Back last Fall, Meguiar's Gold Class soap was routinely priced at @ $6-$7/ 64 oz. at the local WM with good stock. Now there is no stock and those spots seem to be filled with the new Ultimate Wash & Wax. This is priced at $8.97/48 oz. bottle with a $5 mail-in rebate available. O'Reilly's and Pep Boys both had the 64 oz. bottles of GC in stock, priced at $9.59 and $9.99 respectively.
I made my way over to CarQuest where I purchased a gallon of DG's wash priced at $21.39 (+tax). Seems like I was paying less than $19/gallon last Summer/Fall.
I guess I need to get over to the AM distributor and see how those prices are.
Are prices trending up, or are we just seeing a temporary increase as the Spring clean-up season kicks off?
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around." --Will Rogers
I hope it is just temporary. I have found that common things such as soap and upholstery shampoo seem to be creeping up in price a little. But the things that I would expect to be more have dropped. I just got a 200g bar of clay for $13 from my supplier. I remember last year that same clay was running $26.50...seems like the stuff we use more of is going up, and some of the other stuff is dropping a little.
I bought a 55 gal drum of PRO soap 3 years ago on sale for around $250. I've still got enough to last 3 more. I had the bright idea of busting it up into 1 gal jugs and selling it to customers or anyone else who wanted it. I didn't sell a single jug lmao.
Dunno...guess I could check my receipts. I usually have @ 1 gallon+ on the cart, plus a gallon container mixed for use in the foam gun. Maybe 8-10 gallons/year??? With the cold/wet Winter season, here at mid-March, I've probably only used @ 1 gallon.
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around." --Will Rogers
I bought a 55 gal drum of PRO soap 3 years ago on sale for around $250. I've still got enough to last 3 more. I had the bright idea of busting it up into 1 gal jugs and selling it to customers or anyone else who wanted it. I didn't sell a single jug lmao.
It's been a while since I last queried, but IIRC it was cheaper to buy AM soap by the gallon than by the 5 gallon container. I'm not likely to purchase a 55 gallon drum anytime soon, but that was a good price/gallon.
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around." --Will Rogers
It's been a while since I last queried, but IIRC it was cheaper to buy AM soap by the gallon than by the 5 gallon container. I'm not likely to purchase a 55 gallon drum anytime soon, but that was a good price/gallon.
It dilutes 100:1 too. I can't get rid of this stuff.
It dilutes 100:1 too. I can't get rid of this stuff.
I can't imagine. I only hope it is a good soap. While I have found very few really bad car wash soaps (most, if not all, actually do their job) there are definitely those that have been demoted to tire/wheel/wheel well washing only over the years.
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around." --Will Rogers
I consider myself a low-priced bumper-to-bumper detailer with a clientele whose daily drivers are luxury sedans and high end SUVs. I charge from $100-$250 for a wash, clay, one step polish, sealant plus carnauba, and a quick interior cleaning. Engines, more extensive interior cleaning, serious leather treatment, more paint correction, etc., cost extra.
I haven't done any exotics, but sure wouldn't mind breaking into that market.
If I spend $10 on materials, including < 75 cents per wash, good line of polishes, glazes and waxes, and pro-rated pad wear, I consider it a good investment, showing the customer some premium products that they can't buy at Target. For a regular customer, I'll leave a premium microfiber towel and a small sample of Leather Stuff, Trim Restorer, etc, once in a while. Keep in mind, this is someone that I hope to gross $1,000 from over the course of a year.
I hope that I haven't offended anyone, but you guys talk like you're buying for commercial purposes. If so, charge an extra buck if you have to, but spring for the good stuff!
No offense taken but I do run a steady, sometimes 7 day a week business. I've downsized a lot but still go through a lot of supplies. I don't pinch pennies when it comes the products and equipment I use. In fact the only otc stuff I have is a can of Mothers. The rest is Car Brite, Pro, or Auto Magic. However, after joining DC I've gotta try something from PB and see what everyone is talking about.
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
I consider myself a low-priced bumper-to-bumper detailer with a clientele whose daily drivers are luxury sedans and high end SUVs. I charge from $100-$250 for a wash, clay, one step polish, sealant plus carnauba, and a quick interior cleaning. Engines, more extensive interior cleaning, serious leather treatment, more paint correction, etc., cost extra.
I haven't done any exotics, but sure wouldn't mind breaking into that market.
If I spend $10 on materials, including < 75 cents per wash, good line of polishes, glazes and waxes, and pro-rated pad wear, I consider it a good investment, showing the customer some premium products that they can't buy at Target. For a regular customer, I'll leave a premium microfiber towel and a small sample of Leather Stuff, Trim Restorer, etc, once in a while. Keep in mind, this is someone that I hope to gross $1,000 from over the course of a year.
I hope that I haven't offended anyone, but you guys talk like you're buying for commercial purposes. If so, charge an extra buck if you have to, but spring for the good stuff!
No offense here JH
It will take alot more then calling me a cheapskate to get me worked up
I agree, Poorboys Super Slick & Suds is da bomb and a little goes a long way
Fortunately for me I am able to get 90% of my supplies local. So my internet purchases are only once or twice a year. Having a Gallon of anything liquid will kill you on the shipping end
As for my clients....They never seem to intrested when I start talking products/methods
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
I'm not likely to purchase a 55 gallon drum anytime soon, but that was a good price/gallon. 
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