prices on websites???

Why not just list your hourly rate for custom detailing services? And, if you feel necessary list estimated times for different services.



That said, all of the articles I have read on "pricing" indicate that in our type of business it is best to not post prices.



As one good article points out: "pricing is not an issue unless you make it an issue."



Another article points out a list of the most important things for a customer when buying a product or service? Do you know what was #1? It was not pricing.



In order of the top reasons:



1. Product/Service Knowledge on the part of the person selling

2. Dependability & reliability of company

3. Quality of product or service

4. Price



This does not mean that PRICE is not important, but only that the other three things are more important and if the customer is not convinced you can deliver the first three items the price does not matter.



Most customers looking for detail .services are "typically not price shoppers." Price shoppers are do-it-yourselfers. People in the main looking for detail services are people who want someone to provide the service; have the money and are willing to pay if you can convince them of the points above.



Another article, in fact, one I just wrote for a trade publication indicates that Technicians are Not Salesmen so they really dislike having to sell detailing services, in this case to customers. They would rather have the customer simply buy what they want.



If you are a one man detail operation or a larger operation and you deal with customers you have to be a "SALESPERSON" not a technician and far too many detailers are technicians with all of the problems that carries when trying to run a business.



This is what Michael Gerber points out in his book, "The E Myth- Revisited."



Regards

Bud Abraham
 
Spot on take.



David Fermani said:
I think the contents of this discussion can benefit a fixed location or larger mobile operation the most. They tend to not have a specialty concentration and can market themselves with a broad line of services to a broad mix of customers. But, people like Scott and Eric who are 1 person mobile high end detailers want to stay within their branding of services which are contingent on specific pricing to specific types of people. Businesses that want to broaden their scope may want to avoid listing pricing and cater to customer specific operations rather than fixed specialty ones. Regardless of which, I still believe an exact price should not be listed, but one with a range or starting point. This can still weed out price shoppers and still leave room for upselling.

Does this seem accurate?
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buda said:
Why not just list your hourly rate for custom detailing services? And, if you feel necessary list estimated times for different services.
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Not a fan of listing a labor rate as the labor times associated with it is non-existent and can open up a can of worms that doesn't really need to be opened. (unless the shop strictly works off of time) Good for a body shop or mechanical repair shop as those operations have published times, but detailing doesn't. I think that shops definately need to have their labor rate posted in their shop, but only for legal reasons.
 
Scottwax said:
I understand what you are saying but not listing prices to some people is like at a fancy restaurant where they don't list prices-you know it is going to be expensive.



List prices and you might scare potential customers off because they think are you too expensive (or cheap), don't list prices and have people assume you are going to be real expensive. Probably ends up being a wash in the end, I don't think there really is a right or wrong answer to this. Like you said, do what works for you.
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Good info here. I think if you are in a normal type ballpark where a full detail is 500-600 dollars, then list your prices, but if you are either charging by the hour, doing Paul Dalton type details for $15k then you may want to leave that one out.
 
I have a target hourly rate set. I do not share that with my customers. When I get a call and am asked "How much for...?", I reply "I'd be happy to answer that for you, when would be a good time for me to evaluate your vehicle?". I have done enough details to have a really good idea of how long any particular service will take. I have a sheet with everything I offer... I go over the vehicle with the customer, get a feel for their concerns and expectations and I mark off each service on my sheet with a time I feel that particular service will take. I am sort of building a package on the fly. When the eval is complete, I add up the times and multiply by my hourly rate and bamn! The only set prices I have are for things like headlight resto, ozone, and maintenance washes or a maintenance interior job. Hope this helps.
 
buda said:
Most customers looking for detail .services are "typically not price shoppers." Price shoppers are do-it-yourselfers. People in the main looking for detail services are people who want someone to provide the service; have the money and are willing to pay if you can convince them of the points above.

