People charging $55 for an Interior Detail

Bullitt

Bullitt

Showroom Auto Detailing
A gentleman e-mailed me and wanted a quote on an Complete Interior Detail on his Jeep Grand Cherokee, so I told him it would be $125, but I wouldn't be able to give a hard quote until I looked at the vehicle. He e-mails me back today and says thank you for the quote, but your substantially higher than the other guy and he was quoted $55. This doesn't bother me from a business stand point because since then I've already booked another appointment with someone who takes pride in there vehicle. It just bothers me that there are hacks out there that are actually hurting the detailing industry by charging these very low prices, and it's hurting the detailing business's that are on the up and up. If there were just one of these so called company's out there it probably wouldn't make a difference, but there are plenty here in Houston. Just wanted to put in my two cents and i:think:f there are any of these undercutting guys roaming these sites maybe they'll see this, not that it would help probably. These guys are either using very inferior products, seriously diluting to nothing but water, or they'll be out of business in a month, because if you break down the cost to get to the site, products, and time; there's not a whole lot of $ left. Didn't mean to ramble, but it's the principal of this situation along with giving true Detailers a bad name.
 
yea I heard ya. Around my area there's ppl detailing a basic interior and exterior detail for $20-$30 but the results are no where near perfect, they use cheap products and unskilled workers, must of them look like hobos. I'm only one of the few that charges realistic professional prices which is 3 or 4 times that amount and my clients understand my work justifies the price difference.
 
I dont deal with price shoppers... I will simply explain what I do and how this differs from what they can get for less... If they even mention price again I respectfully decline their business..



Funny thing is when I decline their business that makes them want it but I then insist they follow their instinct and go with the el cheapo guy...



If they are not satisfied I welcome them to come to me only after that, if they are happy with el cheapo I just saved myself a head ache
 
This sounds like the same argument of those that "can get a car wash and wax for $20 from that other guy"



If someone is looking for a deal, is that really the type of customer you want? Will they even appreciate what you did for them?
 
Brandon1 said:
Hell in my area i'd love to get $55 for an interior only detail.
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I'm with you on that one to Brandon . I would love to get $55 for a wash & interior job.
 
Did you explain all the steps you take in your interior, that way he can see how that stacks up for the 55$. If he does the same exact thing for 55$ then................. that might be the market your in.



I find that I give the client a highly detailed list of things I do, I break the whole detail down to individual parts. Cheap detailers can't remember the steps so you will look like the better deal.



Cheers,

GREG
 
It's all about selling yourself and your work. If you do that and they still insist on a rock-bottom price, cut them loose.
 
I get a similar response sometimes from customers wanting an all over paint job . The blue light special shops will do the whole job for less than just the materials cost me .
 
remember alot of people are price shoppers they want quality 4 cheap. lets face it everyone wants a deal, mark up the price, make them feel special by giving them a special discount. a $99 detail is eye candy for a price shopper but also a point for us to up sale but i notice the cheaper the shopper the harder the job, no one wants to spend alot of money on a crappy car they just want it to look better. And the last person wants the $99 detail to look like the $250 detail most costomers do not know what a detail is expalin to them the differance.
 
I detailed the inside of my car yesterday in preparation for a trip. It took me HOURS! While I was spending so much time doing it, one thought kept running through my mind..."There's a big difference between cleaning and detailing."
 
There are hacks and price cutters everywhere. It does tick you off,if you are a professional,and strive for Great work. Only thing We can do is continue to do Our best. The hackers and price cutters will drop off eventually. Alot of them will loose customers after 1 detail. Then the good detailers will pick them up. Then they will be glad to pay for your services!
 
Point out atleast 3 things that will make your work better than your competition to build value which will in turn differentiate your service.



Examples: scrubbing all hard surfaces with a toothbrush, compressed air, anti-microbial cleaners, dry brush carpet to revitalize nap, anit-static/UV protectants, etc....
 
from a 'shoppers' standpoint, I would explain the steps you take, products used, how many man hours, the fact you gotta pay for your man hours, your shop, you have INSURANCE ON THEIR VEHICLE while it's in your custody, etc.



stuff like that may make him change his mind, instead of Joe blow down the street using his mom's vacuum cleaner and some armor all...



just a tip! Just try not to be 'snobby' when talking down on the $55 guy, b/c that will turn a customer away faster than a ****** detail job.
 
You have to remember that there are different market tiers for different quality of work, just like there are for cars...

If you want a honda, you pay honda money. If you want a benz, you pay benz money. Lambo, lambo money, and so on.

The same principle can be applied to a detailing business. There will be people who use $15 hand washes, or the automatic car washes, people who do a $50 hand wash who are the medium, and most poeple on here, who are top quality workers...

No reason to get annoyed over it. Just the laws of the market.
 
AeroCleanse said:
My solution is to charge an hourly rate, so if its really dirty it costs them more because it takes longer.
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This is nice from our standpoint, but what do you do when someone gives you this same statement for say cleaning your carpets in the house? You ask we'll about how long will it take? Thus we are back to the question for how much to do the job.



We have to sell how we are better and offer more to justify the cost difference. I can buy a sony TV or a Samsung, Sony is higher priced but what do I get for it?



Cheers,

GREG
 
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