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**SL1CK** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:18 PM

You need higher prices

**mshu7** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:19 PM

Wow, I didn't expect that. I mean, I personally thought they should be a little higher, but I guess I thought I would be getting too expensive if I went higher.

**dfrady** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:33 PM

For what you are calling your Ultimate restore & protect, most detailers charge $35.00 - $50.00 an hour, So yes you really need to raise your prices.

**mshu7** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:35 PM

Hmm...OK. Thanks!

**Murr1525** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:46 PM

I have heard some people mention, and hopefuly they will chime in, that it is better to just charge a flat rate. Charging by the hour, people can accuse you of going slow, etc.

Better just to get their expectations, and judge how long it will take to meet them, do the math in your head, then quote a price.

For an advertisement, you could give a price for cars, and a price for SUV's.

For other ideas, you could give a choice of carnuba or synthetic sealant, and even a one-step cleaner/wax detail.

Does the headliner really need cleaned every week?

And dont forget to mention you are using High Quality Meguiars Products

**mshu7** · Jul 17, 2006, 08:52 PM

I should have made it more clear that I am not going to be charging people by the hour. I was just using the $30/hr. rate in my head to come up with pricing. When I see the vehicle I'm going to detail, I'll do the math in my head ($30/hr. x estimated time to complete) to give them a price for the job.

When I first came up with this menu, I had prices for 4 different groups. Each group was a different size of vehicle. For example, Group I was small cars & compact pick-ups. When I posted my menu with 4 different groups for each package, people from another message board said it was too confusing. I thought it was pretty easy to understand. But multiple people said it was too complex so I did away with it. That's why I now just have one "Starting at $xx" price. Because vehicles come in so many different sizes, I wasn't really sure how to show all the prices. If I put a price for an SUV, somebody with a Suburban might think they can get a full detail for the same price as a Ford Escape. This was one of my hardest areas. If you have anymore suggestions for this area, I'm all ears.

I like the idea of the choice of carnauba or sealant (or both) and the idea of a one-step detail.

I have to be honest. At first I was just going to use a different assorment of products but a guy that posts on AutoGeek.net & Autopia.org got me onto the Megs products. I never new that Megs had such a LARGE product selection. Needless to say, I don't see any reason to go with anything other than Megs.

**Murr1525** · Jul 17, 2006, 09:05 PM

Well, I am not sure how you are planning to do the advertising/menu, or what would be best.

For advertising, you could just do a flier, with a few light details.

Save the 'complex' menu for when you or your employees are standing beside the customer.

One other thing I was going to add, and you kind of brought it up again, was all the different options of products, and maybe you dont need to be overly specfic. For instance:

I noticed at one point you mentioned 'dash cleaned to a matte finish'... With a product like Hyper-Dressing, you can make 2 spray bottles. One of a glossy finish, and one of a more matte finish. Then ask the customer what they like.

Similarly with the cleaner/wax option. If someone says just do something to clean it up, then you can have a good cleaner/wax on hand to do it quickly, then get moving on.

Didnt mean to sound like I was picking your post apart.. just some random ideas

**mshu7** · Jul 17, 2006, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by Murr1525
Well, I am not sure how you are planning to do the advertising/menu, or what would be best.

For advertising, you could just do a flier, with a few light details.

Save the 'complex' menu for when you or your employees are standing beside the customer.

One other thing I was going to add, and you kind of brought it up again, was all the different options of products, and maybe you dont need to be overly specfic. For instance:

I noticed at one point you mentioned 'dash cleaned to a matte finish'... With a product like Hyper-Dressing, you can make 2 spray bottles. One of a glossy finish, and one of a more matte finish. Then ask the customer what they like.

Similarly with the cleaner/wax option. If someone says just do something to clean it up, then you can have a good cleaner/wax on hand to do it quickly, then get moving on.

Didnt mean to sound like I was picking your post apart.. just some random ideas

First off, I was glad you chimed in with all that you said. I want more

.

OK, so on the advertising thing. Right now, I'll just be going by word of mouth. Probably start with family, friends, co-workers, etc. Now that I think about it, I guess it's not overly important to have such a significant menu for people like that.???

I like your cleaner/wax option. I have already subed it for the 2-step thing I listed earlier. That's a much easier/quicker process which allows me to lower the price a tad.

I guess my biggest concern at the moment is figuring out how to price different sized vehicles. Since I don't have experience with a lot of different sized vehicles, I don't know how long they would take.

Like I was talking about earlier, I started out listing 4 different size categories and prices. Here's what they were.

Group I: small cars & compact pickups
Group II: large cars, mid-size pickups, small SUV's
Group III: full-size pickups, mid-size SUV's, mini-vans
Group IV: large SUV's & heavy-duty pick-ups

People on another message board said that was too complicated and people don't want to be put in groups so that's why I did away with it. But now I'm left to give very rough estimates on how long certain sized vehicles will take to detail.

Just to reitterate (sp?), I'm just doing this on the side in my own driveway/garage. In a few years if things go well, I'd like to have my own place to do this full-time.

Again, thanks for the input. I like the idea's you've suggested!!!

**Simply Perfect** · Jul 17, 2006, 10:05 PM

I'm just getting started where I'm at. I offer a car wash for $25 for cars which includes:

Wash with DI water
interior vacuum
light interior wipe down
door jams wiped down
tire dressing
windows inside n out

I also blow the water from the badging and mirrors with my vac & blow. I charge $35 for mid size suvs, trucks and vans, & $45 for large suvs, vans and trucks with shells.

