Wow, how much again?

[sledge13]

I don't think I've ever paid for a detail job in my life... But I'm told locally here in MS the going price for a comparable service would be about 100 bucks. I would not think that would include correcting paint imperfections. That being said, from the way the perspective detailer did his walk around and didn't just use a general price for the job, I'd say he knew what he was getting into. I think when you own your own business (any business) when you put a quote on the table you're aware that your price may be too high, or that you may scare your potential customer off. He may do really good work, you never know... I would try to talk to someone he's detailed for and ask them if he's worth it or not.

Stephen

 

[Maxima Lover]

With all due respect Dr., you can't honestly compare those professions with detailing.

I see your point of paying someone to perform a service, but honestly detailing is not rocket science. It's something most people can learn to do relatively well in a short period of time, given some education & time.

You also have to look at the area we're talking about. What's "worth" $100 to you in CA is probably not going to be "worth" the same amount of money here in AL. When it comes down to it, it's even more specific than that. Some people just don't care enough to spend $100/hr. to have their car cleaned. To them, it's not "worth" that much money.

Again, I completely understand the points you are making, I just don't agree that you can lump it all together and say "detailing is 'worth' x amount of money."

Great points Jared. Sure those other professions make more money. They have gone to school for what they do. Skills that require education get paid more. They also are services that are required. Sure you could go without having the oil changed and go without having your tranny flushed, but it won't be good. Those swirl marks won't determine if your car makes it into work and those dirty carpets won't stop you from making it to your daughter's school play.

 

[joe.p]

what is involved with "recondition wipers? what prodcut is used to prevent smearing of wiper blade action and how is it applied?

thanks

I wipe them down with Megs APC then treat the wiper blades with 303 wiper conditioning pads. Greg does this sound right?

 

[GregCavi]

Dang that is a lot... 2-3 step polishing! Wow.... Shoot I could move you to DC and pay all of your moving expense. Guarantee you a 100% of what you are charging plus i could get rich!!!!

haha it seems like a lot but for me its just the steps I take for a wash, clay, and polishing. I go all out when I detail. I know the price is cheap, but its my area. I will be moving 30 minutes away this fall and i will probably charge 150 for that instead of the 100.

Greg

 

[dr_detail]

With all due respect Dr., you can't honestly compare those professions with detailing.

Why Not??? -- Would you shop around for the least expensive doctor to perform your open heart surgery, would you haggle over the cost of setting a broken bone?? Would you want a lawyer representing you in court that passed the BARR by educating himself via an on-line course, or the one who graduated from a fully accredited Law school??

I see your point ... but... detailing is not rocket science. It's something most people can learn to do relatively well in a short period of time, given some education & time.

just keep telling people that -- it's ok, I'm sure that in the near future a computer will be able to detail cars until then you're right that it is not rocket science but it is a skill that some people have -- just because someone owns a ferarri does that make them a professional driver capable of driving in excess of 100mph?? Yeah this might be something that anybody can do but can everybody do it well??

You also have to look at the area we're talking about. What's "worth" $100 to you in CA is probably not going to be "worth" the same amount of money here in AL.

is the cost of a Honda Accord really that much different if bought in AL. than if bought in CA., & how much is the average full service tunnel wash in your area anyway -- what about a gallon of gas or milk -- or even a gallon of wax or dressing are things all that much different than here??

Some people just don't care enough to spend $100/hr. to have their car cleaned. To them, it's not "worth" that much money.

exactly why there are detailers willing to accommodate, as well as why so many of us here share our experience.

Again, I completely understand the points you are making, I just don't agree that you can lump it all together and say "detailing is 'worth' x amount of money."

you're right -- detailing is not worth x amount of money -- it is however worth what someone is willing to spend to maintain and protect their investment -- and if that means their time to do it themselves albeit.

You probably wouldn't have a lot of business. Only the oil companies can do that.

yeah just where would the carwash industry be if we educated the consumer that there is more to maintaining a vehicle than hiring a person at minimum wage and expecting them to call it a anything less than a detail

 

[Maxima Lover]

Why Not??? -- Would you shop around for the least expensive doctor to perform your open heart surgery, would you haggle over the cost of setting a broken bone?? Would you want a lawyer representing you in court that passed the BARR by educating himself via an on-line course, or the one who graduated from a fully accredited Law school??

