Local prices...sad

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: $75 vs $150

Jersey Frank .... wonder how you came up with that 'whopper' of a stat ?????

Just an example. Sort of like comparing $7.50 worth of fast food from the drive thru to a $15.00 sit down meal. Two completely different markets.

 

[EZ Boy]

The problem is that 99% of the motoring public thinks a wash/cleaner wax/vacuum IS a complete detail. The idea of using different levels of polises and cleaners is beyond their comprehension. I try to simplify it by saying that the finish needed to be buffed X number of times to bring it back to like new condition...

Ditto.

 

[EZ Boy]

Re: Re: Local prices...sad

Just one last thought. As a detailing business owner, it is not a good idea to waste too much time focusing on the competition. It is much better to offer and deliver to your customers the kind of high quality service that they simply cannot get anywhere else. That is really all that matters.

Definately, you'll lose lots of sleep anticipating the opposition, I'll be the death of you - just ask Hitler. The customers don't always know what super deal the opposition it trying to flex, just do what you can to stay competitive and deliver, deliver, deliver! Never bag the opposition to a client, clients like happy thoughts not confrontation. Don't even mention the opposition, just get the client cornered on what they want, get them saying yes a lot and get a commitment there and then.

 

[Bob]

Well, I store my car in the winter with a local detailer with a huge warehouse and I was talking to him and watching his detailers work, he does not know I own a detail business LOL, and he just pays these kids like $5 a car and all they do is wash it, smear some pink stuff all over with a cheap-o buffer from K-Mart and send them on their way. Oh, he charges $100 too so he is basically making $100 minus $15 to the kids whihc is $85 a car to build his hotrods all day in the back part. LOL Must be nice!

 

[denverdetail]

Though I am very warry of competition, I don't worry about what they are charging. Yes, there are some detailers who do a cheapo crap detail for $75 in my area.

I always quote a job at what I think its worth. Then if a customer says they got a qoute for $75, I say "well I have a $75 detail package too, would you like for me to tell you the difference between the $75 detail and the $175 detail?" Immediately and without saying any more, my business is competetive. I then tell them about the detail packages and let them decide. Chances are the customer didn't find out or doesn't really know what is involved in the competitions $75 detail and you will look like a pro when you educate the customer. Either way, I try to book every deal that calls me. Never pass up an opportunity to get a new customer! Once you're infront of them, Upsell, Upsell, Upsell!

For $75: wash and wax (no polish, no clay, no nothing), dress exterior
vac, spot clean carpets (no extraction), clean and dress surfaces
(yes this makes me like the other cheapo crappo detailers, the difference is that I tell the customer what is recommended, if they decide they want the cheapo detail, then the customer is the cheapskate and I end up making what I am worth, $75 for an 1.5 hour detail)

 

[shotime]

Though I am very warry of competition, I don't worry about what they are charging. Yes, there are some detailers who do a cheapo crap detail for $75 in my area.

I always quote a job at what I think its worth. Then if a customer says they got a qoute for $75, I say "well I have a $75 detail package too, would you like for me to tell you the difference between the $75 detail and the $175 detail?" Immediately and without saying any more, my business is competetive. I then tell them about the detail packages and let them decide. Chances are the customer didn't find out or doesn't really know what is involved in the competitions $75 detail and you will look like a pro when you educate the customer. Either way, I try to book every deal that calls me. Never pass up an opportunity to get a new customer! Once you're infront of them, Upsell, Upsell, Upsell!

For $75: wash and wax (no polish, no clay, no nothing), dress exterior
vac, spot clean carpets (no extraction), clean and dress surfaces
(yes this makes me like the other cheapo crappo detailers, the difference is that I tell the customer what is recommended, if they decide they want the cheapo detail, then the customer is the cheapskate and I end up making what I am worth, $75 for an 1.5 hour detail)

That's exactly what I've been doing. I made up a price list and I have "starting at $x.xx". That way if they're just looking for a cheap job, I'll give them a cheapo and not lose some stiffs to the towel pushers. It will still be a better job, just they won't be getting any more services. They're good for fill in work to keep you busy and making money you otherwise wouldn't make. It's also good quoting prices so you're not locked in if Bubba Scumbag shows up with his farm truck and you're selling completes at a fixed price of $125. After I explain what's involved, I then say for $xxx more, you can have this done or that done. I'm starting my base detail's for $100 and going up, with a goal of selling the average of $125-$150.

 

[clean4u]

The term 'full detail' is very subjective too. They could consider using a one step surface product, tire foam on the wheels, armor all the dash, and vacuum the interior their version of a 'full detail'. If they can bust that out in an hour (which is possible to do) then they are raking it in.

Its actually not a such bad concept.... bait them with a low price for a job and then upsell them on everything they really want. Maybe its a little unethical, but if you do it right then its not so bad. I don't mean advertise something that is too good to be true and then switch them when they get there. I just mean maybe offer a service for way below what it really costs you and then upsell them on other things. Offer a wax for $10 off but tell them they have to get the $35 wash before you can wax it. Something like that. Its just good advertising and marketing I think.

Well said that gives me some ideas...... Thanks Jngrbrdman:bigups

 

[OI812]

I am not in the detailing business, but I am in the constrution business. It get to the point that we all become our own worst enemies. Hold to your prices. If your work is there it will sell it self. If you try to out price them to "stay competitive", who's to say they won't chop their prices. This starts to become a viscious cycle. The construction industry has done this for years. The end results are lower wages and lower profits. I think, that education (explain a cheap detail vs. a quality detail) and examples (pictures) are the way to go. When I was in business, I would explain to everyone that I was not the cheapest guy in town. I would invite the customer to one of my current jobs to show them the difference between a standard and a quality job. I never had much for advertising expenses. The reason was "a happy customer and tells everyone" (sorry if I took that from someone).

 

[mirrorfinishman]

Hold to your prices. If your work is there it will sell it self. If you try to out price them to "stay competitive", who's to say they won't chop their prices.

In most cases, a good customer is one that is interested in a high level of quality, not necessarily a low price. One that understands the value of your service. Maintain a high level of quality and you’ll be able to charge a profitable price for your services. Lower your prices and you’ll begin to lower your standards. It is always a good idea to provide your customers with a level of quality that they will not normally get from other detailing businesses.