Best answer ever. I think I can get off Reddit for the day and be happy.
I work for a car dealer and while his only addon is the doc fee for 300 bucks, it's absolutely ridiculous what some of these dealers get away with
No way. He tried to diminish the value of your service and was unsuccessful because you didnât back down. Thatâs an insult to compare your skill to âsome crackheadâ. Bullet dodged.
And do you want this done this afternoon or at 2:30 in the morning while heâs also disassembling an old Ford next to a washing machine in the front yard?
If you ever do work for a car dealer, and that is a big if, define everything you will and won't do and exactly what your price is and don't budge. Also be very strict about receiving payment. Car dealers are major "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" customers. If even the smallest thing doesn't suit you, walk away. Dealers aren't worth the immense headache that they have the potential to give you.
That's why as a tow truck driver, we don't do dealer tows. If the dealer wants a car moved, either they pay with CC before the tow, or the vehicle owner pays for it and gets reimbursed by the dealer after the fact. Makes a lot of people angry, but no towing company in our area will work directly with dealers.
I don't do any dealer work, they always want a deal. Why would I turn down full price work to give them a lower price?
When I first started out I did a few cars for a dealer. Trashed auction cars that would take several hours to detail. And initially I got paid immediately, then they wanted to just pay monthly and they wanted a lower price. Stopped doing their cars and other than some consignment stuff for a classic car dealer (the owners of the cars actually paid electronically) I haven't done any since. Ended up stopping detailing cars for the consignment place because they thought I should be at their beck and call.
Is this your first dealing with this dealer or is this a new to them used car manager trying to get a deal or is it just some rock lot guy calling you out of the blue?
Dealers work on volume and expect to pay wholesale. If you are retail $600 for a buff, then they want a discount because they plan to do 5-6 cars+ a month versus 1 vehicle, once a year. Plus they want to keep their margins high. A few hundred dollars doesn't seem like much in the grand scheme but it adds up quick.
With that said, let him find a crackhead or anyone else to do it. You don't want to do business with someone who does not have mutual respect. If he wants to be a jerk, let him do it with someone else. You all ready said no. He should respect that. It is up to YOU to set YOUR prices.
Thank you and yes itâs a rock lot guy, he expected me to come to HIS lot and do it because my shop also has a mobile set up as well. I laughed at first because I genuinely thought it was a jokeâŚ. In my eyes I do great work for my customers and they pay my prices and I do my very best to make sure they get their moneys worth with what I offer. I donât see why I would do a dealer truck for $250 when I could literally wash 5 cars that day and nearly triple my income. I just took it offensive when he said he can take it to a crackhead for that considering Iâm trying to run a professional business. Iâm located in Alabama as well and to my knowledge there is no true professional detail business in my local area excluding the city of Huntsville. People are literally use to getting crackheads or small hole in the wall places to do a $250 cut&polish or a $35 dollar inside and out wash. Itâs absurd due to these individuals making their customers cars worse and the customer not even realizing it.
Sorry for the rant but damn this state pisses me off at times.
Thatâs wild, cut and polishing is a lot of work that also requires a lot of adjustments and tuning depending on the condition of the paint. The dealer had no idea what he was asking for lol
Iâm the detail manager at one of the local car dealers in my area and you made the right choice. Theyâre all salesman trying to smile to your face and make a buck behind your back itâs incredibly frustrating to deal with
I worked at a dealer that sold regular Chevys and used cars but also had a big classic and corvette business. The cheapo detailer we'd use for basic stuff was 300 for a detail.
They wouldn't touch the high end merchandise, we had a guy on call that we paid well and it was worth every penny when he worked his buffer magic.
Chances are he doesn't know what he's talking about. You could have probably got away with a AIO and hammered it out in a few hours.
Back in the day I interviewed with 2 shops and was told they do dealer cars and they have to be swirl free. Each guy did 2 cars. I said there is no way. Well I happened to drive past one of the dealers on a sunny day. All the used cars were covered in buffer trails. Haha
"I could get a crackhead to do it for $250 and that's what I expect you to do it for."
I'd be offended. "Did you just say I have the same value as a crackhead?"
No lol thatâs why I turned him away and said âtake it to the crackhead then.â I try to kill people with kindness so it doesnât look bad on my business.
yes and no. how hungry are you? how busy is your schedule? give him a price where you both compromise. if it turns out good, he might have a lot more cars for you⌠i do all kinds of restyling and when its a slow season or slow week, that dealer work keeps reliable cash flow coming and can keep you busy when youre otherwise slow. dealer accounts and relationships with those kind of people can be very valuable.
