Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

[cw981126]

I recently started detailing cars at a dealership here in Southern California. I worked for a mobile detailer for a few months (summer) and then had my own mobile detailing company in San Luis Obispo, CA during college.

The dealership works by "flag hours" which means you are allocated a certain amount of time to finish a car or SUV. You get paid the same amount of money if it takes you less time or more time than allocated. Basically, your getting paid on a per car basis.

Here is the breakdown:

SUV full detail: 3.5 hours
Sedan detail: 3.0 hours
Interior Detail: 1.5 hours
Exterior Detail: 2.0 hours
New car (new car is sold and needs to be touched up): 1.5 hours

When I first started I thought, "thats cool, I can finish cars early and still make the flagged hour rate". I cant believe I thought that as these times are INSANELY fast for the quality work they want. I have basically been getting screwed for the first week only making 4-7 hours per day (working about 9 hours). I talked to the boss and told him its impossible to do cars, by yourself, in those times. He stated he wanted me to come up with some more realistic numbers and run them by him. What do you guys think as far as hours go? (sorry for the lengthy post!)

[Cosmin]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

ask how much is worth for u , if not move on.
if u are not hired by them and u are independent just put your hourly rate and give them an estimate before any job, negotiate for what they want to be done and how much u ask for all to be like they want. my view

[Bounty]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

What do you guys think as far as hours go? (sorry for the lengthy post!)

For me my breakdown and corresponding charge is roughly:

Exterior wash/cleanse/wax... 3.0 hours
Interior Detail - Basic... 1.0 hour
Interior Detail - Complete... 2.5 hours
Engine Detail - Basic... 1.0 hour

I add a full hour to the above for SUV's, Dually's, etc. and 1.5 hours for mini-vans or passenger vans. By "wash/cleanse/wax" I mean an exterior wash, then cleanse the paint with either clay or a chemical paint cleaner, and a wax. This is not the same type of exterior detail I do in preparation for and after the conclusion of paint correction/polishing but rather more akin to a "maintenance" detail.

A basic interior detail for me is really just a wipedown of all surfaces, vacuum, and glass cleaning. A complete interior detail for me would be adding carpet/seat cleaning and stain removal as well as protectant, cleaning/conditioning leather, and some in-depth cleaning of vents, crevices, etc.

The key to pricing is to gauge your speed and ability and how long you feel you need to get the car looking right. To be honest, 99% of details I see at dealerships are hack jobs...now I know why. You can definitely do the job they want in the time prescribed but it means cutting a lot of corners, proably instilling your fair share of swirls, and basically throwing good detailing practices out the window. That's why although many pro detailers may have started out at dealerships they rarely stay there...

If not a "staff" or "on-site" detailer see if they'll negotiate with you as an independent or contract detailer for the higher end stuff they want down and let some 15-year old with Dawn and a bucket handle their everyday stuff.

[CieraSL]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

The truth is, it is practically impossible to give dealerships quality work in a short amount of time. Just won't happen. They want it done and they want it done 15 minutes ago. If you can get it done in a relatively short amount and you're "happy" with it and they're happy with it, then let it go at that. They just want the car looking good enough to sell, they're not looking for absolute perfection. Find little ways that can save you time and money. Use products that can be used for multiple purposes, that way you won't have to waste time looking for a product, you can just pick one up that suits your intention. Like having APC for interiors and exteriors, Hyper Dressing for interiors and exteriors, one-step polish and wax product, stuff like that (I was just using those for examples, not saying you have to go with those products specifically). If you're getting the hours and money you need and deserve, then leave it at that. If you feel like you're not being treated fairly, then it's probably time to re-negotiate.

[cw981126]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Bounty - I really like that break down. Seems like it is plenty of time with out being in a frantic rush!

Giving the dealership a little credit they do use meguiars full professional line of products. The main used car manager wants PERFECTION out of the pre-owned cars we get to put out on the lot (pulling spare tire, vacuuming spare tire area, dressing spare tire area with vinyl and rubber dressing, polishing key holes, full engine detail...etc...etc) all in 3 hours. It is just not possible. I understand that they are running a business but at the same time they are selling high end cars and I would expect they would not want us cutting corners... I am going to try to figure out some numbers and see what the service director says...

