Price Quotes

[Dave]

Anyone giving firm pricing over the phone or email? I only give starting prices or price brackets because one persons version of a few scratches or dirty interior is almost always understated over the phone.

I have found that most people don't know what to expect or what exactly they want so going over the vehicle with the customer is a good time to inspect and speak with the customer. This isn't always an option though.

[doctordon]

Dave, Good question. I, too, am interested in how others handle this.

Currently, I give a ball park price but explain to the customer that a final quote will be given after the vehicle is inspected.

[Jose]

I gave several quotes from phone conversations, and to be honest, I made some mistakes. Better tell them you need to see the car, condition to give a fair and reasonable price before you jump it and find out you quoted a lot less.

[Reflections]

Most phone calls are just shoppers, so I always say "starting at" my starting price is the price of my competition, if they are truly interested they will come to me and then I can better sell them my services after I see the car. I don't say I need to see the car, get them on your turf and then sell.

Cheers,
GREG

[Dave]

I get my fair share of price shoppers but I just chalk it up as part of being in business. Im sure we have all screwed ourselves at some point with phone quotes, experience is the best teacher lol.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Aside from stating my hourly rate I used to never discuss final price over the phone

The past two years I have gotten a lot of customers that are coming from 2-3-4 hours away so scheduling a time for a pre-detail inspection just isn't feasible in such a situation.

When I cannot do a pre-detail inspection due to logistics I ask for pictures of the vehicle, direct sunburst shots and direct incandescent reflection shots and direct camera flash shots. With these 3 types of pictures I am able to get a fairly decent idea of what to expect.

Even with the above being accomplished I still provide a price "range" and in my disclaimer on my estimate/contract I state that the prices are based off of pictures and not my normal and proffered method of "pre detail inspection" therefore, if the overall condition of the vehicle is not consistent with the pictures provided the price can/will change.

In this situation, my price range is pretty wide... for instance, a contract I just put together had a price range of $660-990

[jdmser]

I have a set price list that I go off of that hits on a lot of the key price points. The price list outlines the services provided in each of my packages and roughly how long it will take. I also state that some jobs will need to be quoted at time of drop off. Things like sap, heavy tar, and multiple or large scratches will not be quoted sight unseen. With the package structure I have I may spend more time on some vehicles and less on others but, it should all average out.