We offer maintainence plans, with fairly good success. I'll try to scan my flyer later so ya'll can see what I'm sayin but basically here's how it works:
Customer contacts me for appt, appt is made, vehicle is detailed. After the vehcile has undergone it's final inspection, I go get the customer to do a walkaround and inspection with me. Any concerns cust had like scratch or stain is checked with them. Get them excited about their fresh ride. Explain briefly what dressing and wax are used, for example and how long they will last.
This is the perfect time to sign the customer up for the maint plan. CLOSE THE DEAL. Emphasize how important it is to keep their investment looking like this. Stress:
1.) It is easier and less costly in the long run to go this route.
2) The cust. will have confidence that the same, trusted individual will be caring for thier car.
Pool maint., lawn care, auto appearance, all the same to me. Why have one lawn guy this week, another the next, etc. I guarantee you if your cust's have pools and lawns, they also signed up for some sort of maint. plan.
>>>rambling<<<
I have several different plans. Some are weekly, some bi-weekly, some monthly, and even have a few customers on the annual plan. (This is where the insist on caring for their own car on the weekends, but have us do the quarterly details and anything else as the need arises. (like scratches, spills, etc.)
Most cust's are billed monthly and are also mailed an appt. calendar. OK, say cust. has one car, an Accord. Want the bi-weekly. Wants to pay monthly. $70 per month ($35 X 2)
Same cust, same car, wants to pay quarterly. ($35 X 6 = $210 plus the quarterly detail @$150. Total = $360 less 10% discount for purchasing in advance = $324.
There's all sorts of ways to set it up. I guess most important, determine your customer's needs, make the a presentable offer the can't refuse, emphasize this is PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT, same TRUSTED technician every time, and VALUE. Don't sell yourself short, and always thank the customer for their business.
Hope that helps a little,
Mike