What do you guys think of these prices?

[Bill Davidson]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

Same here, i just got my cards a couple days ago..i gotta say they turned out pretty sweet . i got 2500 glossy's from GotPrint.net ...full color front and B&W back for $33 shipped.

That's a really good price for a full color front and B&W back.

This is outrageous, but I went to a guy that does these really fancy looking cards, full color front and back, bumps, clearcoat, you name it. However he wanted $150 for 1000 cards and $30 to do my simple design. Nice cards, but I couldn't handle the price.

[Matt Majeika]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

Same here, i just got my cards a couple days ago..i gotta say they turned out pretty sweet . i got 2500 glossy's from GotPrint.net ...full color front and B&W back for $33 shipped.

That's a great price! I'll have to check that site out for my next order... Only got 250 to start.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

That's a great price! I'll have to check that site out for my next order... Only got 250 to start.

Thats good you only got 250 to start, cause that is a really great price that GotPrint.net has. I shopped around and most places were around $100 or so for just 1000...and that was with no B/W back.

Now i will warn you that their card design tools are not the best, but once you get the hang of them their not too bad...just not as many text options and such that some design places have. Now if you have your OWN card design software you should have no problem then.

I plan on passing a lot of cards out to mechanic shops where i know the people pretty well...as well as a couple boat marina's and a storage place where I know a guy who works there...there are TONS of RV's/Boats in the place...so figure even if I only get 1 or 2...word of mouth will take care of the rest

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

I find a lot of new guys don't actually know what they need to charge to make a desired profit. Especially when you don't know how long certain jobs will take you.

I think it's tough at first. Flat rate you may rip yourself off. Hourly you might rip the customer off.

Well I'm not saying that you should charge hourly. Until you are established it's hard to convince people that an hourly rate won't result in your working slower and ripping them off.

I'm saying that you should learn what time is involved for each of the "packages" that you offer and then price based on what you want to make hourly for the work done.

You won't always know how long a job takes, but after you do a few cars you get a pretty good idea of what you're capable of.

To the OP: I would say that your prices are a little on the low side, but not outrageously low like some people post. I would probably bump package 1 and 2 up by 50 dollars each. If you do a true 3 stage polish on a car (package 2) you are NOT going to be happy getting 200 dollars after 10+ hours of work.

[Tuck91]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

To the OP: I would say that your prices are a little on the low side, but not outrageously low like some people post. I would probably bump package 1 and 2 up by 50 dollars each. If you do a true 3 stage polish on a car (package 2) you are NOT going to be happy getting 200 dollars after 10+ hours of work.

I do not see how raising his prices is going to get him any work.

If he is not doing anything else for ten hours then I think he will be happy with $200.

[Shawn T.]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

I do not see how raising his prices is going to get him any work.

If he is not doing anything else for ten hours then I think he will be happy with $200.

You're right! I would be very happy with $200 for 10+ hours of work.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

Lol, i think FinalTouch's point is just its harder to raise your prices than it is to lower them. You do a couple jobs cheap...and then start getting referals from people who have talked about the price you gave them and then get calls of people expecting the same price.

If you plan to stick with thsoe prices, then you're ok, but if you decide to raise them, you could lose a lot of initial customers cause they'll give you the 'last time you only charged x amount' line. Now on the other hand, you may pick up a whole new line of customers that are willing to pay for quality work (considering you do quality work lol ).

It has its pros and cons on both sides. Personally i dont think your prices are too far off at all. For a FULL 3 step process, basically a 'show car' kinda job....i do agree $200 is probably low. I offer packages with set prices but with the notation that if your car is REALLY dirty i can up the price $25 or more...but thats very rare cases. For a show car detail thou, i do post an hourly charge of $55/hr...thats just me.

For starters if you want to go at a set rate then ok, but id maybe consider for a set rate offering 80% correction?? but then if you deliver even more...then you look that much better . But again, you may get people calling who want the same thing and their ride may not come out the same and your stuck workin on the thing longer than you anticipated and your hourly wage is just going lower and lower...its all on what you feel

[Bill Davidson]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

Lol, i think FinalTouch's point is just its harder to raise your prices than it is to lower them. You do a couple jobs cheap...and then start getting referals from people who have talked about the price you gave them and then get calls of people expecting the same price.

If you plan to stick with thsoe prices, then you're ok, but if you decide to raise them, you could lose a lot of initial customers cause they'll give you the 'last time you only charged x amount' line. Now on the other hand, you may pick up a whole new line of customers that are willing to pay for quality work (considering you do quality work lol ).

It has its pros and cons on both sides. Personally i dont think your prices are too far off at all. For a FULL 3 step process, basically a 'show car' kinda job....i do agree $200 is probably low. I offer packages with set prices but with the notation that if your car is REALLY dirty i can up the price $25 or more...but thats very rare cases. For a show car detail thou, i do post an hourly charge of $55/hr...thats just me.

For starters if you want to go at a set rate then ok, but id maybe consider for a set rate offering 80% correction?? but then if you deliver even more...then you look that much better . But again, you may get people calling who want the same thing and their ride may not come out the same and your stuck workin on the thing longer than you anticipated and your hourly wage is just going lower and lower...its all on what you feel

You make some very good points in this post. (It's much easier to run downhill, than uphill)

Posting your retail prices a bit higher and then having a limited time special (sale) price gives you the flexibility to increase them if needed.

I wouldn't put up an artificially inflated retail price, just be in line with the prices other premium detailers offer. As you gain experience and customers, there will be no need to offer discounts.

[Shawn T.]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

That's why I have the "Starting at ....." in my prices so that I do not lock myself into a specific proce and I have a little wiggle room.

[Poki]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

This is psychological gimmick, and I discovered it by accident. Carry a appointment/memo book with you, or a Blackberry, Palm or any device with a calendar feature. When a client expresses interest, consult your calendar even if you're wide open. Ask them fro their preferred appointment date, then ask them for a 2nd date as backup.

I found what this does is to create the perception that your services are in demand, and it generates a sense of urgency in the client. If their prefered appointment date is available, they feel like they won a mini-lottery and will probably be less likely to cancel.

Also has the effect of making you look more professional.

What a great idea!!!

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

You're right! I would be very happy with $200 for 10+ hours of work.

Not even making 20 dollars an hour is selling yourself very short when you are talking about paint correction. If you're just doing a 3-4 hour wash, wax, interior detail then 20 dollars an hour is a lot more fair.

You have to factor in the price of all the product you are using, the 5-7 pads you are wearing out, etc...

You also don't want to get stuck with the "discount detailer" label being the cheapest around. Price out your competition and set your prices right in the middle. Quality work will get you your business, not your low prices.

[Tuck91]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

Okay?

[Shawn T.]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

There are very few people around here looking for that package to begin with. Again, "Starting at $200." This leaves me room to vary if needed.

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the input.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: What do you guys think of these prices?

This is psychological gimmick, and I discovered it by accident. Carry a appointment/memo book with you, or a Blackberry, Palm or any device with a calendar feature. When a client expresses interest, consult your calendar even if you're wide open. Ask them fro their preferred appointment date, then ask them for a 2nd date as backup.

I found what this does is to create the perception that your services are in demand, and it generates a sense of urgency in the client. If their prefered appointment date is available, they feel like they won a mini-lottery and will probably be less likely to cancel.

Also has the effect of making you look more professional.

I really like this idea. I can see were it be the "hook" to get the customer to commit.