Please review my prices

I

imported_donavin629

New member
Hi, I've read a lot of the big threads about starting up a business. Right now I'm on summer break from college, and I haven't been able to find a job too easily. That's why I'm deciding to start a small business doing detailing work. I'm going to go mobile, and drive to anyone who lives around the area.



Here are my prices so far:



http://geocities.com/ch12i5



I was wondering if I could get feedback from all of you cool guys. I really thought it would be a good idea to get it reviewed here first before actually making copies of a more organized table of these prices.



About the community around here: I live in the Easy Bay of NorCal. Around where I live, there aren't too many people with the nice and expensive cars...I just have a feeling that I won't be getting to much business here. On the other hand, there are a few cities about 45-1hour (which is kinda far for me) that are filled with the business type of people who don't have time to take car of their cars, but are willing to pay someone else to do.



My question is, how can I appeal to the market I have in my area? I've already lowered a basic wash from $10->$8 and the wash/wax from $20->$15.



thanks you guys!:xyxthumbs
 
You may have to change your product line and prices and packages to fit your market. You might have an area of people who don't really care that much about their cars except they wouldn't mind them cleaned. You can do stuff like just quick vaccuming to get just lose stuff off the top of the carpet, quick washing, and get some cheaper dressing than 303.



Now, for people with nicer cars you can offer the better products but make sure you change your prices to suit.



You can also get like a spray type wax instead of using a liquid or paste. It'll save you time. I know ProWax makes an Aerosol version and they make another wax called Expresso which I think you feed through a spray bottle.



I know these comments aren't very autopian but when you are professional and working in a very non-autopian area you have to change your ways to meet the market.



I'll come back to look at your prices. I'm gonna go look at the rest of the forum and then I'll be back.
 
yep - agreed with intel's statements - those prices are low compaired to what I charge, but thats just because of the area I'm in, and the type of customers I can get who want the best products available..... after I explain to them what they're getting they know I'm not just giving them some crap.



You, on the other hand, might be better off with using exclusively turtlewax and armorall on customers' cars. :up





edit: OR, on the other hand, its possible that your prices are set too low, and its scaring people away (thinking you're charging so little because you aren't using good stuff or doing a good job).... it could go either way for you. Best thing to do is just go out there and advertise with fliers/etc. And make sure to seek out the nicer cars in the area..



I have been known to give discounts to people who own the nicer cars in the past, not only because I love working on the finer autos, but also because I know that if I were charging these owners my full prices, the cars wouldn't be getting done as frequently as if I give them slight discounts (we're not talking huge, just enough to make a noticeable difference on their end) so that they keep comming back, and take better care of their cars... (ok, ok, so maybe I'm just a sucker for hating to see a really nice car get neglected and abused). Another thing you might consider though. :up
 
thanks for your help guys. Yeah, I agree with you that I might have to change a few things around, such as the products I use, to get customers. I'm only doing this as a side hobby kind of thing though. The image I want to give off is QUALITY. But I guess my work can get its full potential due to the area I live in.



I want to imagine someone saying, "here, go to him. his prices are higher than usual, but his work is outstanding and is worth every penny." I want to be know as that kind of worker...



if anyone could give me any more suggestions, that would be great. thanks for the comments that you've given already!
 
I can find a few flaws in your website technically, but as for the approach and content, its GREAT!



I'm gonna put one together tonight...



I really like how you made a detailed list of everything you include in each "detail" service.



thanx for the link.
 
caddyman said:
PDI



This is what i charge.
Click to expand...



Nice site, good content. The tip section is a good idea. I need to add something like that to mine.



You should definitely go through it with a spell check program though, and I personally wouldn't refer to detailing as an 'invasive' procedures. Makes it sound too much like a prostate exam!;)



=====================



TurDz-IMO, your prices are way too low. I'd be willing to bet you are scaring off potential clients because they don't think anyone can do a good job for such a low price. You may want to call what other detailers in your area are charging and raise your prices to be in line with theirs.



I have a price list on my site at www.scottwax.com in the 'services' section.
 
Scottwax said:






TurDz-IMO, your prices are way too low. I'd be willing to bet you are scaring off potential clients because they don't think anyone can do a good job for such a low price. You may want to call what other detailers in your area are charging and raise your prices to be in line with theirs.



I have a price list on my site at www.scottwax.com in the 'services' section.
Click to expand...



Will do, thanks. But as I stated above, I'm not sure if I'm in the right market to raise my prices, but I will take your advice and call up local detailers.
 
TurDz, getting your first customers will be your hardest. Make sure you have a sign or something you sit out when you detail so people know you are a mobile detailer and not simple some kid washing their car.



Find an office building too do. One office building can provide you with all the business you can probably handle. I'm not talking about working at the office building all the time but through referrals. I'm sure the people who have their cars washed wouldn't mind having their wife's/husband's car done. Go to their house to do that job. Then ask the people if they know anyone who would be interested in their neighbor hood. Head to the houses near by and tell them who you are, what you do, say you detail one of their neighbhor's cars, and ask if they'd like their car washed today. Give them a special deal. Your basic wash package is your entry into other details. Most people will have you do a wash package and then call you back to have you do wax, polishing, or other things.
 