Regards

Bud Abraham
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It may be different where you are, but you'd be stunned at the calls I got when I was listed in the yellow pages. Calls for just cleaning the front seats, trashed minivans that they'd say "shouldn't be more than $100 in and out", etc. Not saying most people interested in a detail are price shoppers but a lot do have completely unrealistic price points for detailing. Usually the nicer the car, the more they understand the value they get for a higher priced detail. Usually. ;)
 
I've done enough vehicles to nail down the price of my standard 'full detail' inside and out by make and model using a sliding price range. I can quote that over the phone sight unseen and it works without fail, one vehicle may take an extra 15 minutes than expected while another 15 less; and in the end it evens out. These kind of jobs are my bread and butter therefore they should be easy to understand, quick to price and schedule. I'm an advocate of this structure when it's appropriate, obviously quoting a concours quality reconditioning/polishing oxidized gelcoat/paint correction/touch up or scratch removal/etc may need a hands on estimate in many instances. But if you're operating a level of services that isn't restricted to just the auto enthusiast, I think having set prices adds an integrity that new customers and customers new to having their vehicle cleaned can appreciate.
 
EcoAutoCT said:
I've done enough vehicles to nail down the price of my standard 'full detail' inside and out by make and model using a sliding price range. I can quote that over the phone sight unseen and it works without fail, one vehicle may take an extra 15 minutes than expected while another 15 less; and in the end it evens out. These kind of jobs are my bread and butter therefore they should be easy to understand, quick to price and schedule. I'm an advocate of this structure when it's appropriate, obviously quoting a concours quality reconditioning/polishing oxidized gelcoat/paint correction/touch up or scratch removal/etc may need a hands on estimate in many instances. But if you're operating a level of services that isn't restricted to just the auto enthusiast, I think having set prices adds an integrity that new customers and customers new to having their vehicle cleaned can appreciate.
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While I can certainly appreciate that logic, I just finished a 2010 Buick Lucerne... Should be a "Standard" interior only detail... NOT! Stains on floor and seats, floor mats were trashed... had to soak and power wash... driver's side lower front door panel and kick panel were scuffed beyond belief. My "Standard" interior maintenance detail is $65.00. I quoted on the phone and I stuck to it. It should have been around $115.00. I learned the hard way on that one...
 
08xB said:
While I can certainly appreciate that logic, I just finished a 2010 Buick Lucerne... Should be a "Standard" interior only detail... NOT! Stains on floor and seats, floor mats were trashed... had to soak and power wash... driver's side lower front door panel and kick panel were scuffed beyond belief. My "Standard" interior maintenance detail is $65.00. I quoted on the phone and I stuck to it. It should have been around $115.00. I learned the hard way on that one...
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That's why I always let people know that any price discussed is a starting price and let them know what type of conditions will add to the price, then when I arrive, I go over the whole vehicle with them and if there any areas that will cause the price to be higher, I let them know then so there aren't any surprises.
 
It's not very practical or smart for that matter for a single mobile operator to take on any and all jobs. You know what it takes to create a profitable/productive day and I totally understand you can't go all over town to clean a single spill, buff a scratch, wash an engine to expose an oil leak or shampoo the carpets for someone. But, fixed shops thrive on these things and it's great fill in work that gives you fast cash. If they post prices it could deter or confuse someone who wants these ala carte services unless you specifically list them which could sell yourself short. I always found price shoppers fun and challenging by doing my best to get them in my door. I knew that if I could atleast have them cross that hurdle, they were most likely sold. It helped by gaving them vauge low ballpark prices and stressed that the price depended on the condition and their requirement. Worst came to worst, it was better to have a cheapie job on the books then to not have anything.
 
I agree with posting the prices. For instance, our service *begins* at $239 bare minimum, and we don't want to deal with sticker-shocked callers all day if we can help it!
 
In a world of Facebook, Yelp, smart phones, texting, and Craigslist...putting the info where people are looking is a must. As a consumer, if you don't have a website or a good Yelp rating, I don't even bother. Even people that have dated websites that look like something I created 12 years ago on Geocities writing HTML, I skip them. My website is my 24/7 salesperson.
 
I agree post prices, ideally my goal is to have people sold on us just from looking at our website, it saves so much time in regard to customers ringing up asking how much for this for this and that. Most call I get now are people who are ready to book or people that want some advise on which package will suit their needs.



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