View Poll Results: Please rate this MoeTip
Length: Just enough information or too much information?
0
0%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll
MoeTip 10-14-07: A proper detail: What to expect for $125, $300, $800, and up…
#1
10-17-2007, 08:28 AM
MoeTip 10-14-07: A proper detail: What to expect for $125, $300, $800, and up…
A detail isn't always the same detail everywhere you go. The recent trend in auto detailing has lead to consumers getting a "bargain" from detailing companies when in reality quality has been compromised. Let's say Mr. Auto is shopping around for a detail. Mr. Auto will tell detailer B that detailer A is charging $25 less. Detailer B falls into the trap and quotes a price to beat detailer A and a price war erupts. The winner here is not Mr. Auto or the detailer. Three parties have lost in this scenario. Detailer B lost because he now has to compromise on products or labor to keep a profitable margin. Mr. Auto lost because he is going to get a detail that might look good at the time of completion but will quickly diminish in appearance after the first wash. Finally, the detailing industry lost because no one is raising the bar and giving Mr. Auto and his friends a great product and most important of all, VALUE FOR THEIR DOLLAR.
Glistening Perfection is trying to single handedly change the detailing industry to better suit the consumer and detailer. Our main emphasis is on consumer education. When you understand what is being done to your vehicle and how it will affect the end result, you can decide for yourself who truly has a better value. In any industry there are consumers that don't care about quality or value; they just want the cheapest service. That's why there are low-end detailers that cater to that market segment. At Glistening Perfection, the goal is to give everyone who loves their vehicle and wants to care for it properly, a great service that they'll enjoy and want to do again.
The majority of what you pay for in a detail goes into labor, material, and the detailer's knowledge of your vehicle and his products. When a knowledgeable detailer looks at your car and diagnoses the issues quickly and remedies the problem the first time, you win. When your vehicle looks the same way it was first detailed for many months, you win. You're trusting that the detailer working on your car will not damage the finish, leather, vinyl surfaces, etc. In today's high-end exotic and luxury automobiles, errors made by novice detailers are costly to repair. It's puzzling to see someone who's paid upward of $100,000 for a Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. getting a $9.95 wash or $125 detail at the local gas station. A proper detail routine is an investment and crucial part of maintaining these vehicles yielding dividends such as enhanced beauty of the vehicle, your pleasure when driving, and higher resale value when the vehicle is sold.
Different price points are a result of the detailer’s market, experience, and level of service. My assumption is an average Porsche in Southern California; 997 Carrera S, black, was detailed 6-8 months ago, and has been washed by a local wash guy that comes to the office. There are microswirls and light scratches around the car. The interior has never been treated.
We’ll be gauging the detail in areas such as:
$125 price point:
Coming up:
Wheel Care: Proper technique to clean, condition, and protect.
Water Spots: Yikes! How to remedy the situation.
Glistening Perfection is trying to single handedly change the detailing industry to better suit the consumer and detailer. Our main emphasis is on consumer education. When you understand what is being done to your vehicle and how it will affect the end result, you can decide for yourself who truly has a better value. In any industry there are consumers that don't care about quality or value; they just want the cheapest service. That's why there are low-end detailers that cater to that market segment. At Glistening Perfection, the goal is to give everyone who loves their vehicle and wants to care for it properly, a great service that they'll enjoy and want to do again.
The majority of what you pay for in a detail goes into labor, material, and the detailer's knowledge of your vehicle and his products. When a knowledgeable detailer looks at your car and diagnoses the issues quickly and remedies the problem the first time, you win. When your vehicle looks the same way it was first detailed for many months, you win. You're trusting that the detailer working on your car will not damage the finish, leather, vinyl surfaces, etc. In today's high-end exotic and luxury automobiles, errors made by novice detailers are costly to repair. It's puzzling to see someone who's paid upward of $100,000 for a Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. getting a $9.95 wash or $125 detail at the local gas station. A proper detail routine is an investment and crucial part of maintaining these vehicles yielding dividends such as enhanced beauty of the vehicle, your pleasure when driving, and higher resale value when the vehicle is sold.
Different price points are a result of the detailer’s market, experience, and level of service. My assumption is an average Porsche in Southern California; 997 Carrera S, black, was detailed 6-8 months ago, and has been washed by a local wash guy that comes to the office. There are microswirls and light scratches around the car. The interior has never been treated.
We’ll be gauging the detail in areas such as:
- Product Quality: The quality of the products used will dictate the level of protection, the overall “look” of the detail, and durability. Usually, the higher the quality of ingredients, the longer your car will look great; this means more value.
- Detailer Experience: Since our industry isn’t regulated, you don’t really know how experienced the detailer REALLY is until he’s working on your car. The more skill and expertise a detailer has, the greater the cost of the detail. This translates to more value for you. If your detailer has the experience with your type of car, the quicker he can remedy the situation that needs attention. In other words, the job is done right the first time.
- Level of Attention (Time): The longer a detailer can spend time on your car, the greater the attention. When the detailer isn’t rushed from job to job, he can truly focus on the car at hand. The average proper detail should not be less than four hours; without machine polishing, it’s usually around five to six hours depending on the level of service and number of detailers working.
- Liability: This is insurance to cover both the vehicle and others. If there were any accidents or unforeseen incidents, if the work is being done on your premises, you are liable. An insured detailer has his/her liability policy reducing or eliminating the need for the client’s liability. A good policy will be from a reputable company and should cover damages to the vehicle and persons in the area. Insurance for detailers is very expensive for a good policy. We are categorized in the same class as repair shops and mechanics. There is no classification for auto detailing because it’s an industry with little or no regulation. Most detailers don’t even have a business checking account or business license.
