New Detailer in my area...

I

imported_Intel486

New member
I just came home to find a flyer on my door for a mobile detailing group offering prices about $5 below mine on basic stuff (Wash, Wax). On higher level stuff he is about $50+ below mine.



I mean, I could lower my prices to his but don't want to work for those prices... I mean he is charging $115 for a wash, compound, polish, wax leather cleaning, tire/wheel cleaning, windows, bug removal, seat/carpets shampoo, etc. Full detail for $115!!!



He is also handing them out all over the area I normally do my work.



I'm wanting to call him to act like a customer and kind of find out about his operation... Any ideas of questions I should ask?
 
How long he thinks he can stay on your turf and still be eating solid food... Lol jk Ask him his methods and what products he uses. For $115 he is either really crazy or just using the usual Walmart level products. All I can think of...



Miguel
 
Had some big Balls to put one on your door!



I would ask about his products and where he went to school, next ask if he uses a buffer RO/direct, next ask his age and if he is the only worker? Also ask if he is mobile >? I know that is you cream of the crop... ;) That is a start of the questions....
 
Redcar, it says he is mobile on the flyer.



Good questions so far.



Alright I have:

size of balls (glad you suggested that one Redcar :D )

product line he uses

age

is he only worker

rotary or RO buffer





Magellan498, People here are cheap though so this could be a problem :) of course... I only get a .5% return on the flyers I hand out so maybe he'll get some sh1tty returns also :) Still need to design my tri-fold phamplet (sp?) to get ou there.
 
Intel:

Have you considered just ignoring him? These guys come and go with regularity in most areas. If any of your customers mention his pricing, just say that while you "could" do the kind of work that you get for those prices, you really don't care to do it if you can't do the job right.



Charles
 
I would just ignore him , I hate to say it but most new detailers fail or give up to quickly. If some one mentions his prices being lower than yours , explain how much better your services are and if people are really that cheap in your area throw in something free like a Auqapel window treatment , thats what I do when I get a penny pincher , most of the time it works. Most people like the feeling of getting something for free even over getting a cheaper price.



PS. Flyer will be in the mail first thing tommorow
 
:o and thinking I'm going to be THE new detailer in my area eerh... country? :cool:



Look at the email I received from Meguiar's Europe today:



"Dear Jose,







You are the first of our website customers to be interested in a professional line price list, so congratulations on being a European pioneer! We are working on compiling a price list for you. If you would like to send a list of the specific products you are interested in, this will surely expedite the process. Otherwise, we hope to have the price list done this week. I obtained your tracking number from our warehouse, and was in contact with UPS this morning regarding your web order. Apparently, there was a question about whether or not the goods were hazardous, because UPS does not transport hazardous goods. It was explained that although some Meguiar’s professional goods are hazardous, the ones you ordered are not. You should therefore expect the goods to arrive Friday. I apologize for the unforeseen delay, as I stated previously, you are the first to order professional goods online!



I hope to have answered you sufficiently for the moment; the professional goods price list is coming soon.



Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.







Kindest regards,"



No competition, doens't it feels good? :up
 
I wouldn't worry about the "competition".



A: there are plenty of customers out there.



B: your present clientele is happy with the work you do.



C: "the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price"
 
I have to agree with the others about ignoring the new guy. The detail shop closest to me has changed owners 3 times in 5 years. need I say more? Not that I am taking away business from them, but they are just so incompetent, no one other than the used car lot dealers use them more than once.



I feel as long as I offer a high quality detail at a fair market price, I'll be in business as long as I want to be. Most of my regulars have so much money that saving a few dollars here and there is just not an issue.
 
Kind of off topic, but...



I wash windows for a company. A few weeks ago I found hand written flyers on a few stores on one of my routs. The dude was quoting HALF of what we charge. Probably unliscenced and whatnot. I don't think we lost any customers though!
 
Hey intel I would not worry about a thing. I read your threads, you have enough knowledge about this business not to worry. I have seen so many detailers come and go over the years. For every 100 detailers that open up in the spring 90 will be gone by winter and the following year there will only be 2 remaining. Hopefully he will not be one of the 2. {Just kidding.}
 
Thank you for the encouragement.



I found a place that will do 1000 Black and White, front and back, Tri-Folded flyers for $70!



I plan on getting them printed and having them put right behind where he put his flyers :) My Tri-Folds will contain more information than his little flyer.



I'm working on designing one now and can't wait to see detailbarn's flyer.
 
Intel486 said:
I just came home to find a flyer on my door for a mobile detailing group offering prices about $5 below mine on basic stuff (Wash, Wax). On higher level stuff he is about $50+ below mine.



I mean, I could lower my prices to his but don't want to work for those prices... I mean he is charging $115 for a wash, compound, polish, wax leather cleaning, tire/wheel cleaning, windows, bug removal, seat/carpets shampoo, etc. Full detail for $115!!!



He is also handing them out all over the area I normally do my work.



I'm wanting to call him to act like a customer and kind of find out about his operation... Any ideas of questions I should ask?
Click to expand...



It's the same sad and tired story I see and hear about all over the detailing industry. Too many people entering this business who either don't know jack about business or can't detail worth a damn (or both!).

Guys like this will come and go so don't worry about it unless the competition is so intense in your area that you have to charge less (not likely). A social commentator from the 1800's named John Ruskin said "There is nothing a man can't make a little worse and a little cheaper; the person who shops on price alone is this man's lawful prey". Words to live by in my opinion.

Promote yourself and your business based on the quality of your service and workmanship and charge a fair price and no reasonable person will worry about the price. Who cares if this guy is cheaper - people associate cheap prices with cheap quality and he will not last.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top