So I get a random e-mail...

T

Twista616

New member
So I check my e-mail this morning and one thats title BMW of Cleveland. I think to myself, oh great, nothing like so good junk mail. But me being into cars, of coarse, I click to read it!



BAM!! Well its reguarding detailing...this guy is asking me what my process would be for "New Car Prep"...then after that, how much per car!



Well now I'm at a stand still because either, he means right off the truck, when the plastic is still on the car and all that...



Or...



If he sells a prep package on a new car then sublets the work out to me?



Now for my dilemma...what all would be involved in a "new car prep"?? And also what would I charge?? Mind you...these will more than likely be all BMW's!



Thanks in advanced...I know I have to get more answer from the guy, but just looking for insight on the process and price...:2thumbs:
 
This is really funny to me, however this could be a very profitible step for you.



Assuming they dont try to make it "easier" on you by washing and polishing it and assuming the paint is defect free this would probably entail removing all the plastics and adhesive buildups, a wash, a clay to remove all the stuff imbedded by shipping, touching up whatever the factory did as far try to smooth things out polish wise(if anything), then a good quality seal, leather feed, and maybe a wheel seal and then dressing all your trim to look matte and factory. I just dont know what to advise as far as a price.



Im insanely jealous that you may have this opportunity. Keep us all updated.



Though, you could charge significantly more after you show them what a one step polish could do to a brand new finish like that. That way you can pocket all your money and work on brand new BeeEmDubs all day and go home and swim in money, and theyd probably give a good deal on a new one.





Insanely jealous,

G
 
getcha said:
This is realy funny to me, however this could be a very profitible step for you.



Assuming they dont try to make it "easier" on you by washing and polishing it would probably entail removing all the plastics and adhesive buildups, a wash, a clay to remove all the stuff imbedded by shipping, touching up whatever the factory did as far try to smooth things out polish wise(if anything), then a good quality seal, leather feed, and maybe a wheel seal and then dressing all your trim to look matte and factory. I just dont know what to advise as far as a price.



Im insanely jealous that you may have this opportunity. Keep us all updated.
Click to expand...





I'm kinda jealous of myself actually!! Ive been after this dealership forever...they usually detail in house, or from what they told me. This could mean a couple things though...they are either weighing their options, by subleting the detailing, or some changes or layoffs...



I have the guys number and e-mail...I'll call him soon to see if this is all true!! Just kind of worried about price really...this could be an awesome opportunity...:2thumbs:



My ball park from what you stated above...I say anywhere from $80 to $120??



If anyone else can chime in...please do!
 
Twista616 said:
So I check my e-mail this morning and one thats title BMW of Cleveland. I think to myself, oh great, nothing like so good junk mail. But me being into cars, of coarse, I click to read it!



BAM!! Well its reguarding detailing...this guy is asking me what my process would be for "New Car Prep"...then after that, how much per car!



Well now I'm at a stand still because either, he means right off the truck, when the plastic is still on the car and all that...



Or...



If he sells a prep package on a new car then sublets the work out to me?



Now for my dilemma...what all would be involved in a "new car prep"?? And also what would I charge?? Mind you...these will more than likely be all BMW's!



Thanks in advanced...I know I have to get more answer from the guy, but just looking for insight on the process and price...:2thumbs:
Click to expand...





New Car Prep usually involves;



removing plastic

claying or solvent to remove rail dust etc any left over adhesive.

polish to remove swirls

wheels/wheel wells/tires

engine

door jambs/trunk jambs



interior wipedown

vacuum

windows



typically its making a almost perfect car perfect.
 
new car prep is so much freaking fun.



::queue Madonna like a virgin::



and I would say 80-120 is close to appropriate assuming no intense HEAVY polishing, but you just gotta figure how long and how bad the defects are(its so sad to say that on a new car) and adjust accordingly



Then again its BMW...!!!!!!!:bolt im on my way
 
I worked at a dealership and did plenty of new car preps. We of course didnt remove swirls and Im sure many didnt even know what that was.



