We then bring out the car show them their condition of their paint in the sun and ask them what they'd like to see as an end result.. We tell them what a wax does, a syn polymer wax, cleaner wax, polish and compound and let them say what they would like to have... We also have a full illustration of what each service does, for the cleaner wax we have a 50/50 hood showing about 50% swirl removal, compound showing about 85-90% and shiny hoods from 5th away then up close at a foot showing the swirls etc ...
Bottom line man is that you can't just phone up and pitch someone... They have to see it and feel it for themselves otherwise your talents won't be respected. Prior to detailing I was in sales and I trust me when you are out there in the heat with them doing your consultation you are hot, they are hot, you a re sweating, they are seeing the sheeet for themselves when you tell them it's $200+and takes several hours they won't beeeech and if they do I send them on their way.
Good luck man PM me if you have any questions
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i never have the time to have much face time since most my work is mobile and the client is usually at work. I actually am really trying hard to brew up the money to relocate to Texas arround 2013 ish but thats so far off. but i do go over the different process to what i call a detail and i guess since they don't understand the concept of why a person would even wash a car for more than $5 or use the 2 bucket method they get either uncomfortable with the level of professionalism or they get bored and cut me off and just ask "well how much will it cost me?" I guess some people don't see the "art" of detailing, and that is why i left my job at the dealership when i was 18.. and another thing is, the middle class people like to judge me by my appearance. Now, im not just going to there house in a dirty car and dirty clothes, i wear usually blue jeans and a workshirt, and i guess they see a 21 year old with tattoos and think im some druggie trying to get a quick buck. I actually have had countless times where i will show up on location and meet up with the client and they will have a shocked look and will make some story up about"ohh my kids have soccer practice" or something along those lines and just basically "kick" me off the property.:bash:
 
I'm loathe to tell someone how to run their business, and you probably know a helluva lot more about detailing for a living than I do, I just do this for a hobby. But from what I hear you describe, maybe your competitors are offering a lower price for less service, or they can make up the difference in volume of customers being served. (or maybe both) If I had to, I'd just give the folks who could care less about the skills you developed in you line of work just what they want: a clean and shiny car for a reasonable (to them) price, and save the time and effort for a select few who demand more and can appreciate the result you can give them. (and pay accordingly) I know it must be tough to build a clientele in this line of work when I look around me in traffic and see folks who buy high end cars and could care less about it's appearance (swirled out paint, filthy wheels from brake dust, etc.) I feel for you, and hope that that things can get better for you in the future.
 
You have to gauge your customers. Just like any sales business, you have to be able to read your customer and cater to their needs. Fred's approach is great, and it works for him and his business. You could use that method for some customers. However, especially being mobile, most people are either looking for a quick clean/make it shiney and don't care/know about swirls or people who want their vehicle actually detailed. I usually ask the person what they want. There is nothing wrong with doing a quick detail and charging $40-$60. Its better to make money than lose out on it and it will help you build up your client base. See what people around you are charging. Change up your services/prices for the "make it clean" crowd and keep your prices/services for the "detail" crowd. IMO, your prices are very reasonable/low.
 
JSMet said:
I'm loathe to tell someone how to run their business, and you probably know a helluva lot more about detailing for a living than I do, I just do this for a hobby. But from what I hear you describe, maybe your competitors are offering a lower price for less service, or they can make up the difference in volume of customers being served. (or maybe both) If I had to, I'd just give the folks who could care less about the skills you developed in you line of work just what they want: a clean and shiny car for a reasonable (to them) price, and save the time and effort for a select few who demand more and can appreciate the result you can give them. (and pay accordingly) I know it must be tough to build a clientele in this line of work when I look around me in traffic and see folks who buy high end cars and could care less about it's appearance (swirled out paint, filthy wheels from brake dust, etc.) I feel for you, and hope that that things can get better for you in the future.
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the "standard" detail within 25 miles of here cost $50 and if i did a shoddy job i would strangle myself.. dealerships offer shoddy work for my price i plan on one or two more years trying to build clientele with the upper class, and i would still like to relocate to a state with a better economy. i think last i searched our unemployment rate is somewhere around 14% and when it comes down to it im in this industry to make money and educate people in detailing. and really i try to tell my customers that i dont have any "real" competition, i am mobile i do top of the line work, i have over 20,000hrs professional experience and i offer more services like body kits custom lighting, performance part install and custom audio install... kinda sounds like an automotive monopoly i know
 
