Yes, another 'rate my package prices' thread

thebamboo23

thebamboo23

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So far ive only come up with 2 full packages:

Package 1

Price: $50-75
*Price is subject to change on size of vehicle and condition it is in

-Wash vehicle using 2 bucket wash method

-Dry vehicle with blower and large microfiber towel

-Clean tires and wheels

-Debug front end of vehicle

-Clean door jambs and gas cap

-Vacuum interior and trunk

-Minor cleaning of interior

-Clean windows inside and out

-Dress tires to a matte black finish

-Apply spray on wax to give the paint a high gloss finish

Package 2

Price:$115-145
*Price is subject to change on size of vehicle

-Wash vehicle using 2 bucket wash method

-Dry vehicle with blower and microfiber towel

-Clean tires and wheels

-Clean door jambs

-Debug front end of vehicle

-Vacuum interior and trunk

-Clean dashboard and trim

-Dress tires/wheels/trim

-Apply UV protection to dashboard and trim (matte finish)

-Clean windows inside and out

-Clay bar treatment

-Choice of a one step cleaner/wax or apply wax only

*Add-ons:
-Water repellent coating on front windshield $15-25
-Decontamination of metal particles embedded into paint $25-50
-Engine degrease, clean, and protect $20-35

Package 3

this is where im stuck. idk if i should add one more package as the big show car package, or add a 3rd and 4th package.. suggestions? :confused:

Extras that can be added with any package (what do you guys think about this?)

-Water repellent coating $15-25

-Engine cleaning $30-45

-Headlight restoration $35-45

-Iron particles decontamination $25-40

also, on almost every package, some definitions/phrases that an average customer might not know of, will have a annotation in the word explaining the process of what it is.

Packages that are still underway:
Package 3 (and or 4)
Exterior Package only
Interior Package only


Feed back pleaseIm the MAN:buffing:
 
To begin i know the forum shows I'm a newbie... but please consider my opinion.
On your a la carte items maybe add some more polishing or pad options... $30-50/ pass. Maybe even add a menu of what color pad and product you would suggest for the job. Where I used to work we could add $50-75/ pad as long as we could justify (sell) the work done. I don't know what area you work in but I'm close to Dallas.
 
consider glass sealant instead of water repelent,as far as language goes,package#2 seems abit low.
 
Hmmmm so if I choose "package 2" I get a wash & wax for $145?

I dont know seems like a little too much IMO, especially since your still new.
 
Your packages are structured well.:xyxthumbs:

Here is a spreadsheet I made to help create detailing packages. It makes it easy to determine a consistent pricing structure for several different packages with varying levels of service. Maybe you will find it helpful when figuring out the other packages you are trying to put together.

AGO Service Chart
 
smack said:
Nice work on the spreadsheet Nick. You wouldnt mind if I used it would you?
Click to expand...

Thanks man! No, not at all. Everyone here has my permission. I will leave it in my dropbox public folder forever so it will always be ready to download. I have a different one with more package options that I use all the time for my own business.
 
Probably a dumb question, but what's the difference between clay bar treatment and decontamination of iron particles in paint? Doesn't clay remove those?
 
I'm assuming he means chemical decontamination through the use of something like iron-x.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using AG Online
 
CM8 6MT said:
Hmmmm so if I choose "package 2" I get a wash & wax for $145?

I dont know seems like a little too much IMO, especially since your still new.
Click to expand...
i dont know but it seems like he is doin more than wash &wax
 
john b said:
i dont know but it seems like he is doin more than wash &wax
Click to expand...

I agree. What I dont understand is how it goes from 50-75 for the 1st package and the JUMPS to 115-145 on the 2nd just by adding clay bar & Interior dressing.

Many detailers price themselves based on experience, you might want to adjust yours accordingly ; alot lower.

Let me give you a perfect example. 1-2 months ago I did this 2007 Acura TSX for a regular customer of mine. I charged him $70 bucks to do everything you plan on doing for "$145". He was so impressed with the results, he tipped me $20. I care less about the tip, what made this detail worthwhile was that his son works for Activision (makers of the modern warfare games), now I have a few of their cars lined up for spring.
image_zps68dc0251.jpg


Washed with ONR & sealed with DGPS, tires dressed with Pinnacle Black Onyx.

Point of my reply is that you might want to price yourself accordingly, make a name for yourself and get some experience & skill under your belt before you start asking for more money.

Just my 2 cents ;)
 
CM8 6MT said:
Point of my reply is that you might want to price yourself accordingly, make a name for yourself and get some experience & skill under your belt before you start asking for more money.

