hey guys i am new here but would appreciate your help. I am starting a new mobile detailing business in Atlantic Beach Florida. I am new to the pro game but have been detailing family and friends cars for years. I have got all the supplies, designed my cards and brochures, and created a website. I am using Menzerna, Pinnicale, 303, Blackfire, and Eimann. The other detail companies in the area all use Armor All and Blue Corral so I think I have the upper hand on products and the quality of work. They charge anywhere from 45 to 300. The later says they offer a year garuntee for their full detail. My Prices range from 100 to 215 for exterior details and 50 to 90 for interior I also have some other services for different prices. I was wondering what you guys thought about those prices. I also need help on how to get those first customers coming in. I have given out my card, told people what I do, and I have a 25 off coupon on my brochure. I just cant get my first job. There are an abundance of high end autos in my area and i see them at the super wash places getting butchered by guys using the same rags to clean rims door jams windows hoods everything. How do I get them to see the benifit of my service. I havent seen a good detail the entire tome I have lived here. thanks for the help and I hope its ok to post here.
questions on starting a new business in north florida
- Thread starter a4ertan
- Start date
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
You really should not waste too much time thinking about basing your prices solely on what the competition charges. Of course, it's okay to know what they charge, but don’t base your price on that fact alone.
In order to cover expenses and stay in business you should consider pricing your detailing services somewhere between what you want to make and what you actually need to make. In other words, you need to figure out how much you need to make per hour in order to make a good profit and stay in business.
It also sounds like you need to begin to understand more about marketing. Questions like; who is the customer and why does the customer need the service that you are offering go a long way in helping you to build your new business.
In order to understand the direction of your marketing plan, you must first identify the type of person who needs your detailing services. You will find that well educated men and women, such as; doctors, attorneys, and business owners fall into this category. Other professional people include dentists, financial advisors, and stock brokers. Make a list of the different groups of targeted professionals. These professionals will become the core of your customer base. This targeted market is equally divided among men and women.
It’s been my experience that most people who get their cars detailed, usually do so on a regular basis, similar to having scheduled oil changes. They realize that it’s just as important to take care of maintaining the appearance of their car, as it is to take care of the mechanical parts. You’ll want to focus on going after customers who will get their cars detailed on a regular basis. They will become the core of your business. The person who gets their car detailed regularly knows that if they maintain the appearance of their car now, it’ll be worth much more at trade-in time.
Something else to think about is understanding where your detailing business fits into the marketplace. Positioning refers to the way a consumer perceives your service or company. Are you going to focus only on high priced automobiles? Do wholesale work? Open a shop? Are you going to provide a service that’s unique and in some way different? These are all questions you must ask yourself in order to successfully position your business. You have to know where you want to go, before you can get there.
In order to cover expenses and stay in business you should consider pricing your detailing services somewhere between what you want to make and what you actually need to make. In other words, you need to figure out how much you need to make per hour in order to make a good profit and stay in business.
It also sounds like you need to begin to understand more about marketing. Questions like; who is the customer and why does the customer need the service that you are offering go a long way in helping you to build your new business.
In order to understand the direction of your marketing plan, you must first identify the type of person who needs your detailing services. You will find that well educated men and women, such as; doctors, attorneys, and business owners fall into this category. Other professional people include dentists, financial advisors, and stock brokers. Make a list of the different groups of targeted professionals. These professionals will become the core of your customer base. This targeted market is equally divided among men and women.
It’s been my experience that most people who get their cars detailed, usually do so on a regular basis, similar to having scheduled oil changes. They realize that it’s just as important to take care of maintaining the appearance of their car, as it is to take care of the mechanical parts. You’ll want to focus on going after customers who will get their cars detailed on a regular basis. They will become the core of your business. The person who gets their car detailed regularly knows that if they maintain the appearance of their car now, it’ll be worth much more at trade-in time.
Something else to think about is understanding where your detailing business fits into the marketplace. Positioning refers to the way a consumer perceives your service or company. Are you going to focus only on high priced automobiles? Do wholesale work? Open a shop? Are you going to provide a service that’s unique and in some way different? These are all questions you must ask yourself in order to successfully position your business. You have to know where you want to go, before you can get there.
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
:welcome to Autopia a4ertan
~One man’s opinion / observations~
Mirrorfinishman-as always-good business advice
“I haven’t seen a good detail the entire time I have lived here.�
You’ll find most of the local beach residents use the car ‘detailing’ [just a car-wash place with a buzz word name] on beach blvd. The detailed vehicles (mostly concourse) are up the road a piece at Ponte Vedra Beach, St Augustine and further south (AIA South)
Good luck with it
~Hope this helps~
Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon
~One man’s opinion / observations~
Mirrorfinishman-as always-good business advice
“I haven’t seen a good detail the entire time I have lived here.�
You’ll find most of the local beach residents use the car ‘detailing’ [just a car-wash place with a buzz word name] on beach blvd. The detailed vehicles (mostly concourse) are up the road a piece at Ponte Vedra Beach, St Augustine and further south (AIA South)
Good luck with it
~Hope this helps~
Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon