How do you price longer lasting/higher end LSPs

512detail

512detail

New member
I am finally getting around to making a final price sheet so I can get my website up and I want to offer LSP upgrade options.

standard LSP for a non polishing detail would be a 1-3 month option

next level are my sprays that last "up to 6 months" - Rupes P808, Reload, C2V3, PA sprays
there are also paste waxes I own like Black Ice and Synergy and DoDo Hybrid Nano that can last "up to six months" or so but require more time and effort to apply/remove

then I have my "up to 12 month sealants" - PA Master Sealant, PBL Paint Sealant etc

I`m battling this thought in my head that time is money as a business owner (which I quite often forget I am fundamentally operating a business here) and the sprays, which happen to last longer, take less time to apply- yet they are more expensive as opposed to doing something like a paste wax (Natty`s, DP, BF Midnight Sun) which per application is less expensive (controlling for labor time to apply/let haze/remove)

How do I figure this out?

I`m driving myself crazy here

This is my idea

standard with basic details comes your 1-3 month LSP (paste waxes or even liquid waxes, sealants like Nattys EX and EXP- which are more on the 3-4 month level if you ask me)

standard with any polishing job are my "6 month" sprays - P808 and the like

upgrade potential:
move from the 1-3 month to ~6month spray : $ X (add 10 and up-based on size?)
to ~1 year sealants: $ X (add 25 and up?)

move from ~6 month to ~1 year sealants: $ X (add 20 and up)

I`m comfortable with my coating prices

I`m splitting Actual polishing up as separate from my basic details (one with AIO machine and one without) because we all know it takes longer to do a true 1 step than it does to apply an AIO as one step (at least for me it does).

If you`re still following- I`d appreciate some input

I have to get this figured out, and I need some input.

I don`t want to undercut myself right off the bat- I`ve spent too long doing that already.

My goal for 2017 is to stop giving so much stuff away on the paid jobs.

Thanks in advance

-Brandt K.
 
Back up and cut down on the number of options. If you want to maximize profits you need to look toward products that are geared towards making money. Most of the labor is in the correction process anyway. Basically what I am trying to say is your menu has too many choices when most customers don`t even know a wax from a coating even after you take the time to explain it to them. Just come up with a wax package, a sealant package, and a coating package. Narrow it down and specialize. I hope I made some sense.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
Back up and cut down on the number of options. If you want to maximize profits you need to look toward products that are geared towards making money. Most of the labor is in the correction process anyway. Basically what I am trying to say is your menu has too many choices when most customers don`t even know a wax from a coating even after you take the time to explain it to them. Just come up with a wax package, a sealant package, and a coating package. Narrow it down and specialize. I hope I made some sense.
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I see what you`re saying

I just wanted to be able to provide an option of 3/6/12 month protection

and then the separate coating options

is that just too confusing to the consumer?
 
I do 1-3 month (spray) / 6 month (hand applied sealant/wax) / Coating as options. If you want to stick to your 3/6/12/coating, then just give it a try and settle on which selection of products you`ll be using . If the feedback is not good then you can always change it, it is your operation after all .
 
If you narrow it down to 3/6/12 which products would you choose? That is what confuses me. Some sprays sealants or booster type products can last 12 months, then you have waxes that last 1-3 months (even Fusion doesn`t last that long to me) and then coatings that last 12-36 months.

Charge for the correction more than the LSP.

Package 1. Wash, clay, LSP
Package 2: Wash, decon, clay, one step (AOI)
Package 3: Wash, decon, clay, full correction with a)wax, b) sealant and wax, c) coating
Add on: window coating, headlight protection, wheel protection

You could add a spray sealant over the AOI.

Too many choices confuses you, just think what they do to a potential customer. Most customers just want the cheapest package anyway. I wouldn`t base my price on LSP unless I was an authorized coating installer.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
If you narrow it down to 3/6/12 which products would you choose? That is what confuses me. Some sprays sealants or booster type products can last 12 months, then you have waxes that last 1-3 months (even Fusion doesn`t last that long to me) and then coatings that last 12-36 months.

Charge for the correction more than the LSP.

Package 1. Wash, clay, LSP
Package 2: Wash, decon, clay, one step (AOI)
Package 3: Wash, decon, clay, full correction with a)wax, b) sealant and wax, c) coating
Add on: window coating, headlight protection, wheel protection

You could add a spray sealant over the AOI.

Too many choices confuses you, just think what they do to a potential customer. Most customers just want the cheapest package anyway. I wouldn`t base my price on LSP unless I was an authorized coating installer.
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Bob, you`re right...all these choices I have confuse me as to what I should be doing on pricing relative to products used and their longevity

I`m still going to offer different levels of protection longevity on any detail short of a coating.

My real dilemma is how much more to charge for the extra protection.

What do you think about adding just one option for "premium" wax or sealant .. and instead of using something like P808 spray I use Master Sealant or PBL Paint Sealant ?
 
IMHO, as a consumer, the more choices, or the more complex the choices are, I think your going to end up with people either taking the cheapest option, or saying, "What do you think", because they will feel overwhelmed. Few people are going to be educated enough to make a "good" decision without you taking the time to give them the "Reader`s Digest" version of why one product is better than another. These are generally going to be first time customers. Rarely will you have this problem with a repeat customer, I don`t think. Maybe this is where the KISS theory should apply.
Jay
 
I am. Not a pro but I would make packages and the offer upgrades to buy up the lsp in a detail, add a spritz on top of a wash, add protection to Lesther,`carpet and glass in a full detail. Add engine to full detail all for a fee.
 
If it were me I would use optimum and clay with their spray was right after one. Fast and good.
 
I don`t want to add noise to your post, because I`m not a pro, but when I do other cars, my "customer" is usually so clueless that they can only muster up their requirements as wanting "shiny". I`ve worked for two days on cars that I swear I could have just used ONR and Adams Buttery Wax and they`d been just as happy. Just like if you were a chef, and made someone lamb chops with a pomegranate and leek reduction demiglaze, and they`d have been just as happy with a pork chop and A1.
 
I think most customers are non-Autopians and they want clean and shiny and cheap. If you can figure out how to do that and make a good profit you will be a big winner. Adding extras confuse the customer because he/she doesn`t really have an educated eye when looking at paint. Even Autopian have dificulty defining what shine they prefer. You want, dark, deep, wet, glassy, reflective, etc. I think Mike Lambert does great by sticking with Kamikaze. Maybe you should stick to PA and charge accordingly.
 
There has been a lot of good wisdom shared in this thread. Why make things so hard on yourself? Use the KISS(keep it simple stupid) system and make life easy for yourself! Pick a spray wax, sealant, coating for your 3,6,12 and let the customer know you can maintain their vehicle with a wash and booster to keep the vehicle looking freshly waxed,sealed,or coated and looking it`s best. Remember it`s a business, use the latest and greatest on your vehicles and have fun. But for the business use products that work and are easy to work with and that make sense for your business and bottom line...
 
i take my normal package and add in the additional price of the higher end product plus the additional X amount of time it takes to apply it
 
Hey Brandt,

Not a pro here by any means but this is what I ended up doing:
I provide a `up to 6 months` LSPs as part of my standard LSP offering. Its baked into the price of my detail/ correction packages.
Upgrades for `up to 12 month` LSPs start at $50 and optional addition of a wax topper start at $30 depending on size of vehicle.
Then coating offerings are seperate of course.

Sometimes a customer may balk at my standard detail pricing and then I usually say I can reduce the price by putting on a less durable LSP i.e. CarPro Hydro2 which would bring the price down `X` amount.

But I agree with the KISS method on keeping it simple on your website at the least. You can always custom tailor your LSP offerings as you speak to your customers and figure out their needs. So if you have a customer with a higher end vehicle for example you may up sell Polish Angel products if it fits their needs and they arent interested in a coating.

Just my $0.02 :)

I am sure you will find out what works best for you and you may go through a couple of different iterations based on customer feedback or your own experiences.
 
I don`t think I would quote any "x" month protection durations.

Have a set group in the lower priced package.

Make some mention about upgrades available ask for more details. If someone wants to know more about PA for example they will ask the average joe or Beth driver doesn`t know what p808 or PA even is or cares. You are the pro use what you want.

You have to cater to your clientele. A PA detail is gonna be more for the higher end car club or enthusiast crowd and charge dearly for it cause it`s an expensive product compared to slapping some 845 on the car after a quick polish.


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I don`t change my pricing at all when it comes to traditional waxes and sealants, only coatings. Virtually all my clients could care less what wax/sealant I use and I can`t recall the last time one requested a specific product. They always just leave it up to my discretion and I make my choice based on the vehicle, how it`s cared for, garaged, daily driver or weekend toy, ect....
 
My services are set up kinda like Chad`s. Basically my clients are going to pick the level prep work they would like to receive (Enhancement, One-Step Correction, Multi-Step Correction). Those prep service include a wax in their pricing, however they can then add different levels of paint coatings (2 yr, 5 yr or 7 yr). You need to look around and talk to some of the other local guys that do work in your area and try and keep your prices close to theirs. You don`t want to be that guy that undercuts everyone else in your area. You need to understand your market in order to be able to adjust your pricing. It took me awhile to realize that I could actually charge more and do less cars and actually make more money. As long as your doing high quality work it shouldn`t be an issue charging a premium for you work.

Feel free to take a look at my site if you wanna see how I have my pricing set up.
 
WaxAddict said:
.. and made someone lamb chops with a pomegranate and leek reduction demiglaze, and they`d have been just as happy with a pork chop and A1.
Click to expand...


I`m not longer thinking waxes and prices and customers. I don`t even know what half the stuff is above...but damn, sign me up for some! Sounds delicious!
 
Comparing prices with others in your area seems to me to be a somewhat slippery slope. Please understand that I am not advocating you completely disregard your current market however, YOU are the one that knows the values of your work and the products you use. While I agree that you can only reasonably charge what the market will bear, if you set yourself up to be " the best or one of the best" you can charge accordingly and not really worry about the hack down the street. Your work and results will speak for themselves. This kinda reminds me of a sign I saw above a professional barber shop--it said, "We fix $8.00 haircuts". IMHO fair and reasonable pricing and excellent results are not mutually exclusive. Part of the initial consultation process should be about your pricing structure and what both you and your customer can and should expect. Please understand that this comes from a non professional and non business owner.
If I am speaking out of turn please let me know and I`ll go back to my "safe place"
Jay
 
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