What is a fair price to charge? - Page 2

justinschmidt1 · 04-30-08, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalker25

I do my in-laws cars for free and they pay/tip me for the cost of the products I use...typically they pay for new pads/etc. Plus they tell everyone they know that I detail cars and there car always looks good (free quick detail every Tuesday, when they feed me and my wifey)

however my friends pay $100, everyone else is priced when the car is seen; nothing worse than talking to someone on the phone and they say "oh it looks fine" but when you get it under halogens it looks like crap.

in-law/parents - free (free advertising from them and food...can't argue there)
friends - $100 for a 2 step polish and the works
everyone else - priced when seen and based on needs/wants

yea...thats basically what I told one of my friends.

He has light swirls.

I told him I could do a 2 step and the works for 100

justinschmidt1 · 04-30-08, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

Mmmmhmmm...
I stand by my statement, you'd know if it's enough.

Defensiveness makes your credibility plummet, heh.

I don't know whats enough...thats why I made this thread.

I wanted to know what other people charged.

I figure 100-200 depending on what I have to do for now.

BillyL207 · 04-30-08, 08:43

I don't know how many times I see this question. You have to know your MARKET. Take into consideration that the economy has taken a crap too. Don't swirl remove without insurance or your screwed. Always charge less for friends because they talk which could be free advertising. If your just starting out. I think 60 bucks for a wash , wax , interior would be fine (inside windows , dress all plastics and vinyl, vaccuum

justinschmidt1 · 04-30-08, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyL207

I don't know how many times I see this question. You have to know your MARKET. Take into consideration that the economy has taken a crap too. Don't swirl remove without insurance or your screwed. Always charge less for friends because they talk which could be free advertising. If your just starting out. I think 60 bucks for a wash , wax , interior would be fine (inside windows , dress all plastics and vinyl, vaccuum

Well, I would be fine with that price but the thing is all the people want more than just a wash and wax

Im gonna be claying, swirls, scratches, polishing, waxing

Why cant I swirl remove without insurance?

Im doing the swirl removing with a PC that doesn't seem to take any clear coat off unless I work it into the same spot for 10 minutes.

The cars Im doing are generally newer/ better maintained cars

charlesaferg · 05-01-08, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinschmidt1

Why cant I swirl remove without insurance?

The cars Im doing are generally newer/ better maintained cars

All the more reason to have insurance.

Your dealership has insurance.
We're just covering out butts as detailers, saving fellow detailers.

Sounds like you're just finding reasoning to charge as much as possible. As stated above, and he's right on when he said it. The market is a huge part of it. Unless you genuinely have somethine else to offer, and from what you personally own, without taking into account your experience, I wouldn't charge more than 100 - 150 to your close friends, and that's pushing it.

justinschmidt1 · 05-01-08, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

All the more reason to have insurance.

Your dealership has insurance.
We're just covering out butts as detailers, saving fellow detailers.

Sounds like you're just finding reasoning to charge as much as possible. As stated above, and he's right on when he said it. The market is a huge part of it. Unless you genuinely have somethine else to offer, and from what you personally own, without taking into account your experience, I wouldn't charge more than 100 - 150 to your close friends, and that's pushing it.

I only charge my close friends like 100 bucks for the works, anything they need

These people arent friends...just people I know.

I dont really know what you mean by finding reasoning to charge as much as possible....Im just trying to make my time worth it.

I dont want to spend 6 hours detailing a car, working my butt off to make 80 bucks.

brwill2005 · 05-01-08, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinschmidt1

I only charge my close friends like 100 bucks for the works, anything they need

These people arent friends...just people I know.

I dont really know what you mean by finding reasoning to charge as much as possible....Im just trying to make my time worth it.

I dont want to spend 6 hours detailing a car, working my butt off to make 80 bucks.