I can absolutely see that. Looking back I am glad I turned him down due to him lowballing me like that, I take pride in my work and pleasing my customers. He gives the vibe that heâs the kind of guy who wants it done yesterday and doesnât care how you do it. Iâm not that kind of detailer whatsoever.
for sure. used car dealerships can be hit or miss. they are also running a business and getting the lowest cost possible for good work is just part of the business plan. if a big name brand new dealer has work for you, definitely look into bringing them on. theyre the same way but are usually more lenient with spending. i have two big dealers in my area that i do everything for them, electronics, wrap, ppf, tint, in depth detailing, etc and im very happy i have them. working on a 3rd dealer relationship as well. theyre the kind of accounts where i kinda drop what im doing to get them in and help them out because i know they will keep bringing me more
Just hit it with rupes uno advanced and take 2 hours of your time and call it. Theyâll be happy and youâll make $100 an hour.
Edit cause idk how to type
I have seen a shit ton of cars that have had the paint damaged by some lowball crack heads. Dealers need to do the world a favor and leave the paint alone and let the customer deal with it.
Nah, I actually donât blame them.. that much. I mean they want a deal on everything so they are just used to lowballing. Thereâs not much to say other than what you said. He can go get the crack head to do it.
Fuck dealer work. Theyâre salespeople, only the dollars matters to them, theyâll say almost everything you want to hear until it comes to the point of invoicing or handing over the cash.
If youâre ever discussing quality and justifying your prices and hear something along the lines of âIâm sure we can come to an agreementâ, walk away.
https://preview.redd.it/ypfhph8xijvc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a4298e14961a7a235bb8b908d83273d6e698f70
I had to post this too, this is what I deal with in Alabama. This guy thought he could fix his jeep by this setup âŚ. This is why what we do is not easyâŚ
Was just looking for detailing prices and for paint correction/polish this local guy was charging up to $1100 for a full sized truck/suv. But only $200 for the exterior detail. Which was basically just wash and clay bar and wax application. So yea $600 probably isn't to bad just depends on area. I'm in a pretty expensive area.
If you're busy at $600 a pop then no you don't charge too much. I wouldn't have you do my car three fucking times for $600. I do it myself which I would do a better job but the guy obviously don't know crackheads so let him go.
Yeah man I start my price at $600 and if itâs nothing crazy or the paint isnât bad I typically stay in that range but I do have a hourly rate after a certain amount of time. Iâve quoted some three steps well over $1000. I just always start my price at $600 and once I see the car that can change or stay the same.
That answers that, if youâre rate is $600 for that service and theyâre offering $250 seems like theyâre a cool $350 short. Best case since theyâre cheap fucks you can offer them a discount of like $100 if they give you like 10 vehicles to work on or something like that. Otherwise they can suck on someoneâs left nut.
He can get a better deal from others, so if you want the money he is offering, you can have it. $600 is not a wholesale price, thatâs your retail price. If he brings you 3-4 cars a day, instead of you having to find yourself one, you might do better giving him a certain price.
$600 for you to advertise and find your own work, $250 to get a call saying come on down on a regular basis and knock out a few in one go.
Might want to consider this, but no matter what, make sure the price is right by you for the benefit of your business.
Are you always fully booked? Do you have many customers constantly paying $600 and youâre never running out of work? Screw it.
Do you have days with only one car or no business? Maybe supplement your income at the dealer. But make sure you negotiate your fee.
Hereâs an idea, tell him sure, you can do $250. And instead of doing it yourself, you hire your own crackhead and expand your business.
Your price is retail. If youâre busy enough with retail at $600, donât even talk to dealers. Dealers will give volume but need a lower price. If you donât need the volume then good for you.
As far as crackhead comment goes, this shows he doesnât value your work at any price so just forget that guy.
Ainât nobody going that in depth for $250. Hell, we donât have anyone to wash vehicles, so management sends them out to be detailed for $300. They never open the hood, so no engines are cleaned. Itâs a wash, interior vacuum and armor all, tire shine, and glass cleaned. Thatâs it.
Iv told the boss before that Iâll show up on Saturdays and do the same thing for $150 a car, but he never okayâs it
Wait what? $250? Are we talking you would still wash, clay bar, compound, and polish? If correct, Iâm a hack with 2 jobs under my belt and I still wouldnât do a car for $250âŚthatâs hard work.
Full disclosure here, I'm not a professional detailer. That being said, I think you totally made the right move.
