New from KY - how much to charge.

[diyguy]

Hello to all! I'm an unemployed older man who is not a "detailer" by trade or hobby. I have always cleaned my own vehicles and clean them well. I bought a used car at a bargain price that needed a really good cleaning from a Chrysler dealership.

I took my car in and the owner saw it and was impressed at how well I cleaned it up. He asked me if I'd like to do some detailing at my house on trade-ins and I said sure. Anyway, yesterday I got my first vehicle, one that they're sending to the auction. The owner wants it "cleaned real good." So I went to my friend Google for some help and found this forum.

It is a 2001 Toyota Sequoia with 3 rows of seats that is the dirtiest car inside and out that I had ever seen. Leather seats were cracked and dirty, the carpet had several large black stains, the headliner had black marks all over it, the door panels and console were nasty as well as all cup holders and storage bins. A real nightmare I thought. But everything got cleaned, every crack and crevice.

To top it off the rear tailgate would not open so I had to climb over the second and third seats after laying them flat to clean the back end. I worked 12 hours in two days to clean the interior and the results are dramatic. Tomorrow I will do the white exterior. The aluminum colored wheels look black as well as the white running boards. The finish is a mixture of shiny and dull but mostly dull with several patches of rust so I plan on just washing it with a wash and wax product with no polishing or buffing. I expect the exterior to take 2 to 3 hours.

My question is how much should I charge the dealership for this extra extra dirty detailing job? I was thinking in the range of $150 to $200. If he doesn't like my price and decides not to use me anymore I wouldn't care. On the other hand I see it as a good opportunity to earn some cash although I'm working outdoors and weather-wise it won't last anyway.

[Eandras]

You should charge what you feel is fair. 12 hours is a lot of time at 200.00 it would equals 16.67 per hour. Look a what they charge the customer for service per hour. I bet it is a lot more than what you are charging. If they have a lot of work see if you can arrange todo it at their garage in on of their bays. Even ask if you could work full time at their dealership as an employee. Think about the benefits. Medical, vacation time, etc.. The dealership,could also,pick up the cost of supplies.

Just a thought.

Ed

[jdmdetailing]

What part of ky are you in?

[diyguy]

Louisville area.

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by diyguy

Hello to all!

^^^Hi...and.....to AGO!!^^^

I'm an unemployed older man

^^^Retired? 62 or older?^^^


...a Chrysler dealership...

I took my car in and the owner saw it and was impressed at how well I cleaned it up. He asked me if I'd like to do some detailing at my house on trade-ins and I said sure.

^^^^
Did he have any reasons that you couldn't clean-up this, or any of his other vehicles, at his place of business?
(That way...the weather may not be an issue)


My question is how much should I charge the dealership for this extra extra dirty detailing job? I was thinking in the range of $150 to $200.

I see it as a good opportunity to earn some cash although I'm working outdoors and weather-wise it won't last anyway.

Since you didn't state your older-man-age:

-I would only charge that which will not put you over the "earned-limit", whereas you will
be paying back $1 for every $2 earned...If you're in the 62-64.9 age-bracket, that is.
(This IRS rule doesn't apply for the 65-up folks)

Otherwise...

-Charge what you think this "market-area" will bear.
With this dealership owner/Auction-vehicles...probably less!

Originally Posted by diyguy

Louisville area.

^^^Sorry^^^...

Go 'Cats!!!



Bob

[diyguy]

Bob, go CATS! I'm not 65 but I do draw SS which is one reason I don't want to be on his payroll. He knows my health condition and told he me to take my time. Two places locally quoted me $150 to do a Toyota Camry. The Sequoia is a lot bigger than that. I was thinking $12 per hour plus $25 for supplies. So at 12 hours I come up with $169. I cleaned the interior as good as I'd do my own car and the dealer may have wanted less of a detail for an auction vehicle. His manager said he wanted me to "clean it real good" so that's what I did. I was supposed to tell him what I would be charging when I picked up my first car and I mentioned this to his manager in which she replied "he said what ever I charge will be okay." Sounds kind of like a blank check, huh? I told her I would be reasonable.

[dcjredline]

Welcome.

Sounds to me like they sent you a BIG test. Geesh, first one is a VAN that is wrecked(dirty as HE**)?? Hope the price youre happy with is something that makes them happy too. Dealers usually want a ton of work for an ounce of money.

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by diyguy

Bob, go CATS! I'm not 65 but I do draw SS which is one reason I don't want to be on his payroll. He knows my health condition and told he me to take my time. Two places locally quoted me $150 to do a Toyota Camry. The Sequoia is a lot bigger than that. I was thinking $12 per hour plus $25 for supplies. So at 12 hours I come up with $169. I cleaned the interior as good as I'd do my own car and the dealer may have wanted less of a detail for an auction vehicle. His manager said he wanted me to "clean it real good" so that's what I did. I was supposed to tell him what I would be charging when I picked up my first car and I mentioned this to his manager in which she replied "he said what ever I charge will be okay." Sounds kind of like a blank check, huh? I told her I would be reasonable.

Sounds pretty good.

Did you ask about using one of the dealership's bays...you could then do it year 'round!

Hope your health gets better.

(Pitino who?)



Bob

[diyguy]

I'm taking the SUV back today and I decided to be reasonable on the charges. 12 hrs x $10 = $120 cleaning supplies included. I feel bad because of the dull white paint on over half the vehicle that looks cleaner but is still dull since I don't buff and polish. Some detailer, huh?

[FUNX725]

Originally Posted by diyguy

Some detailer, huh?

I'd rather think/say this as: You're being Business-wise.



Bob