Bulk Detailing

Does anyone here have experience or some wisdom to lend on bulk detailing for small dealerships?

Not sure what would be a fair price to charge as it's hard to prodict the amount of vehicles that they will bring our way.

I have a meeting with someone today but right off the bat he asked how much he can expect to pay $100 . . . . . was his question.

I have no intentions of being a bulk detailer but since times are slow it would be nice to have a little extra work even if it is 1 or 2 extra cars a week or every couple weeks. They have some vehicles coming in from auction that they want cleaned up.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

They will want to underpay, and want you to move the cars through QUICK. I wouldn't be able to do it because they'd want me to take too many shortcuts.

For example, see a stain on black carpet? spray paint it. I know it soulnds weird, but they actually do things like this.

 

Bulk detailing is nice to keep a steady flow of income while you wait on high-end details. Keep it simple, and easy for yourself, don't over extended yourself. Do what you think is appropriate.

If its just prepping cars for sale for a used car lot, Then a nice wash, clay, 1-step polish/wax combo. or just a quick spray wax application. and just a quick interior wipe down, would be appropriate. and maybe throw in an engine bay wipe down (not full degreasing).

You'll have to gauge what to do based on the amount of cars you're going to be taking in, how many people are working with you, etc.

 

yeah they have carpet type die in a spray format. I'm sure they will want to underpay and i don't like taking shortcuts myself.

I mean the only thing i can really think to do with something like this is use something like:

Meguiars D151 Reconditioning Creme. They are a small dealership . . . . it's actually a . . .

Kawasaki Dirt Bike/Street Bike
Harley Davidson
Jetski
Audi (Dealership) but they don't really have many new Audi's there at all maybe 10 if that.

and used car place in one. I haven't seen much in the way of junk cars there ever. usually BMW's, Lifted Trucks, some Rnage Rovers time to time . . . . .VW's and stuff.

I meet with the guy in about 45 minutes so was trying to get some last minute advice.

 

very good . . . . . i guess to best thing to do is let them know the type of work i do. In the event that they feel that is just to much for used cars we can then find a price range that would suite them and as mentioned i can put together a package to form to that budget without feeling like i'm cutting corners.

Wash, Clay & 1 Step sounds good.

When you say wipe down are you talking about dressing or with a damp microfiber?

Might be best to see what their needs are and tell him i can email him over something instead of feeling like i have to be pressured into figuring it all out right there on the spot.

 

Just make sure you don't undervalue yourself: if you are used to doing $300 one-steppers, don't takae $5 per car just to rinse it down, and quickly dry it with a crap shammy.

In my opinion, those are two different types of detailers. Frankly, you cannot call those people detailers. It's almost part of just "grounds maintenance" if you will.

 

well the market is shot here. The days of doing corrections for $300+ are over. Though i will never allow myself to become a hack detailer using those techniques such as a filthy shammy and a dirty soap bucket.

Hopefully this works out for the best and i can come up with a plan of attack that will yield some nice results yet still remain fair and sensitive to their budget as well.

It definitely needs to be worth it. I won't show up and do 5 hrs worth of work for $30 that's for sure.

This forum rocks. I'm really glad that i can count on people last minute to chime in around here.

 

Wash, Clay & 1 Step sounds good.
id say if you want one step id say menz 203? finish looks great and good amount of correction.

but $100 a car seems los. you would spend at least 5 each. just as long as you dont cut too many corners couse this might reflect on your details if you know what i mean

 

yeah i understand what you are saying. This is a representation of my company and it is still important to put out quality work.

I have been wanting to try that Menzerna 203. Heard it is great stuff!

Well guys wish me luck. I'll be heading out in a few minutes. Hopefully they understand where i am coming from.

Problem is not everyone cares about swirls and stuff. Most places just want the cars to look clean so they can sell but we all know how that goes.

 

i would have to agree here they will not pay. i do 13 used dealers now an prices are cheap but they keep cash flow on days like we have here in jersey in the winter only you can decide. i go into prep mod when i do the dealers 1,2,3,an out they want it to look good smell good a show an shine so to speak just to sell it.

i also do auction cars an they are not any better but again it is cash flow that is how you make money not on the high end stuff that comes once every month if you lucky.

 

totally understandable. what products and steps do you use to accomplish the vehicles you do?

 

wow talk about cheap

 

Didn't go so well, I'm assuming?

 

i use car brite products on the dealer an auction cars good cheap products for good cheap dealers an auctioneers lol.

 

well the guy was cool. it went ok. i just told him i would email him some prices. he really doesnt want to have to spend a lot over $100.

he was trying to tell me i should buy a tornado or something because he use to sell them and it works well. i just laughed.

what specific ones work well. we just got a car brite supplier here recently.

might be something to look into. are you just giving them a quick cleaning or 1 steppers?

 

anyone else have anymore suggestions?

 

Don't do it?

 

LoL. damn i'm torn. Maybe i can have one business name that specializes in bulk and one business that caters to the more consumer friendly folks?

Hahaha that might be something to think about but a little difficult to do.

Maybe i'll tell them it will run about $120 a car or something. Still trying to mess with the idea a little bit.

Someone on autopia had mentioned to lay out a contract and have in there exactly what is included in the price otherwise the dealership will try and make me their pet and slave to perfect the cars for dirt wages.

 

I did 5 months doing wholesale work last year during the summer. Sure they wont pay retail. I was getting 75-125 a car. Interior detail, engine detail, exterior wash only.(glass and dressing) No wax or polishing. Some were very clean and already half assed done by the auction, so many took 45 minutes. I was pushing 75-110 cars a month. some months were better, some were worse, but I made damn good money. I was in one location for the day. saved gas, used their electric and water most of the time.
I ran 2 employees and fired them after they were caught stealing. I then ran 1 employee, who is semi part time with me right now. It's good steady income. Do a good job and they will keep you, but they will also drop you without telling you.........

 

great info. I'll keep this in mind.

im sure with these guys being really small it won't bring in that many cars but a few are better then 0.

My main thing is how much to offer for what $$ figure while still retaining my professionalism as a auto detailer.

what did you base your prices off of?

and what exactly are you including?