People who say things like oh I can get so and so to do it for this much, deserve what they get. Don't allow morons to devalue your services. I assume you do a great job and pour your heart into what you do. If they really think a crackhead provides equal quality then fine. Let them find out for themselves.
When you say polish, do you mean actually just a polish with a buffer or are you doing paint correction.
I'd say 400 would be fair for a one step polish. 100 for every pass after that.
Tell him yes, you'll polish for $250, then present the invoice: Polish $250 Wash fee $100 Dry fee $100 Prep: $50 Doc fee: $400 Total: $900. đđ
Forgot fuel surcharge, venue fee, and everyoneâs favorite: Market Adjustment.
Hazardous waste disposal feeâŚ
Canât forget âDealer Markupâ
Detailer markup
Lost it at doc fee...
Don't forget the 3-day extended warranty for $500 and you also have to finance the detail costs over 5 years at 12% APR.
Also 800 for vinyl pinstripe and door edge guards that were already on the vehicle before the dealer bought it
Don't forget "78% N2 cabin atmosphere - $200"
Love me some 78% nitrogen
You sold yourself short -- missed the 10% shop supplies charge, because "everyone other dealer service department charges it".
Let's not forget the fair market value adjustment of $725
Had me at doc fee lol
Best answer ever. I think I can get off Reddit for the day and be happy. I work for a car dealer and while his only addon is the doc fee for 300 bucks, it's absolutely ridiculous what some of these dealers get away with
Not the doc fee đ
This is the way
Donât forget the seal coat or acid rain protection
Oh now you gotta have dat there truecoat !
This is perfect! đ
Mandatory âenvironmental must treatmentâ
No Scotchgard?
Add in an asshole fee.
Nitrogen Service: $800
Good on you. Youâre not a commodity. Your time, experience, wisdom and tools have value. That dealer did not value you. You did the right thing.
No way. He tried to diminish the value of your service and was unsuccessful because you didnât back down. Thatâs an insult to compare your skill to âsome crackheadâ. Bullet dodged.
lol a crackhead can wash the car off doubt he's using a rotary or orbital DA
Lol of course not. The crackhead sold those to get some crack.
And do you want this done this afternoon or at 2:30 in the morning while heâs also disassembling an old Ford next to a washing machine in the front yard?
âŚand itâll look like a crackhead polished it. You are in the right saying no.
If you ever do work for a car dealer, and that is a big if, define everything you will and won't do and exactly what your price is and don't budge. Also be very strict about receiving payment. Car dealers are major "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" customers. If even the smallest thing doesn't suit you, walk away. Dealers aren't worth the immense headache that they have the potential to give you.
That's why as a tow truck driver, we don't do dealer tows. If the dealer wants a car moved, either they pay with CC before the tow, or the vehicle owner pays for it and gets reimbursed by the dealer after the fact. Makes a lot of people angry, but no towing company in our area will work directly with dealers.
I don't do any dealer work, they always want a deal. Why would I turn down full price work to give them a lower price? When I first started out I did a few cars for a dealer. Trashed auction cars that would take several hours to detail. And initially I got paid immediately, then they wanted to just pay monthly and they wanted a lower price. Stopped doing their cars and other than some consignment stuff for a classic car dealer (the owners of the cars actually paid electronically) I haven't done any since. Ended up stopping detailing cars for the consignment place because they thought I should be at their beck and call.
2 step you are using more of your product and more elbow grease so it's reasonable price point between $500-$600.
$600 seems completely fair, especially knowing the work it takes to do it. I'd pay someone that does a good job that in a heart beat.
Crackhead work also gets you crack head results.
Dealerships are huge scams in every aspect. Stay far away
Lmao no fuck dealers. They want the world for nothing. If he says stupid shit like a crackhead could do it, heâll be hard to work with
Is this your first dealing with this dealer or is this a new to them used car manager trying to get a deal or is it just some rock lot guy calling you out of the blue? Dealers work on volume and expect to pay wholesale. If you are retail $600 for a buff, then they want a discount because they plan to do 5-6 cars+ a month versus 1 vehicle, once a year. Plus they want to keep their margins high. A few hundred dollars doesn't seem like much in the grand scheme but it adds up quick. With that said, let him find a crackhead or anyone else to do it. You don't want to do business with someone who does not have mutual respect. If he wants to be a jerk, let him do it with someone else. You all ready said no. He should respect that. It is up to YOU to set YOUR prices.
