Classifying vehicle sizes

R

Richard Grasa

New member
Anyone ever have problems with customers not wanting to pay an SUV price for their SUV? I've had a few different people in the past few months get upset when I tell them their Rav-4, CR-V, Ford Escape, etc is going to cost x amount because it's an SUV. I know they are small, compact SUV's but they are still SUV's, are they not? My thinking is anything with a raised roof line that requires standing on a step ladder to clean the roof, taller tires, large open wheel wells, etc is an SUV. Some of the smaller crossovers I can understand charging a car price. The other day someone said their Ford Escape is classified as a station wagon. I pointed at a Jetta wagon and said that's a station wagon, this is an SUV and she could not understand. I wouldn't charge as much for a Rav-4 as I would an Expedition, but it's still going to cost more than a car. What's your thinking about this?
 
ExplicitDetails said:
Anyone ever have problems with customers not wanting to pay an SUV price for their SUV? I've had a few different people in the past few months get upset when I tell them their Rav-4, CR-V, Ford Escape, etc is going to cost x amount because it's an SUV. I know they are small, compact SUV's but they are still SUV's, are they not? My thinking is anything with a raised roof line that requires standing on a step ladder to clean the roof, taller tires, large open wheel wells, etc is an SUV. Some of the smaller crossovers I can understand charging a car price. The other day someone said their Ford Escape is classified as a station wagon. I pointed at a Jetta wagon and said that's a station wagon, this is an SUV and she could not understand. I wouldn't charge as much for a Rav-4 as I would an Expedition, but it's still going to cost more than a car. What's your thinking about this?
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I agree 100%. Even a small SUV is going to have more inner surfaces than a car. Add in folding seats, tons of little cubby storage areas, the need for ladders as you mentioned, etc. and they absolutely should be charged accordingly.
 
YUUUPPPP!--Mike hit it on the head!!!!!!

mikenap said:
I agree 100%. Even a small SUV is going to have more inner surfaces than a car. Add in folding seats, tons of little cubby storage areas, the need for ladders as you mentioned, etc. and they absolutely should be charged accordingly.
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ExplicitDetails said:
The other day someone said their Ford Escape is classified as a station wagon. I pointed at a Jetta wagon and said that's a station wagon, this is an SUV and she could not understand. I wouldn't charge as much for a Rav-4 as I would an Expedition, but it's still going to cost more than a car. What's your thinking about this?
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Well, if we want to get REALLY technical, even a Suburban or Expedition is a "station wagon" on state registrations and insurance documents. Doesn't mean you aren't going to charge more for them.



Just sounds like a classic case of people trying to drive a hard bargain... comes with the territory in this business unfortunately.
 
We have a wagon charge, SUV charge, full size suv, and minivan. This way if it's a small SUV like a CRV you can make them feel good about the pricing since you only charge them for a wagon, but a Mercedes ML would be a SUV. GL with third row, or tahoe full size, and Suburban size charge for minivan, as it's just as big if not bigger. It's important to classify every size because detailing the inside of a Boxster is a lot less work than an Excursion with kid grime.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Well, if we want to get REALLY technical, even a Suburban or Expedition is a "station wagon" on state registrations and insurance documents. Doesn't mean you aren't going to charge more for them.



Just sounds like a classic case of people trying to drive a hard bargain... comes with the territory in this business unfortunately.
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Very helpful to know that's what it says on the reg and insurance, I never noticed that's what it said for SUV's too.
 
Nope, we charge one price, that's it.



People hate being nickel and dimed to death. Add $x because you're an SUV. Add $x because I have to use a razor blade on the windows to remove old stickers. Add $x because I had to bag 3 grocery bags worth of personal items.



Our packages are one price, whether it's a car, truck or SUV. We do have a section on our sign in form that states that the customer automatically agrees for up to 1 additional hour of labour if it's needed. We've had to use it a couple of times, never to anyone's dismay. One time we had to bill 3 additional hours for a pretty nasty vehicle, and again, the owner was very understanding.