Just my 2 cents ;)
Click to expand...
I agree 1000%. When I first started out and before AGO, I charged $80/$100 for your package #2. Now that I think I have more knowledge from my experiences, nagging fellow members, and most of all better supplies and equipment. I feel that I can raise my prices a smidge. Not much though. I'm in sunny South Florida, where the neighborhood wineo can detail..... I mean wash your car.

High prices drive away potential clients. BUT YOU HAVE TO PRICE ACCORDINGLY. If I'm on a car for 4-6 hrs, best belive I'm getting "paid" and the customer is getting their money worth!



Sent from my Galaxy Note II using AG Online
 
I disagree with pricing cheaper. Why get paid less for doing the same amount of work? You and someone with 10 years of experience can do the exact same job on a basic wash and wax. They may be faster and more efficient but the end result will be the same if you pay attention to details. I would set the prices as high as your market allows, a detail in Florida will probably be cheaper than one where I am simply because the market seems to be flooded with detailers. If someone is turned away by my prices that is fine, they probably would have been a headache anyways. You need to get customers based on your work, not your prices. Cheap prices will get you cheap customers.
 
Pricing is something you will have to adjust as you learn what your market will bear. What type of detailer do you want to be? Do you want to be the guy with the lowest prices in town? Do you want to be the most expensive detailer in town and deal only with customers who can afford you? Do you want to strike a middle ground?

In my area there is really no one doing what I do so I can price myself how ever I want and I stay as busy as I want to be. I have guys on Craigslist offering the in/out detail for $80 do I consider them "competition" not at all. Why am I able to charge 3x what these guys do? I am trained licensed and insured and I make sure potential customers know that. After talking with some people and getting an understanding that they are not looking for or willing to pay for a professional level detail, they are just wanting someone to wash/clean their car for them I tell them to check Craigslist.Same thing for someone looking for more of a restoration of an older car I will recommend a shop that specializes in extensive (lots of wet sanding) work.

You need to understand WHO your customers are going to be and market yourself towards them.

Good luck and make sure you buy and read Renny Doyles book.
 
I would use your "*Price is subject to change on size of vehicle and condition" only once at the bottom of your pricing menu. Put the * asterisk next to your prices. Having "*Price is subject to change on size of vehicle and condition" listed with each package is repetitious. Most people know the asterisk means see something like "terms and conditions".

Check out Renny Doyle book "how to start a home-based Car Detailing Business. I just rec'd mine the other day, and it has alot of good information...worth the money. Last I checked AG was out of stock, check Amazon.

Greg
 
JimB204 said:
I disagree with pricing cheaper. Why get paid less for doing the same amount of work? You and someone with 10 years of experience can do the exact same job on a basic wash and wax. They may be faster and more efficient but the end result will be the same if you pay attention to details. I would set the prices as high as your market allows, a detail in Florida will probably be cheaper than one where I am simply because the market seems to be flooded with detailers. If someone is turned away by my prices that is fine, they probably would have been a headache anyways. You need to get customers based on your work, not your prices. Cheap prices will get you cheap customers.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. Just because "A" detailer charges more doesnt mean that he knows what hes doing. Its not about pricing, its about what kind of work you put down. Theres self proclaimed "professional" detailers that make you wonder how they are still in business just by looking at some of the things they post, and the questionable work they produce.

You gotta walk before you run, remember that ;)
 
CM8 6MT said:
I respectfully disagree. Just because "A" detailer charges more doesnt mean that he knows what hes doing. Its not about pricing, its about what kind of work you put down. Theres self proclaimed "professional" detailers that make you wonder how they are still in business just by looking at some of the things they post, and the questionable work they produce.

You gotta walk before you run, remember that ;)
Click to expand...

:iagree:

no substitute for expierence.
 
Just my opinion: What ever price you place on a flyer or charge can always come back to haunt you, I have customers whom just drop off and when they return for vehicle hand me the money. When they step inside I have flyer on seat or door and some say I have one (but this one has new pricing).
Now if they do not take flyer and read I have to tell them my rates went up and may lose them,
Or that referrel comes and say oh so and so said you charge x amount, So now I print flyers and post (website/facebook) showing a higher price (competitive) but provide a printed coupon, So now if you need more experience DISCOUNT coupon to what works for you but they know that the true value is what is PRINTED on flyer.
also they must PRESENT COUPON FOR DISCOUNT OR PAY FULL RATE (printed on coupon and on post and coupon has expiration date) JUST MY .02 cents
 
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