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

I am going to try to figure out some numbers and see what the service director says...

Communication is key, so you are doing the right thing by figuring out some numbers and sitting down with the right people to discuss the current gap in $. Hopefully you will be able close that gap and make it a win win situation...

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[cw981126]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

I came up with a proposal!

Here it goes
SUV Full Detail 5.0 Hour
Sedan Full Detail 4.0 Hour
SUV Interior Detail 2.0 Hour
Sedan Interior Detail 1.5 Hour
SUV Interior Detail 2.0 Hour
New Car Detail (SUV or Sedan) 1.5 Hour


I only made a few changes. Added an 1.5 hour to the SUV full detail, 1 hour to the Sedan full detail, and made a new category for the SUV interior. I will let you guys know how it goes!

Adam

[Larry A]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

I came up with a proposal!

Here it goes
SUV Full Detail 5.0 Hour
Sedan Full Detail 4.0 Hour
SUV Interior Detail 2.0 Hour
Sedan Interior Detail 1.5 Hour
SUV Interior Detail 2.0 Hour
New Car Detail (SUV or Sedan) 1.5 Hour


I only made a few changes. Added an 1.5 hour to the SUV full detail, 1 hour to the Sedan full detail, and made a new category for the SUV interior. I will let you guys know how it goes!

Adam

This sounds more realistic.

[CieraSL]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Surprising to hear that the used car manager is looking for perfection. You rarely see that at dealerships. I will agree that his time frame is unrealistic. Yours is much better. Hope you get everything worked out!

[Poki]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Perhaps a way to convince the used car manager would be to invite him to work with you on a full detail. It won't take long for him to realize it will take a LOT longer to accomplish what he thinks he wants or.....he'll quickly rachet back what he is willing to settle for.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Sounds like D151 could become your new best friend. Saves time and money for both parties.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

I was going to suggest such as Colonel Cash that you turn to an AIO, such as 66-151 or something I really like because it can be used on glass, trim and paint and doesn't stain is OPS.

[PaintPolisher]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

I talked to the boss and told him its impossible to do cars, by yourself, in those times. He stated he wanted me to come up with some more realistic numbers and run them by him. What do you guys think as far as hours go? (sorry for the lengthy post!)

You have a great opportunity here. He asked you to arrive at some more realistic numbers. He did have the choice of asking you to hit the road.

I like the help you have received here and your new times are a starting point of negotiating. Use this to your advantage.

They want perfect or darned close so hammer this statement. Present your facts [time frames] and that you do not cut corners, you want to continue this business arrangement and most importantly that by adjusting the time frames you and the dealership can going forward providing clean cars to customers in a timely manner.

Issues you may want to bring up in your discussion.
1. New time frames equals what they expect in a clean car.
2. Both parties are not comfortable with the time and work output and this is why you are negotiating.
3. You are really glad they came to you with their issues.
4. Ask if there are any other issues that need to be discussed.
5. You want to continue this business relationship with them.
6. Most important here - that without adjustments in time frames you would have to think hard about continuing this arrangement. You must be able to walk away. If you can not walk then you are at their mercy and demands.
7. Agree to try these new time frames for may be a month then follow up to see if there are issues that need to be addressed.
8. Be upbeat, understanding of their view point and firm.

Good luck!
al

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Issues you may want to bring up in your discussion.
1. New time frames equals what they expect in a clean car.
2. Both parties are not comfortable with the time and work output and this is why you are negotiating.
3. You are really glad they came to you with their issues.
4. Ask if there are any other issues that need to be discussed.
5. You want to continue this business relationship with them.
6. Most important here - that without adjustments in time frames you would have to think hard about continuing this arrangement. You must be able to walk away. If you can not walk then you are at their mercy and demands.
7. Agree to try these new time frames for may be a month then follow up to see if there are issues that need to be addressed.
8. Be upbeat, understanding of their view point and firm.

Good luck!
al

Excellent suggestions

[PaintPolisher]

Re: Working for dealership. Need help with developing pay hours!

Thanks for the kind words and I hope that both parties do go forward with an acceptable agreement.