We took plastic off, washed, cleaned inside windows/dash, put tire shine on it.



I would probably do $20-30 per car.
 
I wouldn't think alot of the cars would be heavily swirled, or atleast I hope they wouldn't be...but since i could potentially be a huge fleet account...a swirled car here and there would be OK with me...



Thanks Gtpaul...i was on the same track as what you said!!
 
Sounds like he's price shopping to me. I wouldn't get too excited if I were you, not many dealerships care too much about their cars and are just trying to get a cheap fix.



I would not include polishing into the mix as the cars are going to be sitting on there lot and getting washed and swirled from the hacks....polishing would be a waste.



Just take off all the plastic, wash, clay and seal it, treat the interior with conditioners.

They called you so find out what they're willing to spend for top quality prep work and either take it and do as much as they're willing to pay or leave it since they probably won't pay you what it's honestly worth.



Josh
 
I think you both are right...def. price shopping...but who doesn't do that these day!?!



I'm not getting my hopes up, but for him to contact me out of the blue was a nice feeling...kind of! haha...
 
Twista616 said:
I think you both are right...def. price shopping...but who doesn't do that these day!?!



I'm not getting my hopes up, but for him to contact me out of the blue was a nice feeling...kind of! haha...
Click to expand...





You are right, it does feel good when someone reputable calls on your services.:heelclick
 
Leave it open-ended.



If you just blurt out a number and short list of actions it leaves the ball in his court. There’s with no opportunity for you to fine tune your response or educate him if there’s any misunderstanding.



Without seeing their operation and knowing what they expect from you there’s more chance you’ll overbid and lose the deal instantly or underbid and be stuck with unprofitable work.



Tell him you’ll be happy to meet with him to and discuss the best way to serve his needs.





PC.
 
the other pc said:
Leave it open-ended.



If you just blurt out a number and short list of actions it leaves the ball in his court. There’s with no opportunity for you to fine tune your response or educate him if there’s any misunderstanding.



Without seeing their operation and knowing what they expect from you there’s more chance you’ll overbid and lose the deal instantly or underbid and be stuck with unprofitable work.



Tell him you’ll be happy to meet with him to and discuss the best way to serve his needs.





PC.
Click to expand...



^^^ And this is why I come here first...good thinking! and thanks!!
 
To help clarify his position and yours ask if he would provide a Statement Of Work [SOW.] The SOW is a purchasing tool that can be used [by buyer/seller] as a starting place for discussions on exactly what he wants done. How many per day or week, turn around time frames and any other expectations he/you may have. Using the SOW does help the process when you do not know all the facts.
 
PaintPolisher said:
To help clarify his position and yours ask if he would provide a Statement Of Work [SOW.] The SOW is a purchasing tool that can be used [by buyer/seller] as a starting place for discussions on exactly what he wants done. How many per day or week, turn around time frames and any other expectations he/you may have. Using the SOW does help the process when you do not know all the facts.
Click to expand...





Never heard of it...so now I must do some research!! Much appreciated! Learn something new everyday!:dance
 
Twista616 said:
Never heard of it...so now I must do some research!! Much appreciated! Learn something new everyday!:dance
Click to expand...



I would, at a minimum, go down to the dealership and take a look at what they have going on. Explain in detail would it would entail, do the SOW, then even do a day down there doing all the cars they deliver that day, at the agreed upon rate. But have an understanding that you can continue with the contract at that point, re-negotiate, or walk. I'm sure they won't walk once they see the results, and this gives you a chance to revise the amounts if they are getting excessively harsh vehicles off the boat, tracks, trucks... ect...



Another thing to think of though...



How much business could this bring in from the owners after the fact. BMW's come in for service for free for 4 or 5 years I believe. (I have a Benz and they stopped that.) You could end up with a lot of guys that would pay good money to have you "refurbish" their paint while their car is in for service. Well, right after it comes out of the bay at least. Usually they are down there all day for an oil change that takes about 50 min.



