Black Velvet Detailing: 08 Escalade HORROR! - Page 2

Leadfootluke · 11-02-09, 02:07

I commend you for doing the work for cheap.

If that is what it took to get your foot in the door, that may have been wise. As long as they understand what it will cost in the future, you may have repeat business from that customer.

Well done though, tricky vehicle for sure. Great job!

MuttGrunt · 11-02-09, 03:34

looks like some good work, but WAY too cheap. If you wanted to do that car for cheap - you should have charged $300+

bridgersmith · 11-02-09, 03:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by tssdetailing

holy ****, that's amazing work, brother!!! Yes, you lost money on it-but the car came out spectacular and it's safe to assume birds of a feather. I would look at it as a marketing expense and feel confident knowing his friends will be calling soon.

In the future I would bid $55/hour and expect about $200 upfront for THAT LEVEL of correction.

I agree, excellent work! Keep it up!

15951 · 11-02-09, 05:29

If you truly were doing a "special" the first time around to build business, I recommend very clearly educating this customer accordingly. All he knows is that he needed his vehicle "detailed", and three days and $100 later, it's done. He might feel like you're trying to rip him off if you triple (or more) the price the next time around.

The "birds of a feather" thing can work in unintended ways as well. I have a guy that pressure washes my house for great prices, and does good work. I tell my friends how good and inexpensive it is to use him. If he quotes one of them a high price, they're going to feel like he's trying to rip them off, even if he's worth the extra $$.

Just an alternative point of view. I would NEVER give someone an unrealistically low price on quality work unless they were absolutely crystal clear that they were getting a one-time deal of the century. I would also ask them to book the next one at time of completion, and make it clear what your expectations are based on the favor you did for them this time around.

Scottwax · 11-02-09, 05:32

I agree with the others, excellent job on the Escalade and you should have charged a lot more. Don't make the same mistake I did when I first started out doing jobs for not much money. You only get price shoppers at those prices.

tdekany · 11-03-09, 01:24

Stunning work, raise your prices

HiMyNameIsSean · 11-03-09, 05:09

Amazing job on that SUV. I would raise your prices ASAP though. If you build any kind of client base this year, and than spring rolls around and your 3 or 4 times more expensive, any work you did will be "wasted". This has been my experience anyways.

iRace559 · 11-03-09, 05:44

Thank you for all the positive feedback guys. I really appreciate it.

I made sure the customer understood that this was way under what I would normally charge to do this. Hopefully it brings me some more business, which it should.

black03mach · 11-04-09, 12:31

wow that looks awesome...so you wanna come polish my truck for 150? lol jk looks good

Möller · 11-04-09, 01:24

Dont be to low on your prices, its much harder to start raising the orices after a little while than to charge a bit more from the beginning.
But I understand that you didnt want to charge him too much if he is able to get you more work, I do that as well, but I'm carefull to point out to the customer that he gets a good price because he gets me more customers.
The car looks great and for a detailing work like that on a big truck like that and considering that its black I would charge him 500€ only for the paint, not any of the interior.

You have good talents and I hope you get a good reputation for beeing good, not low price works!

elitemobile · 11-06-09, 08:08

I think you did a great job and don't beat yourself up about the low price think of it as advertisement for the future....just make sure the customer knows that you gave them a special price and for them not to spread around what they paid for that level