Help please!! Questions about packages?

[TH0001]

I am having a very difficult time decieding on how to come up with packages and pricing for starting a detailing bussiness. Ideally I would like to set up pricing packages ie... 1)base detail 2)detail 3)pro level detail 4)high gloss 5)show car offering more steps and more services.

How did you guys figure how to go about doing this? If I offer generic packages with set prices I would be really hurting myself if the customer had an Expedition instead of a Focus. I would eventually like to step up to high end exotics, but at this time I am going to take (and therefore market too..) everybody.

What packages do you guys/gals offer, and more importantly what does your base package consist of? Here, I know of a mobile detailer that will detail your car for 80 bucks, but I wonder what kind of services could possibly be offered for that price?

Any help or referance material (I don't expect you guys to spill your trade secrets) would be appericated.

[Superior Shine]

Forget about packages.

Imagine going to your doctor. You tell him you don't feel good and he whips out a chart (menu) with packages.

Package 1 - 2 aspirins and chicken soup

Package 2 - a shot and a bottle of pills

Package 3 – surgery with a week stay in the hospital

“Which one would you like?”


Or would you rather have a doctor that evaluates you and diagnosis what is wrong with you. Then takes specific steps to cure you.

Run your business like the second example.

Learn how to properly evaluate and diagnose vehicles paint and interiors. Keep track of how long it takes you to detail those areas. Add in your expenses to determine your hourly rate.

[MDetail]

That is the BEST analogy I have EVER heard.

[TH0001]

Thanks for the quick reply, I appericate it. As I have been spending more and more time on this site I have really come to appericate your quality of work, so your advice means that much more. Thanks.

I was kind of leaning in that direction, so if I may pick your brain on another question. As I am starting off, (and I am doing this on the side) I have already recieved help in the case of referal from family. My mothers' friend has a new Cadillac that was detailed for 80.00. I would imgane that vehicle is in like new condition (ie, no swirls, staines) ect...

When you are detailing a like new vehicle what steps would you consider at the mininum? In order to gain a new customer, I would have to undercut the 80.00 that she paid for her Cadillac, but I would have to do this site unseen.

If you don't mind, when I begin to print brochures, I would like to use your analogy perhaps, if that is okay with you?

Thanks agian

Grazie

Todd

[Superior Shine]

When you are detailing a like new vehicle what steps would you consider at the minimum? In order to gain a new customer, I would have to undercut the 80.00 that she paid for her Cadillac, but I would have to do this site unseen.

UNDER-CUT!?!?!

No way!

Charge what you need to to make a profit.


Under cutting prices will attract people that value low price over top quality work. They will also be the first to dump you for the next guy that comes down the street for a dollar cheaper than you.


It would be reasonable to expect that a new vehicle would be in pristine condition but sadly this is often not the case. Also she already had somebody “detail” her Caddy. That could mean extra work to correct bad work.

My advice would be to start all detailing from the beginning with proper diagnoses.

When we get a new car that is like new, we charge about $140 to wash and wax it.

[sneek]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
UNDER-CUT!?!?!

No way!

Charge what you need to to make a profit.


Under cutting prices will attract people that value low price over top quality work. They will also be the first to dump you for the next guy that comes down the street for a dollar cheaper than you.


It would be reasonable to expect that a new vehicle would be in pristine condition but sadly this is often not the case. Also she already had somebody “detail” her Caddy. That could mean extra work to correct bad work.

My advice would be to start all detailing from the beginning with proper diagnoses.

When we get a new car that is like new, we charge about $140 to wash and wax it.

like the meguiars movie says: you want you go over the vehicals finish with the customer!

.. kinda paraphrased :p

[TH0001]

Wow, thanks for your help. You have already given me some good suggestions and ideas for a starting point. I was thinking M66 for paint in good condition on a basic detail?

Thankyou for all your help? If you have a problem with me stealing your analogy, I definetly will stay away from it, very creative and makes a lot of sense.

Thanks again.

[Superior Shine]

No problem.

[buda]

You are in business to make a profit. A profit is a percentage of your gross sales (min. 10% to 20%) after you salary and all other expenses.

If you do not make a profit in your business then all you have is a job, and if you worked for someone else you would probably have less aggrevation.

That said, the way you make a profit is to know your costs of doing business in order to allow you to make a profit and to charge the customer what it will take for you to meet your expenses and desired profit.

If you charge less than what it cost you to operate you will loose money or at best you willl be cutting into your profit and even your salary.

Figure out your monthly expenses including your salary, benefits and profit and divide by your total monthly hours of operation to get your hourly rate.

Then multiply your hourly rate by the estimated hours to do any job. You do not need packages, sell your services by the hour and the hourly rate is determined by your expenses.

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

[Pete-FWA]

Packages can be very attractive to the buyer. Many people shopping such work look at how much they are going to spend. With a package, they get a delineation of exact cost and work done. It's an oversimplification, I'll admit, but some people want a simple answer so they feel they are not being overcharged.

When folks hear "by the hour", they generally are wary that they will spend more than they would with a package price. While this is not necessarily true, this is a common perception. One has to be careful when explaining they "charge by the hour" for this reason.

As the pros do, giving an estimate of time and cost before starting the job will put both sides at ease.

Phone shoppers will at least want a rough estimate of cost, so have this in mind when speaking with them. If you're too evasive about your cost, trust is lost and the customer moves to someone with whom they feel more comfortable.

If you want to get the package price shopping people in the door, set some basic packages and prices with the caveat that any extra work beyond what is included in that package is extra cost. For those budgeting their work, they feel comfortable AND they know that you will charge according to work done and not just "by the hour".

Ultimately, we are in business for the customer, so they rightfully want to feel they are in charge of what gets done and how much they spend. Treating yourself fairly is part of the process---you own your process, time, and labor---so work with the customers to get the job and do the work right.