[tdott]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

I would agree, they are clearly high end. I also wouldn’t do PPF or ceramic without correction. Perhaps the pricing reflects their typical exotic clients, but to be honest $9k+ for a G60 doesn’t seem worth the price point. If I had an M5 then perhaps.

I can justify 5% of the vehicle cost but at 12-13%, I’ll pass and select an installer that’s more in line with market rates in the area.

flawed logic.
the price/value of the vehicle doesn't change the labor or material costs by much.

If you have the same size vehicle and difficulty (curves).
Doesn't matter if one is worth $5k and another worth $100k.

The work is roughly the same.

It's the vehicle owner who has to decide if it's worth it.
Not the shop adjusting their pricing.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by tdott

flawed logic.
the price/value of the vehicle doesn't change the labor or material costs by much.

If you have the same size vehicle and difficulty (curves).
Doesn't matter if one is worth $5k and another worth $100k.

The work is roughly the same.

It's the vehicle owner who has to decide if it's worth it.
Not the shop adjusting their pricing.

I didn’t infer the shops pricing was incorrect, or should be scaled to the value of the vehicle. I’m just saying that at this specific price point , I will not be selecting this particular shop for the job. They are clearly welcome to charge $9k, or 27k for that matter, however, I’ll go with something that I feel is in line with prevailing rates in the area, and what I’m willing to pay based on the value of the vehicle.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by chefwong

All the line items is similar to market rate in my area....
You're paying for skilled labor for this stuff.

For the other 2 quotes you presented, are those the other 2 closest Xpel dealers as well. In my region, Xpel tint and PPF are somewhat price locked...I've seen maybe a $75 difference on a full tint, and maybe $500-$600 max difference on full PPF. It may be different in yours, but it's basically a mandated price lock so the all shops are somewhat = in terms of Xpel product being installed.

Yes, they are all within roughly a 35-45 minute drive.

[sean2648]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Thank Sean, I appreciate your feedback. I've heard that they do quality work, and their reviews definitely support this.

There were a few things about the quote I found confusing. The "4-year ceramic coating" is I assume the XPEL coating. The other coating is listed as "304 - Coating - ESOTERIC Signature Ceramic Coating". Which is not clearly indicated. I don't know if that references some proprietary coating that they have manufactured?

Just for reference, here are some quotes I've received thus far from other places within 60-mile radius:

Full front PPF - $2195
Ceramic coating wheels, glass, paint trim $1295
Tint, sides and rear XR plus - $699
** Bring to their location (50 miles) vs local shop they work with locally, reduces price by $500. Total: $3689 (with tax)

Full Front PPF - $1,695
Ceramic Coating - $779 (Does not include wheels/calipers)
Tint, sides and rear XR Plus - $436
Total: $3,099.15

I'm inclined to go with the middle ground, as he includes the wheels and calipers. Also, their PPF package includes Entire Hood, Full Fenders, grill, mirror caps, lights and rear luggage area.

Lowest quote, PFF: Excludes Grill, lights, rear luggage area.

The G60 has such an unusual bumper in the M Sport variety, I'm assuming they make a DAP cut kit for these weird things?

I'd be real wary of that cheapest option as I'm sure you already are. They either really need the work, or quality may not be the greatest. Unless that area is so competitive they drove the price down that much.

That middle option is pretty good. We would be at $4050 for everything listed in there. They include the bumper correct in the PPF? Didn't see you list that, wanted to make sure.

The 4 year coating is I'm sure the xpel fusion that is already built in to their PPF. Their other coating offering is their professional warrantied one that they would actually apply. If I remember correctly they use gtechniq accredited coatings so you would get CSL Ultra.

You absolutely can get close to the same quality without having to pay the esoteric price (again, not talking down on them whatsoever. They do great work and deserve everything they make) We are cheaper than a really renown shop about an hour east of us that does nothing but exotics but we can put out similar quality. They are in a wealthier area and have tons of exotics on their page.

