detailing business, supplies, techniques etc...

[tripmachine]

Ok,

I'm just wondering if I could get some critisism about what I'm thinking of doing and how my prices/services look.

The other day I bought a quick shade 10x10 foot canopy, I have a G100, am going to pick up some #83 #21 #80 and also some color X

I started advertising for a side job doing details... the one detail that gets the most attention is the 50 dollar one that I have offered which includes a wash, vacuum, and one coat of COLOR X also dressing for the tires..

The next step up is 75 dollars and it includes wash/vacuum, clay bar and a coat of tech wax tires dressed and also dash taken care of with tech protect.

the last package i offer is 150 dollars which includes wash/vacuum, clay bar, #80 or 83 depending on what the car needs, #21 then some NXT tech wax. full interior detail with tech protect and also leather treatment with meguiars leather swipes. also exterior plastic/vinyl/rubber treatment and tire dressing...

If anyone has any suggestions, ideas, or anything at all... i'd love to hear it! It will only make things better for me and I appreciate all of your time in helping me out. One more thing....how easy is it to shampoo the interior of a car?? what do i need to do it? I have a lot of requests to do that but don't know where to begin.... Thanks a lot everyone!

-j0sh

[Murr1525]

Prices seem like they could be higher...

You also may find something like the #66 Quick Detailer more cost effective than bottles of ColorX.

People in the business though can give you more info.

[tripmachine]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Prices seem like they could be higher...

You also may find something like the #66 Quick Detailer more cost effective than bottles of ColorX.

People in the business though can give you more info.

Thanks for the info.... i'll look into getting #66 tomorrow... that might save me some $$$ :] also does anyone know how to shampoo seats/carpetting? is there something i can get to do it cheaply?? i know the carget extractors are expensive and that's not in my budget right at this time. Thanks everyone!

-j0sh

[SL1CK]

So the 50$ package doesnt include claying right?

[tripmachine]

Originally posted by SL1CK
So the 50$ package doesnt include claying right?

No clay for 50 dollars... just a wash, vacuum and a one step wax... color x... gotta make sure it's done in 2-3 hours MAX or else it's just not worth it to me.

[Magic]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Prices seem like they could be higher...

My thoughts exactly.. I wouldn't touch a car for less than $200, and for that service, it could go up to $400 for a large Truck or SUV (ex. F350 or H2).

But I understand, your just getting started and you want to get some customers. But don't sell yourself short. If your doing quality work, it's worth the time.

I'll have to let other chime in on the extractor, since I only deal with paint, and don't touch carpets. I vacuum and dress, but that's where I stop. Interiors aren't my thing, that and I hate doing them. I do have a Leather Treatment service, but I tell my customers that I won't touch the inside if it's got trash all over (Cups, french fries on the floor, papers all over).

Follow Murr's advice on the #66. It will be more economical since you can buy it in a Gallon for under $30..

[tripmachine]

Originally posted by Magic
My thoughts exactly.. I wouldn't touch a car for less than $200, and for that service, it could go up to $400 for a large Truck or SUV (ex. F350 or H2).

But I understand, your just getting started and you want to get some customers. But don't sell yourself short. If your doing quality work, it's worth the time.

I'll have to let other chime in on the extractor, since I only deal with paint, and don't touch carpets. I vacuum and dress, but that's where I stop. Interiors aren't my thing, that and I hate doing them. I do have a Leather Treatment service, but I tell my customers that I won't touch the inside if it's got trash all over (Cups, french fries on the floor, papers all over).

Follow Murr's advice on the #66. It will be more economical since you can buy it in a Gallon for under $30..

wow... thanks for all the great advice everyone.. i'll go for #66 and i'll start to raise my prices..... maybe i'lle charge 70 dollars for the cheap detail since still i'm sure it will be better than the 125 detail that most car washes provide... ya think? i doubt they do that great of a job for 125.... but maybe they do ?

[Zet]

Originally posted by tripmachine
wow... thanks for all the great advice everyone.. i'll go for #66 and i'll start to raise my prices..... maybe i'lle charge 70 dollars for the cheap detail since still i'm sure it will be better than the 125 detail that most car washes provide... ya think? i doubt they do that great of a job for 125.... but maybe they do ?

Seems a bit low still. If you think it's better than a car wash detail, then why only charge half the price? How about $95, for wash, vacuum, #66 applied with PC, and tire dressing? If you put up to 3 hours into the detail, and the result looks good, it should be worth that price

[broken1]

I think stay cheaper now, to get more customers...and once they know you're excellent...you can slowly start to raise your prices!

You need some market share before you can do anything!!

:-)

A guy around here, charges about $140 (converted) to do a wash/vacuum/dry/clay/polish/wax and a general clean of the interior! I'm on the other side of the world, so it's not really fair to compare prices!

Problem is, people might not see you as "proffessional" hence, the lower price would get you more business upfront, until you can grow your business and your image!!