Shop Owners: What do you charge for pick-up/delivery service?

D

Driven Auto Detail

New member
Like the title says, what are you charging for pick-up and delivery service? Do you charge by the mile, by the time, etc.? Do you offer free service w/in a certain radius to your shop or charge for any and all service?
 
We typically charge for vallet service beyond eight miles from our shop. Having a vallet option is very marketable and makes your customers life more convenient and this is certainly something a customer making a positive referral for your business would mention to a potential customer. In certain instances for our high end customers we will provide a loaner but there is a charge for that service.
 
$25 - $60 depending on distance.



Never forget a touchup kit (glass towels, glass cleaner, interior cleaner, mini vacuum, etc.) when dropping of a car. Customers often spot things that got missed.
 
Thanks AppliedColors! I know what my shop rate is going to be so I wasn't sure if I should just charge by the amount of time I have to spend out of the shop getting a car and taking it back.





That's a very good tip about a "touch-up kit"! I'll remember that.
 
AppliedColors said:
$25 - $60 depending on distance.



Never forget a touchup kit (glass towels, glass cleaner, interior cleaner, mini vacuum, etc.) when dropping of a car. Customers often spot things that got missed.
Click to expand...



We don't even do it but if we did it would be a minimum charge of $30 or the amount of time it takes @ $60 an hour. Sure it's convenient but it's costing you time which in turn is costing you MONEY. You are required to carry insurance to cover you as well while driving a customer's car (please don't argue that you are covered by their insurance. If you get in an accident you WILL be getting sued by their insurance company) so you need to factor that cost in as well. We just don't do it anymore unless it's a slow day because the return on investment just isn't there.
 
We provide the service for dealers free if they have a car for us to return in(exchange). If it's a blind trip that we charge $10. We have a fleet of drivers on the road, all retired car salesmen. They love it, we pay them $5 per car. To come to the shop in the morning they use a retail customers car(they pick it up at the customers house, leave there car there, reverse scenario at end of day).



Being retired car salemen, they have credibility when they go to the dealers, and get paid a commission on up sells, so they do a good pre inspection. They aklso do teh post inspection before leaving the shop.



Like Scott said please make sure you have the proper insurance coverage for this before thinking of driving a customers car on the road.
 
I always look at it this way: How much would it cost for a cab ride to the location you are picking up the car at? In most cases the customer doesn't want to pay for the cab fare so they are basically trying to get you to do it instead for free. Even when we have customers ask us to do it and are willing to pay I just can't make as much money picking up and delivering cars as I can detailing them.
 
mshu7 said:
No worries about insurance, it's already in my policy.
Click to expand...



I would get that in writing from your agent. There is a difference between being insured for dammage when working on the car, and when delivering the car. Insurance companies are set up to reduce claims, and if it is not specificaly stated that you ferry customers cars you may at some point be in for a surprise.
 
Yvan - I would appreciate that you not treat me like I'm a 12 year old kid. I said it is in my policy because I've already discussed it with my insurance agent.
 
reparebrise said:


I would get that in writing from your agent. There is a difference between being insured for dammage when working on the car, and when delivering the car. Insurance companies are set up to reduce claims, and if it is not specificaly stated that you ferry customers cars you may at some point be in for a surprise.
Click to expand...



We had it added in specifically in case we ever need to pick up a retail car and of course cover our dealer plates for picking up cars at the dealers.
 
mshu7 said:
Yvan - I would appreciate that you not treat me like I'm a 12 year old kid. I said it is in my policy because I've already discussed it with my insurance agent.
Click to expand...



I don't think he meant anything by it. You would be surprised how many detailers in my area claim to be insured and when questioned claim to be covered by the customers car. Glad to hear you are one of the guys that did your homework :xyxthumbs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top