Thanks Intel, you've been helping me a lot through my transition to being an Autopian :)



I got two customers already, one who's about 20 minutes away, another who's about 30 minutes away.



One wants a wash/wax, another wants an engine bay detailed.



Today I went to a cousin's birthday party, and my parents started mentioning my business in a lighthearted fashion to other relatives, and soon, I got a whole converstaion started on what I do and how cheap I do it for. So things are looking pretty good right now.



I really wish I had a few business cards to hand out though, I think I need those next.
 
In addition to office complexes, you may want to check out the local golf course and see if you can work a deal with the manager to detail cars while people are golfing. They don't need their cars and 18 holes takes 3-4 hours (probably 25-30 for me).
 
where do get a hose? For now I have to work at the person's house so I can get a water supply.



Also, do you mobile detailers bring a vaccum and steamvac around in your trunk?



btw scott do you mind if i use your prices? I really like how you vary it by about $10 but nothing more than that. and i like how you set up your packages too...
 
I think your basic wash is a bit too cheap.



Heres an idea because I will be doing it for my business; but feel free to use it because you are on the otherside of the country and won't take away my business :up



Instead of "Basic car wash and rinse", call it "Excecutive Car wash". Include in that dressing the trim and tires, cleaning windows. Then you can jack the price up to $15-20.



As intel and shiny lil detler mentioned before, the area is the most important factor in pricing. The clientele you are catering to will determine whether your businss strives or dies. If you live in an area where everyone drives a black Bentley that is professionally cleaned once a week, then you can adjust your prices accordingly because your services will be in demand. If you live where I do....a land where everyone leases their car and run it through the automatic car wash once a year and get the Turtle Wax spray on special, then you will have to dig around for customers, as I have to. I have to adjust my prices accordingly for the cheaper non-caring person. But even then, some of the cars are so neglected, I don't even bother because it wouldn't be worth it....
 
thanks for the help man. My dad brought up one issue...how about if the distance I drive is far? Would you suggest adding a small service charge for being mobile, or what?



Just wanna get a feeling of what you guys do.



thanks
 
TurDz said:
Today I went to a cousin's birthday party, and my parents started mentioning my business in a lighthearted fashion to other relatives, and soon, I got a whole converstaion started on what I do and how cheap I do it for. So things are looking pretty good right now.



I really wish I had a few business cards to hand out though, I think I need those next.
Click to expand...



You mean they were making fun of you :D Don't worry, for some reason we are very easy to be made fun of.



get your business cards from http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.asp



I use their cards. I get the gloss coating and the advertisement removed from the back. They look professionally done.



If you want to, then get a spray on wax and offer it as a "Wax package" for like $10 more than your wash. The spray waxes go on quick. Some of them can be applied in as little as 5mins!



Then have like a "super wax package" where you'd use your normal liquid or paste wax.



Now you have a package for both the people who want to be cheap as well as the people who want the better stuff.



You can offer a lot of services but you don't have to put them all on your flyer. You can make a basic flyer and then a complete flyer. On your basic flyer you can have like the "Wash Package" and the "Wax Package" You can also say, "Full details starting at X amount of dollars" You can make them so they are 1/2 a page or a 1/4 of a page so you get more copies for less money.



You can then make a complete flyer that lists all your packages and services. You will be able to give this to customers when you show up for the job and to those that call. You can put on your small flyer "Call to recieve a complete list of all services offered"



I mean, why not make your business so it has something for everyone. Low end and high end. You make your money from low end customers by high production numbers. You make your money from high end customers by taking your time, doing a awesome job, and getting paid well.
 
I just updated my prices again. I plan to make a very nice website later, but for now, this will do.



Please give me your comments on my new changes, as I've tried to take all of your ideas into account.



:xyxthumbs
 
I was wondering...



How do you guys work on cars that are in the parking lot of a business complex?



I mean, how do you guys get a water supply in those types of areas?



Also, I just did my dad's van as my first customer. They were nice enough to pay as a small gesture of motivation...



It was a Toyota Previa minivan. Well, that van wasn't so mini. It was huge. It took me a good while to wash, plus the cleaning of the interior was tough. Waxing it was also a paint, since it has a rack on top.



It really made me realize that my prices are still a bit low, and I'm adjusting them a bit now. Enough to beat local competitor's prices (I checked all three in the area) and high enough to reward me for my back breaking work.
 
TurDz, have you got a printer with your computer? Get some of the blank biz cards that Avery and other companies make. You can get them at stores like Staples or Business Depot. There are 30 blank cards to a sheet.



That way you can always run off 30 cards if you run out. No waiting for the printer. A lot of small businesses use them nowadays. Phone numbers, fax numbers, cell phone numbers, pager numbers, email addresses, etc. all can change. Something usually changes before 250 cards get used up. ;)
 
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