You should not be asking others what 'you' should charge. As already stated, you should base your charges on how much your time is wort, and what the opportunity cost is. Other things to consider include your local market conditions, and your cost of doing business. I believe you stated that you are doing this as a side job, so your costs would be much lower than someone like me who has to pay for licenses, insurance, taxes etc.

charlesaferg · 05-01-08, 01:21

Considering it usually takes me 12-14+ hours, and I'm young, in-shape, and fast - I'd go with no more than 100-150 like you stated, from my reasoning above. Your procedures and resources are very limited. That's not even including your experience level.

Obviously you're set on doing your own thing - so I won't stop you. I'm not here to argue with you about something you already know everything about.

If you screw up, you'd better be able to fess up and pay the consequences, otherwise you give us all a bad name.

justinschmidt1 · 05-01-08, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

Considering it usually takes me 12-14+ hours, and I'm young, in-shape, and fast - I'd go with no more than 100-150 like you stated, from my reasoning above. Your procedures and resources are very limited. That's not even including your experience level.

Obviously you're set on doing your own thing - so I won't stop you. I'm not here to argue with you about something you already know everything about.

If you screw up, you'd better be able to fess up and pay the consequences, otherwise you give us all a bad name.

Yes, If I screw up I will pay the consequences...but I dont know how you think im gonna screw up?

Im using a PC

I dont think I could burn through anything if I wanted too

Denzil · 05-01-08, 02:00

I usually charge my friends $100 for exterior or interior details. Of course, I set aside a day for one of those details or 2 days for both details. I really take my time with my friends cars.

Oh yeah, I charge my parents $100 for both exterior and interior... since they are, after all, my parents and I love them, hehe. I actually spend just as much time on their cars as I do mine.

charlesaferg · 05-01-08, 04:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinschmidt1

Yes, If I screw up I will pay the consequences...but I dont know how you think im gonna screw up?

Im using a PC

I dont think I could burn through anything if I wanted too

You're correct in the PC7424 for the most part, but don't get too complacent, I've seen it done. Overall though, it's less about screwing up - more about what you can actually do with probably around $150 of actual product besides your PC and pads... I'd say it's more of a maintainence regimen than a full detail.

I've stated this before, but it's quite obvious you are limited in experience - it isn't a personal attack on you, and I'm not making a fool out of you. It's just that the attempt to ignore this really kills your credibility. Enough for many of us to doubt that you should charge people you don't know, as a business - however small. They could potentially be paying you for services far less than what is possible.

It's a card played all too often with the local detailers around here, and it gives us all a bad name, charging more than the services you can provide. Somebody will call you out on it otherwise.
Unethical business practice is my one pet peeve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denzil

I usually charge my friends $100 for exterior or interior details. Of course, I set aside a day for one of those details or 2 days for both details. I really take my time with my friends cars.

Oh yeah, I charge my parents $100 for both exterior and interior... since they are, after all, my parents and I love them, hehe. I actually spend just as much time on their cars as I do mine.

Yet, this is a good example. Denzil has shown through words and experience that he knows what he is doing.

Not to be a mean guy, but it's good advice. I'm not going to argue, and I'm sure as hell not going to beg, I'm throwing it out there.
I think all of us agree that the unethical detailer is worse than the guy who can't wash his own car properly, at least the guy will learn. The "detailer" will most likely be stubborn and continue, I mean hell - he's making money from it.

EG - This guy... User: Benz Rider...
more 280 pics after a full detail - Page 2 - Benzworld.org - Mercedes Benz Discussion Forum

BillyL207 · 05-01-08, 04:57

If your gonna swirl remove I wouldn't think twice about a pc7424 either. Your thinking about how much time it will take to remove swirls with that machine. It's going to take a LONG LONG time. I'm not trying to be mean I'm just trying to be up front about it. Ask any pro on here they everyone has started their prices very low. When I started when I was 16 I did wash, wax and interior for 35 bucks. Now I charge 70 for that job. It only take about 1.5 hours. Keep it easy on yourself and don't swirl remove without insurance Friends will be friends until you mess something up.