Help With Bulk Detailing

V

vtec92civic

New member
Does anyone here have experience or some wisdom to lend on bulk detailing for small dealerships?



Not sure what would be a fair price to charge as it's hard to prodict the amount of vehicles that they will bring our way.



I have a meeting with someone today but right off the bat he asked how much he can expect to pay $100 . . . . . was his question.



I have no intentions of being a bulk detailer but since times are slow it would be nice to have a little extra work even if it is 1 or 2 extra cars a week or every couple weeks. They have some vehicles coming in from auction that they want cleaned up.



Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
I posted this in another thread about contract detailing, but make sure you have a sub-contractor agreement filled out with the dealership outlying exactly what work you will be doing, what is expected, your liabilities, and price.



I have a set "recon" price with the shops I work with and their discount if I receive 'X' cars each week. The key in dealership work is guaranteeing you will be busy for the price. If you aren't up front about your contract and pricing, they will most likely make you their b**** (to put it lightly) for anything that needs to be done. Meaning, they will pay their wash boys $7/hour to "detail" most of their cars and will call you for all the really bad ones.
 
todd@bsaw said:
I posted this in another thread about contract detailing, but make sure you have a sub-contractor agreement filled out with the dealership outlying exactly what work you will be doing, what is expected, your liabilities, and price.



I have a set "recon" price with the shops I work with and their discount if I receive 'X' cars each week. The key in dealership work is guaranteeing you will be busy for the price. If you aren't up front about your contract and pricing, they will most likely make you their b**** (to put it lightly) for anything that needs to be done. Meaning, they will pay their wash boys $7/hour to "detail" most of their cars and will call you for all the really bad ones.
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well i met with the guy today. He seems like a real cool guy. Very down to earth fellow. They are really cheap though that is for sure.



I might need a little help from someone in putting together a contract type thing that will outline exactly what work will be done for the price and things that you mentioned.



I really can't justify cutting someone a huge discount if the volume isn't there but at the same time business has really slowed down here a ton so it would be nice to have some slightly steady work.



They don't really want to spend more then $100 but he is open to hear what i have to say. I told him i would e-mail him with a few pricing ideas i had in mind and what it would include and we could go from there.



You got some time that you could spare to assist me in putting something together?
 
David Fermani said:
Sounds like you're off to a good start. $100 is good money for wholesale work.
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Aloha David. Thanks for chiming in. I'm sure you don't have to worry much about wholesale work but what is your take on it? I'm sure i can get it bumped up a little bit.



My main concern is this. The work being performed is a representation of my company. If i have to cut corners which i don't want to do it will make me feel like i didn't complete my job.



What would you include in wholesale work if someone told you $100?



What products would you use and what services would you provide?



I do need to send him a e-mail that will cover most of what i just asked so i want to make sure that i'm not going to sell my self really short, yet i still want to product some quality.
 
In reference to the cutting corners remark: For $100 you might be expected to do a full int/ext reconditioning, but most dealer expectations would be limited to either a one-step or glaze and a quick wax. These aren't cars that they intend to hang on to, floorplans and financing depend on a quick turnaround and if the wax lasts a day over four weeks I don't think they'll mind.



I've suggested this to others asking the same question- but sign the dealer up for a touch up at $25-$50 (whatever your market will support) for when/if the vehicle you've already detailed sells. It gives the customer a 'freshly' cleaned vehicle, will add to the dealer's CSI, and get you to that $100+ mark per car.
 
EcoAutoCT said:
In reference to the cutting corners remark: For $100 you might be expected to do a full int/ext reconditioning, but most dealer expectations would be limited to either a one-step or glaze and a quick wax. These aren't cars that they intend to hang on to, floorplans and financing depend on a quick turnaround and if the wax lasts a day over four weeks I don't think they'll mind.



I've suggested this to others asking the same question- but sign the dealer up for a touch up at $25-$50 (whatever your market will support) for when/if the vehicle you've already detailed sells. It gives the customer a 'freshly' cleaned vehicle, will add to the dealer's CSI, and get you to that $100+ mark per car.
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Yeah i hear you. That's the thing . . . . . i don't want to be doing full details on trashed vehicles for $100 because to me that isn't very cost effective.



I'm still open to suggestions as i need to work on something to submit to him. I know for a fact the cars will be newer vehicles as that is what the fellow i spoke to today had mentioned.



