Pay scale detailers

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imported_turbomangt

New member
Recently I had a plumber over the house to perform a job I had no time/(desire) to do. time spent was about 20 minutes, and he handed me a bill for $165. wouldn't it be nice if we could command such pay? I suspect that because on a wide spread scale we are our worst enemy. Grant it we can't get the same pay as a tradsmen, but certainly we could do better. this will probably never happen, too many "express" guys out there working for cheap $$$. I'm glad I have a nice customer base now, but I feel for those just starting out trying to make in this biz, its not easy. gary
 
But like any "come to you" service like that, there probably was a "base" service call amount to cover travel, paperwork, etc. I don't think if it had taken 60 minutes it would have cost 3 times as much.
 
I have been thinking this lately, and it frustrates me. We professional detailers have to do a better job of educating people about the merits of detailing and what goes into it. In addition, do more to refine our image as detailers so that people will no think twice about paying rates similar to others in service businesses.
 
The sad thing is detailing at certain prices is a luxury to certain people. Most people do not want to pay 200-300 dollars on a vehicle they feel will get dirty again in a couple of days. Of course they dont realize the polishing aspects and extended duration of paint life but that's the way the public sees detailing in general. Its a luxury they can live without. Spending money for getting something "clean" to them is a waste.
 
educating the customer here is key!.....most people dont know the difference between a $20 wash/detail at a local wash station and a $200 detail from one of us..
 
brwill2005 said:
We professional detailers have to do a better job of educating people about the merits of detailing and what goes into it. In addition, do more to refine our image as detailers so that people will no think twice about paying rates similar to others in service businesses.
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How many plumbers have you seen go out there and educate people about the merits of plumbing and what goes into it? And talk about image. What is your image of most plumbers?



Once again, it looks like Gary has it right. When it comes to pricing their detailing services, on a wide spread scale, most detailers are their own worst enemy.
 
it does come down to luxury vs. necessity...a car will still run no matter how many scratches or dirt is on it...it just doesn't look good doing it. sure, it may rust...but even then, it will still run with the doors falling off it. it comes down to pride and aesthetics. 95% of the public don't even know what swirl marks are and i'm sure a small percentage of those that do even care about them.



that's just the sad reality of it, IMHO. :(
 
paradigm said:
it does come down to luxury vs. necessity...a car will still run no matter how many scratches or dirt is on it...it just doesn't look good doing it. sure, it may rust...but even then, it will still run with the doors falling off it. it comes down to pride and aesthetics. 95% of the public don't even know what swirl marks are and i'm sure a small percentage of those that do even care about them.



that's just the sad reality of it, IMHO. :(
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^^exactly... as i was reading this... all i could think of was an avg. person doing pros and cons by raising lowering his hands of paying $200 for a new toilet or $200 for a detail... "well i would love to get rid of all those scratches... on the other hand, it would be nice to take a sh*t INSIDE my house" :p



unfortunately, it is a luxury to most people and hopefully that'll change

i wish your pros the best of luck with this
 
I agree. My neighbor approached me and asked me if i detail because a coworker of his asked if he knew anyone. So he asked what i do but he was very anxious to know the price. I told him just for an exterior wash, clay, polish and wax is gonna be over 100 bucks. He was in shock and told me that he didnt know it costs that much. So we'll see what his decision is after i give him a little test spot on his hood.
 
Most tasks plumbers perform are a necessity. Because detailing is a luxury service, the customer has to be educated about the value of this high dollar luxury service. Most people tend to view detailers as shaddy operations that are only out to make a quick dollar. By refining our image across the board, people's perception will change. With that change, customers may be more willing to spend large dollars for detailing services.
 
brwill2005 said:
Because detailing is a luxury service, the customer has to be educated about the value of this high dollar luxury service. Most people tend to view detailers as shaddy operations that are only out to make a quick dollar.
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Could it be the detailer who needs to be educated about the value of this high dollar luxury service?



Do detailers view the public as shaddy characters who are only out to get a luxury service for a low price?



When it comes to pricing; are most detailers their own worst enemy?
 
Not this detailer. This detailer also does not view the public as shaddy. As for your last question, maybe some do. One has to be careful not to overprice a service relative to what other similar businesses are charging. Not sure what point you are trying to make though.
 
brwill2005 said:
Not sure what point you are trying to make though.
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Brad,



Just look around. It is easy to see that way too many detailers do not understand the true value of this high dollar luxury service. Many just see it as a way to make quick money. That my friend is a problem. And it has been a problem for a long time. And as long as these detailers continue to think about detailing as a way to make money, not much is going to change in the minds of the customer.



On the other hand, a plumber does not have an image in the customer's mind of only being in business to make a quick dollar. Like it has already been said. The plumber's service is something that is viewed as necessary in the minds of the customer and the customer is willing to pay the high price for this necessary service.



In summary, it is the detailer who needs to be educated and change the way they think. Not the customer. The customer already knows what is necessary and what is not. And a smart customer knows the difference between paying someone to perform a service because they are only in business to make money compared to a business that provides a necessary and timely service. Detailers need to become educated and change. Not customers.



Let's see why professional detailers agree or disagree with this point of view.
 
So if we can only get the price of a detail up to 4 or $500, people will be clamoring to have it done? I'm with some of the other posters, if you get your toilet fixed it stays fixed for years, if you have your car detailed, it's still dirty next week. How that becomes a "high dollar luxury service" I'm not sure, I am sure I am not the only one who is still lost as to what point you are trying to make, Mirrorfinishman.
 
Frank, I see what you are saying. I still think customers need to be educated about the value of the services we provide. This is something I always strive to do.
 
The average person just doesn't care enough about their car to pay a premium price. Why do you think express $3 washes are popular?



Getting rid of the hackers and their low price, low quality detailing would help but until people actually care about their cars, we aren't going to be able to command the rate that someone like a plummer gets. Educating the customer has little to do with it, I'm afraid. We can stress how important it is to keep a vehicle looking its best but that is totally lost on someone who may run their car through the gas station car wash a couple times a year. Having a clean car just isn't important to a lot of people.
 
Scottwax said:
The average person just doesn't care enough about their car to pay a premium price. Why do you think express $3 washes are popular?



Getting rid of the hackers and their low price, low quality detailing would help but until people actually care about their cars, we aren't going to be able to command the rate that someone like a plummer gets. Educating the customer has little to do with it, I'm afraid. We can stress how important it is to keep a vehicle looking its best but that is totally lost on someone who may run their car through the gas station car wash a couple times a year. Having a clean car just isn't important to a lot of people.
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...and hot running water is and that's why the plumber can charge what he does! Education and "price fixing" wont change that.
 
I agree that many simply do not care about keeping their car clean. Many also do not know what detailing even is. So trying to explain to people what it is and what the value is in it wont help? I disagree. If people realize there is something tangible in detailing, such as greater re-sale value, they may be willing to pay more. I do agree that automatic car washes and express detail operations does not help our cause.
 
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