Mobile detail said:
You have to gauge your customers. Just like any sales business, you have to be able to read your customer and cater to their needs. Fred's approach is great, and it works for him and his business. You could use that method for some customers. However, especially being mobile, most people are either looking for a quick clean/make it shiney and don't care/know about swirls or people who want their vehicle actually detailed. I usually ask the person what they want. There is nothing wrong with doing a quick detail and charging $40-$60. Its better to make money than lose out on it and it will help you build up your client base. See what people around you are charging. Change up your services/prices for the "make it clean" crowd and keep your prices/services for the "detail" crowd. IMO, your prices are very reasonable/low.
Click to expand...

this actually sounds like a great idea, i guess i should just advertise my services and tell them to call for pricing, only thing is i would have to charge alittle more than the "detail shops" for the "make it clean" crowd since im mobile and i have to figure in fuel
 
Your going to have to charge more than the "detail shops". Your mobile and the customer doesn't have to deal with dropping their car off and getting a ride and getting to work blah blah blah. Being mobile is a huge advantage over fixed locations in a lot of aspects. People know they are going to pay more because you are coming to them and most are cool about it.
 
rousher99 said:
when i was 16 i was doing the neighbors cars for $75-$100 then after i could prove i had top of the line skill i started chargeing my price you see now, the select few people i detailed for from when i was 16 till now see my skill and gladly pay for it. and think there getting a deal!
Click to expand...


I know how you feel about this. I am 16 myself and want to do detailing as a job when not in school obviously. But when people see that I'm that young it seems like they think I'm gonna do a half a** job on it, although I pay more attention to detail than they think. Like others have mentioned on here, majority of people today just care that their car can get them to point A to point B.
 
I feel they are a little high..

My friend and I charge:

Full interior $60 (we dont have a steamer or extractor though)

Full exterior $60 (wash, dry, clay and wax, wheels cleaned, tires dressed)

Wash, Dry and Vacuum $35 (includes wheels and tire dressing, interior wiped down quick and vacuumed)

Wash, Dry and Wheels $15
 
I am not a business by any stretch, but I do cars for friends, neighbors, and sometimes their friends and neighbors, because it seems the most recent car tends to sell another person on doing their car, etc..
When people ask me, "how much?", I usually tell them that I can do as much as they want to spend. That gets the conversation started, and that's usually all I need, because once we start talking about all the details (no pun intended), they get an idea of how much work is involved. A shop needs a price list, but I've found that a price list doesn't always work really well for personal / private detailers.

I personally think the OP's prices are pretty reasonable - possibly even cheap - but pricing is definitely regional. If you live in an area where the average household income is $25,000/yr, you're just not going to get a lot of people who are willing to pay $150 to detail their car. But if you live in an area where the average household income is $75,000, they may find paying $150 for a detail to be a bargain. I have no empirical evidence behind this - it's simply my opinion based on my experiences..
 
thanks for all the insight guys! i really appreciate it!!
 
5Toes said:
I feel they are a little high..

My friend and I charge:

Full interior $60 (we dont have a steamer or extractor though)

Full exterior $60 (wash, dry, clay and wax, wheels cleaned, tires dressed)

Wash, Dry and Vacuum $35 (includes wheels and tire dressing, interior wiped down quick and vacuumed)

Wash, Dry and Wheels $15
Click to expand...

I am curious: where are you located, and how old are you & your friend? Also, which brand(s) of products do you two use?

Using your "Full Exterior" example, I would prorate my cost of supplies to be about $15 (car soap, clay, wax, wheel cleaner, tire dressing; plus water, and cost of buying and maintaining microfiber towels, rags, sponges, brushes, applicators, and other incidentals).

That leaves about $45 for labor. I figure a thorough makes this job worth about 3 book hours, so that's only about $15/hour, and I don't work for that rate (if I can avoid it!).

I would want at least $75 for this work, and I'm guessing that the difference in our prices is either location or age (that I'm older), or both.
 
