Need for cheap package?

M

mini1

New member
Some of my friends in the car repair business (who refer me customers on a regular basis) have told me that I need to add a cheap package to compete with the hack jobs and big scale operations in town. There are several operations (some illegal) doing 'complete' interior/exterior details for $79-99. My most basic package for a 4 door sedan in good condition starts at $150. I know I'm loosing business to these operations. I have had cancellations and later found out through my friends that they went to the hack down the street because he did the entire job for half price. Until now, I have not considered adding an 'el cheapo' package. I normally tell the people that I don't compete with hacks and you pay for what you get. If you want a quality job using long lasting products, then I'm here for you.

Here is what I'm thinking

the 'el cheapo'

$99

Exterior wash/wheels/tires

Cheap spray wax by hand/cheap tire gloss/clean windows

Vacuum interior/vacuum trunk/clean windows



No door jams, no chrome polish, no black plastic gloss, no machine buffing, no seat cleaning, no hard surface cleaning, no shampooing, no quality expensive products. I really need to cut to compete with these hacks.



What do you think?
 
You are not LOSING those people who won't pay more than $90 for a "full detail". You don't want them. Unless you throw quality out the window and focus on speed you can't make them happy and make money at the same time.



Either go after quality or go after speed. You can't have both. By trying to compete with illegal operations or the shops who do only cheap work you will bring your name down and possibly miss out on new clients looking for quality.



This is one of those case where you can't have it all.





*let's say you do go after those customers and you drop quality service/products. How do you now explain to clients why you have 2 different quality services? When they hear how you intentionally spend less time and lower quality service/products they will question your quality across the board. They may even think you're trying to rip them off by charging more, good service or not.



PERCEPTION is very important.
 
that package you listed would take about 1.5 hours...TOPS. I would offer just that, but clean the jambs as well.



ONR wash

optimum spray wax

windows

jambs with ONR

clean wheel outers with ONR, no inners

dress tires with silicone based dressing (water based may take a couple applications)

vacuum interior

dusting/wipe down with UV protectant

leather conditioning (if applicable)

PROFIT
 
Sometimes the cheaper services make more money per hour than the expensive ones. I sell our lower services as in between maintenance services, but I NEVER use cheap products. Use the same as they bought when they got their detail.





John
 
I offer an exterior wash n wax + tire/trim dressing for $60, which i discount to $50 for return customers. That's my cheapest deal. If people want more services they pay for them. My cheapest "package" is $160. A full interior cleaning and exterior wash/wax.
 
I offer a wash and wax package priced at $70...

1. hand wash/ hand dry

2. clean wheels/ wheel wells

3. shine tires

4. hand wax

5. clean door jambs

6. clean windows in and out

7. vacuum interior/ trunk

8. light leather conditioning

9. dress interior vinyl... dash, doors, console, etc...

10. fragrance

Extra dirty vehicles get an additional $15 charge.



This package takes me no longer than 1.5 hours for a vehicle in decent shape..... That makes $45/ hour... Either you need to work on your technigue, set your shop/ mobile set up differntly to get things done more efficiently, or use some type of different products... Theres nothing wrong with making $45/ hour... That package right there costs me about $1.25-$1.75 without gas...
 
"Express Detailing" definatly has it's place. Just be very clear on what you offer for your express detail. Letting them think you're going all out obviously won't be good for business. If they toss out the old "Well so and so down the road said they would polish it for that price too" Tell them that's where they should go and when they want it fixed to come back to you (but ummm be polite in that point) Fact is you have to make money in the business. Spending 4-5 hours for $90 job really doesn't do you or your customer any justice. You can't pay the bills on $90 and chances are their not going to be happy with the results. Offer it but be very clear on what's in the offer, and what isn't in the offer.
 
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