Using Zaino in my detailing business

You're already in trouble by NOT looking into more professional products rather than boutique type products.



You want to spend $30.00 for 16oz of wax or polish yet you can get a gallon of wax or polish from $18.00 to $30.00 from ValuGard, Hi-Temp, Optimum or DetailPlus products?



Griots sells a gallon of dressing for $95.00....do you really think it's that much better than a gallon of Hi-Temp dressing for $18.00??



You'll be out of business in no time if you buy those over priced products...especially at the prices you are wanting to charge.



Most pro's get $45.00 for a wash, vacuum, wheels and tires and windows. You're charging $30.00 for that PLUS a glaze and rubber dressing? No offense meant here but that's totally ridiculous. That's maybe only $11 or $12 (maybe less) an hour after you factor in your costs to run the business.



Now maybe that's all your current market will put out which is fine but don't muddy the waters even more by buying useless, over priced products when you don't have to.



Your package deals are all wrong.....well let me rephrase that.....I personally hate package deals. They just never worked for me personally as the client always wanted something changed, added, manipulated, deleted or sought to argue over every nickel and dime.



I look at the car, tell them what I think it needs and then give them a price based on $50 or more an hour.



Anthony
 
Anthony Orosco said:
You're already in trouble by NOT looking into more professional products rather than boutique type products.



You want to spend $30.00 for 16oz of wax or polish yet you can get a gallon of wax or polish from $18.00 to $30.00 from ValuGard, Hi-Temp, Optimum or DetailPlus products?



Griots sells a gallon of dressing for $95.00....do you really think it's that much better than a gallon of Hi-Temp dressing for $18.00??



You'll be out of business in no time if you buy those over priced products...especially at the prices you are wanting to charge.



Most pro's get $45.00 for a wash, vacuum, wheels and tires and windows. You're charging $30.00 for that PLUS a glaze and rubber dressing? No offense meant here but that's totally ridiculous. That's maybe only $11 or $12 (maybe less) an hour after you factor in your costs to run the business.



Now maybe that's all your current market will put out which is fine but don't muddy the waters even more by buying useless, over priced products when you don't have to.



Your package deals are all wrong.....well let me rephrase that.....I personally hate package deals. They just never worked for me personally as the client always wanted something changed, added, manipulated, deleted or sought to argue over every nickel and dime.



I look at the car, tell them what I think it needs and then give them a price based on $50 or more an hour.



Anthony
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Very well said Anthony!! I've been preaching this from post 1. It's not what product you use to attempt to perfect your work - IT"S KNOWING HOW TO PROPERLY USE A SPECIFIC PRODUCT TO DO IT. The person who wins at the end of the day is the person who made the most profit, spent the least while doing it and did it in the least amount of time while making the customer happy. :wall :wall :wall
 
Some people have made some good points. At the price point you are at, you definately need to consider using bulk, generic, detailing products. There are plenty of sources available so check them out!



I personally do not like your pricing structure. Honestly, it is just going to confuse your clients and make them wonder why they can't get everything included in the "base package."



I would offer a price for a base "clean-up" (wash, wax, windows, wheels, tires, trim,etc), and then a higher price for cars that need polishing, claying, deep cleaning, etc. I would try to find products that you can use quickly and effectively and at your price points, don't mess around with doing multiple coats of different products.



Also, have you considered things such as insurance? It's a good saftey net (read some of the horror stories that come up in the pro-forum) and also some customers will ask you if you have it before you touch their car!!
 
June Bug ... $20 washes ??? OUCH



WS, go out there fall a couple of times get your self bloody.. it will take time but you will learn !!!! Always look Professional !!!!

Most Studs wait into they hit 20 or better to go out and get bloody !!!!!!
 