I am 25 years old, mobile and in the bay area California. I run a small business. I charge ~20 an hour. I will do a wash and wax for 20-25 dollars. Honestly thats what most people want, a wash and a wax for 20 bucks. To vacuum and wipe down interior and door jams its a mini detail, and i charge 30-40 dollars. i ask people about what they want done and give an estimate on how long it will take. For me I like working hard, even if its not much money. I don't have high end customer that can afford 50 an hour. Most are regular daily drivers that want there car to be "clean" or "shinny." headlight restoration i charge 40-60 bucks, flat rate, and I do fog lights and tail lights also(only wet sanding headlights)

I can charge more and loss more customer. if I charge less then I get cheap customer that expect a full detail with correction for 20 bucks. for 50 dollars an hour I would expect an amazing website with professional photographs of high end luxury cars. detailing is a word of mouth business. I do a lot of free washes to build up clients. Its 30-60mins of my time but I might have a good customer for month to years. People will pay for the convince of you being mobile. Time is money. If you can go to there work or home to wash there cars they will love you for it. I find few people are willing to pay 50 an hour for that. Some of my customer I charge the oil and do a mini detail, i charge 30 to change oil/filter. I get the oil from pepboys for 12-20 dollars. I don't make much, but it leaves a lasting impression.

I also find most people don't care about the little extras. They notice tire gel, but no rain x, or headlight sealant or taillight correction or rain-x. I can't charge 2 bucks for rain-x like some car washes do. I just do them as part of the package.


A good way to get customer is to set up a free car wash at a local gas station. use a wash&wax product or ONR. Be enthusiastic, hand out business cards, educate on importance of car maintenance. Offer free washes with referrals to friends. Run monthly promotions. hire a web designer, get a nice looking craig's list add. Use cheaper products. I find cheap good products at big lots all of the time. I found 6oz bottles of rain x for 4 bucks. megs interior dressing for 2 bucks. use collnite 845 as wax. All are amazing products that don't break the bank.
 
Mobile detail said:
You have to gauge your customers. Just like any sales business, you have to be able to read your customer and cater to their needs. Fred's approach is great, and it works for him and his business. You could use that method for some customers. However, especially being mobile, most people are either looking for a quick clean/make it shiney and don't care/know about swirls or people who want their vehicle actually detailed. I usually ask the person what they want. There is nothing wrong with doing a quick detail and charging $40-$60. Its better to make money than lose out on it and it will help you build up your client base. See what people around you are charging. Change up your services/prices for the "make it clean" crowd and keep your prices/services for the "detail" crowd. IMO, your prices are very reasonable/low.
Click to expand...

:iagree: There is nothing wrong with a wash, wax and interiror wipe down and vac....All

most of these customers are looking for is just a clean vehicle...$40.00-$60.00 sounds

fair for that, depending on your location. I've seen wash jobs start at $10.00, I know

we do better work than a $10.00 wash job, but this is what the customer is seeing $$$

signs.
 
dtuna42 said:
I am curious: where are you located, and how old are you & your friend? Also, which brand(s) of products do you two use?

Using your "Full Exterior" example, I would prorate my cost of supplies to be about $15 (car soap, clay, wax, wheel cleaner, tire dressing; plus water, and cost of buying and maintaining microfiber towels, rags, sponges, brushes, applicators, and other incidentals).

That leaves about $45 for labor. I figure a thorough makes this job worth about 3 book hours, so that's only about $15/hour, and I don't work for that rate (if I can avoid it!).

I would want at least $75 for this work, and I'm guessing that the difference in our prices is either location or age (that I'm older), or both.
Click to expand...

My friend is 18, I am almost 17. We aren't professionals by any means... so we dont charge professional prices.

We are out in Bremerton WA... town of about 35,000 people

We use Poorboys SS&W for the wash. Pinnacle clay... but the vehicles here are usually pretty cleaned so it gets used more than once. Poorboys Nattys Blue wax... and for the lube I just use the wash soap in a spray bottle and re rinse. Wheels I use an AWESOME wheel cleaner.. but it is not sold here on AG. PM me for details... it is cheap. Tires get Wolfgang tire shine.

We use costco microfibers and thats it.

As far as interior goes... we vacuum everything really good with a shop vac, and pull the mats. I pressure wash them good and then scrub with my good interior cleaner/APC (not sold here on AG as well). We use the apc and clean everything and then dress with Poorboys Natural Look. Windows get Stoner spray cleaner.

My friend does the interior while I work the exterior... and it works out great. We have only done like 5 cars though, it isnt our main jobs by ANY MEANS. lol

Sorry to threadjack.. and by the way how does my technique sound?
 
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