- Detailer’s Future Existence: Depending on the geographic region, a large portion of the price you pay for a detail needs to be invested back into the company. A smart detailer understands this and values the future of his/her company. Investments in technology, labor, and marketing are a few areas where the dollars go to. This way, the detailer you used a year ago will be around this year and many years to come.
$125 price point:
- Product Quality: At this price point, products are usually a notch above the consumer lines found in auto parts store. Mainly cheaper chemicals that are less effective. In the long run, you can expect to have this level of product to last a few weeks.
- Detailer Experience: Usually just starting out and needing to have a low price to get business. If already established, in desperate need of business.
- Level of Attention: Little to none. Time is of the essence here. For someone to be profitable at this price point, volume is the key. If mobile, by the time he’s factored in gas, product cost, taxes, advertising, etc. he’s making a modest profit to survive. If a brick-and-mortar, barely enough to cover fixed costs and overhead.
- Liability: Usually none. Insurance is very expensive for detailers.
- Future Existence: When all the costs are factored in, and a wage for the detailer, little to no money can be allocated to this portion of the business. Hence, why there are so many fly-by-night detailers.
- Product Quality: At this price point, products are greatly improved. We now get into the ProSumer line of products such as Autoglym, Zaino, P21S, einszett, Pinnacle, etc. These products perform leaps and bounds over the consumer line in the previous price point.
- Detailer Experience: At this level, the detailer should have a good understanding of the cars being worked on. He/she should have had a few years’ experience working for someone else.This is a good place for a start-up detailer with previous experience and dedication.
- Level of Attention: There will be a noticeable difference in the appearance of the car both inside, and out. Things such as wax residue on the exterior trim should not be existent. The interior should have a nice clean look and areas such as vents, windows, carpets, upholstery are addressed with great detail.
- Liability: There should be enough money budgeted for a good insurance policy to cover both the car and client. At this price point, you can expect an average of $25-50K in coverage per vehicle.
- Detailer’s Future Existence: This detailer will be around for a while. This is a good price point to grow a mobile business and have a steady stream of work.
- Product Quality: At this price point, you should be getting the ProSumer products at a minimum and edging into the High-End product lines such as zymol and Swissvax.
- Detailer Experience: This detailer should have great expertise in certain cars. By now, he/she should be specializing in a niche. Great value for the consumer as the detailer is highly skilled and knowledgeable in the cars being detailed.
- Level of Attention: At this price point, many aspects of the proper detail that weren’t addressed before should be seen. In the interior, you should notice a pristine ambiance. All of the surfaces, leather, carpets, carbon fiber, etc., will be cleaned, conditioned, and protected. The exterior is also properly cleaned, conditioned, and protected.
- Liability: Since we’re now catering to a higher caliber niche, the liability of the work is increased. A simple mistake on a $30K car is not too expensive to remedy. However, with the average new Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini in the six-figures, ample insurance is needed for the unforeseen incidents. Liability coverage should be in the $75-150K area.
- Detailer’s Future Existence: The detailer should be focusing on growing the company and hiring employees. Or, consider detailing as the career. One detailer can make a profitable living and support a family at this price point.
- Product Quality: Products are same as above or a higher quality of the above mentioned. For example, at $500 price point, I use zymol Destiny to wax the car. At this price point, I switch to zymol Vintage. The “look”, protection, and quality of product is greatly increased.
- Detailer Experience: Expert or specialists in a particular class or manufacturer of automobile. This detailer will have considerable experience detailing, but now also has the scope of correcting paint blemishes such as swirls, scratches, orange peel, etc. This detailer is an artist, not a detailer. These detailers are usually booked out weeks and months ahead. His/her reputation is well known and the end-result is short of breathtaking.
- Level of Attention: Second-to-none. A typical detail at this price point will have taken many hours, if not days. Areas such as the engine, door jams, delicate substrates such as painted interior door panel, natural wood grain accents, carbon fiber, etc. are addressed with great detail. The exterior will exhibit a near-flawless to flawless finish free of imperfections. At this level, you should be getting a legitimate detail that will stand the test of time for many months or years, depending on use and care.
- Liability: At this price point, details are performed on cars that are near, or above six-figures. A modest mistake such as opening the rear engine compartment on a Ferrari Enzo can lead to a costly repair. If the engine is hot and the door is opened, you risk cracking or snapping the carbon fiber lid. This can lead to a repair upwards of $100K. A policy with a $150K and above is to be expected per vehicle. A $1 Million umbrella is also to be expected.
- Detailer’s Future Existence: This detailer is at the pinnacle of his/her field.These detailers are well-known in their circles, well-respected amongst peers and the automotive community, and are the future of this industry. This detailer understands that there’s more to the business than detailing. Playing a role in the future of the industry as a whole is important. This detailer is well-versed, proficient, exhibits smart business sense, and has an excellent future.
Coming up:
Wheel Care: Proper technique to clean, condition, and protect.
Water Spots: Yikes! How to remedy the situation.
Last edited by MoeMistry; 10-17-2007 at 08:42 AM.
#2
10-17-2007, 08:32 PM
Sorry guys...the poll option is new to me and I kindda goofed. Just vote on the aspect that was most important to you and was of value.
#4
10-18-2007, 02:11 PM
My original thread was deleted. This a repost. Repost your response; it's a great one and i want to reply to it.
Last edited by MoeMistry; 10-19-2007 at 02:10 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ModBargains
Aston Martin Vendor Classifieds
1
10-13-2015 03:43 PM
ModBargains
Bentley Vendor Classifieds
1
10-13-2015 03:42 PM
ModBargains
Lotus Vendor Classifieds
1
10-13-2015 03:42 PM
ModBargains
McLaren Vendor Classifieds
1
10-13-2015 03:41 PM
ModBargains
Other British Vendor Classifieds
1
10-13-2015 03:40 PM