I believe your thought process is right on for what you want to do. You may want to ask them about a "high traffic" package if they have one. That is door cups, door jambs and edges, gloss black pillars if you have those, and trunk jamb. It is a cheap and quick add-on for the shop and addresses some of the most touched areas on your vehicle that WILL get scratched. We can fit that package a lot of times in the free space when we are plotting and throw it in for a lot of clients for a few hundred bucks. I think it sells just about every time.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by sean2648

I'd be real wary of that cheapest option as I'm sure you already are. They either really need the work, or quality may not be the greatest. Unless that area is so competitive they drove the price down that much.

That middle option is pretty good. We would be at $4050 for everything listed in there. They include the bumper correct in the PPF? Didn't see you list that, wanted to make sure.

The 4 year coating is I'm sure the xpel fusion that is already built in to their PPF. Their other coating offering is their professional warrantied one that they would actually apply. If I remember correctly they use gtechniq accredited coatings so you would get CSL Ultra.

You absolutely can get close to the same quality without having to pay the esoteric price (again, not talking down on them whatsoever. They do great work and deserve everything they make) We are cheaper than a really renown shop about an hour east of us that does nothing but exotics but we can put out similar quality. They are in a wealthier area and have tons of exotics on their page.

I believe your thought process is right on for what you want to do. You may want to ask them about a "high traffic" package if they have one. That is door cups, door jambs and edges, gloss black pillars if you have those, and trunk jamb. It is a cheap and quick add-on for the shop and addresses some of the most touched areas on your vehicle that WILL get scratched. We can fit that package a lot of times in the free space when we are plotting and throw it in for a lot of clients for a few hundred bucks. I think it [...]

Thanks Sean! Wish you were closer, I’d hit you up for the job 😊

[sean2648]

Indeed, too bad it didn't work out like that. I have a good buddy that could take care of you and he has an insane operation, but they are based in chicago or I'd recommend them

[chefwong]

@sean2648


Presuming the shop comments, are you a authorized Xepel dealer.

IME, at least in my market, both PPF and TINT Xpel dealers are all set to price at a *MAP* Price schedule.

Is it the same in your region ?

[g80burnout]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

So I’ve been getting some quotes for services on my G60 that’s waiting for carrier assignment. I’ve put PPF and ceramic on the last two vehicles I’ve purchased, and have been really pleased with the ease of detailing when installed. I’m looking for PPF, Ceramic and Tint.

I’m in a new State, so there is bound to be some pricing variability. In the past, it’s really come down to review satisfaction, experience level of the installer, and some answers to questions regarding how they deal with cuts, edges, and such.

Most of the installers have been within +/- $700 of each other with the higher price point ones also offering some addition protection areas in both ceramic and PPF that the others did not.

I found an installer that had good reviews, a very professional website, instructional videos, and recommendations and was pretty impressed with their Visual galleries. I asked for a quote for XPEL PPF, Ceramic, and Tint.

I must say that between California and Ohio. I have never seen anything like this. I raised my first eyebrow with one hour of paint correction stage 1 being listed at $800. I’m clearly not going to go with this particular installer, and they are welcome to charge whatever they want for Services as it is their prerogative, but I must seriously question how they are able to remain in business.

I have removed identifiable information because I’m not wanting to disparage them, only to see if anyone else has ever seen pricing like this: $8924.53. ����

I'm not sure if you're in Columbus or Cleveland and don't want to pay Esoteric's huge mark-ups (where you are paying for nothing more than the name, really...I've seen their work compared to several other "top-tier" shops, and it is equivalent at best), but if you are, I would strongly consider checking out Block-A-Chip in Mentor, OH.

They have wrapped two of my vehicles now, and their work is the best I have seen anywhere. I had used Esoteric for a vehicle prior to Block-A-Chip. They keep a smaller, more specialized team to make sure the quality stays very high, so there's usually a solid waiting period...but it is worth every penny.

And not only that, their prices are MUCH closer to the industry average when compared to Esoteric...they're still more expensive than most shops, but there's a big gap between their prices and Esoteric's. They're also the oldest PPF shop in the state, or so they claim.