The others make good points but your choice of bulk vs enthusiast products, especially for your wax or sealant really depends on your expected volume and if you are going to charge accordingly for using higher priced products. For your polishing needs, I'd stick with Optimum or Meguiars since you can get them in bulk and they work very well. I use some boutique and enthusiast level products to finish out details but the heavy polishing I do mostly with Optimum. I also charge more than the going rate in my area because I use some more expensive products. Just starting out though, I used all Meguiars. It was easier to go to one place to buy everything and I knew everything I used was compatible. When you get into the boutique products, you can have compatibility issues, which is why if you want an "enthusiast level" sealant option, I recommended either the Werkstatt twins or ZAIO and CS because either one should be pretty easy to work with. Unless you have the time and customers willing to pay extra for the time, I'd stay away from layering. Your average customer is going to give you a blank look when you mention layering products. The response will be "don't you have anything that works well with a single application?"



I'd also cut down on the packages too. Basically, I offer a wash package, an exterior or interior only package and a full detail package. The typical detail client isn't going to pay for an 8 step exterior polishing, they just want the best bang for their buck. Clay, 1-2 polishing steps and seal is what most people are willing to pay for. When you get someone who wants more, then you have the option of upselling.
 
Scottwax said:
The others make good points but your choice of bulk vs enthusiast products, especially for your wax or sealant really depends on your expected volume and if you are going to charge accordingly for using higher priced products. For your polishing needs, I'd stick with Optimum or Meguiars since you can get them in bulk and they work very well. I use some boutique and enthusiast level products to finish out details but the heavy polishing I do mostly with Optimum. I also charge more than the going rate in my area because I use some more expensive products.
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I really don't think that people should charge more because they use higher priced products. You should charge more because your outcome is better than most. I don't do high volume detailing anymore, but I still use the same "bulk style" products that I used when I did. As long as the outcome is top notch, use what works, not what costs more or what is perceived in the market place as superior.
 
David Fermani said:
I really don't think that people should charge more because they use higher priced products. You should charge more because your outcome is better than most. I don't do high volume detailing anymore, but I still use the same "bulk style" products that I used when I did. As long as the outcome is top notch, use what works, not what costs more or what is perceived in the market place as superior.
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Werkstatt outperforms any other sealant I have used and it costs more. It isn't like I charge another $50 or anything like that. The somewhat higher cost is just rolled into the price of a detail. I can justify it based on the performance.
 
Scottwax said:
Werkstatt outperforms any other sealant I have used and it costs more. It isn't like I charge another $50 or anything like that. The somewhat higher cost is just rolled into the price of a detail. I can justify it based on the performance.
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Same goes for the products that I use. My price won't change whether or not I apply a wax or a sealant. It's what works for the car and for the client based on their needs. Most of the high end vehicles I now do, I don't seal because they get detailed regularly.
 
Well, in reality, how much could you possibly be using in product for ONE detail? $10 bucks, maybe $15? And your 6-8 hour full detail is paying a good $150-$250? I think everyone will be ok...hehe.
 
Thought some more, I will use my current supply of products until I get off the ground. Any way, my new price list. If the customer wants any thing other than whats I listed I will do it on an individual basis. I feel much better about doing it this way.



Wash Package: $30

• Auto wash

• Wheel cleaning

• Rubber dressing

• Glaze

• Wheel well dressing

o The Works: $ 150

All of the Wash Package plus:

• Decontamination via Clay

• Finish Restoration with Polish

• Complete Zaino System – Deep, Rich Paint with Lasting Protection

• All Glass Polished

• All Chrome & Aluminum Polished

• Interior Vacuuming & Spot removal

• Leather Cleaning & Conditioning (If Applicable)

• All Interior Plastics Cleaned and Protected

• Door jam clean & protect

• Wheel protect

• Interior Wood Conditioning (If Applicable)

*ALL PRICES ARE ESTIMATED, ACTUAL PRICE WILL BE AGREED UPON BEFORE SERVICES ARE RENDERED





I think this way it will be more tailored and cheaper to start.



Wade
 
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