Retail vs Dealerships

Discussion in 'Detailing Bliss Lounge' started by godoman, Sep 15, 2010.

  1. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    I am sure I have brought this up before in the not so distant past.

    can I get a listing going from all of you on what you charge "just" for a wash and wax alone, including the door jambs?

    I am thinking the going rate is somewhere between 120 and 150. could you guys back me up on this. (would also include cleaning tires,rims, wheel wells)

    thanks

    godoman
     
  2. RTexasF

    RTexasF Birth of a Detailer

    Sorry, I think you are in dreamland. No way is that service is worth that much money unless it's the size of an RV. That's what we WISH we could make. You are way out of line price wise. Obviously this depends on where you are but I just don't see it............perhaps $80-$100 on the average sedan, say Honda Accord size. Many people do that for $45-75.
     
  3. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    funny that you brought up the RV thing. I am friends with the owner of a storage lot full of RV's. for a 25 foot RV she pays 300 dollars for a wash and wax.

    the dealership that I do business with says that my wash and waxes are worth, retail wise, 140.00. I am trying to confirm that with others on here and have been quoted those prices from others here before, I know I have.

    even so, 80-100 dollars is good money in my opinion. I just want to hear everything from everyone else as well

    thanks for the feedback

    godoman
     
  4. Frankastic

    Frankastic Detail Photographer

    My dealership does wash, wax, n interior for $175, now on special for $140-150ish I think. Well to me it looks like they wash, spray wax and shampoo interior, wipe the door jams. greasy interior dressing n tyre dressing. I dunno if clay bar treatment or polish is done.

    On my side job I charge somewhere the same as my dealership but at a higher standard. either I get what I like or I don't do it. simple
     
  5. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    right on overtime

    my business partner were tired of not knowing the answers so we went around to many detailers locations in malls and private shops yesterday. alot of driving. we found this place in the mall that is charging 95 dollars (small), 115 dollars (medium), 135 dollars for over sized or large SUV.

    dude....we are talking about a wash and wax only. not even touching the interior and I am not making this up or the listed prices up either and these guys also have work they do at the microsoft campus from time to time on their fleet vans and they have opened up 12 locations in washington in the last 10 years with crazy prices like these.

    we were down in the garage talking with the employee yesterday for 30 minutes and he was willing to tell us everything about them. hehe, even after the customers pay these super high prices, then the go and tip him 15-30 dollars because they are so please even after they just got ripped off.

    now what do you think?

    godoman
     
  6. P1et

    P1et Official DB Moderator

    Wash and wax is $125, easy sell.
     
  7. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    I know. we went to look at the prices on the wall and were just shocked!

    godoman
     
  8. JPerrydore

    JPerrydore Birth of a Detailer

    I live in MA and I'm charging between $130-150 for a wash, wax, and full interior detail. I do know that some places around here charge around $200 for the same service and they don't even wax it.

    So, depending on your location you may be in the ballpark, but that seems like a lot for a wash and wax.
     
  9. JoeyV

    JoeyV Welcome to Detailing

    It really depends on how much work is needed. I charge $40/hour and I'm usually there for 3 to 4 hours, but I also clay the car.

    My service includes removing and washing each wheel, then sealing them. Washing the car twice, once normally, then once with a degreaser. Claying the car, then washing it off again. Then wax.

    And that's how I get to $120-$160 for just a wash and wax.

    EDIT: If I were to simply wash the car once, without claying or degreasing it, then I simply charge my 2 hour minimum of $80.

    EDIT II: I can also do more if the client so desires it. Full paint correction etc.
     
  10. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    I agree with the last two posts.

    we thought alot more work would go into it, but these guys are just washing and then waxing. no claying and this is at a mall parking lot and they have a HUGE sign posted on the wall and they are making a killing.

    we just sat there staring at the prices in disbelief and we can do it faster, more thorough with our technique (meaning we get out the mold and green build up and litte areas fingers and brushes have a hard time reaching and takes more time). it also costs us a helluva lot less to do per car and we saw the results. they are just using megs waxes, no power lock so our shine and wax life is better and longer!

    geez. I have been doing the wrong jobs my whole life....

    godoman
     
  11. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    did I mention that we use a whole lot less water....?

    godoman
     
  12. JC98

    JC98 Birth of a Detailer

    Wow. I charge $125 for a midsize car. But I clay it. Usually takes me around 4 hours. This is the kind of stuff that I run into though...thank you CL hack jobs. I tried posting there once...horrible idea. I need to move out by you.

