Your thoughts on my prices and products.

Spade

Spade

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I would like to start a little detailing gig on the side this summer and was having a hard time figuring out prices. I read the thread on starting your own detailing and one of the many things that suck out to me was dont over price and keep in mind who you're doing the work for. So this is what I was thinking;

Combo #1
-Wash/dry of entire exterior. That would consist of bug and tar removal, wheels and tires, wheel wells, and door jams.
-Windows
-Vacuum and whip down the interior
-Tire shine
-Detailer/Gloss Enhancer spray to finish

Combo #2
-Combo #1
-Claybar
-Wash and dry again
-AIO

Combo #3
-Combo #2
-Wax

Products I'm using.
-Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash
- Z-2 & 5 Sealants
- Z-6 Gloss Enhancer
- Z-16 Tire Shine
- Z-18 Clay
- Z-AIO
As for a wax (paste) I'm undecided.
-Natty Blue
-NTX 2.0
-Meguiar's Gold Class

Prices
-Combo #1 $40.00
-Combo #2 $70.00
-Combo #3 $80.00

Prices are based off of a mid size car such as a Toyota Camry and prices will change depending on vehicle size.


Also, I would be picking the vehicle up at their home or work, mileage depending.


Thought?


Thanks Spade:cheers:
 
Too cheap on the upper end. The basic wash and vac is priced about where mine is, but the clay, aio, and wax take time. I would price combo 2 around $100 and combo 3 would be changed slightly to a 1 step polish followed by wax. I would price around $150.

My $0.02

Also I would use z-2 for a sealant rather than wax and pick up some Megs 205 for polishing. 205 will remove swirls well and get rid of some deeper stuff as well.

It seems you have the right idea for starting out, you just have to find out what people are willing to pay and what products are right for you. Me personally, I like polishing and sealing rather than using an AIO and waxing. The difference is more dramatic.
 
I agree with Jon. The prices strike me as real cheap. ESPECIALLY for a pickup service. Anytime an AIO is involved you should be at the $100 range. When you add wax/sealant...again, I'm with Jon for $150 at least. If you have to pickup and drop off...I would ask for more.

But, location, experience, and skill all come in to play here. When you get into the interior work for Combo 3...is it still just a wipe down? When you say wipe down...I think just a quick service. Will you be scrubbing seats, extracting carpets, etc?? If you are...these prices are drastically low IMO. :xyxthumbs:
 
Thanks guys for your input. FYI, I will be using all hand work no poilsher/buffer.

As for the interior, it will be a detailed vacuum only on the seats and carpet. Everything else will get a cleaning/dusting. On the other hand if the interior looks like it just came from a baja 1000 and windows were down I have no problem telling the customer the price will go up or just refuse to do the job.
 
Spade said:
Thanks guys for your input. FYI, I will be using all hand work no poilsher/buffer.

As for the interior, it will be a detailed vacuum only on the seats and carpet. Everything else will get a cleaning/dusting. On the other hand if the interior looks like it just came from a baja 1000 and windows were down I have no problem telling the customer the price will go up or just refuse to do the job.
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Hey, whatever you're comfortable with...is just fine. As long as you don't feel like you're undercutting yourself. Then full steam ahead. If anything, you'll make adjustments to your prices and packages as you go. Good luck man. I hope you get busy! :xyxthumbs:
 
Might want to reconsider using all those Zaino products unless you plan to charge a more premium price. There are cheaper products that will do a better job and be easier to work with if you want to charge low prices.
 
Thanks 1129. Just to give you an idea what I may be working with, I know you can't count your chicken before they're hatched, but I have 10-12 +/- people who said they will bring their vehicle(s) to me and most those people have really clean cars to begin with. They just dont want to do the work. Easliy 4 of them will clean their entire car if the get mud in the wheel wells and just off the top of my head 8 garage their vehicles. So if most of my customer are like that I will be very happy and will deal with the not so pleasant ones here and there. Thanks again man!

Shiny, I was concerned about using Zaino because of the cost and the wait time but I really like the end result along with the easy on and off. What product(s) would you suggest that would give the result of Zaino? I'm very new to this world in regards to what product(s) to use.
 
Hey Spade.....Nice to hear you want to start your new "gig". Or do you feel it is a "Detail Business" ? Either way, have you obtained, among others, the following: your business license/DBA; a business account at your bank; liability, workers compensation, and garage owner insurances; a water containment mat/water reclamation system for your effluent (not an option--Federal Law); and, pay taxes on monies earned with subsequent filings on the required tax forms?

I have to follow the laws of the land, so should you.