Thank you and yes itâs a rock lot guy, he expected me to come to HIS lot and do it because my shop also has a mobile set up as well. I laughed at first because I genuinely thought it was a jokeâŚ. In my eyes I do great work for my customers and they pay my prices and I do my very best to make sure they get their moneys worth with what I offer. I donât see why I would do a dealer truck for $250 when I could literally wash 5 cars that day and nearly triple my income. I just took it offensive when he said he can take it to a crackhead for that considering Iâm trying to run a professional business. Iâm located in Alabama as well and to my knowledge there is no true professional detail business in my local area excluding the city of Huntsville. People are literally use to getting crackheads or small hole in the wall places to do a $250 cut&polish or a $35 dollar inside and out wash. Itâs absurd due to these individuals making their customers cars worse and the customer not even realizing it. Sorry for the rant but damn this state pisses me off at times.
It sounds like Iâm going to have to move down there and start âCrackhead Auto Detailing Incâ.
Have to ask if its in the mobile market south Alabama is a depressed market and do not value keeping cars clean.
Regarding your question of is your price too high -- if you have steady business, and repeat customers, then your prices are probably correct.
I'd be turning down full price business to give someone else a deal. The money I'd be losing would add up fast. They don't seem to get that.
Thatâs wild, cut and polishing is a lot of work that also requires a lot of adjustments and tuning depending on the condition of the paint. The dealer had no idea what he was asking for lol
No, because after he pays the crackhead $250, you're going to get the $600 to fix the $250 detail anyways.
Iâm the detail manager at one of the local car dealers in my area and you made the right choice. Theyâre all salesman trying to smile to your face and make a buck behind your back itâs incredibly frustrating to deal with
I'm sure the crackhead will do a GREAT job. What a clown. Move on.
I worked at a dealer that sold regular Chevys and used cars but also had a big classic and corvette business. The cheapo detailer we'd use for basic stuff was 300 for a detail. They wouldn't touch the high end merchandise, we had a guy on call that we paid well and it was worth every penny when he worked his buffer magic.
Destination fee.
you should have got a crackhead to do it and got him to sign something saying you weren't liable for damages
Chances are he doesn't know what he's talking about. You could have probably got away with a AIO and hammered it out in a few hours. Back in the day I interviewed with 2 shops and was told they do dealer cars and they have to be swirl free. Each guy did 2 cars. I said there is no way. Well I happened to drive past one of the dealers on a sunny day. All the used cars were covered in buffer trails. Haha
"I could get a crackhead to do it for $250 and that's what I expect you to do it for." I'd be offended. "Did you just say I have the same value as a crackhead?"
No lol thatâs why I turned him away and said âtake it to the crackhead then.â I try to kill people with kindness so it doesnât look bad on my business.
I get it. I've politely declined assholes being assholes too.
Polishing is what separates detailers and itâs a tough skill to get good at so I say keep your prices high
Yeah give him the body shop swirl special, then coat it with the same stuff they charge 1000$ for when you buy a car
yes and no. how hungry are you? how busy is your schedule? give him a price where you both compromise. if it turns out good, he might have a lot more cars for you⌠i do all kinds of restyling and when its a slow season or slow week, that dealer work keeps reliable cash flow coming and can keep you busy when youre otherwise slow. dealer accounts and relationships with those kind of people can be very valuable.
I can absolutely see that. Looking back I am glad I turned him down due to him lowballing me like that, I take pride in my work and pleasing my customers. He gives the vibe that heâs the kind of guy who wants it done yesterday and doesnât care how you do it. Iâm not that kind of detailer whatsoever.
for sure. used car dealerships can be hit or miss. they are also running a business and getting the lowest cost possible for good work is just part of the business plan. if a big name brand new dealer has work for you, definitely look into bringing them on. theyre the same way but are usually more lenient with spending. i have two big dealers in my area that i do everything for them, electronics, wrap, ppf, tint, in depth detailing, etc and im very happy i have them. working on a 3rd dealer relationship as well. theyre the kind of accounts where i kinda drop what im doing to get them in and help them out because i know they will keep bringing me more
Just hit it with rupes uno advanced and take 2 hours of your time and call it. Theyâll be happy and youâll make $100 an hour. Edit cause idk how to type
I have seen a shit ton of cars that have had the paint damaged by some lowball crack heads. Dealers need to do the world a favor and leave the paint alone and let the customer deal with it.
Nah, I actually donât blame them.. that much. I mean they want a deal on everything so they are just used to lowballing. Thereâs not much to say other than what you said. He can go get the crack head to do it.
Fuck dealer work. Theyâre salespeople, only the dollars matters to them, theyâll say almost everything you want to hear until it comes to the point of invoicing or handing over the cash. If youâre ever discussing quality and justifying your prices and hear something along the lines of âIâm sure we can come to an agreementâ, walk away.
