Auto Detailing Business

[elund126]

I've been a car nut my whole life. I think I am a little OCD when it comes to cleaning. I always have been. Anyhow, I've started my own detailing business, Edge Detail. My brother and I have a mobile trailer that we travel to the customers house to work. This is something for me to keep busy with when I have days off from my regular job. Looking to make a little extra cash and maybe long term it turns into a legit money maker (Both my kids need braces @$6k each and eventually college). Who knows, maybe I'll have enough extra $$$ to get that tune from Unleashed!!!

If you all have time, could you go look at my website www.edgedetail.net and tell me what you think? I really value opinions from real car guys. I have a thick skin, so if you think it sucks, then let me know.

[BiGMaC]

Website looks good.  Very professional!

IMHO you are too inexpensive... not that I don't want to see a bargain... but my guy here in AZ charges about 50% more... and his services are worth it... I never look back (except 2x a year when i turn him loose on it. 

check it out at http://windowsandwheels.com/services-packages/ and check your local competition.

If it's worth it...it's worth it!

[elund126]

Is your guy mobile only, or does he have a fixed place? I was comparing his prices and mine. For the single step he is at $250 and I am at $200.

His multi step is at $600 and mine is at $400. I think you are right on this one. This takes 2 days sometimes. I might up mine.

Thanks for the response though. I really do appreciate it!!

[LowFrequencies]

All I can say is I wish you were local, because I'd love to turn you lose on my F150!

[BiGMaC]

He has a shelter at his house where he usually does my car (RV gate to a tent basically... you can see his setup in the pics in my post on the detailing section at:
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=2351.msg34077#msg34077
You don't need to look fancy... just make cars look that way!

He will also travel.... I live on an unpaved road and prefer not to have the detail done there.  He has a simple chevy van.

His paint/plastic correction done 6 weeks after I took delivery of a brand new SHOis here, on the autoblog site:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/132346-phoenix-detail-2013-sho-taurus-partial-repaint-water-spots-cquartz-finest/


As you note it takes time... my correction took 2 people 2 days... but he's doing winners...you will too!  Best of luck in the new enterprise!

[elund126]

He has a shelter at his house where he usually does my car (RV gate to a tent basically... you can see his setup in the pics in my post on the detailing section at:
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=2351.msg34077#msg34077
You don't need to look fancy... just make cars look that way!

He will also travel.... I live on an unpaved road and prefer not to have the detail done there.  He has a simple chevy van.

His paint/plastic correction done 6 weeks after I took delivery of a brand new SHOis here, on the autoblog site:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/132346-phoenix-detail-2013-sho-taurus-partial-repaint-water-spots-cquartz-finest/


As you note it takes time... my correction took 2 people 2 days... but he's doing winners...you will too!  Best of luck in the new enterprise!

Oh yes!! I read it all when you posted it. He did a great job. I was impressed!! The SHO paint is pretty freaking awesome when it is done right!

[futat2]

I wouldn't go changing your prices just yet. You thought it was fair when you started, I would recommend running these prices for a few months to get a good clientele base. Let your first few customers know that the price will be raising at a set date, offer them a loyalty card ( wether physical or just on the books) that will offer them the original prices for the life of there car that you are already treating. It should get you booming in know time. word of mouth is the best advertisement. Just my opinion ether way your work looks great. Good luck.

[SHOdded]

Site looks good!  Minor changes include the basic price on the front page is partially hidden behind the button and get better backgrounds for the SHO/Fxxx vehicles in rotation.

I like the strategy suggested by futat2.  It will take some time to figure out your comfort zone re:  price vs volume.  Since you are going to be mobile, travel time will be a consideration as well.

[elund126]

Site looks good!  Minor changes include the basic price on the front page is partially hidden behind the button and get better backgrounds for the SHO/Fxxx vehicles in rotation.

I like the strategy suggested by futat2.  It will take some time to figure out your comfort zone re:  price vs volume.  Since you are going to be mobile, travel time will be a consideration as well.

Fixed the basic price.

Would you consider taking the SHO and the other vehicles with the lower grade backgrounds off?

[elund126]

I wouldn't go changing your prices just yet. You thought it was fair when you started, I would recommend running these prices for a few months to get a good clientele base. Let your first few customers know that the price will be raising at a set date, offer them a loyalty card ( wether physical or just on the books) that will offer them the original prices for the life of there car that you are already treating. It should get you booming in know time. word of mouth is the best advertisement. Just my opinion ether way your work looks great. Good luck.

I thought about the most expensive package I offer and that often times takes 2 days. I bumped it up to $500...considering!

[REDSHOCGO]

I wouldn't go changing your prices just yet. You thought it was fair when you started, I would recommend running these prices for a few months to get a good clientele base. Let your first few customers know that the price will be raising at a set date, offer them a loyalty card ( wether physical or just on the books) that will offer them the original prices for the life of there car that you are already treating. It should get you booming in know time. word of mouth is the best advertisement. Just my opinion ether way your work looks great. Good luck.

I thought about the most expensive package I offer and that often times takes 2 days. I bumped it up to $500...considering!

I would offer some sort of special "grand opening" introductory pricing for new customers or possibly set up a refferal program like 20 dollars off for every person you refer or somethng along those lines this will help the word of mouth spread as well. You may want to offer group pricing for those car nuts like me that have a few friends and want there vehicles cleaned before going out on town. I would only do the group pricing strategy on the packages that dont take to long to do. Just my opinion.

[REDSHOCGO]

Your site looks very professional I forgot to mention it.

[bigmoneycloser]

Any one in NJ do this??

[Wild13SHO]

Any one in NJ do this??

There's a guy in Jackson that does it.  I don't think he's very knowledgeable about detailing but he does a decent job and certainly saves your time.  There's another place that does mobile detailing that I'm going to try this spring. 
Send me a PM if your interested in their info. 

[elund126]

Here's a little before and after of the SHO. I bought it used and the paint was in bad shape.

This first picture shows the swirls.



Here is the same panel after some compound and polish