Idea for services/pricing

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dublifecrisis

New member
Hey guys-I'm not a pro-detailer, just do it on the sides but I was doodling some packages trying to figure out what to offer and/or how much.



Maybe this is a stupid idea, or one that has been discussed but has anyone presented their services offered in a restaurant menu format where the customer could just pick and choose what they wanted? I started thinking of what would be an 'appetizer' or an 'entree' or a 'dessert'. I guess an important part would be how you would piece it all together without it being confusing or overwhelming. I have some culinary background and always thought menu design/presentation was important.



What do you guys/gals think?
 
Lots of factors involved, the major factor being, what is the quality of service you provide really worth per hour?



Once you decide what your time is worth then you'll be well on your way.
 
My two cents? Our customers just want clean cars, so we offer a very simple set of options: complete, interior only, or exterior only. Extraordinary circumstances are charged accordingly, but that is infrequent.



We sorta take 'em as they come, and we find that it really does even out for us over time.



Frankly, most people don't know what their car needs specifically... so why let them choose?



But, certainly, there are lots of menu oriented detailers who are quite successful.
 
I was trying to figure a little conservatively since this is just a side hobby. I figured most of the pricing on roughly $25 an hour. I have a draft but it's saved at work. It had 'appetizers' like wash&dry, wheels&tires, spray wax, etc, then the next section was 'lite-side (a la carte) and it had individual offerings of AIO's, engine clean etc,, then I went into entrees which were the packages that went all the way up to full correction and the full detail, then Desserts were 'Carauba topper', 'Rain repellent' and a few others. The prices worked out to where someone could get a decent clean car for 50-60$ using just the pick and choose method and the packages (aka entrees) ranges from $85 to about $250.

The pick and choose AND Entrees would allow someone to eliminate 'Leather treatment' or Engine Detail if they didn't feel that was necessary and of course the entrees wer eth emost expensive but also less than if priced individually.
 
The idea to make it like a restaurant menu is interesting. I think you are making it too complicated. I offer three packages; they all include interior/exterior. The difference is obviously the scope of the work being done and the price. It gives people a few options considering their needs and budget, without giving them too many choices. I would keep it simple, and refine your restaurant menu idea because it is unique. As always, you need to evaluate your own unique business situation when making these types of decisions.
 
Bad idea.



I studied multimedia and marketing at University and that would not be a wise move.



Most customers dont know what their car needs. They do know what impresses them the most. E.g a fetish for glossy wheels you'll work out quick smart ways to find out what will impress each customer.



Your best option is to offer only a few packages. Instead of including a $25 wash include free washes in your higher end details so that it attracts the customer to upgrade. For example, here are my packages.



Package A) $99 - Mini Detail - wash, vac and wax



Package B) $199 - Deluxe Detail - includes a machine polish



Package C) $299 - Ultimate Package - A deluxe Detail but with FOUR follow up washes.



This eliminates a customer turning up with a trashed car wanting a $25 wash as they have to spend a minimum of $99 which should cover any vehicle no matter how dirty.



I'd also recommend asking the customer if they have any specific area's or problems they want you to concentrate on. Some people for $99 may want the interior cleaned thoroughly and the exterior simply hosed and dried, where as some people wont want the interior touched but rather want a coat of wax. Instead of having 4 different $99 packages just have one and ask what the customer will be wants.





The ultimate package will be picked quite often as the free washes will have the car looking perfect for months being cleaned 5 times for $299 means it $60 each that is quite cost effective. As you see that customer on 5 occasions you have enough time to sign them up for a regular maintenance routine. Say $30 per wash with a wax and vac say every 10th wash.



Thats how you do business :)
 
For the vast majority of clients, that would probably work pretty well, maybe with an explanation. Things have gotten kind of crazy down here (quality-wise), and lately the only way to charge a fair price (and have a client understand the reasons behind that price) has been by quoting every job in person.



I like the word "tailored", customers love it too.
 
dublifecrisis said:
Hey guys-I'm not a pro-detailer, just do it on the sides but I was doodling some packages trying to figure out what to offer and/or how much.



Maybe this is a stupid idea, or one that has been discussed but has anyone presented their services offered in a restaurant menu format where the customer could just pick and choose what they wanted? I started thinking of what would be an 'appetizer' or an 'entree' or a 'dessert'. I guess an important part would be how you would piece it all together without it being confusing or overwhelming. I have some culinary background and always thought menu design/presentation was important.



What do you guys/gals think?
Click to expand...



i think a check list seems more appropriate than a restaurant style menu but thats just my opinion. its simple, check what you want, skip what you don't.



that way, they know every little thing involved so they can see exactly what they are paying for.
 
I actually used to have a restaurant style menu. I now just have a few simple packages for customer's to choose from. The reason why I changed it was for the reason's already mentioned (too confusing for the customer, etc.). As couple of guys already said, most customer's don't know what there car needs. They just know that they want the exterior shiny, and the interior clean and smelling good. You do have the rare few that will understand detailing and know exactly what they want for their vehicle.
 
Thanks for all the input folks. As many of you mentioned, this idea could easily get confusing with choices and the fact that a lot of customers simply don't know the difference even between a polish or a wax and plenty of times people think they are one in the same.



Like I said, I don't have any immediate intentions on 'quitting my day job' but I've gotten quite a few requests from people needing their cars detailed and how much would it costs, and when can I do it etc...
 
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