    Here are the Packages-

    Wash Package $25
    Hand Wash, Vacuum, Interior Wipe Down, Windows, & Tires.

    Wash & Wax Package $45
    Wash, Wax, Vacuum, Interior Wipe Down, Windows, & Tires.

    Detail Package-1 $90
    Wash, Clay Bar, Wax, Wheel Wells, Tire Shine, Door Jams, Shampoo Carpets/ Seats or Condition Leather, Clean Dash Board, Vents & Console. (One Free Wash With Package*)

    Premium Detail Package $120
    Everything from the “Detail Package” is included, Along with Polishing With a High-Speed Buffer. (One Free Wash With Package*)
     
  13. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    jc98.

    let me post what these guys are charging with their packages. the other detailers in the area are not that far off from this by the way. have their brochure right here to type it out for ya guys and you can then share our disbelief:

    hand wash

    25.00/cars
    30.00/ wagon/small sport utilities
    35.00/van/full size

    mini detail

    45.00
    60.00
    65.00

    includes following:
    hand wash with wheels and wells
    door jambs
    dash
    vacum
    windows
    dress tires

    wash and wax:
    95.00/ cars
    115.00/wagon/small sport utilities
    145.00/van/full size

    interior detail (only)
    120.00/cars
    140.00/wagon/small sport utilities
    165.00 van/full size

    includes:
    door jambs
    dash
    vents, crevices
    treat leather
    vacum including trunk
    shampoo carpets
    windows

    wash and wax with interior detail
    205.00/cars
    225.00 wagon/small sport utilities
    250.00/ van/full size

    then there is a list of exterior polishing and stuff like that which is starting at 135.00 dollars and up.

    they hae a "full service" thing that starts at 225.00 dollars.

    we just could not believe the pricing and they have 12 shops all over doing this. they are not half ass. they are detailing cars here but I still could not believe the pricing!

    godoman
     
  14. JC98

    JC98 Birth of a Detailer

    That's crazy. We have one here that posts on CL....$50 full detail inside and out and claims to buff the car. I have only recently gotting into doing cars besides mine, this is a side thing for me, but people like that make it really hard to find jobs that I can make money on.
     
  15. pektel

    pektel DB Forum Supporter

    I charge $75 for wash and wax. $75 for interiors.
     
  16. Jose206

    Jose206 Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Godoman, are you down in tacoma? Are those prices by any chance valet detail prices?
     
  17. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    jose, indeed they are Valet Detail Prices. how did you pick up on that so quickly when you are all the way down south?

    I am over in the maple valley area, about 30 minutes from tacoma.

    godoman
     
  18. slanguage

    slanguage OD On Detailing

    I start interiors at $75 and up. Depends on size/mess.
    I have a guy who has me clean his interior every 2 months or so, and since it's a regular upkeep, I just charge $50 each time, unless there is some serious cleaning needed.

    A wash/clay/wax/interior hoover w/a quick wipedown is $100 and up depending on vehicle condition and size.
    That's a single wash to strip, clean wheels/etc, clay, wax. dress the tires. quick interior vacuum and wipedown and clean the windows. No engine, no sealing windows or wheels, no doorjambs.
     
  19. Jose206

    Jose206 Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    godoman, im in south seattle, i kinda figured it was them when you mentioned how many locations they had. I applied there for a job before i just decided to stary up my own business doing this. I did some research on them when i applied, i would like to do what they do someday though. Having locations in shopping centers just makes sense. Good to know someone local godoman.
     
  20. godoman

    godoman Jedi Nuba

    sweet.

    jose, maybe we should meet up in the next few weeks. I would love to do the same thing except ultimately we want to do something like the pink elephant except we want it to be pink elephant meets start bucks and fast. follow?

    godoman
     

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