Your a Luxury??

Twista616 · 12-18-08, 11:17

Simple question:

Is automotive detailing a luxury service?? Explain.

Reason for the question...i have a customer tell me and I quote.." it's a luxury to afford you." I didn't know how to take that comment.

Danase · 12-18-08, 11:24

I believe it is. At least I believe people see it that way. Lets put it this way, you don't NEED a car detailed to keep it running. People look at oil changes, routine engine maintenance and so on as necessities for their cars and detailing, or even a car wash, as a luxury that can wait.

weekendwarrior · 12-18-08, 11:28

Well, some customers look at the type detailing we do like they would themselves spending a day at the spa. In other words, a woman can take a shower at home and she is going to be clean, but coing to the spa is a luxury.

That's where you have to sell the value of your services...make them feel like they need you as part of the total car care equation...not a luxury.

MobileJay · 12-18-08, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

People look at oil changes, routine engine maintenance and so on as necessities for their cars and detailing, or even a car wash, as a luxury that can wait.

Hell I have seen people that think oil changes and engine maintenance are luxurys too. LOL
Yes it is a luxury, not a necessity. Women don't care even if you tell them to think of it as a day at the spa for the car. If it doesn't make them look good, then they wont care. haha

Showroom Shine · 12-18-08, 02:17

I myself do not consider it a luxury. It's some what like the oil change for the exterior. I would much rather have a car that runs and looks good, than a car that runs good and looks like crap. My Dad always told me, they run better when they're clean. I believe him too!

smoknfastlegend · 12-18-08, 03:03

In economic terms there are luxuries and their are necessities. Necessity is something that is needed, ie oil change to keep the car running. If you dont change it you have a poor performing car and run the possibility of damage. A luxury is something you can afford but do not need to sustain, ie a detailing. Your car wont stop on the free way if you dont put a coat of wax on it, it will fade and look bad, but it still will get you from point A to point B, granted not in style, but will still get you there.

Our job as detailers is to convince them that by use keeping their car looking its best, they can continue to own it and enjoy it like a new car (not having to dish the money out for something new every 3-4 years like dealers want) thus it being necessity instead of a luxury.

brwill2005 · 12-18-08, 03:29

Definitely a luxury service. Although some of my customers could not do without it

This is the inherent problem in a "bad economy". Many people, including the wealthy, cut back on luxury services. I have noticed a significant decline in the response to my marketing efforts. Luckily my best customers continue to spend.

dsms · 12-18-08, 04:33

Detailing in general may not be a luxury to the average person. To pay your local car wash $75 -$100 bucks or so for an interior/exterior job so you can have a car which is a little extra clean can often be justified... maybe you need to pick up clients for business and need to present yourself properly is a big reason why people get their cars detailed, so in that sense its not a luxury nor is it very expensive...compared to the several hundreds we charge for our services.

The Autopian standard of proper car care and extensive detailing is a luxury for sure, to everybody its a luxury. Do people need to have their cars claybarred? Do people need to have their paint perfectly leveled and topped with a bespoke wax or sealant? NOPE! They want these things done, they dont even have to be rich they just find that their car is important to them so they are willing to spend their money on things like detailing.

Anything that isnt easily justifiable or a "need" in life is a luxury, so our level of detailing is a luxury

pampos · 12-18-08, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

I believe it is. At least I believe people see it that way. Lets put it this way, you don't NEED a car detailed to keep it running. People look at oil changes, routine engine maintenance and so on as necessities for their cars and detailing, or even a car wash, as a luxury that can wait.

+ 1 on that....Even people with Ferrari believe that : )

Twista616 · 12-19-08, 08:26

good responses...i as well believe its a luxury...to some degree. If we didnt have luxury in the world, there wouldnt be any ferraris or bentleys, spas, or gucci!! So in reality, we all have the same target market. People that are 'wanting' their cars pampered.

Now, how do you convince someone that 'your' luxury is a nessecity? Is it the 'gift of grab' that help you, or is it the previous vehicles you've worked on or a combination?

brwill2005 · 12-19-08, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twista616

good responses...i as well believe its a luxury...to some degree. If we didnt have luxury in the world, there wouldnt be any ferraris or bentleys, spas, or gucci!! So in reality, we all have the same target market. People that are 'wanting' their cars pampered.

Now, how do you convince someone that 'your' luxury is a nessecity? Is it the 'gift of grab' that help you, or is it the previous vehicles you've worked on or a combination?

It is rather difficult to convince people it IS a necessary luxury. I find people either buy it or they don't. Some people think detailing is something you do after trashing a car for five years. Others know that a thorough detailing should be done at least twice a year if not more often. Some people though can be convinced if you explain the benefits to a frequently detailed car.

smprince1 · 12-19-08, 12:33

I think many consider it a luxury to hire a detailer because they feel it's something they could do themselves if they wanted to (you can agree or disagree with this). They probably feel the same way about hiring somebody to mow their lawn, do housecleaning, eat at a restaurant, etc.

As an example, I had a co-worker ask me what I would charge for a full interior/exterior detail (no correction). When I told him, he said he didn't want to spend that much and would do it himself.

A few weeks later I asked him how it turned out, he replied "Dang, I spent my entire Saturday washing, waxing, polishing the chrome, cleaning the windows, vacuuming the interior and trunk, shampooing the carpets, cleaning and conditioning my leather, dressing the interior, etc. .... it took me like 8 hours". I explained to him that's the reason for my rate, as it is time consuming.

So, in these people's minds it's a 'luxury' to them to have somebody else detail their vehicle rather than using up their valuable free time. Not to mention I'm fairly confident I would have done a more thorough job with better results.