Am I charging too low of a price? $18?

HydroMan · 04-01-09, 12:12

I know what the whole thing is about appearing to be cheap and attracting cheap customers.

The problem is, I am starting to clean cars for my religious community and they do not make so much money. They do need car washes at least once a month so I am hired to go to their places.

I do a good job, but I am definitely not pro-caliber. I do a good quick vacuuming, clean windows and rinse, soap, rinse, dry the exterior. I charge extra for wax.

With the way the economy is going and my niche market, i thought I had a good price. I live with my grandparents (college), so this is not a full time gig. Am I still undercutting myself?

I am thinking about moving to a waterless car wash product to save time, that way I don't do so much work for the cash.

help me please!

HydroMan · 04-01-09, 12:42

It takes me on average an hour and my customers still complain about how long it takes and sometimes I get tips. This is why I am moving to a waterless system so it will take me a lot less time.

I don't get multiple cars per day, but like 1 or 2 per week. Like I said, its not a full time gig. But I may do more marketing...

I am scared to raise prices because what if I lose customers? I agree, I think I should charge more but I have all my business cards and website at the $18 price tag.

What do I do?

Setec Astronomy · 04-01-09, 03:56

I don't know if this is really a "pro" question. Do you have a mobile rig? Are you licensed and insured? If not, and I don't know how much travel is involved, but if it's only taking you an hour, $18/hr. (minus ur travel time & material costs) isn't a bad pay rate for a part-time college job (even better if it's under the table and/or you get tips that you're not reporting), is it? I bet if you could get up to 5 or 6 a week you'd be pretty happy. Sure it would be nice to charge $35...but it sounds like your market will be back to the $7 local car wash.

jdoria · 04-01-09, 04:17

First sign you are working for the wrong people - "it takes too much time". If they haven't got much money, where are they in a rush to go to?

Don't get your hopes up on this gig.

If you need the $18, then charge that and give them an 18 dollar job.

HydroMan · 04-01-09, 07:42

Thanks soo much guys! Yeah I don't even have a mobile rig. Its mostly a part-time job. I do want to do a good job, but faster (even though they never tell me outright that I was taking a long time, they suggest it but still tip me) so thats why I want to make my own waterless spray and "give them the $18 job". But a good one nevertheless

stiffdogg06 · 04-01-09, 08:27

Part time for side money. If they don't like the price tell them where the nearest swirls wash is it.

toyotaguy · 04-01-09, 10:09

too cheap!

I just got back from a two car deal (usually 4 cars, but with layoffs and the economy, only two today, makes it hard to go, but its money, so....) and it took me two hours on a M3 and a full size truck. ONR, wheels, tires, windows, jambs, vacuum, dusting, tire dressing, DONE! - with 55 bucks in the pocket...not too shabby earning almost 30/hr washing...detailing, that bumps the hourly rate to about 50-60.

if you are satisfied with 18/hr, then do it, but you dont charge based on the needs of others, just what its worth to you!

Accumulator · 04-01-09, 10:43

HydroMan- Sounds like you're between a rock and a hard place: you're socially affiliated with the customers in question but they're unappreciative.

Bottom line IMO: is it worth doing from *your* perspective?

Jakerooni · 04-01-09, 03:01

What are you providing them that they can't do with $5 in quaters down the road at the local coin op? If you're not offering them anything more than what they can get there then i'd say you're probably charging a little high. But you factor in the convience of you showing up there then I think that really takes care of that extra part of the expense. I really get irritated with people who think tossing some soap in a bucket should demand a friggin $100. There's a HUGE difference between a simple wash and wax and actually detailing. I think your in a fair ballpark with your prices providing the services you're giving. Saying it cost $50 or more to simply wash a car is outright stupid. Now If your actually "Detailing" then of course that's an entirely different story.

HydroMan · 04-01-09, 10:48

jakerooni, you are spot on. I am not a pro detailer, and I go to people's houses and save them the inconvienence of going out and washing their cars. Plus, they like to brag about the fact they have a "detailer'", I don't correct them when they call me a detailer. I am just a glorified simple mobile car wash college kid. I believe my price is fair, and I don't mind.

For example, washing a beautiful infiniti g35 (a monthly customer, and good tipper) gave me pleasure to do so. I would have done it for free. I actually look forward to cleaning that car every month. I want one really bad lol.

toyotaguy · 04-01-09, 10:55

why not just bump it to 20, dont most give you that $2 as a tip anyway, i would...then if you are $20, they may start giving you $25 instead...

HydroMan · 04-02-09, 01:51

Well my price has a psychological effect on people. When they see it the first time, they always say "thats cheaper than the other car wash" and they almost always book an appointment.

When I am finished, and its payment time, they almost always give me $20+tip

I've had a few that paid exactly $18 though so its a risk but not always. I am ALWAYS polite and pleasant. Thank yous and have a good days are tantamount.