Quick Detailing, Wholesale Detailing, Fleet Detailing - Underrepresented Here?

[Scottwax]

Ok, you are doing something that I've struggled thinking about and deciding if I wanted to handle it or not:



How do you do the bi-weekly and monthly services in terms of keeping the price reasonable for the customer in terms of reducing your driving and waiting overhead. Driving because you have to drive between locations a lot. And waiting because customers have to come out and give you their keys, or might not be there, etc...?



About how much do you charge for these services?



Thanks!

In my case, I schedule all my wash customers on Thursday and Friday and every is set up so all my appointments are in the same general area. I don't do washes outside of the city I live in at all.

 

[SVR]

About 99% of what I learned about detailing aside from trial-and-error, I learned from this forum. However, I've noticed that this forum is heavily weighted towards a boutique brand of detailing that in my experience:

* Is much more difficult

* Has lower profit margins

* Is less scalable



I am an entrepreneur by nature. I did not get into this business because I like to clean cars. I got into this business because I like to do something new every day while I pay other people to clean cars (not that I don't like getting outside and cleaning cars every once in a while, just not every day)



I'm writing this thread to see if there are any other people like me on here, and to see if a dialog can be opened up for us to share our experiences, hints, knowledge and know-how.



A few examples of the kinds of things I do:

* I avoid services that someone cannot learn how to do in a few days.

* I NEVER tell customers I will remove scratches or do wet-sanding. I tell them very light scratches will probably be removed or be less visible. I do this because:

a) It is difficult to communicate to a customer over the phone what kinds of scratches a detailer can and cannot remove and customers have a strong statistical likelihood of under representing the damage.

b) Most calls I get are from people wanting their cars to look shiny and nice and to clean out the interior that has been trashed by their two year old. Customers who are looking for a detailer experienced with a rotary and wet sanding are, in my experience, a statistical minority.

c) Proper scratch removal requires a high level of skill as well as assumption of risk. In my experience, it is much more profitable to operate to stick to jobs that are easier, less risky, less expensive for the customer, and more straight-forward.

* I NEVER use a rotary. Rotaries require a high level of skill and are risky. It is hard to train someone new in a reasonable amount of time to use a rotary. (I use Dual-Action Polisherers)

* I offer low-cost services in bulk. I use day-laborers for a lot of the wholesale stuff.

a) Quick washes, spray-waxes, vaccuum, and Dashboard wipe-down for $30 (minimum of 10 cars)

b) Auto dealerships

c) vehicle fleets

d) calcium/cement deposit removal for parking garages (2/3 posts I found on cement removal suggest using vinagar which doesn't work very well, I use something that dissolves it on contact)

e) The kicker for all this is I make a lot of money doing this stuff. Using advice and methods on here, I'd have to charge much more and make much less.

* I have computer software that I wrote myself that handles my scheduling. It uploads a calendar online so that the detailers can view what they are scheduled for and download and print out job information and invoices for the customer. I'm currently having a better version of this software developed my someone else.

* I use chemicles and products that work very well in my opinion, but seem to be vastly cheaper and easier to use than anything reccommended on here. (Seriously people, why would you want to work just to pay for your supplies and equipment?)



Some of the products I use are:

* Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash

a) Eliminates water spots

b) leaves paint glossy

c) costs $6.99/ gal @ Costco

d) I saw some clown on here offering some boutique car wash that looked like it did the same damn thing on this site for $30/gal.

* Stoners Products! - I order the cleaners in 5 gallon drums, 55 gallons at a time for the 55 gallon drum price. Shipping is free East side of the Mississippi and usually comes the next day. This company is awesome, they actually develop and manufacture the products themselves. (Stoner is your factory direct source for professional detailing products and car wash chemicals & supplies.)

-) Bead Max (straight polymer sealant, aerosol can)

-) Spead Bead (polymer sealant w/ cleaners, aerosol can)

-) Polish and Seal (One step)

-) APC (heavy dillutions)

-) Wheel Cleaner (heavy dillutions)

-) Trim shine

-) Tarminator

-) Window cleaner

* Microfibres from Costco

* Odo-Ban from Sams Club

* Detailing brushes from Wal-Mart ( sells brushes that work great for cup holders and another that is awesome for the crevice between the seats and center console)

* Zaino - (A good value, in my opinion, for our higher end stuff)



My Question:

- I have a lot of questions, but the one I was looking for the answer too that got me side-tracked writing this post is:

---Where the heck do I get good polishing pads for cheap???---

I feel like polishing pads are such a rip-off. They wear out too fast for my taste and cost too much to be just a stupid pad. Right now I use EDGE pads which I think are expensive, but they last longer. I used to use the ones with the velcro backing plates and the backing plates would get all full of gunk that I couldn't wash off and quit sticking to the pads. I feel like pads should cost a lot less than they do.

