Back in 1986 when I first started my own detailing business, I figured that if I had enough price points I would be sure to gain a lot more new customers simply because I would be meeting the needs of that many more people. Well it did not take me too long to realize that I did not want to be associated with the other businesses who were also offering detailing services at extremely low prices. So very early on I decided to limit my services to doing only complete detailings. Of course, I still had to have somewhat different prices depending on the different size vehicles.

During the start-up phase of my business my prices were based on small, mid-size and full-sized vehicles. However, about 15 years ago I began to notice how the fast food restaurants had done away with small servings. In other words, if you went into a fast food restaurant and ordered small fries or a small drink, what you would get was their medium fries or a medium drink. Within a few years they had gone from small, medium and large sizes to medium, large and supersizes. No more small sizes. Basically, the portion size really did not change that much, however the perceived value from a customer standpoint changed drastically. Some people actually began to think they were now getting more for their money.

Okay, to get back to my pricing. When I saw what the fast food places were doing with their pricing, I began to think it could also work to help simplify my own pricing strategy. So for more than a decade now, I have no real pricing for small cars. The small cars simply fall into the mid-size group. I also do the same with suv's and pick-up trucks. They are considered either mid-size or full-size. Hey, I guess you could say that detailing a HUMMER would fall into the supersize category.

So the next time you go into a fast food place, try ordering small fries or a small drink and see what happens. They will most likely look at you a bit strangely and think, 'hey, this guy is ten years too late'.

 

Frank Canna

Mirror Finish Detailing

Almost all automobiles and trucks are now painted with a clear coat finish. In most cases, the clear coat is a separate top layer of paint, which does not contain any color pigment. The clear coat finish is applied directly over the color coat of paint. The process was developed during the 1980’s, to help protect the paint from harsh environmental conditions, such as; acid rain and other air-borne pollution. The E.P.A. has estimated that half of all rust on automobiles is caused by acid rain. The clear coat finish also helps to produce an increase in the depth of gloss, creating an almost wet-look shine. Some automobile companies achieve an even greater depth of gloss by applying more than one layer of clear coat. Since a clear coat finish can be easily scratched, special care is always required when polishing and waxing. Dark colors are the most susceptible to fine scratches and swirls. Polishing and waxing by hand will greatly reduce any chance of damaging the paint. While the use of a machine buffer by someone inexperienced can easily cause the following damage. 1- Swirl marks; especially visible on darker colors, 2- Burning the paint; caused by too fast a buffing speed, 3- Scratching the paint due to dirt or other contaminants, 4- Wearing away the paint, caused by buffing edges and curves too aggressively.

Frank Canna                                                                                           Mirror Finish Detailing

Personally, I do not think it is a good idea for even a start-up detailing business to portion out their services. Sure every once in a while I will have a new customer contact me asking about either just doing the interior or the exterior. And of course I have had people ask about weekly washes. The whole point I think a lot of detailing business owners miss is that you only get one chance at creating an image of what your business represents in the marketplace. And at the same time you also only get one reputation too. The key is to grow your business from the beginning into the vision that you have to make it a successful and profitable enterprise. It is clearly not about being all things to all people. So, when someone asks me about doing something other than a complete detailing, I simply so no and proceed to explain the benefits of the complete service that I offer. I certainly do not feel guilty when I say no. I am basically just being honest by giving them a clear picture of what my detailing business is all about.

 

Frank Canna

Mirror Finish Detailing

 

 

It is not always easy being in the mobile detailing business. Especially in the summer, when daily temperatures can reach into the upper 90's. Here in New Jersey, I usually get on the job by 6:30am, just so I can be done before the extreme mid-day summertime heat. Sometimes, depending on the job at hand, I am out there as early as 6:00am. So while most other working people usually go to work at the same time each day, all year long, I have the luxury of adjusting my start times according to the time of year. Of course, the benefit of starting so early is the fact that your work day is over by lunchtime. Ah, now that is worth getting up early for. 

Frank Canna                                                                                                                Mirror Finish Detailing