Ya Tell a Few People You are Going to Start detailing on the side.....

9

91LSMAN

2002 Chevrolet Corvette
And the phone wont stop ringing!!!! :lmfao

As a few of you know I might do a couple harley's in a week or two-but he has not called back yet. http://www.detailcity.com/showthread.php?t=11648

Today I get a call that goes like this:

"You don't know me, but I'm ********'s Niece. I asked her if she knew anybody that can detail and she gave up your name right away. "
Bottom line is I'm doing a white BMW convertable on Sunday the 1st. :D

I'll wash, clay, SSRs, EX, S&G, interrior carpets, leather, etc. What would you charge? I gave her an amount already but I want to see what you all have to say.


A little while after that call I get a call from ********* (the person who referred the BMW.) I thanked her for what she did and then she said her son wants to talk to me. I may be doing his truck as well, and he said now that he knows I'm doing this he's going to tell all his "buddies." This family pretty much knows everybody in this freakin state. Holy crap. :headbang

Well, I'm off to see if any local stores have the Bissel Green Machine-I need a portable way to do carpets. :lmfao
 
Congrats to you. The same thing is happening to me as well. I guess we'll both see where it goes, huh. Good luck on all your new business!!
 
JaredPointer said:
Congrats to you. The same thing is happening to me as well. I guess we'll both see where it goes, huh. Good luck on all your new business!!
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Thanks-good luck to you as well.

Just got home-bought the Little Green machine-Pro heat for 89.99 at Target. Yeah I know some places online have it a bit cheaper, and there are refurbished models out there but I wanted new and I wanted it NOW.

I also bought a couple plastic storage bins. I already have a large one with my microfibers in it. So I bought a couple other ones for other supplies so I can stop using the boxes that Steve keeps sending my Poorboys products in. LOL
 
must be nice?! People are so friggin cheap here in Florida. Most people watch the paint fry off their cars and then ask the question....."Why is my paint so bad?" My answer to them...."you should wax your car more than once every three years!" sheeesh
 
mr2man said:
must be nice?! People are so friggin cheap here in Florida. Most people watch the paint fry off their cars and then ask the question....."Why is my paint so bad?" My answer to them...."you should wax your car more than once every three years!" sheeesh
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:lmfao I can see those people staring at their hoods "Well, how did that happen?" LOL
 
I'm in the same situation as LS. Now I already have customers wanting this and that. I have someone driving 2.5 hours for me to detail his truck. I guess I will need to purchase a green machine also. Where on line can I get a good deal?
 
jayincali said:
I'm in the same situation as LS. Now I already have customers wanting this and that. I have someone driving 2.5 hours for me to detail his truck. I guess I will need to purchase a green machine also. Where on line can I get a good deal?
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I've seen people get them on Amazon, and I saw a couple on E-bay last night. I just didn't want something to happen with the shipping and then it comes time to do the BMW and I don't have a way to do the carpets.


Lets not forget this question people:
I'll wash, clay, SSRs, EX, S&G, interrior carpets, leather, etc. What would you charge? I gave her an amount already but I want to see what you all have to say.
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:lol
 
jayincali,

Although the LGCM is the most popular mini-carpet machine, I'd highly suggest the Hoover SteamVac, Jr. It's only $42.90 at hsn.com. Although I have not used the LGCM (although I had one in my posession, I returned the LGCM because I got th Hoover instead after seeing the price difference and the better reviews the Hoover gets), my Hoover performs flawlessly, is of very nice quality, and has quite powerful suction. The clean water tank holds a gallon, more than the Bissell I believe. Just a heads up.
 
LS,

I think it really depends on what condition the car is in. I haven't done any paying details, but if I were to start....I would say (depending on condition of the car) $100-$150 is a good starting point. I'd be sure to tell them that their cars may not come out looking as good as yours and that the reason yours looks so good is because it has been so well maintained. Get to work!!! We all want to see pics. :D
 
Way2SSlow said:
LS,

I think it really depends on what condition the car is in. I haven't done any paying details, but if I were to start....I would say (depending on condition of the car) $100-$150 is a good starting point. I'd be sure to tell them that their cars may not come out looking as good as yours and that the reason yours looks so good is because it has been so well maintained. Get to work!!! We all want to see pics. :D
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Trust me-pics will be taken, well that is as long as I remember the camera. :bigups

Well, you and I chose the same range. I wonder what other people would charge. I told her $150 if anyone cares. :bigups It kinda caught me off guard, especially the way she started the phone conversation. :rolling

I think I've decided on prices I would charge, that way if others ask me, I'll have a price right away:

Motor Cycles: $90
Cars/small trucks: $150
Full Size Trucks: $175

Again this is for Wash/Clay/polish/seal/S&G/interrior shampoo/interrior dressing/BnB on wheel wells and tires and natural Look on the convertable top.
 
91LSMAN said:
I think I've decided on prices I would charge, that way if others ask me, I'll have a price right away:

Motor Cycles: $90
Cars/small trucks: $150
Full Size Trucks: $175

Again this is for Wash/Clay/polish/seal/S&G/interrior shampoo/interrior dressing/BnB on wheel wells and tires and natural Look on the convertable top.
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I would say that those are starting points, but since you are doing this as side work, I wouldnt set anything in stone until you see the condition of the cars. I've seen some AMAZING work on some absolutely TRASHED cars on DC, and I just hope everyone is getting every cent that they deserve. You do very good work, dont sell yourself short.
 
Way2SSlow said:
I would say that those are starting points, but since you are doing this as side work, I wouldnt set anything in stone until you see the condition of the cars. I've seen some AMAZING work on some absolutely TRASHED cars on DC, and I just hope everyone is getting every cent that they deserve. You do very good work, dont sell yourself short.
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Thank You. I'll see how long this takes me, and go from there. I'm sorta planning with 4 hours on this 1st one. We'll see.
 
91, can you tell me how long it takes you to detail a car, soup-to-nuts? Let me know if it's exterior only, exterior plus interior, or exterior/interior/engine bay.

Also would be interested to know about how long it takes you for each step.

FWIW, it takes me 8-10 hours to do a car from beginning to end, excluding waiting time, but including 2 coats of sealant and interior/exterior window cleaning.

And congrats on your new business !! :yeah
 
Don't detail too many cars Pat.
You might lose the passion to keep yours so spotless.

Nah, On second thought I don't think that's gonna happen!
:D
 
HondaMan said:
91, can you tell me how long it takes you to detail a car, soup-to-nuts? Let me know if it's exterior only, exterior plus interior, or exterior/interior/engine bay.

Also would be interested to know about how long it takes you for each step.

FWIW, it takes me 8-10 hours to do a car from beginning to end, excluding waiting time, but including 2 coats of sealant and interior/exterior window cleaning.

And congrats on your new business !! :yeah
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If I'm doing mine or one of my parents cars I could easily spend 6-8 hours or more for a full detail inside and out.

On someone else's car, like the BMW I just did a full detail would take about 4-5 hours for a normal size car. When I do other cars I just need to remind myself that these people are not as nuts as I am-make them happy-that what counts.



gnev8 said:
Don't detail too many cars Pat.
You might lose the passion to keep yours so spotless.

Nah, On second thought I don't think that's gonna happen!
:D
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I wont-only done one outside the family so far.

The Legend will ALWAYS be clean-no worries.

PS: Check the Legend forum meets section-big one on June 11th.
 
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