how do these prices and packages look?

jason rawls

Weekend Warrior
Here is a list of prices and packages that I will be offering customers. How does it look? Are the prices too high for somebody who is just starting out and doesn't have any customer base.



Keep in mind that I am probably the only "serious" mobile detailer in the area. Of course, I always here about guys that come out and do a so called detail for $45 which only takes them an hour and a half - but I am too proud of my work to go this route. I'm not a car cleaner - I'm a detailer. Also, I have a full time job and will only be doing this on the weekends for right now.



The local "car wash" charges a minimum of $140 for a detail which is basically the same as my "Complete Detail". I didn't want to undercut them too much as I don't want people to think they provide a better service - because in fact they actually suck!

It's just they are the only detailers around and they have been well established for a long time. How to I convince customers to come my way without letting them rob me?



#1 Deluxe Wash:

Exterior body and door jams washed, tires and wheels cleaned; tires dressed, windows cleaned, interior vacuumed.

cars, small trucks $25

station wagons, large trucks, mid size SUV's, $30

full size SUV's, vans, $35



#2 Express Detail:

Includes #1 plus high quality wax hand applied, floor mats shampooed, dash and console cleaned and dressed.

cars, small trucks $95

station wagons, large trucks, mid size SUV's, $110

full size SUV's, vans, $125



#3 Complete Detail:

Includes #1 and #2 plus chrome polished, exterior trim dressed, trunk, door, and engine jams cleaned; interior meticulously

detailed (carpets, floor mats, and cloth seats shampooed; leather and vinyl cleaned and protected; dash, console, door panels, and everything in between cleaned and dressed; fabric protection applied, choice of air freshener.

cars, small trucks $135

station wagons, large trucks, mid size SUV's, $165

full size SUV's, vans, $190



#4 The Ultimate Detail:

Includes #1, #2, and #3 plus a 1-3 step polishing and buffing process plus exterior trim permanently restored using trim dye.

cars, small trucks $185

station wagons, large trucks, mid size SUV's, $220

full size SUV's, vans, $250





Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

Jason Rawls
 
Looks good...

it's just me, but for my packages I put the shampoo in #3 and have the chrome polished, exterior trim dressed in #2

...people I detail for seem to want the trim dressed as more of a base and the carpet shampoo as a more expensive option...
 
looks good



#3 + #4 should probably include claying (or make it an extra $$ option)



#3 should probably include a one step polish or glaze too (or make it an extra $$ option)
 
Looks good.



Your pricing seems very good for the services you are offering in each package. Actually, they are very similar to my prices...except my full detail (your "ultimate detail") is about $20 more.
 
Claying would be added as an extra option - probably 30 or 40 bucks- but not part of a normal detail.



IMO, claying should be an upsell because 95% of customers have no idea what claying is nor will they be able to tell whether or not you did it.



Sure, us detailers know what the benefits of claying are, but unless you explain what it is to the customer and add it as an extra option, he will not know the difference.
 
Just a tip for all the newbies. When it comes to advertising I would not advertise different packages, nor would I say what we are going to do. What I would advertise is that we are offering a showroom detail, using the best products and offering the best service in the industry. Don't talk about claying, just tell them that their vehicle will be smooth as silk. Don't tell them weather you are using a synthetic or a carnauba wax, they don't know the difference. There is alot of power in knowledge and that knowledge will bring you big dollars. I tell my customers they are getting a complete detail using the best products available. Everything from bumper to bumper will look new again. Remember 75% of all the wax is purchased by 11% of the population. I guess that tells you alot about this industry.
 
Auto Care USA said:
Just a tip for all the newbies. When it comes to advertising I would not advertise different packages, nor would I say what we are going to do. What I would advertise is that we are offering a showroom detail, using the best products and offering the best service in the industry. Don't talk about claying, just tell them that their vehicle will be smooth as silk. Don't tell them weather you are using a synthetic or a carnauba wax, they don't know the difference. There is alot of power in knowledge and that knowledge will bring you big dollars. I tell my customers they are getting a complete detail using the best products available. Everything from bumper to bumper will look new again. Remember 75% of all the wax is purchased by 11% of the population. I guess that tells you alot about this industry.





You are like the poster child for my quote below:bow



I definitely agree with the above. :xyxthumbs
 
I agree that we translate our love for detailing into the services and when it comes to it at the end of the day, it is a business. Because of that and the state of the general public's knowledge about detailing you don't want to confuse them with specifics. Don't sell them on the method but the results. Advertising the 'works' demonstates that you do it all so if a customer is remotely interested and even wants to get a car simply washed they will go 'Detailer X can polish, wax, extract, etc. etc. I'm sure they do an excellent job with smaller jobs'.
 
6318 said:
So, do you only offer the one package?...the 'showroom' deal?



I'm pretty sure that was an example if you are advertising your full details and not as if that is the only service he offers. But, I think the same principle applies to any service you offer....sell the benefits not the description. "Your car will look showroom new"...not I wash, I wax, I polish, I clay, etc. etc.
 
I'm pretty sure that was an example if you are advertising your full details and not as if that is the only service he offers.

Yeah, I know...I was just wondering what descriptors you might use for less than the 'showroom' package, ie 'standard wash' or what...
 
I think that if your going to have different packages you should give your customers some sort of explanation as to why one package costs more than the other.



For example, if I tell my customers that a showroom shine detail costs $185 without explaining what they will be getting besides wax, they may think that my services are way too overpriced.



In other words, they will say, "Well Joe Shmoe only charges $100 for a detail", and without knowing that I provide more than just Armor All and Turtle Wax, they will choose Joe Shmoe because he's cheaper.
 
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