That said, specialty vehicles like Semi cabs, or tow trucks, would of course be a different price.
 
ExplicitDetails said:
Anyone ever have problems with customers not wanting to pay an SUV price for their SUV? I've had a few different people in the past few months get upset when I tell them their Rav-4, CR-V, Ford Escape, etc is going to cost x amount because it's an SUV. I know they are small, compact SUV's but they are still SUV's, are they not? My thinking is anything with a raised roof line that requires standing on a step ladder to clean the roof, taller tires, large open wheel wells, etc is an SUV. Some of the smaller crossovers I can understand charging a car price. The other day someone said their Ford Escape is classified as a station wagon. I pointed at a Jetta wagon and said that's a station wagon, this is an SUV and she could not understand. I wouldn't charge as much for a Rav-4 as I would an Expedition, but it's still going to cost more than a car. What's your thinking about this?
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We occasionally get people bitching about vehicle size but it's not a major concern. We quote out based on the condition and the sizes are all stated quite clearly in all our literature. Don't want to pay - kick rocks. We're usually packed door to door with cars so they know we don't have to wheel and deal to stay busy.
 
WAS said:
Nope, we charge one price, that's it.



People hate being nickel and dimed to death. Add $x because you're an SUV. Add $x because I have to use a razor blade on the windows to remove old stickers. Add $x because I had to bag 3 grocery bags worth of personal items.



Our packages are one price, whether it's a car, truck or SUV. We do have a section on our sign in form that states that the customer automatically agrees for up to 1 additional hour of labour if it's needed. We've had to use it a couple of times, never to anyone's dismay. One time we had to bill 3 additional hours for a pretty nasty vehicle, and again, the owner was very understanding.



That said, specialty vehicles like Semi cabs, or tow trucks, would of course be a different price.
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It isn't nickel and diming to charge people accordingly based on the size and or condition of their vehicle. No way in hell I'm doing a full detail on a mid sized car for the same price I'll do a suburban or 7 passenger van/suv. Only makes sense.
 
ShineShop said:
It isn't nickel and diming to charge people accordingly based on the size and or condition of their vehicle. No way in hell I'm doing a full detail on a mid sized car for the same price I'll do a suburban or 7 passenger van/suv. Only makes sense.
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What I've found is that over time, it all equals out. We'll get a clean Expedidition one day and a mud filled Camry the next. I've had to play with pricing of course, but I think I've got it nailed down. Of course I'm basing that on my particular local market, and the vehicles we see come and go. And again, we do have the option to spend extra time on a vehicle if it's excessively dirty. I just don't like telling customers that they have to pay more simply because they have a hatch area in the back.



On a side note, I should clarify that NONE of this applies to correction work. This is primarily for interiors.
 
All of our packages are quoted in 4 different size categories. For me, I don't like option of one price fits all sizes because there is a significant time difference between an expedition and an escort. Generally customers understand that the bigger the vehicle the longer it will take.



I break it down like this:



Small - two door, two seat coupe or converts - Audi TT, Miata, etc

Med - four door sedan - Toyota camry, Honda Accord, etc

Lrg - Small SUV or Large car - RAV4, BMW 7, etc.

X-LRG - 3 rows of seats - Suburbans, mini-vans, etc.





HTH
 
I have an oversize vehicle charge but I don't see where it takes any longer to do a Honda crv than a Honda accord. It's easier for me to do a small suv than a sedan because it's higher less bending. I usually say on small suv that I'll charge them the car price and they love it.
 
We have three pricing structures. Cars-includes cars (all sizes ), small SUVS ( CRVs, Rav 4s etc). Trucks and SUVs - includes all pickups, large SUVs. Anything larger is quoted on a per job basis. It keeps things simple. I am not going to get into an argument with a client because they think their vehicle is in the wrong category and there is only a small $ difference.
 
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