I'd give them a call and see what they say. It would be well worth the drive IMHO.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by g80burnout

I'm not sure if you're in Columbus or Cleveland and don't want to pay Esoteric's huge mark-ups (where you are paying for nothing more than the name, really...I've seen their work compared to several other "top-tier" shops, and it is equivalent at best), but if you are, I would strongly consider checking out Block-A-Chip in Mentor, OH.

They have wrapped two of my vehicles now, and their work is the best I have seen anywhere. I had used Esoteric for a vehicle prior to Block-A-Chip. They keep a smaller, more specialized team to make sure the quality stays very high, so there's usually a solid waiting period...but it is worth every penny.

And not only that, their prices are MUCH closer to the industry average when compared to Esoteric...they're still more expensive than most shops, but there's a big gap between their prices and Esoteric's. They're also the oldest PPF shop in the state, or so they claim.

I'd give them a call and see what they say. It would be well worth the drive IMHO.

Thank you! I’m closer to Cleveland and will check them out. Much appreciated. Of the ones I’ve researched, the installer that seems to have the best ratings is “Showroom solutions LLC” in Medina. I have a few weeks before the G60 arrives so let me see what Block a Chip has to say.

[g80burnout]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Thank you! I’m closer to Cleveland and will check them out. Much appreciated. Of the ones I’ve researched, the installer that seems to have the best ratings is “Showroom solutions LLC” in Medina. I have a few weeks before the G60 arrives so let me see what Block a Chip has to say.

Of course! They're excellent installers and just overall good, nice people. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. Ask for John when you reach out.

I have not personally experienced working with Showroom Solutions, but a close friend brought his Camaro SS there, and I was not impressed. Nothing wrong per se, but it was not up to the quality I've seen from Esoteric, and certainly not what I have gotten with Block A Chip.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by g80burnout

Of course! They're excellent installers and just overall good, nice people. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. Ask for John when you reach out.

I have not personally experienced working with Showroom Solutions, but a close friend brought his Camaro SS there, and I was not impressed. Nothing wrong per se, but it was not up to the quality I've seen from Esoteric, and certainly not what I have gotten with Block A Chip.

This is very good information, thank you!!

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by g80burnout

Of course! They're excellent installers and just overall good, nice people. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. Ask for John when you reach out.

I have not personally experienced working with Showroom Solutions, but a close friend brought his Camaro SS there, and I was not impressed. Nothing wrong per se, but it was not up to the quality I've seen from Esoteric, and certainly not what I have gotten with Block A Chip.

Reached out to John, and have a quote and a scheduled tentative appointment. Thank you. If you feel comfortable doing it, send me a PM with your name. He’d like to know who referred me. Or give him a call and tell him you referred me ☺️

[sean2648]

Originally Posted by chefwong

@sean2648


Presuming the shop comments, are you a authorized Xepel dealer.

IME, at least in my market, both PPF and TINT Xpel dealers are all set to price at a *MAP* Price schedule.

Is it the same in your region ?

We aren't an XPEL dealer. I'll never join XPEL, they have reached out and tried before. They make you solely use their products and nothing else. We are loyal to a few other brands which we use and sell so that was a deal breaker. I also just don't appreciate their business practices. Their PPF and tint are great, but it takes more than just a good product for me to tie ourselves to a company.

There isn't really a MAP price for PPF or tint, maybe on their website and paper, but the price they give you on a quote or in person/over the phone will be vastly different. Too many variables to make shops adhere to a certain pricing structure.

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by sean2648

We aren't an XPEL dealer. I'll never join XPEL, they have reached out and tried before. They make you solely use their products and nothing else. We are loyal to a few other brands which we use and sell so that was a deal breaker. I also just don't appreciate their business practices. Their PPF and tint are great, but it takes more than just a good product for me to tie ourselves to a company.

There isn't really a MAP price for PPF or tint, maybe on their website and paper, but the price they give you on a quote or in person/over the phone will be vastly different. Too many variables to make shops adhere to a certain pricing structure.