Sure it's really easy to be like the majority and do fleet work etc and you will make a good living from it

However what is needed in the world are true professionals not more monkeys with no idea what they are doing (thats not you obviously)



You'll never revolutionise the industry or be the best in your state or country if you just do fleet and car yard work

Yes there are people working in or owning a shop that does fleet work (I know one) but he also does autopian quality work and the shop is flat out with cars



The results from the typical shop who do non private work last a couple weeks and then it is back to zero again



The chemicals used by them are cheap and nasty and hazardous to their health

 

[brwill2005]

In my case, I schedule all my wash customers on Thursday and Friday and every is set up so all my appointments are in the same general area. I don't do washes outside of the city I live in at all.

I have thought about doing this as my scheduling becomes harder, however, I try to be as flexible as possible with the maintenance clients. After all, they are my best customer's.

 

[Junebug]

You know the biggest problem I have ... besides being overweight, is estimating a detail job. Some times I hit it but others I screw up cause it took way longer than I thought. That is one area that I'm going to fix real quick though, especially after last weekend's marathon.

 

[imported_weekendwarrior]

You know the biggest problem I have ... besides being overweight, is estimating a detail job. Some times I hit it but others I screw up cause it took way longer than I thought. That is one area that I'm going to fix real quick though, especially after last weekend's marathon.

Well, that comes from experience. It takes a while to be able to nail them...with paints being different from car to car. One thing I'll do sometimes if I'm not sure, is to quote an extra 2 hours. Then, if I don't need them, I can charge less that I originally quoted, and the customer is happy. If you are missing by a lot of hours, that's a different story.

 

[DaGonz]

As one of the part time, weekend warrior types (I am a firefighter first and a detailer second, my work schedule allows me the freedom to detail) I see that there is room for both the volume/fleet/express detailing as well as the Bella Machina level of detailing.



It all depends what your market will bear and what your client is willing to spend.



For example.. I raised my prices for the first time in 2 years. I do just one vehicle a day (well today I did 2... I got another layer of Megs #21 on my Mustang! )... and take my time.



One customer thought that the increase was an outrage and told me that he would be going elsewhere...



Of course, he checked out the shops that do it for a living...



I have his car scheduled for next week :grinno:

 

[imported_themightytimmah]

You know the biggest problem I have ... besides being overweight, is estimating a detail job. Some times I hit it but others I screw up cause it took way longer than I thought. That is one area that I'm going to fix real quick though, especially after last weekend's marathon.

I'm never low by less than 4 man-hours in my head. My average high-end job is 10+ man hours when I figure 6, and the "favors" for friends and family are usually 5-6 when I figure two.



I try to name a price that sounds unreasonably high in my head...by the time I get done, it's spot on.

 

[joyriiide1113]

I tell people sometimes 3-4 hours but take about 6-7.



I don't charge them anymore than 1-2 hours over what I said it would take. Its my fault if it took longer and didn't quote it.

 

[Junebug]

Thanks guys, I'm getting better, but sometimes I just miss it by a mile, but I figure it will all come back around like "My Name is Earl" says - karma!

 

[imported_Picus]

I've found it's best to estimate about 25% more $ and time than you think it will take. In almost all cases it ends up taking that long anyway, and if not you have a surprised and happy customer.

 

[Holden_C04]

I've found it's best to estimate about 25% more $ and time than you think it will take. In almost all cases it ends up taking that long anyway, and if not you have a surprised and happy customer.

Ain't that the truth. I have nailed every single estimate I have ever provided. They're all about 20-30% too low. I am very consistent. :chuckle:

 

[salty]

It seems everything takes twice all long as you think unless you are working at 200%. kinda funny but its true.

 

[imported_DJ Mayo]

Exactly, I always quote them a tad bit higher than what I expect. If it takes that long then fine, but if it's shorter, they are surprised the price is cheaper and usually end up giving the full amount anyways.

 

[www.thesocalway]

Does anyone know how I go about getting my web site to show up on Google, Yahoo and the other top search engines? I was told the more hits I get on the site the site would show up on these engines. I would appreciate some help from all of you. If you could go to my site and forward it to any and everyone you know. I will gladly retun the favor any way I can. Just ask. Hope this doesn't offend anyone, I've got a GREAT product here in San Diego and I am tasked with showing everyone here in my market. After all if we can't turn to our friends for support who can we turn to. Thanks!







Mobile Auto Detail San Diego, Car wash, Auto Interior Cleaning

 

[DutrowLLC]

I had someone PM me about advice creating their own product line. My response was too long for the PM system and I spend enough time on it where it might have value for other people, so I am posting it here:



Hi,



I'd say the bes way to learn about what products professional detailers need would be to put yourself in a situation where you need the products yourself. From my perspective, products are about more than their effectivesness. Price plays a big factor as well as customer service, ease of use, low risk of damaging parts of the car, etc.



