A little pkg i put together for a local elementary school.

**imported_hooked** · 10-12-2007, 11:22 AM

I feel that you should add either the details/price of your full package or at least an "ask about my complete package" in your flier. Even though teachers might not make a lot of money, maybe a spouse does, or someone might feel the need to treat their car/themselves to the best you have to offer.

P.S. Very clever idea, by the way. How did you get approval to put your fliers in the teachers` mailboxes? I`d love to do that but detailing is my "second" job, so I wouldn`t be able to work during weekdays.

**JRock10** · 10-12-2007, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by David Fermani

You think? Teachers can`t afford more than $75 for a "cleaning"? I did a yellow pages search for detail shops in Nashville and there`s mobile detailers charging alot more and they advertise "completes". I think it`s a good idea to atleast offer a more expensive package than just $75. If you don`t offer it, people might think you`re not capable of doing it.

i see your point and it is a very good one; however, many of the teachers at this particular school are first or second year teachers, still at the bottom of the pay range. I`m not saying they can`t afford it, but I didn`t really want to bust in the door with >$200 details saying "I`m here to clean your cars! Give me all your monies!" I`ve put this together to be a sort of "in", a way to get my foot in the door to bigger and better things.

about the other mobile detailers in the area, yes, there are some offering full details, and i do offer packages and services in line with what they are doing. i did a (what i think) good amount of research when pricing my services. I just thought this would be a good ice breaker and/or gimmick way to expand my company name and grow my business.

**JRock10** · 10-12-2007, 11:31 AM

brwill2005- exactly.

hooked- good idea. i didn`t really think of doing that to be honest. i guess i was counting on a face-face after the job!

**Bert** · 10-12-2007, 12:02 PM

Would the average lay person know what it means for their dash and wheel wells to be "dressed". I cannot think of a better term but just asking.

**JRock10** · 10-12-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by bert31

Would the average lay person know what it means for their dash and wheel wells to be "dressed". I cannot think of a better term but just asking.

heheh, i doubt it. other than "protectant applied"

edit: adding more words causes the type to be off, thus going onto a 2nd page

**todd@bsaw** · 10-12-2007, 04:24 PM

I think that offering your services to teachers is a very good idea.

Sure, teachers may not be the wealthiest of occupations, but here`s two points:

1) People need to keep their cars cleaned. Not matter what their tax bracket.

2) Three words: Parent/Teacher Conference.

If you can get the teachers a great deal, they will spread the word. My girlfriend works at a hospital as a nurse and I give all her co-workers (just the nurses and techs) discounts. They spread the word to the doctors.

**Stephenwz968** · 10-12-2007, 08:00 PM

As a high school teacher, I can say that I my colleagues have had me detail their cars, many times at prices over $150, and there are many "car crazy" guys that work at the high school. I have had a few wives come and hire me for their car crazy husbands.

Steve

**JRock10** · 10-14-2007, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by Stephenwz968

As a high school teacher, I can say that I my colleagues have had me detail their cars, many times at prices over $150, and there are many "car crazy" guys that work at the high school. I have had a few wives come and hire me for their car crazy husbands.

Steve

and i hope this will lead to that sort of business. but as for now, i made $110 in ~ 4 hrs. Not a bankbusting day, but income is income.

**David Fermani** · 10-14-2007, 08:22 AM

Think about this: After taking out your overhead(products/gas/taxes/insurance/vehicle expenses), what are you left with per hour? Alot less than $20 per hour. It may be worth it to get your feet off the ground, but if your passion is detailing and you`re planning on doing as a long term career, you`ll eventually need to raise your prices. One thing that is ruining our trade is the amount of fly-by-night / wanna-make-money car cleaners. They enter the market with super low prices and it negative effects the industry. It confuses the people that are use to paying alot more. Why is this guy charging 1/2 the price of my current detailer? Am I getting ripped off? In turn the established guy has a harder time raising his rates(inflation), and could possibly be forsed to leave the business. If the industry standard/area standard is alot higer, why not charge accordingly to be competitive? You`ll only make more money, be happier and end up staying in business longer.

Please don`t get offended by my message. I really like your whole marketing scheme. It`s a great idea, that I`ll bet people here are thinking about using (me for one). You posting this here is just going to open up things for debate for a positive effect. You can take people`s opinions with a grain of salt, but just think about the big picture. That`s all, just think about it. I`m not trying to be over-critical, just trying to help.

**SpoiledMan** · 10-14-2007, 09:12 AM

I gift my kids caregivers/teachers a wash for Christmas and that kills two birds with one stone. A couple have not taken advantage but the rest, well, their on the list now.

**JRock10** · 10-19-2007, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Think about this: After taking out your overhead(products/gas/taxes/insurance/vehicle expenses), what are you left with per hour? Alot less than $20 per hour. It may be worth it to get your feet off the ground, but if your passion is detailing and you`re planning on doing as a long term career, you`ll eventually need to raise your prices. One thing that is ruining our trade is the amount of fly-by-night / wanna-make-money car cleaners. They enter the market with super low prices and it negative effects the industry. It confuses the people that are use to paying alot more. Why is this guy charging 1/2 the price of my current detailer? Am I getting ripped off? In turn the established guy has a harder time raising his rates(inflation), and could possibly be forsed to leave the business. If the industry standard/area standard is alot higer, why not charge accordingly to be competitive? You`ll only make more money, be happier and end up staying in business longer.

Please don`t get offended by my message. I really like your whole marketing scheme. It`s a great idea, that I`ll bet people here are thinking about using (me for one). You posting this here is just going to open up things for debate for a positive effect. You can take people`s opinions with a grain of salt, but just think about the big picture. That`s all, just think about it. I`m not trying to be over-critical, just trying to help.

no. dude, no. I take no offense whatsoever. the comments posted here have been very helpful. at first i was a little defensive, as is anyone that puts their idea out there for the world to read. but the points raised, especially you, have really made me think about the pricing and be more analytical of my business costs/expenses.

I`m also honored that someone of your stature here on the board is considering the idea. It is quite complimentary of you and I thank you for the positve encouragement.

Lastly, I want to let the fellow Autopians know that if my idea would be useful to you, please feel free to use these packages as a guideline to your own style of advertising. You may even use the names I used. I hope it will work for you as well. Let me know how it works out for you!

**Labster** · 10-21-2007, 04:22 PM

I went home and grabbed a large part of my detailing arsenal and brought it up to school and I`m gonna pay a visit to the 3 schools within 3 miles of me and see how it goes. Great idea!

**JRock10** · 10-22-2007, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Labster

I went home and grabbed a large part of my detailing arsenal and brought it up to school and I`m gonna pay a visit to the 3 schools within 3 miles of me and see how it goes. Great idea!

werd. I`d advise clearing with the principal of the school first. That may help you.