Customer's boyfriend not happy w/ price

E

ernman

Member
I detailed my neighbors Chevy small suv over the weekend. I do them on the side and generally do about 10 / year. I did hers last year for the first time and very she was happy w/ it, and when her friend saw her car, she scheduled hers for this Sunday. I charged her $120 for a complete detail that included wash, polish, wax, detail engine bay, spot clean carpets, wash and detail interior.

Her boyfriend told her that I charged her too much and he wouldn’t have me do her car again. I went on line and found a local guy that does it part time also and he has a similar package on his web site for $200 for small sport util. vehicles. The one thing that he had listed that I didn’t do was clay the paint.

Would you mention this site to her and have her show the boyfriend?
 
What, is your ego bruised by this? Are you afraid you'll only be able to do 9 on the side this year if you don't fix this? How about forgetting about it and moving on. There are always going to be people that think you charge too much, no matter how many websites you show them or how much you drop your price.
 
If she already paid, leave it alone. Some times people don't realize what it takes. It sounds like you have a good amount of work in the car for the money.
You can only justify your work without argument to succeed.
People notice those who produce.
 
120 is cheap! Just let it pass. His ego is hurt cuz he didn't/couldn't do it! On the other hand, I just did a Equinox for a friend this weekend and her boyfriend actually tipped me $30. So it just shows that people are different and you gotta take the good with the bad!
 
People tell me all the time that my prices are too high, but after they go to a couple local wash boys, they see where that extra money went. I dont even try to compete with everyone elses prices..to be honest I dont even know what most of the other guys around here charge. I know what my work is worth, and if its too much according to some, they arent the client for me. I wouldnt worry about the boyfriend. He was prob talking out his a$$ to look tough for his gf anyway lol.
 
Dr Oldz said:
His ego is hurt cuz he didn't/couldn't do it!
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I want to be a fly on the wall when next time he does it himself or has some hack do it for cheap, then she tells him to call you to do it right.:lmfao Sounds like she got a good deal. I would have charged around $200 also.

I have a standard response for people who question my price: "I don't compete with their price and they don't compete with my quality."
 
ernman said:
I detailed my neighbors Chevy small suv over the weekend. I do them on the side and generally do about 10 / year. I did hers last year for the first time and very she was happy w/ it, and when her friend saw her car, she scheduled hers for this Sunday. I charged her $120 for a complete detail that included wash, polish, wax, detail engine bay, spot clean carpets, wash and detail interior.

Her boyfriend told her that I charged her too much and he wouldn’t have me do her car again. I went on line and found a local guy that does it part time also and he has a similar package on his web site for $200 for small sport util. vehicles. The one thing that he had listed that I didn’t do was clay the paint.

Would you mention this site to her and have her show the boyfriend?
Click to expand...

It may be just me, but why would you ever polish a vehicle without claying first?
 
ernman said:
I detailed my neighbors Chevy small suv over the weekend. I do them on the side and generally do about 10 / year. I did hers last year for the first time and very she was happy w/ it, and when her friend saw her car, she scheduled hers for this Sunday. I charged her $120 for a complete detail that included wash, polish, wax, detail engine bay, spot clean carpets, wash and detail interior.

Her boyfriend told her that I charged her too much and he wouldn’t have me do her car again. I went on line and found a local guy that does it part time also and he has a similar package on his web site for $200 for small sport util. vehicles. The one thing that he had listed that I didn’t do was clay the paint.

Would you mention this site to her and have her show the boyfriend?
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Did you quote the price to the client prior to doing the car? If you did and she agreed, then what her BF thinks is in-material, unless he was paying for it.

Most cases like this are people that don't understand what this level of service is all about. They are under the impression, that a local car wash place can do the same work for 30 bucks. I wouldn't give it another thought and move on. Do not lower your prices or do less work / cut corners in anyway. Instead seek out those that find value in your work and do not take issue in what you are charging.;)
 
Agree with everyone else. Let it go and he/she can shop around next time and see you are priced well. He clearly has no idea what he is talking about.
 
this was her vehicle not her bf's and if she was happy then to hell with him. and like everyone else has said she got a good deal. should have been minimum $200. not sure if you want to keep this can of worms open but what you can do is tell her boyfriend to bring his car over and you and him both will do to his car what you did to her's that way he will see what it takes. i get people telling me all the time my prices are to high for just starting out to do this full time since i have no work out there to show. but i know what it takes. set your prices and stick to them.
 
I think a lot of people look at just the package price & they tend not to even think about the hours of work & products that go into the job. If they thought about the time & cost of supplies they might realize they are getting a great deal!
 
holland_patrick said:
Pic's of the client????
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Exactly. LOL!

To the OP: Dude, spring for a combo lube/clay bar package... ~$20. Watch the AG instructional video (or simply follow the directions on the box.) Cut the bar into fourths and it'll last all year. You will be amazed at how easy and effective claying is.

Also... your price is right on. As you become more experienced/proficient, consider bumping it up.

All the best!
 
Your price is great for what you did. If anything it could be a little higher. People that complain about pricing (as long as it really is reasonable) just don't realize what's involved to make a car look great; the physical demand, the cost of product, etc. This guy would have a heart attack if he saw the highliners that charge $60+ an hour. I charge about $25 an hour myself and I plan to increase my rate as my demand increases. If you do great work and build strong rapport with your clients you will find plenty of people willing to pay for it. I know im preaching to the choir, but hearing things like this prompt me to speak out.
 
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