thinking of changing service packages

I

imported_ajbarnes

New member
I currently offer a "Mini Detail package" (Similar to a full service wash), "Mini Detail with Wax", "Maintenance Detail", "Complete Full Detail", "Interior or Exterior only Detail" with my mobile detailing business.



After evaluating scheduling, profits, popular service requests, etc., I came to the realization that I'm not really making out that good offering all of those packages. It seems I could make more profit just by offering a complete full detail and a interior or exterior only detail. I know a couple of you guys offer just those three services. How does that work out for you? To other's, would it be better business sense to keep all packages, drop just one or two, etc.?



Thanks.
 
I offer 4 (people like it it makes it affordable for everyone)

wash quick vac (20-25)

clean detail (45-70)

mini detail (95-135)

complete detail (145-175)
 
ajbarnes said:
After evaluating scheduling, profits, popular service requests, etc., I came to the realization that I'm not really making out that good offering all of those packages. It seems I could make more profit just by offering a complete full detail and a interior or exterior only detail.
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I have only ever offered one complete package. It is basically the same job whether it is a car, truck, van, suv, hummer, antique car, classic car or boat. Yes, even the boats get a similar complete package.



By offering less packages you will be able to better control all of your costs and your profits. With less packages you do not have to be concerned with packages overlapping and more importantly you will have a much better idea of knowing exactly how much time you need to spend to complete a particular package.



Also, the less choices you have makes it that much less confusing for your customer.
 
What exactly does the mini-detail involve? Currently all my details have been "exterior-only details" Which includes full swirl removal. Ranging in prices from $100-$160.
 
Joshua312 said:
What exactly does the mini-detail involve? Currently all my details have been "exterior-only details" Which includes full swirl removal. Ranging in prices from $100-$160.
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My "Mini Detail" package is basically a very thorough full service wash inside and out.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
I have only ever offered one complete package. It is basically the same job whether it is a car, truck, van, suv, hummer, antique car, classic car or boat. Yes, even the boats get a similar complete package.



By offering less packages you will be able to better control all of your costs and your profits. With less packages you do not have to be concerned with packages overlapping and more importantly you will have a much better idea of knowing exactly how much time you need to spend to complete a particular package.



Also, the less choices you have makes it that much less confusing for your customer.
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That's what I started thinking and what led me to wonder about this.



I'm starting to think of maybe offering something like a maintenance detail (cars in excellent condition needing some thorough cleaning and one step wax), a full detail, and a exterior or interior only detail.
 
ajbarnes said:
I'm starting to think of maybe offering something like a maintenance detail (cars in excellent condition needing some thorough cleaning and one step wax), a full detail, and a exterior or interior only detail.
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When you only offer one complete 'high priced' maintenance detailing package you can focus on filling the need of customers who usually have their vehicles detailed on a regular basis. They are the people who keep their cars in excellent condition in the first place.



Offering one complete maintenance package is basically all about working with only vehicles that are in relatively good condition and taking them up to another level. Then you can walk away from all of the cars that have been neglected for a long time and refer those people to the detailers who do reconditioning work.



The package that you offer does not have to be just a thorough cleaning and a one step wax. You can specialize in using whatever professional cleaners, polishes and waxes necessary in order to produce and maintain high quality results.
 
cj99si said:
So you only have one package? you say 180-*** or nothing?
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Yes. It is one complete 'high priced' maintenance package or nothing.



Of course the price of the package will vary depending on the size of the vehicle and the amount of time required to do the job. However the basic package is the same for every car, truck or suv.



It is all about marketing and how you want to postion your detailing business in the marketplace. If you want to try to be all things to all people, then go ahead and offer lots of packages. However, if you want to go after the higher priced market, then you would be smart to aim and position your business accordingly.
 
I hear what your saying. Thats one of the benifits of you being more established. Up here in Maine though most people only 1/2 care about their car if at all. I have alot of maintenence deals with people where Im just washing every 10 days or so. Its easy money, and breaks up the 40 step details. Im with you though. It just depends on your area and how well know you are.
 
cj99si said:
I hear what your saying. Thats one of the benifits of you being more established. Up here in Maine though most people only 1/2 care about their car if at all. I have alot of maintenence deals with people where Im just washing every 10 days or so. Its easy money, and breaks up the 40 step details. Im with you though. It just depends on your area and how well know you are.
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Si, what part of Maine are you from? I've found that theres some real money in Falmouth, Cape and Cumberland, but other than that finding work is tough.



I tend to prefer reconditioning work, I'd rather do 1 10 hour job than 10 1 hour jobs, but to each his own I guess. Personally, I only advertise full details, but I do have maintenance packages for a few customers, usually its $90 a month, and I come out and deep clean the car once per month. It's a good moneymaker, as it rarely takes more than two hours.
 
cj99si said:
I hear what your saying. Thats one of the benefits of you being more established. Up here in Maine though most people only 1/2 care about their car if at all. I have alot of maintenence deals with people where Im just washing every 10 days or so. Its easy money, and breaks up the 40 step details. Im with you though. It just depends on your area and how well know you are.
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Like other states, here in New Jersey most people really do not take care of their cars either. I am always amazed at how the majority of people go out and spend good money on a new vehicle and then not take care of it. Oh yea, they may give it a wash every now and then when it is new, but that is about all they will do.



