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

[trig]

I guess I'll bring it back on topic, since I didn't see anyone mention it over 7 pages of arguing. (Hopefully I didn't skip over any real posts!)



OP, you had your answer in your own post. Part of choosing a selling price is choosing your customer base. You chose it (I assume you fit in there somewhere), and you have a general idea of what it would be worth. You want to take the amount you think they'd pay, the amount you'd like to make (the key is this number should be at least a little profitable), and meet somewhere in the middle, preferably to the higher (your) side.



My guess is you came up with $18 bucks somehow, and you're not really undercharging. I think your post indicates that you are looking for a reason to give yourself a raise though, and I think you know you deserve one, so go for it. Just remember to keep it in a range that will keep your employers happy, and they'll be fine with it too.

 

[mburns813]

I would say that you are charging just the right amount as long as you still have business. I posted my prices in a thread that should be just below this in order to get some responses. I am in a similar situation. I am 17 years old and offer the similar services at around the same prices. In around 3 months my friend and I have made $1500 some dollars to split between us resulting in around a $600 profit for me. I assume you are making similar amounts of money. I have very few living expenses so having $600 extra dollars to save has been a great deal. Sure I do not make the lucrative sums people in this thread claim to make but the money is great and as I slowly establish connections my business is only growing.



I hope this helped.

 

[Accumulator]

... I am in a similar situation. I am 17 years old and offer the similar services at around the same prices. In around 3 months my friend and I have made $1500 some dollars to split between us resulting in around a $600 profit for me...the money is great and as I slowly establish connections my business is only growing..

Glad to hear things are working out well for you, and I hope HydroMan finds it encouraging.



EDIT: For that matter, I hope that HydroMan hasn't blown off Autopia...wouldn't blame him after the way this thread....uhm...developed.

 

[Smoked Tails]

I know I'm a bit late to this party. Also, I realize that I'm not a pro...I'm just a dude with OCDish tendencies towards certain things. But since you're doing this for a little extra cash while you progress in life towards your actual vocation, which could actually be detailing for all we know, your pricing seems reasonable. Simplify your "menu" and make sure you communicate well with your clients.



Take the time to learn to read people and then use your people skills to your advantage. Don't short anyone, but be more selective to throwing in a little extra to people that have the word of mouth influence to send multiple clients your way. Don't over-do it though, you wouldn't want them to over-hype you so that your referrals feel like you didn't deliver. It's a fine line and it may take a good bit of time and trial and error to get it right.



If things pick up for you, it's probably going to be time to contemplate whether or not to pick this up as a full-time thing. Things you will want to ask yourself:



1.) Do I enjoy this as a hobby? Is it an escape where you get to really have some quality time with yourself and let go? Because if the answer to that is yes, I would recommend not making it your first career choice. Reason being that, to me, a hobby is sacred ground. I have tried doing things I love, my hobbies, as a job before. It ruins them for me. YMMV.



2.) Am I ready to be a small business owner? Because that's exactly what you're going to be. An owner/operator, and there's nothing finer than that. You're totally in control of your destiny and the work you put into it will reflect in how well you do. (Bear in mind, there's a lot of research to be done there. I would recommend a few classes or heavy reading in small business management, knock out a business plan, and really contemplate the financial end of things if you do start into a career as a o/o. Most businesses fail because they didn't borrow enough. Don't be too cheap...)



3.) Am I really sure? If you've gotten through point number two and want to press on, really consider it. And I don't mean consider how your van will look, I mean to think about it not working out. How could that potentially affect you and your family? How would you rebound?



I'm not trying to sway you either way. Honestly, I've worked for a good number of small businesses and I had contemplated starting a business myself. Somewhere along thinking about number two, I realized that in that time of my life, I was not fit to be a small business owner/operator. Just think about it. I over-analyze everything, if you hadn't noticed from the post. I truly wish you the best with wherever you take this. Good luck, man. (I do love parenthetical qualifiers. If the military doesn't work out for me, I'm opening a restaurant with my father, I'm ready for it now. I'd rather do a detailing shop with him, but he sucks at cleaning/washing/detailing cars and I want to include my Dad. Old bugger means a bit to me and cooking is less hallowed ground to me compared to detailing. OTOH, we both make a great meal.)



Tim

 

[Got Wax]

To the OP...first: I think you should work on your triggers. "Cheap" doesn't sell your services very confidently. "Affordable" or "Inexpensive" would fit better. And, if you are able, a clean and professiona ltrailer and vehicle add value. You don't want to be arriving with some afterthought (Plywood and 2X4 with your equipment lag bolted to the florr being pulled by some behemouth assult vehicle. New truck/van pulling a professionally designed trailer will work wonders to promote your image and abilities.