Services for clients that flip cars

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House of Wax

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I need to pick your guys' brain here especially if anybody has been involved in this.

Beginning last fall I started picking up side work detailing cars. So far it's just been a car here and there, which is about what I had in mind from the get go. I had a guy contact me tonight that had gotten my name from mom of a girl that goes to school with my daughter letting me know that he flips cars on the side and wanted some more information and what I'm all about. At the moment he has 3 cars that apparently he wants done pretty quick here so he can sell em. This type of work isnt' really something I had put much thought into when I started doing this last fall, so I'm not sure where to even start as far as what I should offer and at what price.

For those of you that have done work for this kind of a client, what are you typically doing to their cars and at what price? He said he already kinda has a quote from somebody else, but wanted to talk to me first. I have no intentions in getting into a bidding war with someone else to do work at rock bottom prices cus quite frankly I don't NEED the work. I just want to kinda have a gameplan together before I call him back.
 
Explain to him the processes you use, the hours it will take, and some of the obstacles you might run into(such as stains that cannot be removed, deep scratches, ect.). Once you have explained what your standard is, and have an idea for what he is looking for, give him a price.

That being said, odds are if he is "calling around" he is simply looking for the cheapest price. Do NOT play that game. Stand your ground and tell him that if he wants the job done thoroughly, your price is your price.

Whenever I get calls from people saying that they are "calling around" I immediately quote them my most basic package, for which they almost always decline. Price shoppers can never find it cheap enough.

Go into it with an open mind, but be prepared to walk away quickly if things sour.
 
I wouldve asked what he is looking to have done. Keep in mind every car will be in different condition and have different issues. I imagine a basic package would be a full interioir cleaning, engine degrease and dress, and an AIO at least.
 
I used to flip cars. One thing i will say though is unless hes doing high end exotics or similar hes not going to need any paint corrections. When i was buying and selling cars i got up to doing about 3 a week. Some times more some times less. Most people cant tell the difference between a 3 step polish and a good wax. Most people are more concerned about the interior.

If hes anything like i was when i was selling cars or any one i know who still does it hes looking for the best bang for his buck. The whole point with flipping cars is profit. If i have a car that im only going to profit $1,000 off of its not worth it to pay $500 to get it detailed.

Here is how i would handle him. I would tell him that not all cars are created equal. Some will need attention in areas others wont. What are you looking to achieve with these vehicles?

Here is what id offer.
-Complete interior detail
-Quick engine detail
-Headlight restoration (if needed)
For the exterior id wash, wax and dress trim & tires.

Since he flips cars hes a negotiator. You have to be to make any money in that industry. So be prepared for him to haggle lol.

Hope that helps :)
 
Im guessing he won't want to pay for more than an AIO....we'll see. I don't have a crazy amount of time to dedicate to detailing, so part of me is really contemplating whether I want to get involved at all. It could be steady work, but I don't work terribly fast (too damn picky about my work) and my schedule seems to fill up with family stuff as well
 
I have a neighbor that had seen me detailing some cars and stopped by once. He wholesales. Told me some guy was doing them for $100 inside and out. I told him that's not really what I do, but would try to come up with something. So offered him this for $150:

interior wipedown
interior vacuum
clean interior glass

decon wash exterior
clay exterior
polish with AIO

clean wheels/tires/wells and dress tires

If he needed more than this it would be extra. We'll see if he brings any cars my way now that spring has emerged.
 
That's interesting because I'm working on putting a pricing/services page together for my Facebook page and I have an "AIO package" that I landed on $150 for that pretty much entails exactly what you just listed
 
hoamskilet said:
That's interesting because I'm working on putting a pricing/services page together for my Facebook page and I have an "AIO package" that I landed on $150 for that pretty much entails exactly what you just listed
Click to expand...

That price was for a sedan too. Xovers/suvs/minivans, etc would be more also.
 
Right on. I've had a horrible time deciding on my pricing, so its good to see at least one other person in the same ballpark
 
I really doubt that you will get enough money from him to do a clay and AIO.

I would go with
Wash, Wax, Dress tires
Vacuum, Wipe interior & door jambs.
$60-80 thats prolly all he will let go of out of profit.
 
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