The key to going after the higher priced market is to focus on finding the people who do want to take care of their cars. Professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and small business owners are always looking for good people to take care of the things that they do not have the time to take care of themselves. It is not really that hard to find those kind of clients. They are out there. It is just a matter of fine tuning your marketing skills and focusing in on the type of client who does not have a problem with spending the money necessary to keep a well maintained car.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
Like other states, here in New Jersey most people really do not take care of their cars either. I am always amazed at how the majority of people go out and spend good money on a new vehicle and then not take care of it. Oh yea, they may give it a wash every now and then when it is new, but that is about all they will do.



The key to going after the higher priced market is to focus on finding the people who do want to take care of their cars. Professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and small business owners are always looking for good people to take care of the things that they do not have the time to take care of themselves. It is not really that hard to find those kind of clients. They are out there. It is just a matter of fine tuning your marketing skills and focusing in on the type of client who does not have a problem with spending the money necessary to keep a well maintained car.
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EXACTLY.... i havent even started my business yet.. and i have over 10 Major clients whom all dont mind my high price... get to know your customers and be a smooth talker along with having them spread your business... out of those 10 clients of mine... they all work in high $ markets and tell most of their friends, neighbors, etc...



spot the nice cars and spark conversations... it works...
 
Just to chime in briefly...



We offer complete, interior only, or exterior only. I'm currently considering going to Complete Details exclusively...



We are blessed with plenty of volume, and I just hate those 'interior only' calls!



After four years in this upscale location, folks just want their car 'detailed', and I sure don't feel the need for a graduated pricing scheme.



I do have some clients who just need 'maintenance' (wash/wax) but it is a minority, and I'm happy to acommodate those pro ball players and corporate execs...



I'll continue to accomodate Progressive insurance, Enterprise and others, for whatever needs they may have.



I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I'm enjoying the fruits of some very intensive groundwork, whiich seems to have paid off...



Jim
 
Some great advice guys. Thanks! :2thumbs:



I have a few regular customer's who get weekly full service washes who I have been doing for awhile now, and I'll definitely keep them around. But, I think I will change over to just doing primarily details and maintenance details.
 
I offer basically 4 different services:



Hand wash

Interior detail

Exterior detail

Full detail



My hand wash customers are very good about keeping up on waxing and full details. Since I see the cars regularly, detailing them tends to be very easy-plus that gives me steady business even in the winter and most of them tip regularly and very well at Christmas. I've been detailing long enough now, I am washing/detailing their kid's cars now. I don't do a lot of interior only details but a few people seem to only care about their interior. I figure if I can get them on as a customer, I may be able to upsell a full detail or at least plant the idea in their head for the next time.
 
IMO what you offer to your customers should be what they want that you can provide to them, profitably. This will vary some depending on the affluence of your customers and how your business is set-up.



For example in reading Jimmy-buff-its response my inital thought was that he works in a rich area where people have alot of disposible income. My fixed location shop is in an area that is in between pretty good wealth and the working middle. If I were to only offer one high priced service I would be missing out on, potentially, alot of business. "Sticker shock" is something that I have to deal with where I am. I also choose to offer mid-range services so that I can keep them coming back every few months for a "mini-detail" that is more affordable as it seems that most in my area only get it done once a year partly because of cost. Perhaps when I am satisfied with the volume of business that comes my way i'll change my tune but not now in the growing stages.



I also think that mobile vs. fixed location comes into play. If I were mobile I probably wouldn't offer many low priced solutions as it may not be worth my time once travel and set-up are figured in. The fact that I am fixed makes it easier on me to be able to offer the quick hits and make them profitable.
 
I offer hand washes, a once-over package (light cleaning, light maintenance), a mini-detail (a little more thorough, ~$35 difference) and full details. I also offer a Monthly Service Package where you pay one fee up front and receive a specified number of full details and maintenance appointments. The maintainence appointment is a wash/dry, quick detailer, tires/wheels, windows, interior vacuum and wipe, and door jambs. If you were to sign up for say, 6 months, you'd get 2 details and 4 monthly maintenance appointments.



Does anyone have any feedback on the idea of a pre-paid package? I offered it for the first time last year and had three people sign up for it and I'm hoping to get more business from it this year.
 
MichaelM said:
I also think that mobile vs. fixed location comes into play. If I were mobile I probably wouldn't offer many low priced solutions as it may not be worth my time once travel and set-up are figured in.
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That's the point I'm stressing. With how my setup is, it can be somewhat time consuming to set up and pack up, and not to mention hauling a heavy trailer around with how these gas prices are now a days is making me definitely reconsider the small services.
 
Hi, basically I offer an interior package, an exterior package and a complete package which includes both the interior and exterior package. I also have a few customers who get a complete package after the winter months and then I maintain these vehicles on a monthly basis at a reduced rate as it does not take very long each month, but I only offer this to a few of my better customers.
 
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