There has to be a place where i draw the line and i need to have a good plan of attack to minimize time and maximize results.
 
vtec92civic said:
Yeah i hear you. That's the thing . . . . . i don't want to be doing full details on trashed vehicles for $100 because to me that isn't very cost effective.



I'm still open to suggestions as i need to work on something to submit to him. I know for a fact the cars will be newer vehicles as that is what the fellow i spoke to today had mentioned.



There has to be a place where i draw the line and i need to have a good plan of attack to minimize time and maximize results.
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Case by case. There are a plethora of problems that will occasionally come up, but have no place in standard wholesale pricing. For example: excessive dog hair, heavy scratch removal/compounding, XXL vehicles. If he expects to spend $100 to wash/one step/wax and do the interior on an off lease Camry- he can't very well expect to pay the same for a 100K mile Odyssey that Jack, Jill, Buddy, Bobby, Billy, Spot & Spot II used for their cross country science fair circuit. There shouldn't be any confusion as to the standard pricing and what is applicable.



BUT



I've always charged a flat rate, this is what it costs without any question barring anything out of the ordinary (listed above) that is either necessary or requested. With this approach, and especially true if there isn't already an onsite lot attendant, you'll get cars that take the standard couple of hours but you'll also get a few gems that take 45 minutes or less. So you eat it sometimes, and other times you serve it. I don't mind spending an extra 30-45 minutes on a repo'd pickle if I can judge by the dealer's lot and avg sales that I'll get a pair of cars next week that only need a wash/vac/tire shine and the auction writing scraped off.
 
i hear that. as you mentioned i wouldn't go way over the top doing full paint correction jobs, taking off water spots and things of that nature for a $100



but i can see if it's just a mini type detail where you are cleaning up the interior and exterior but not having to spend 4 hours extracting the interiors and taking out stains.



His concern is there are lot techs there but things arn't getting done in a timely manner with them as he stated they are always really busy so he needs some outside help.



I'm willing to give it a shot and try to accommodate him but i do not want to be taken advantage of.
 
vtec92civic said:
I'm willing to give it a shot and try to accommodate him but i do not want to be taken advantage of.
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If the work isn't getting done fast enough for him already, go in there with every intention of banging out cars faster than the current techs do. He'll appreciate you immediately regardless of the price.



Stick to the flat rate if you want to keep it uncomplicated. What's the worst that'll happen besides getting snagged on something that takes 20% longer than usual only to be balanced by something that takes 20% less time? I'll tell you- you can walk away knowing what you're looking for out of future wholesale clients.



Everyone's got to eat and everyone's got to start somewhere whether it be wholesale/retail/wetsanding the space shuttle.



For $100 I'd be looking at a 2.5 hour average per car. This is wholesale, retail at that price I'd be looking to be out of there in less than 2 hours with a tip in hand. A business can afford to eat the price difference when the flow of work is steady enough to compensate the discounted rate.
 
vtec92civic said:
Aloha David. Thanks for chiming in. I'm sure you don't have to worry much about wholesale work but what is your take on it? I'm sure i can get it bumped up a little bit.



My main concern is this. The work being performed is a representation of my company. If i have to cut corners which i don't want to do it will make me feel like i didn't complete my job.



What would you include in wholesale work if someone told you $100?



What products would you use and what services would you provide?



I do need to send him a e-mail that will cover most of what i just asked so i want to make sure that i'm not going to sell my self really short, yet i still want to product some quality.
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Maybe not now, but back in the day 95% of my income came from wholesale dealer reconditioning.



You're not cutting corners if you meet or exceed the dealer's expectations. For $100 per car, I don't see you not being able to implement a good plan of attack to do this. Make sure you & your client have a clear understanding up front of what is expected so there's no surprises later. For less than $100 we did "complete detailing" with 1-2 polishing steps. Extras included compounding, tar/paint/concrete/pet hair/heavy soiling repairs. If you're going to do wholesale work, you want to focus on heavy volume with the most effecient and cost effective processes. We measured many things in "touch time" and made sure to develop a system that utilized the least amount of it. Bulk detailing usually equates to using bulk chemicals. There many companies that can assist and know how to aid in these types of operations. Auto Magic (what we used), Carbrite, Production, Malco, PRO are a few that come to mind.
 
