package pricing....need help

E

Envious Eric

New member
ok here is the deal, I am trying to figure it out and how much to charge, and trying to figure out why people think its too much....



wash package - wash, spray wax, vacuum, windows, trim, tires = $20+

one step buffnwax - wash, megs #66, vacuum, windows, trim, tires = 60+

one step polish/wax - wash, megs 80, wax, vacuum, windows, trim, tires = 80+

two step polish/wax - wash, megs 83, megs 80, sealant wax, etc = 130+



add 60 for interior cleaning, and 80 for leather cleaning/conditioning....or

go with the works detail which is



wash, clay, spot compound, 83 whole car, 80 whole car, sealant, interior cleaning/treatment, trim, wheel wax, tire dressing, vinyl protected inside, windows, etc for 175+



now I get calls and people ask how much for a detail....I ask about their car and its condition, what they expect, inform them what I would do/recommend, give them a price and figure out they dont want to spend that much, then explain I can do something else. I ask how much they would like to spend and tell them what I will do for that much money. Again I explain I would be using a liquid wax instead of a sealant, no wheel wax, and I'll just spot clean the interior (I dont like to do this because I end up cleaning the whole thing like I would when I get paid for it, but dont get paid for it!) or skip the 83 step and just 80 polish it....then I get the "well, jo shmo will do it for 100 dollars with everything you mentioned, do you want to match that?"



so that brings me to my point....what does a $150 detail, what is a $100 detail, and what is a $200 dollar entail to most people??? I think that I am doing too much for the $100 details...I want to make the car look brand new again, but that requires more polishing, but the customer doesnt want to pay for it. At the same time, I am just getting my business up and running so I want the customer referrals, but I wont get them if the paint isnt perfect. So I end up spending 3 hours longer than expected, spend more time on "extra unpaid for processes" and use up more product than I would like.



Example: If someone pays for a 100 dollar exterior job, I do all the processes one time over like I said I would, and the results are not what the customer wanted, do I spend another 2 hours and do another step of polishing and waxing without pay? or do I charge for the extra steps? Do I just say this is what you paid for, and that is what you got?



sorry for the long post, I am trying to get my pricing together!
 
I am in the same boat right now..My prices are about the same as yours. My boss reccomended I do a free detail for someone in the community who is known to spread the word on anything good or bad, is know well, and cares about a clean car. We narrowed down the search and found the perfect candidate. I am going to him tomorrow, asking him if he would like a free exterior detail done and if he likes the job he can take some business cards if he would like and pass them out to friends he knows that may be interested and also a 50% off coupon for a exterior only detail. This way whoever he gives this coupon too, will probably ask how much more for the interior detail as well, upgrade to the full detail, so you will still make some money off from this marketing idea. In turn, this customer you choose would ideally go to people he knows and spread the word how you the detailer came up to him or her with this offer and did a great job so you will get more people interested in your services. Be sure however that even though you offer this free detail - that you do a *great* job, you dont want to give away this free detail as a marketing tool and do a half-*** job just because he isnt paying...then you will get a negative reputation and they will for sure spread that to anyone who will listen...hope this helps a little!



-Also, I have learned that if people arent willing to spend the $200 on your full detail, then give them what there money is worth if they choose the $100 detail...tell them to make their vehicle look its best the $200 would be advised, but the $100 detail will still show imrpovement, just not perfection. If they ask you to match prices, say you do not math prices with other detail companies because of the difference between the two packages, explain how much time you spend on the detail vs. detail shops who whip them out quickly...explain how they are more than likely going to induce swirls or apply a heavy glaze to cover them up. Dont sell your work short...these people arent your target market and you dont want their business if all they are trying to do is rip you off with your prices when your work is surely higher quality than the average detailing shop quickie.
 
You don't want bargain hunters anyway (in my experience). I did the same thing for awhile (said I'd spot clean interiors or one step a car that needed two or three) and like you I ended up doing it right and getting grossly underpaid. Now when someone says they want to haggle or want me to price match I tell them to take their chances with the low-cost guys. I understand that some people just want a quick and easy detail and aren't concerned with perfection. Fine, those aren't the people I cater to. There are plenty of people who are more than willing to pay to have it done right. It might start slow and you might miss out on some low-cost jobs, but frankly those low cost jobs don't lead to valuable referals anyway (in my experience again). They just lead to more bargain hunters.



Accept the jobs from people who know the value of good work and are willing to pay for it. Do great work on their vehicles and they will refer you to more people who are 'good' clients.
 
Don't charge by what the customer wants to pay. Charge by how much it takes to do the work, pay the exspenses and put a fair profit in your pocket.



If your figures come out way higher than what your local market will pay then work on speed, chemicals, employees, etc..
 
well....



I think my problem is that I think of a full detail as a 2 step polish, then sealant/wax topper, carpets, interior, etc....



but I think that most people think of it as a one step polish with something like 80 to make it shiny, topped with a sealant/wax, carpets cleaned, interior cleaned up....so I am taking longer because I am doing more for no additional profit....



am I wrong or right....



I am working on a website right now and almost have it done....



works detail, daily driver detail, basic detail, and wash are the 4 packages people have to choose form.....



works has compound step, polish step, sealant, carnuba.....pg/rmg mix or IP, then FPII, then ex, then PS

daily driver has polish step, sealant step....FPII, then EX

basic is #66 QD polish/wax one step

wash is just that with spray wax



does that sound about right???
 
I don't pre-package my services. If a car requires one step I charge one step. If it requires two or three or a zillion steps I charge accordingly.



To do that you need to know two things, your hourly rate and how long it will take you to do a job.





If I get $50 an hour and I know it takes two hours to wash and wax a car then $100 will be the price. If it will take me an extra two hours to buff it first then $200 will be the price.



Also this is where diagnostics come into play. Learn how to properly evaluate the vehicle before quoting a price.



Imagine going to a doctor that had a menu! You go in and he whips out a menu board that says; $15 if your arm hurts , $25 for a headache and so on……...
 
yeah that is why my package pricing is just a starting price....like many detailers, I have a disclaimer that states inspection of vehicle will dictate the final price!



I start at 175 for the works on a car then if I can tell its going to take me an additional hour to spend on the car, then I tell them its another 40 bucks for more time!
 
Try to get into the $ per hour charge and estimate the time per car, +or- .



I did the same thing, as $100 or $150 detail and also found myself under charging as seeking perfection.



I have also found that whatever jobs you do, eg- Wash and Vac, those are the jobs referrals you get.



If you discount perfect paint then everyone will want perfect paint.
 
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