No you wouldn't search for the cheapest lawyer or doctor, but having your car detailed won't determine if you go to jail or if you can walk properly for the rest of your life.

just keep telling people that -- it's ok, I'm sure that in the near future a computer will be able to detail cars until then you're right that it is not rocket science but it is a skill that some people have -- just because someone owns a ferarri does that make them a professional driver capable of driving in excess of 100mph?? Yeah this might be something that anybody can do but can everybody do it well??

Sure it's a skill some people have, but it doesn't mean that everyone needs it. If golf clubs cost $20,000 a set, a lot of people would just not buy them. There are some things you can get by in life without having, and a detail is one of them. Detailing is a want not a need.

is the cost of a Honda Accord really that much different if bought in AL. than if bought in CA., & how much is the average full service tunnel wash in your area anyway -- what about a gallon of gas or milk -- or even a gallon of wax or dressing are things all that much different than here??

Yes prices are very different around the country especially when comparing California to Alabama. The average price for a gallon of gas in Corona, CA today is $3.35 compared to Montgomery, AL that is $2.69.

 

[GearHead_1]

Feels like kicking a dead horse here. Someone stick a fork in it. It should be done.

 

[cgriggs]

I know that there are a lot of ways to look at a situation like this. You say your paint job is somewhere in the range of average. When this guy did his walk around maybe that isn't what he saw. Maybe he sees swirls and is including making right what he considered to be wrong. Without seeing the car I don't know how I would fairly respond to a statement like this.

To be honest my paint job is above average, I have no swirls and very few paint chips (some on front bumper and rear bumper, from loading and unloading bicycle in trunk). This is my problem not his, don't expext him to touch up my paint. My car is also pretty much always clean, and I had just washed it a hour before I saw him. I use the nxt wash, and meguiars mit, the nice one. I also use the new a2z on the wheels and stoners on the glass. I also put the meg quick detail on it every so often. This small car would be a piece of cake to do and would be easy money for him. You ask how do I know what good paint looks like? I work for an automotive manufacturer and get to see what a paint defect looks like. I have a few but no swirls or any other defect that will require a lot of time to fix up.

 

[GearHead_1]

You ask how do I know what good paint looks like?

Actually I didn't. I was just suggesting that there are different perspectives on any given situation. No offense intended.

 

[Maxima Lover]

To be honest my paint job is above average, I have no swirls and very few paint chips (some on front bumper and rear bumper, from loading and unloading bicycle in trunk). This is my problem not his, don't expext him to touch up my paint. My car is also pretty much always clean, and I had just washed it a hour before I saw him. I use the nxt wash, and meguiars mit, the nice one. I also use the new a2z on the wheels and stoners on the glass. I also put the meg quick detail on it every so often. This small car would be a piece of cake to do and would be easy money for him. You ask how do I know what good paint looks like? I work for an automotive manufacturer and get to see what a paint defect looks like. I have a few but no swirls or any other defect that will require a lot of time to fix up.

If I were you, I would just pick up the stuff and do it yourself.

WARNING: You will get hooked and want to do more and more.

 

[dr_detail]

Feels like kicking a dead horse here. Someone stick a fork in it. It should be done.

Thanks :surrender

 

[cgriggs]

Actually I didn't. I was just suggesting that there are different perspectives on any given situation. No offense intended.

No offense taken, I was just saying that in general. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JaredPointer]

Why Not??? -- Would you shop around for the least expensive doctor to perform your open heart surgery, would you haggle over the cost of setting a broken bone?? Would you want a lawyer representing you in court that passed the BARR by educating himself via an on-line course, or the one who graduated from a fully accredited Law school??

No, I would probably go to the same doctor I always go to. As far as the education goes, as long as someone has the skills necessary, I don't think it would matter where they went to school.

Yeah this might be something that anybody can do but can everybody do it well??

I don't see why not. Given some time and practice, sure.

is the cost of a Honda Accord really that much different if bought in AL. than if bought in CA., & how much is the average full service tunnel wash in your area anyway -- what about a gallon of gas or milk -- or even a gallon of wax or dressing are things all that much different than here??

So you don't think area effects price in any way? That just defies logic and common sense. I can almost assure you that milk, gasoline, and probably details in almost any part of CA are all priced at an amount that is greater than what you'd pay for them in almost any part of AL.

I should probably just be quiet. :surrenderx 2.