EcoAutoCT said:
If the work isn't getting done fast enough for him already, go in there with every intention of banging out cars faster than the current techs do. He'll appreciate you immediately regardless of the price.



Stick to the flat rate if you want to keep it uncomplicated. What's the worst that'll happen besides getting snagged on something that takes 20% longer than usual only to be balanced by something that takes 20% less time? I'll tell you- you can walk away knowing what you're looking for out of future wholesale clients.



Everyone's got to eat and everyone's got to start somewhere whether it be wholesale/retail/wetsanding the space shuttle.



For $100 I'd be looking at a 2.5 hour average per car. This is wholesale, retail at that price I'd be looking to be out of there in less than 2 hours with a tip in hand. A business can afford to eat the price difference when the flow of work is steady enough to compensate the discounted rate.
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That's very true man. So i take it you have some wholesale accounts right now? Like you mentioned we all need to eat and it's a give and take type thing. Having to spend a tad bit of time on something is better then not having any work at all.



Now from time to time they get on trade in are lifted trucks and things of that nature.



Would you say it would be best to flat rate:



cars

trucks/suv's



and then something like lifted trucks?



or you would just flat rate every thing as one such as:



$100 for all cars, trucks, lifted trucks, suvs (mind you that's just a number.
 
EcoAutoCT said:
A business can afford to eat the price difference when the flow of work is steady enough to compensate the discounted rate.
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I've never been able to grasp this concept. How does volume make up for a discounted rate? Low margins are low margins, no matter the volume.
 
ok, so maybe im not getting it.



my idea of 100 bucks for a dealer....





all in one (pinnacle 360, klasse, etc etc), dress the tires, quick clean the engine with that greasy crap all the dealers just love, vacume and dress the interior, with "easy" spot removal (no extracter/steam cleaner use) as needed.



done.



this for 90% of the cars...heavy water spots, crap ton of pet hair or anything out of the ordinary, charge extra.





am I not thinking correctly here?
 
Good discussions going on here. I'm curious as to what processes are going along with the $100 tag per car. I have a place to do whole sale work that they currently out source for $150 and drive the car there and pick up in about 5 hours. The place does a good job, but I still find places where they cut corners and can spend 45min. behind delivery cleaning up. Just wondering over those 2.5-3 hours would you remove most heavy defects then fill the minor ones? Or just take the 3 hours to build on an already detailed car and see it through to jeweling then seal/wax? Might just be me, but spending 3 hours on a car wont cut it if you want me to do anything serious, even when dealing with exterior alone. Not that it'll look less than amazing to people blind to real detailing, but for autopian standards, I take at least 8 hours on everyday cars.
 
My wholesale "recon" detail consisted of:



Hand wash

Complete interior

AIO exterior

Engine detail



For the most part, the thing the dealer was most interested in was how good I could get the interior. Most car buyers don't care/noticed scratches on the paint but they will complain about crusty salt on the floor mats. I could knock out the recon in about 2.5h that Eco said. He was also right on about some taking longer some taking less. You just have to eat the difference but it typically evens out.



I've never been able to grasp this concept. How does volume make up for a discounted rate? Low margins are low margins, no matter the volume.
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Wholesale volume makes up for the price margin only when higher retail sales are not there to supplement your gross sales. If you are filling your schedule with higher-paying retail sales, then no it makes no sense to do wholesale work. However, if you're shop is not busy 100% of the time, it's better to fill it with a low-margin sale than nothing.



To look at it another way, if you can bring in $1000 in sales per week that is guaranteed and needs no marketing cost, would you rather do that or spend your time and money marketing and looking for retail customers to fill that lost time?
 
great stuff guys . . . . . so i guess i have some research to do.



a friend of a friend just became the distributor for carbrite here so i might look into that. I know Pro & Automagic also make some good stuff for bulk type deals.



I'm liking the:



Wash

AIO

Complete Interior

Engine

Dress Tires

Done



the problem is small things like cleaning the rims and tires can take a little bit of time.



As for complete interior are you extracting or just vacuum, spot clean, dress interior and done.



What about other things such as leather cleaning/conditioning?



Sorry for all the questions but i want to make sure i know what to include when i send him that e-mail.



I don't want a case where i get a call to do a car and i need to fully work over the leather because i might not have specified that something like that was not included. I want to make sure i include as close to everything when i send him the e-mail and the price figure.
 
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