55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months!

[Jomax]

i am Romanian.

a quick update... i hired a helper , he doesn`t polish yet , but he helps with everything else.
to have an idea how things go: he helped me 17 days with a total income of $7880 in those days, we had days with $50 a day and days with max $770. and remember he doesn`t do any polish or correction yet.

i had day with
- black porsche 2 step correction(swirl free) interior included,
- range rover , maserati , jaguar all washwax and interior
Total time 10hours and 40 min - drive to 2 locations included.

another day :
- SUV Porsche cayenne black , 1 step correction , interior , engine ;
- Ferrari f430 wash wax , interior , engine
- Bentley black - wash wax and interior
total time 10 hours 20minutes - drive to 2 locations included.


i see a lot of people who start new business and offer cheap price service , if that`s your value.. is fine with me , but here is an example that even if you charge right for your time , value and knowledge things roll and you don`t get stuck with 1 car a week as a few think.
with my prices i may not be booked for a month but i do have cars to do , regular clients to visit and my name is out there ....
Cosmin

eşti român? Good to know I'm not the only one here

[rustytruck]

I'm not sure what the differce between high end cars and regular cars is. If my stated price for a detail is x amount of dollars then that's the price. If a customer shows up with a ford or a Porsche. I don't raise the price on him just because he bought an expensive car. I really don't understand this mindset.

[vet]

Way to go, Cosmin, Congratulations!

[Cosmin]

I'm not sure what the differce between high end cars and regular cars is. If my stated price for a detail is x amount of dollars then that's the price. If a customer shows up with a ford or a Porsche. I don't raise the price on him just because he bought an expensive car. I really don't understand this mindset.

sorry if my posts were confusing , here is a little more detailed view.
the only time i raise my price is: stains , heavy-bugs/tar/sap , trashed interior , trash/soiled exterior , and anything that wasn`t included in the initial quote.
i don not care what badge the car has or what cars , house , thick wallet the client has.
i have a mile radius/round trip that i cover , if that is pass travel fee is apply and mention to the client prior any schedule /work done to the vehicle.

my hourly rate is around 30+/h on washes and 45-60+ /h on corrections. as i mention with a helper the working time is improved and the $/h is better.

and the difference between hi-end car and regular is that one of them is very expensive and you take a higher risk to work on them. but in my books are quoted on the same amount of money per hour rate.


as a side note: it may look to be harder to get into hi-end line but you may work for people that can afford your service more often and sometimes for multiple cars.
thank `s

[statusdetailing]

What an inspiring post! It's really great to see somebody posting from a business perspective, and from a perspective of actually making money. A lot of guys talk, but you are actually doing it! Great job! You've inspired me to use ad words as well. Thanks

[RTexasF]

Having lived in Austin when many became wealthy with the dot com boom and later when many went bust I know how the mood of that city can change instantly. There is still money there obviously but those that kept some of it can be incredibly fickle in spending it. I congratulate you on what you have accomplished in a rather unusual city citing the "Keep Austin Weird" stickers as but one example.

The amount of repeat customers you have acquired speaks highly of your skills as a businessman and a top quality detailer. I look forward to the continuing story......

[4AudiQ]

I am not even in the Detailing business, it is only a hobby for me, but you still inspire me.
I have owned my own Business Forms business now 28 years and your insight into how to make a good profit are right on.
Nothing can beat good customer service like good customer service.
Congrats!!! Keep up the good work.
My wife & I have some really good friends who now call Austin home.
We were there in Nov. 2010.
Very nice city, but I don't like the humidity.
I love the high desert here in Central Oregon.
You make us all proud of the Detailing business.

[Cosmin]

* UPDATE: after 2 years and 3months
since i start this adventure.

I rich 2 goals: 1x helper and closed to $10k a month
as some of you may know i hired a helper. half month he was part time, after that 2 months full time. i lost the helper because of 2 weeks when i had a lot of rain and a few clients cancel.
over the "helper" period , the experience show me that my system works, i am able to duplicate the results with another person , i am able to train my system to another person ,if busy the income can get skyrocket , my packages/prices/ finish product are improved with helper.
Now i am busy for a 1 person , but not busy enough to hire and keep someone. i do increase the regular clients list and rethink my business plan , and my goal is to hire again as soon as i rich an more consistent list of regulars.
i also did a few mistakes in spend some money in an advertise that didn`t pay back and it kind of sucks. but i learn from it : to don`t trust persons who sell you anything , read contracts twice , i end up running 2 more months in a magazine i didn`t have any returns.
now the good news , the van works great , the wrap does the job and bring me clients, and even without corrections i still get 30-50$/hour from cleaning/washing cars.

I am not even in the Detailing business, it is only a hobby for me, but you still inspire me.
Congrats!!! Keep up the good work.
You make us all proud of the Detailing business.

Thank you sir!
i like Austin , after a few years of moving up and down the state , now i can call Austin , HOME!

The amount of repeat customers you have acquired speaks highly of your skills as a businessman and a top quality detailer. I look forward to the continuing story......

repeat customers are the best!
as far as the van starts and the buffer spins i will post the updates...

What an inspiring post! It's really great to see somebody posting from a business perspective, and from a perspective of actually making money. A lot of guys talk, but you are actually doing it! Great job! You've inspired me to use ad words as well. Thanks

Thank you for your words!

and here is my secret weapon )

[rustytruck]

Is there any way you could rethink how your website shows up on a Google search. I just goggled "auto detailing Austin TX and your website is buried pretty deep.

By the time someone finds out about you they have already seen 20 other detailers in your area. This may help in getting more business.

[Cosmin]

Is there any way you could rethink how your website shows up on a Google search. I just goggled "auto detailing Austin TX and your website is buried pretty deep.

it should show in sponsor area , and is listed only if you access it from a local computer.
but i do have this in my homework to redesign the website and optimize it.
looks like i have to keep an eye on adwords.
thank you