What to charge for set rate for dealership.

[sahrcar]

I just got a hold of a dealership myself and did my first 3 cars for them at $75 per vehicle. The dealer buys about 100 cars per month so he said he could keep me busy. I was wavering at first between 25-30% and then just blurted out the $75. Which basically turned out to be a 25% discount for the dealer.

I didnt realize it until I showed up that after agreeing to 3 vehicles for $75 each that one was a 4 door sedan covered in dog hair, another was a 4 runner and the other was a white sebring convertible which had been sitting outside for a while under trees. I thought with a dealer it shouldnt take long for a quick wash,wax, & interior since all vehicles had been bought at an auction. I figured it should only take about 1.5hrs max for each vehicle before I saw them. 7 hours later I left with just my $225 initially agreed upon. I was a little bummed but after thinking about it, my rates currently are just $45/hr for basic services and $60 for paint correction so it wasn't really a bad deal after all.

If the dealers give you plenty of business I dont see why offering a discount would be such a bad thing if it was steady work. In the back of my mind right now I have 2 other dealers that want me too so I'm starting to think about maybe hiring on 2 more people; one to do the dealer vehicles and another to be my assistant for the true detailing projects.

[Wayneezy]

I work for a GM dealer and also detail some of our trade ins. I usually charge between 100 and 250 per vehicle. Depends on size cleanliness and time it takes me to do it. I try to make a minimum of 30$ an hour to cover time and product. I told them i will not cut corners i do my thing proper with no short cuts. they have been very happy with my work and have had no issues with pricing

[ChicagoAutoPros]

Originally Posted by Bradmerritt

I've already done jobs like that for dealers so how would you know? I was just seeing what anyone else was getting and I know that I could get that much for lot vehicles because the dealers around here care about the quality

I'm sorry how insensitive of me...... If you have already done accts getting that money, good for you......keep them. I personally don't like doing dealership cars, (there's just no reward for doing them, no appreciation) but I like making money..... so if I can hire a couple guys and get 25 cars a week @ $90/car that's about $50,000/profit a year (after labor and expenses). Do your own math and make sure it make sense for you. Some of the higher end dealerships will pay a little more, but they expect perfection. Good luck!

[GW Detailing]

I've found that dealerships will commonly go for 70 exterior, 80 interior and 100 full detail.

[dwlinc23]

I did a "trial" car for a used car lot, did my express package. He was blown away by the results. I said that's a $50 job. He said he paid his last guy $40 per car, but was no where near my quality of work. I did one more car and never got another call from him. 6 months later he was out of business. That taught me quality really didn't matter t them. The chose a low-ball rate and now the don't do anything. Oh we'll.

[GW Detailing]

Yeah dealerships want the best work for the cheapest price. A detailer has to learn ways to get threw things faster and the products that give the best results for the time needed... 40 and 50 are both way to low if your ever considering hiring!

[Divine Details]

I do some work for used car lots and some recognize quality and are wiling to pay for it.

Others want a full detail on a trashed car for $50.

With the latter I have found it much more profitable to turn down the full details but offer ala carte services such as headlight restoration, paint correction, touch up and carpet cleaning.

For example I have a lot that wanted me to do 5hr details for 75 I Won't do that but they do like my ala carte services.

Today I one stepped a mini in 3.5 for them and got $100 much more profitable
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Chad @ divine details

[BulldogAuto]

I did some for a dealer last summer. Hard work for less money then normal. Did a full detail Engine Bay included for 100. But I am just starting out and was happy to have the work.