Got it. While I well aware at least in my area, there are territorial locks by being a dealer *X in X mile radius*, I can't say for certainty tint or PPF pricing is MAP prices - regional contracted agreed by being a dealer, but based on my experience pricing out top authorized installers vs lower craftsmanship installers, I find that pricing is generally all around the same NET price. I do recall my Tint Shop (who only does tints and has been doing it forever, did state that their TINT pricing is MAP , which alluded to me that potentially the MAP structure applied to the PPF shops in the area. It's the same reason why if one is a Xpel dealer, they have a certain exclusivity as no other Xpel dealer or QTY of Xpel dealers within X mile radius.

This may not apply globally or the entire US.....but I base these comments based in what is at least rules in my region.

[FrankMstein]

WTF could possibly be going on for $1200 in .6 hours! That is the normal cost for LIGHT paint correction AND the application taking 4-6 hours (depending) total but this is on top of PPF? There is no real prep for it... HF I should be charging $2k!!!

[sean2648]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Got it. While I well aware at least in my area, there are territorial locks by being a dealer *X in X mile radius*, I can't say for certainty tint or PPF pricing is MAP prices - regional contracted agreed by being a dealer, but based on my experience pricing out top authorized installers vs lower craftsmanship installers, I find that pricing is generally all around the same NET price. I do recall my Tint Shop (who only does tints and has been doing it forever, did state that their TINT pricing is MAP , which alluded to me that potentially the MAP structure applied to the PPF shops in the area. It's the same reason why if one is a Xpel dealer, they have a certain exclusivity as no other Xpel dealer or QTY of Xpel dealers within X mile radius.

This may not apply globally or the entire US.....but I base these comments based in what is at least rules in my region.

Ya, they very well may have MAP prices they have to adhere to or are "encouraged" to stick to. XPEL definitely has territories, roughly 25+ miles per installer. A lot of times though they are prices they suggest to make it easy for the shops or keep everyone from racing to the bottom. Not necessarily a hard enforced line they can't go below.

More likely the companies don't want to see them advertise below a certain price but can't enforce what they ultimately charge the customer. And also the business owner may use the MAP as a quick answer to justify pricing if a customer tries to lowball them.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by sean2648

Ya, they very well may have MAP prices they have to adhere to or are "encouraged" to stick to. XPEL definitely has territories, roughly 25+ miles per installer. A lot of times though they are prices they suggest to make it easy for the shops or keep everyone from racing to the bottom. Not necessarily a hard enforced line they can't go below.

In the Miami- Ft. Lauderdale there are many Xpel installers that are much closer than 25 miles apart. When I had PPF put on my car I visited a few shops that were well within that distance.

[IanH]

Ditto, there's at least 10 in a 25 mile radius from my house... could be 20 if I did the research...

[NYG]

My brother, really think about whether you want to spend %10+ of your MSRP on a condom that you'll never see any return on.

If you and I went to sell the exact same car, one with ppf and one with normal rock chips, we'd get the exact same offer.

I'm not saying PPF isn't worth it but in most general scenarios, it's a horrible scam and I say this as someone who PPFs all the cars that I take to the track (for that reason alone).

There's a lot of good reasons to get PPF, I don't want to say it's completely pointless but again in most cases you're flushing money down the toilet.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by NYG

My brother, really think about whether you want to spend %10+ of your MSRP on a condom that you'll never see any return on.

If you and I went to sell the exact same car, one with ppf and one with normal rock chips, we'd get the exact same offer.

I'm not saying PPF isn't worth it but in most general scenarios, it's a horrible scam and I say this as someone who PPFs all the cars that I take to the track (for that reason alone).

There's a lot of good reasons to get PPF, I don't want to say it's completely pointless but again in most cases you're flushing money down the toilet.

We will have to agree to disagree on this point. Condoms have saved my ass many times during my single days and there was definitely an ROI. 😎

If someone wants to spend their money on PPF it is their choice.

[IanH]

I am raw doggin it! car gets back from the detailer tomorrow, no condom in sight.

[sean2648]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

In the Miami- Ft. Lauderdale there are many Xpel installers that are much closer than 25 miles apart. When I had PPF put on my car I visited a few shops that were well within that distance.

Another reason I did not sign on with XPEL