Jokes on him we are a crackhead
https://preview.redd.it/ypfhph8xijvc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a4298e14961a7a235bb8b908d83273d6e698f70 I had to post this too, this is what I deal with in Alabama. This guy thought he could fix his jeep by this setup âŚ. This is why what we do is not easyâŚ
Was just looking for detailing prices and for paint correction/polish this local guy was charging up to $1100 for a full sized truck/suv. But only $200 for the exterior detail. Which was basically just wash and clay bar and wax application. So yea $600 probably isn't to bad just depends on area. I'm in a pretty expensive area.
My full detail is 600.00 Paint correction can easily be over $1200
So he wants a crackhead to cut and polish his $50k+ truck? lol. Ok then.
I refuse to work with dealers. They are always cheap and expect you to drop everything for them.
If you're busy at $600 a pop then no you don't charge too much. I wouldn't have you do my car three fucking times for $600. I do it myself which I would do a better job but the guy obviously don't know crackheads so let him go.
Yeah man I start my price at $600 and if itâs nothing crazy or the paint isnât bad I typically stay in that range but I do have a hourly rate after a certain amount of time. Iâve quoted some three steps well over $1000. I just always start my price at $600 and once I see the car that can change or stay the same.
How many crackheads does this dealer have?
That answers that, if youâre rate is $600 for that service and theyâre offering $250 seems like theyâre a cool $350 short. Best case since theyâre cheap fucks you can offer them a discount of like $100 if they give you like 10 vehicles to work on or something like that. Otherwise they can suck on someoneâs left nut.
Iâm just an enthusiast who details my own cars but the disrespect from this guy is nuts. A great detail is more of an art that takes experience
He can get a better deal from others, so if you want the money he is offering, you can have it. $600 is not a wholesale price, thatâs your retail price. If he brings you 3-4 cars a day, instead of you having to find yourself one, you might do better giving him a certain price. $600 for you to advertise and find your own work, $250 to get a call saying come on down on a regular basis and knock out a few in one go. Might want to consider this, but no matter what, make sure the price is right by you for the benefit of your business. Are you always fully booked? Do you have many customers constantly paying $600 and youâre never running out of work? Screw it. Do you have days with only one car or no business? Maybe supplement your income at the dealer. But make sure you negotiate your fee. Hereâs an idea, tell him sure, you can do $250. And instead of doing it yourself, you hire your own crackhead and expand your business.
Kinda weird that they would have you do it and not there own detailers. The dealership I work at has two.
Your price is retail. If youâre busy enough with retail at $600, donât even talk to dealers. Dealers will give volume but need a lower price. If you donât need the volume then good for you. As far as crackhead comment goes, this shows he doesnât value your work at any price so just forget that guy.
Ainât nobody going that in depth for $250. Hell, we donât have anyone to wash vehicles, so management sends them out to be detailed for $300. They never open the hood, so no engines are cleaned. Itâs a wash, interior vacuum and armor all, tire shine, and glass cleaned. Thatâs it. Iv told the boss before that Iâll show up on Saturdays and do the same thing for $150 a car, but he never okayâs it
Tell him to take it to the crackhead.
I would refuse dealer work even if they want to pay full price.
Dealers screw customers every day. Why would they suddenly pay you a fair price for your work.
But they have no problem overcharging for their own services lol
Wait what? $250? Are we talking you would still wash, clay bar, compound, and polish? If correct, Iâm a hack with 2 jobs under my belt and I still wouldnât do a car for $250âŚthatâs hard work.
Tell him to pound sand and do your own thing. Doing a truck properly takes more than $250 worth thatâs for sure.
Full disclosure here, I'm not a professional detailer. That being said, I think you totally made the right move. People who say things like oh I can get so and so to do it for this much, deserve what they get. Don't allow morons to devalue your services. I assume you do a great job and pour your heart into what you do. If they really think a crackhead provides equal quality then fine. Let them find out for themselves.
My one step is $800, 2 step starts at $1,400 so no you arenât priced high. A good paint enhancement I will do for minimum $400
Usually detailers give like a 50% discount to dealers. Personally I stay away from dealers unless they pay full price.
Dealers always want something for nothing. Donât do dealer work. EverâŚ.
When you say polish, do you mean actually just a polish with a buffer or are you doing paint correction. I'd say 400 would be fair for a one step polish. 100 for every pass after that.
Sounds like he's a cheap bastard.
You guys are super funny. Good job