Going from hobby to weekend warrior

**Prerunner06** · 02-23-2012, 09:03 PM

I am looking for some good starting tips I will mainly be working on vw /Audi at the moment I`m completely lost on where to even start pricing. I want to start low but not to low where when my prices change business goes away. Any tips on how to start?

**mrclean81** · 02-23-2012, 09:36 PM

Call around and find out what others in the area are charging first. The area you live in will determine a lot. Also, youll need to decide what level of detailing you plan to do, how much supplies will factor in, etc. Once you get a good system down from start to finish, figure out how long it generally takes you to finish a car, then decide what you need to make an hour.

**Todd@RUPES** · 02-28-2012, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by mrclean81

Call around and find out what others in the area are charging first. The area you live in will determine a lot. Also, youll need to decide what level of detailing you plan to do, how much supplies will factor in, etc. Once you get a good system down from start to finish, figure out how long it generally takes you to finish a car, then decide what you need to make an hour.

Perfect advice!

**vdubbya** · 02-28-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by mrclean81

Call around and find out what others in the area are charging first. The area you live in will determine a lot. Also, youll need to decide what level of detailing you plan to do, how much supplies will factor in, etc. Once you get a good system down from start to finish, figure out how long it generally takes you to finish a car, then decide what you need to make an hour.

This is great advice. My tip, don`t sell yourself short to earn business. I`ve found the people looking for the "best price" can most often than not be a bit of a hassle. Command what you`re worth or offer these fore mentioned customers a package that best suits "their" price. It`s true that it`s a "win some/lose some job" but your time is worth money period. Good luck to you!

**rustytruck** · 08-22-2012, 08:49 PM

Adjusting (raising) your prices is no big deal. I have done it a few times. Just don`t print anything with your prices on it. It`s easy to go to your website and change your $139 package to your $155 package. you will find it is just part of the business to adjust your pricing and packages based on what is happening.

**ca.detailchick** · 08-22-2012, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by rustytruck

Adjusting (raising) your prices is no big deal. I have done it a few times. Just don`t print anything with your prices on it. It`s easy to go to your website and change your $139 package to your $155 package. you will find it is just part of the business to adjust your pricing and packages based on what is happening.

Im way overdue for a price increase and by next year it will happen.

I always remember this one lady whinning and whinning and argueing over my price increase where as all my other customers were fine with it.

I lost her as a customer but thats ok ! Bye bye!

**Old Pirate** · 08-23-2012, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by mrclean81

Call around and find out what others in the area are charging first. The area you live in will determine a lot. Also, youll need to decide what level of detailing you plan to do, how much supplies will factor in, etc. Once you get a good system down from start to finish, figure out how long it generally takes you to finish a car, then decide what you need to make an hour.

Couldn`t have it better and don`t sell yourself short on anything.

**Todd@RUPES** · 08-23-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by ca.detailchick

Im way overdue for a price increase and by next year it will happen.

I always remember this one lady whinning and whinning and argueing over my price increase where as all my other customers were fine with it.

I lost her as a customer but thats ok ! Bye bye!

Good riddance!

**Orinda Auto Detail** · 08-23-2012, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by ca.detailchick

Im way overdue for a price increase and by next year it will happen.

I always remember this one lady whinning and whinning and argueing over my price increase where as all my other customers were fine with it.

I lost her as a customer but thats ok ! Bye bye!

I`d still send her an Xmas card

**ca.detailchick** · 08-23-2012, 10:13 PM

I started off with my prices very low and was extreemly busy from the start because my prices were low.I used to be booked a month in advance the first summer I started. But many of the details I was getting were really trashed cars.

When I raised my prices I wasnt nearly as busy but my jobs and customers improved .And most importantly I was happier!