The company that I like the best is called Stoners "www.detailingdirect.com" I like them because their products hold their own, but are much cheaper than anything else available. Their customer service is exemplary and they are able to ship me literally hundreds of gallons of product to arrive a day or two after I order it... for free. Stoners themselves have been around since the early part of the century and have developed and manufacture all of their chemicals themseleves, which is probably why their pricing is so competitive. I've had other companies tell me straight up that they can't compete with Stoners.



The other company I like is Zaino. I wish he would sell me stuff at a discount for bulk quantities though, but he won't (then I could use more of his stuff). The thing with Zaino is he's been able to formulate at least his flagship products like the Z-2 Pro himself. Though suspect he might re-package some of the other stuff like leather and clay (don't know for sure). That gives him the edge he needs because no other product performs quite like his flagship products.



To be successeful with a business, they say you have to have something called a Unique Selling Point. I've found this to be true. Althought, I'd say it can be broader than just a "selling point." But I think you really have to have some sort of definiative edge that no one else has. If not, you'll either fail, or even worse, end up treading water for years, being able to pay your bills, but never actually pulling into a position of comfort and success. So I probably wouldn't just go out and find a few products you like, re-package them and then put together some marketing. I think you'll end up just like every other company selling good products but with none of the special "juice." And if you don't have the financial backing, experience, and knowledge of the other comapnies that people talk about on here (what is it? Sonus, Wolfgang, Optimum..?), then you'll be dead in the water.



Chris

 

[Holden_C04]

All patents for clay in the United States are owned by Clay Magic. Whether it's Meguiars, Mothers, or Pinnacle, it's a rebrand of Clay Magic.

 

[DutrowLLC]

All patents for clay in the United States are owned by Clay Magic. Whether it's Meguiars, Mothers, or Pinnacle, it's a rebrand of Clay Magic.

I was able to use this information to find and negotiate a far better price on my clay. Thanks so much for the time you took to write this post.



Chris

 

[DutrowLLC]

I was responding to another PM and found myself typing some information that would be useful to more people:



I developed a lot of my methods, ironically, after reading a group of posts on lawnsite.com that closely paralelled this thread.



The site was dominated by "Premium" law mowers or rather "Landscape Professionals", guys who took their jobs mowing lawns and doing landscaping just as seriously as the Detailers on here.



One day someone started complaining about some "scrub" who was advertising in his area doing lawns for way under the industry average (I think it was like $15-$25 a cut). Everyone pitched in talking about how these guys come in and underbid the competition, then only last a year and do ****** work. Finally someone actually called the guy and found out he has 5000 lawn accounts and grosses 1.44 million dollars a year, drives a BMW 740 and spends all winter in Hawaii. It caused a huge stir and finally the guy himself wrote a few posts on the forum when he heard everyone was talking about him. After a little bit I think he got bored and doesn't post anymore. Was real interesting though.

 

[Holden_C04]

I was responding to another PM and found myself typing some information that would be useful to more people:



I developed a lot of my methods, ironically, after reading a group of posts on lawnsite.com that closely paralelled this thread.



The site was dominated by "Premium" law mowers or rather "Landscape Professionals", guys who took their jobs mowing lawns and doing landscaping just as seriously as the Detailers on here.



One day someone started complaining about some "scrub" who was advertising in his area doing lawns for way under the industry average (I think it was like $15-$25 a cut). Everyone pitched in talking about how these guys come in and underbid the competition, then only last a year and do ****** work. Finally someone actually called the guy and found out he has 5000 lawn accounts and grosses 1.44 million dollars a year, drives a BMW 740 and spends all winter in Hawaii. It caused a huge stir and finally the guy himself wrote a few posts on the forum when he heard everyone was talking about him. After a little bit I think he got bored and doesn't post anymore. Was real interesting though.

Performing high quality work doesn't mean receiving high quality pay. It means being rewarded a *little* more than a hack production shop per job. Often, the pay drops well below the hourly rate of a detail shop.

 

[imported_advs1]

I was responding to another PM and found myself typing some information that would be useful to more people:



I developed a lot of my methods, ironically, after reading a group of posts on lawnsite.com that closely paralelled this thread.



The site was dominated by "Premium" law mowers or rather "Landscape Professionals", guys who took their jobs mowing lawns and doing landscaping just as seriously as the Detailers on here.



One day someone started complaining about some "scrub" who was advertising in his area doing lawns for way under the industry average (I think it was like $15-$25 a cut). Everyone pitched in talking about how these guys come in and underbid the competition, then only last a year and do ****** work. Finally someone actually called the guy and found out he has 5000 lawn accounts and grosses 1.44 million dollars a year, drives a BMW 740 and spends all winter in Hawaii. It caused a huge stir and finally the guy himself wrote a few posts on the forum when he heard everyone was talking about him. After a little bit I think he got bored and doesn't post anymore. Was real interesting though.

wow, maybe i should move in lawn care???