I offer detailing but if a customer asks for a price for that service I tell them that I need to see the condition of the vehicle 1st and I also need to know what the their goals and expectations are for the finished product. Then if I feel I will be able to meet or exceed their expectations I can then give them a fair price.

There are only a couple mobile car wash's & detailers in the area so it has been hard for me to set prices because I'm not sure how much people will pay for this type of service yet. Anyways I wish you the best!!

**mshu7** · Jul 18, 2006, 05:16 AM

Hey, thanks SP. I like your basic wash. I kind of feel like I have too much in my basic wash.

I think what I'm going to do today is look for detailers in the phone book and start calling them to inquire what kind of services they have and how much they charge. This should give me an idea of how much I should charge.

Anyway, good luck to you too with your business!!!

**TH0001** · Jul 18, 2006, 06:24 AM

A couple of random thoughts (I may posted on your thread at Autopia.org)...

Your prices are way to low...

I would advertise by stating simply PRICES STARTING AT....

For my basic wash/wax I charge 100-125 (more for large SUV's). I have turned down (or been turned down before). This exterior only, and consists of wash, spot clay, sealent (or wax), well wells, tires, wheels, exhaust tips (if applicable) and windows. It takes me about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to do it. Every customer who has had this done by me has been a repeat which leads me to my next point...

People will pay your amount if they have faith in what you are doing and see the results of your work. For me this is stragetic... There are only so many ways to wash and wax a vehicle, and while I'm not going to miss any spot and I'm going to use quality products, there is only so far I can take a vehicle with a wash and wax. Thats why I generally only wash and wax vehicles that I have fully detailed before.

This helps me (and my customers) to justify the price. If they have seen the work I have done when I buffed/polished/waxed and fully detailed their car, they have no problem paying extra for the wash and wax. After seeing the results of my full detail, they know and trust that I will do it right.

Another thing to consider, is always be HONEST with your clients. I have quoted clients 250 for a full detail, in reality it only took me 4 hours. When the customer picked up his/her vehicle, I informed them and told them that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking 250 because the work went much smoother then possible and it should only cost them 200. I have never had a customer not pay me the full amount, and I have now gained a customer for life, because they know I am not ripping them off.

Cheers

Todd Helme

**chazilla** · Jul 18, 2006, 07:15 AM

You have the right thinking cap on but you either need to remove a few things like on you 30 deal just make it basic wash clean the wheel area bugs and tar vac dash console windows that service takes about 30 to 35 minutes to perform on a fullsize suv given it hasn't been ages since its had a detail!

But play around you'll figure it out!

**mshu7** · Jul 18, 2006, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by TH0001
A couple of random thoughts (I may posted on your thread at Autopia.org)...

Your prices are way to low...

I would advertise by stating simply PRICES STARTING AT....

For my basic wash/wax I charge 100-125 (more for large SUV's). I have turned down (or been turned down before). This exterior only, and consists of wash, spot clay, sealent (or wax), well wells, tires, wheels, exhaust tips (if applicable) and windows. It takes me about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to do it. Every customer who has had this done by me has been a repeat which leads me to my next point...

People will pay your amount if they have faith in what you are doing and see the results of your work. For me this is stragetic... There are only so many ways to wash and wax a vehicle, and while I'm not going to miss any spot and I'm going to use quality products, there is only so far I can take a vehicle with a wash and wax. Thats why I generally only wash and wax vehicles that I have fully detailed before.

This helps me (and my customers) to justify the price. If they have seen the work I have done when I buffed/polished/waxed and fully detailed their car, they have no problem paying extra for the wash and wax. After seeing the results of my full detail, they know and trust that I will do it right.

Another thing to consider, is always be HONEST with your clients. I have quoted clients 250 for a full detail, in reality it only took me 4 hours. When the customer picked up his/her vehicle, I informed them and told them that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking 250 because the work went much smoother then possible and it should only cost them 200. I have never had a customer not pay me the full amount, and I have now gained a customer for life, because they know I am not ripping them off.

Cheers

Todd Helme

Todd,

Thanks for the info and yes I do remember your post on Autopia. My question for you though is, do you offer just a basic wash? That's what my $30 weekly wash is supposed to be. Nothing like you would do on your wash. I think you're wash package is more like my Wash, Wax, & Vac package.

Besides that, I get what you're saying about people will pay if you do good work.

Again, thanks for your input.

**mshu7** · Jul 18, 2006, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by chazilla
You have the right thinking cap on but you either need to remove a few things like on you 30 deal just make it basic wash clean the wheel area bugs and tar vac dash console windows that service takes about 30 to 35 minutes to perform on a fullsize suv given it hasn't been ages since its had a detail!

But play around you'll figure it out!

Thanks for the thinking cap compliment.

I totally agree w/what you're saying about my basic wash. Before you commented on it, I did feel like I had too much on there.

One suggestion I received from another person on another board is to have some soft of gloss enhancing or spray wax on the basic wash. Something to make the paint look a little better. That's why I have included the " All exterior body panels, including glass, wiped down w/gloss enhancing, protective quick detail spray" line on there.

I think I will change some stuff on my basic package like you suggested. But should I keep that last step on there since I'm going to remove some other stuff like dressing ext. trim and stuff like that?

Thanks for your input!

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