What's the true cost?

Stephan

Stephan

Mr Detailer
I pose this question as I ponder to my last detail from this previous Saturday. A black 1999 Ford F-150...a car that had not seen any water since the last rain storm, and whose interior was something out of a bar before the smoking ban, and if they allowed large shedding dogs to take up residence...

I stared at the oxidized paint, as the 30 degree temperature froze my hands...

The vinyl dripped brown as the Poorboys APC did its work, stripping what I can only assume is 9 years worth of nicoteen tar and dirt...

Two clay bars slowly moved there way over the what felt like a gravel road. This and three steps of polish later and a nice coat of Nattys Red and the formally faded black paint was deep and glossy...It even looked great in the sun, no swirls, no rotary buffer trails, just clean dark paint. I mean it looked good in the sun lets not put it under halogens, thanks to all the posts on that subject...But it was 7 hours later to be exact...

Because they were friends I charged $200, thats less then $30/hr and does not take into effect the cost of the product I used, while the polish itself is hard to value, I did use two whole clay bars...

I guess this is more of me complaining...similar to Jaredpointers thread on losing my drive...I did all this work, in the cold, I was sore, tired, and while the customer was estacic I felt like wow, why did I even agree to do this?

Thanks for listening.
 
Hey, at least your friends were pleased. And you explained it (the cleaning experience) in a way that makes me proud. I chuckled. :)
 
I ask myself this same question all the time. And I finally came up with an answer: YES, I'm too damned cheap! Not that it's a bad thing for customers, but I charge an average of $150+, but I'm around $180+ average now, but most of the vehicles I've done so far this year have been pretty neglected. I know I'm way cheaper than most around here, and those that are less than me, who's work I've seen, don't do a terrific job. I've always got people telling me I should charge more, so I figure why not :cheers: :redface:

I think it all depends on how much the average detail goes for in your area, and what you feel your work is worth. Detailing isn't as easy as most people think, I know this from the hundreds of "WOW you've got a lot of stuff for one car!" I get when I'm on the job. I just tell them I come prepared for anything.

Cliff notes: Yeah, even though I'd of charged about the same as you, I think it's worth a little more :bigups

Dolan
 
I feel at times the same way Stephan about my jobs to much time for money charged...however it comes out in the wash for me.
 
I feel ya too stephan for me I charge the total cost up front for everyone. Some cars I loose in the time struggle and some I win. I sell the finished product and not the process.

What I do sell is the extra steps involved in delivering specific results.

For instance soccer mom want a clean car VS. a guy who wants his car to be the hottest thing on the street.

I also up sell on Sealant/wax, engine and Carpet and Upholstery protection.

Friend or Foe they got to PAY... But we can go to the bar and I will pay for a couple drinks...
 
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