We have a guy at the dealer here that does a REALLY nice job with the "paintless dent removal" process. He spends the first 4 hours of his day at the Mercedes dealership M-F. He is booked up a week in advance sometimes, and thats just at the dealer. He runs a mobile service after. The guy told me he hasn't don't a car that wasn't a Mercedes in 3 years, all from that dealership.



Something to think about. This could be really really good for business.



Wade
 
Thanks wade...will def. keep that in mind!!



**Update for all of you following this!



I went down to the dealership...met with the guy, really nice, which I was shocked at first. Most of them are a-holes and look down on you. He was really nice, took me through the dealership, showed me his detailing bays...and heres the kicker...AMAZING bays..lights from above and lights from all sides...sort of like a paint booth if any of you have been in one! Even better(kidding)...I asked him to show me some of the towels and stuff they use, not impressed. Cotton towles to dry with-cheapo microfibers, used and abused. Now i can see why dealers suck when they prep their car.



At BMW...anytime someone comes in for a service or ANYTHING, they wash the car...he told me the idea is to be quick, get them in and out. I mentioned when thats the case...this is what happens and walked over to a car and pointed out the numerous amounts of scratches on a Black 5-series. He was impressed to some degree, but I dont think he cared because the customer doesn't care/know! Hes worried about getting in/and getting them out! Which is 100% true when you work at a dealer!



So then we got to talk what he was expecting from me. They seller Dealer Prep packages like crazy I guess...which mean the customer pays like 600 bucks to get it washed and polished and cleaned up really nice. He would outsouce some of the vehicles to me, (havent talked about price yet) possibly 2/3 a day...depending on condition of coarse! He is going to keep his detailers he has now b/c they are getting alot of dealer prep packages. So I said, heres what I'll do...I will do a complienary detail on a one of the cars. So he said sure why not...i figure if he likes it, ill get some business, if not, I wasted 4-5 hours of my day...who cares!(Ill atleast throw my cards inside the persons car that im detailing...I know he'll like it)



Thats where we stand right now...I'll see if anything else transpires...
 
Twista616 said:
Thanks wade...will def. keep that in mind!!



**Update for all of you following this!



I went down to the dealership...met with the guy, really nice, which I was shocked at first. Most of them are a-holes and look down on you. He was really nice, took me through the dealership, showed me his detailing bays...and heres the kicker...AMAZING bays..lights from above and lights from all sides...sort of like a paint booth if any of you have been in one! Even better(kidding)...I asked him to show me some of the towels and stuff they use, not impressed. Cotton towles to dry with-cheapo microfibers, used and abused. Now i can see why dealers suck when they prep their car.



At BMW...anytime someone comes in for a service or ANYTHING, they wash the car...he told me the idea is to be quick, get them in and out. I mentioned when thats the case...this is what happens and walked over to a car and pointed out the numerous amounts of scratches on a Black 5-series. He was impressed to some degree, but I dont think he cared because the customer doesn't care/know! Hes worried about getting in/and getting them out! Which is 100% true when you work at a dealer!



So then we got to talk what he was expecting from me. They seller Dealer Prep packages like crazy I guess...which mean the customer pays like 600 bucks to get it washed and polished and cleaned up really nice. He would outsouce some of the vehicles to me, (havent talked about price yet) possibly 2/3 a day...depending on condition of coarse! He is going to keep his detailers he has now b/c they are getting alot of dealer prep packages. So I said, heres what I'll do...I will do a complienary detail on a one of the cars. So he said sure why not...i figure if he likes it, ill get some business, if not, I wasted 4-5 hours of my day...who cares!(Ill atleast throw my cards inside the persons car that im detailing...I know he'll like it)



Thats where we stand right now...I'll see if anything else transpires...
Click to expand...



Excellent news!!! Besides, a few plastic totes to bring your own stuff / towels in solves any issues with that.



What products are you thinking about using? Given they are all pretty much the same vehicle, paint / interior materials / ect..., so will you set up a BMW kit to use just for this?



Keep us informed of the news!!!



Wade
 
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