Should my prices be comparable to a fixed location?

[Buckskincolt]

Originally Posted by ShineTimeDetail

I haven't been caught up in the whole making what everyone else is making. I was at a car show this weekend and I was talking to the vendor next to me and he was saying my prices were too low. So I started looking and I am lower than most.

I didn't come accross clear. So I'll do it this way.

* don't be the cheapest.
* give a great value for what Youdo not what others do
* don't work for nothing, even if the other guy is. He won't be around long
* market the difference between you and your competition.
* make sure your customers know you appreciate their business.

I don't think a Mobil detailer should be cheaper or more expensive, the consumer is paying for a service so price the service not the location.

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by ShineTimeDetail

So I've been checking pricing again mainly bc my insurance premium is going to be going up a lot. So I need to see what to do. I have been checking and my prices are lower than most of my competitors fixed and mobile. Were talking $50-75 less.

Most fixed locations are 75-100 bucks more. So even though I'm mobile should our prices be comparable?

I wonder what affect: "raising your prices" will have on your current customers/clients...
Afterall, you've already sold to them: "Yourself"; along with your "prices" for your "detailing-competency".

A $75-$100 worth of higher pricing NOW...
May work on/for any 'new' customers/clients...
(Unless they're friends/acquaintances of your already established customer/client base---referrals.
And vicee, vicey, versa!!)

Any reason you may proffer for your services' price-increase, may be met with a customer's/client's
counter-claim of also having their household's income (discretionary, or otherwise)
reduced by inflationary-increases...such as their own insurance rates being increased, for example.

No harm in trying to execute a:"New Business Plan", I suppose(?)
Just hoping you don't kill-off any customers/clients in doing so.

Perhaps your initial pricing-scale for detailing services:
Was a little low,
from the get-go.

NOTE: For the record...The above is an: IMO posting.

But, as you well know...I do wish you continued $ucce$$ in growing your Bu$ine$$.
Good Luck!



Bob

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

My approach (not necessarily the best):

I did some market research when I first started to get an idea of what was being billed in my area. I simply used that as a loose reference point. After that I started thinking about what I am worth....

In the end, I priced myself higher than brick and mortar locations (I started off mobile) due to the fact that I felt I was worth it and I didn't want to deal with low ballers..

[darkangelism]

Originally Posted by FUNX725

I wonder what affect: "raising your prices" will have on your current customers/clients...
Afterall, you've already sold to them: "Yourself"; along with your "prices" for your "detailing-competency".

He could also charge more for new customers and the existing ones that are at the location that is requiring the extra insurance, but not raise prices for his other customers, maybe even let them know they are getting a discount over his current rate.

[D.R.]

I'm not a business owner, but my opinion is that if you're fully booked, you should raise your rates (you didn't say if you're as busy as you'd like). Keep raising them until you're not fully booked, then find more customers who will pay your rate, then raise your rate again. If you want to give loyalty discounts, charity discounts, group discounts, proximity discounts, purple car discounts, then go ahead.

[ShineTimeDetail]

Im going to raise my prices. I like the way superiors Joe does it. He charges for an initial detail then does the maintenance details. I have always wanted to do more for first time cars bc usually they are filthy and I have to spend more time on them.

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by ShineTimeDetail

Im going to raise my prices.

^^^^^^^^

How much are your price increases going to be?

BTW...
I always preferred to present, or be presented, this Menu-Board:




^^^Whajuhthink?^^^






Bob

[ShineTimeDetail]

I raised all my wash packages by $5, interior was raised $40, Silver package was only raised $10, Gold was raised $75, Platinum was raised $75, exterior detail was raised $25. I am including a 10% discount on all cash paying customers. All customers will receive a $25 Gift Cert on all detail packages redeemable for 6 months.

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by ShineTimeDetail

I raised all my wash packages by $5, interior was raised $40, Silver package was only raised $10, Gold was raised $75, Platinum was raised $75, exterior detail was raised $25. I am including a 10% discount on all cash paying customers. All customers will receive a $25 Gift Cert on all detail packages redeemable for 6 months.

Hope it's enough to keep these Lane-Guys outta your hair:
What's your opinion of them...And Lane's Products?
(I noticed a local used car stealership's "detailer" using some Lane's the other day)





Bob

[ShineTimeDetail]

Honestly, I have never seen them anywhere and I have never heard anyone talk about them. I know they ran some commercials a year or 2 ago but that's it.

As for their products they are ridiculously high(If I remember correctly)