I know we all had/have to start somewhere; but, if you would someday like to make this your part/full-time profession, right now would be an excellent opportunity to visit with some of the Professional Detailers in your area--their livelihood is on the line--I'm sure they will be more than glad to advise you further.

As always, Good Luck.
 
Spade said:
Thanks 1129. Just to give you an idea what I may be working with, I know you can't count your chicken before they're hatched, but I have 10-12 +/- people who said they will bring their vehicle(s) to me and most those people have really clean cars to begin with. They just dont want to do the work. Easliy 4 of them will clean their entire car if the get mud in the wheel wells and just off the top of my head 8 garage their vehicles. So if most of my customer are like that I will be very happy and will deal with the not so pleasant ones here and there. Thanks again man!

Shiny, I was concerned about using Zaino because of the cost and the wait time but I really like the end result along with the easy on and off. What product(s) would you suggest that would give the result of Zaino? I'm very new to this world in regards to what product(s) to use.
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Well that works then. I was picturing the average daily driver. If they are new, clean cars to begin with...then those prices are fine. You'll be in and out quick with jobs like that. I have a service I call a "Spruce Up" that's basically a wash/vac/interior wipe down/ windows/ liquid wax polish and it's only $49. Takes less than an hour, but I only do it for really clean/new cars. :xyxthumbs:
 
Thanks again guys for the info.

What do you think of my product choice? If you were me what would you be using?

Spade
 
I can't honestly give you any real opinion on the stuff you're using. I've never used any of it, ha. I buy a lot of my stuff from Malco. Local distributor that comes by my shop with a big truck, I grab what I need. I love their stuff.

I do use other stuff, but I'm picky with what I try. I'm pleased with my current products and get jobs done with ease. No reason to venture out too much.
 
Spade said:
Got ya.
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If your getting any volume of customers you'll want gallons of the common stuff, wash, dressings, here's what i use in most cases, onr wash, megs apc on tires/wheel wells, various brushes, rims all differ, dressing is opti bond 1:1, glass cleaner Meg's gallon blue stuff, it rocks, vac and a aio for the interior wipe down, AG has Meg's quick interior detailer on sale for 19.99 a gallon works great for a aio. Wax well I have a couple packages, basic starting with optimum car wax, takes 10 minutes by hand!! Clay u can't go wrong with pinnacles ultra poly, just try and catch it on bogo :)
 
Spade said:
What do you think of my product choice? If you were me what would you be using?
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I think you have a good plan with the combos, however as was previously mentioned, you're low on the pricing on #2 & 3 IMO. At those prices you need to be using more cost effective, quick n easy products. I like your plan well enough I think I'll pay you the ultimate compliment and appropriate it for my more basic jobs. :D

On #1 I'd be using DGAW when I dry. You're not cutting corners, you're adding decent protection and high gloss, making drying easier and streak free and DGAW is pretty cheap for such an excellent product.

On #2 I don't see the need to rewash after claying if you use ONR as a lube. It comes off clean and the AIO will take care of any possible residue you miss. Plus an ONR dampened cloth when you're done claying works well on door seals, black trim and a light underhood wipe. Not as nice as a dedicated dressing but a nice, clean look with minumal effort and no increased cost. I'd probably use XMT 360 or XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze as an LSP. Possibly even D151 on those that could benefit greatly from some minor correction.

On Combo 3 I'd be using Opti Seal and/or OCW. Would you spread and remove paste wax on a medium sized car for 10 bucks? I wouldn't. Ask yourself what your time is worth. If you're going to work for those kinds of prices you need to minumize your time and effort. Either OS or OCW provide a great look and surprisingly decent protection and longevity and both are extremely cost effective.

Gotta agree with the thought on polish and seal/wax for a two-step. No sense using an AIO and topping when a light polish like 205 or Opt Hyper Polish will produce a much better result with no increase in effort or steps.

I'd personally add a few upcharges. For those that are looking for max longevity and high gloss I'd use 845IW for an LSP. Cheap and easy and a superior product.

At those prices or even with some increase you're providing bang for the buck. You need to provide the same bang for yourself by minimizing time, effort and expense without compromising your results.

My $.02

TL
 
there are a lot of good prodcuts that are not the most expensive but work better, especially when getting a good deal.
 
Haha Sorry but what does ONR, OS, OCW, LSP, and DGAW mean?
 
Spade said:
Haha Sorry but what does ONR, OS, OCW, LSP, and DGAW mean?
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Onr= optimum no rinse, a staple in tons of arsenals, os = optimum opti seal, ocw= optimum car wax, lsp= last step product/process dgaw= duragloss aqua wax, which is kinda like ocw but IMO ocw last alittle longer :) as u can see alot of optimum products listed, u won't find one of their products that will let u down, speed/cost/ the stuff just works!
 
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