Understanding Owner trade prices — a producer’s guide

When you book a picture car through Stars on Wheels, you’ll often see references to the Vehicle Owner’s “trade price”. This isn’t a discount, a hidden fee, or an upsell — it’s the Owner’s internal rate for supplying their vehicle professionally, before usage, logistics and scene complexity are added. Knowing how these trade prices work helps producers budget smarter and avoid friction later.

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Trade prices aren’t the “final price” — they’re the foundation on which the real job is costed.

Vehicle Owners on Stars on Wheels set their own pricing. Their “trade price” is the professional baseline they charge before usage, mileage, risk, prep time and on-set requirements are considered. Productions often assume the trade price is the full cost — but in reality, it’s only the starting point.

This guide explains how trade prices are formed, why they differ between Owners, and how they evolve into final quotes — all aligned with the SOW Terms & Conditions.

Stars on Wheels is the booking platform; the contract is between you and the independent Vehicle Owner. The Owner’s trade price underpins the quotation you receive, with Reservation Fee and Balance rules explained in the Terms.

1. Trade price is the Owner’s baseline professional rate

Think of the trade price as the “starting point” for supplying the vehicle — a rate that acknowledges ownership costs, maintenance, insurance, storage, depreciation and the professional use of an asset on a film set.

What the baseline typically includes:

✓Use of the vehicle for a standard shoot day.
✓The Owner’s attendance on set (in most cases).
✓Basic prep: cleaning, fuel and mechanical checks.
✓Insurance costs factored into their business model.

The trade price is not the final picture car cost — it’s the foundation before variables are added.

2. Usage determines how much is added on top

Once a brief arrives, the Owner assesses what the vehicle must actually do. Usage is the biggest factor influencing the gap between trade price and the final quotation.

Usage adjustments commonly applied:

✓Static dressing only (lowest uplift).
✓Controlled driving or hero passes.
✓Interior dialogue requiring rig-friendly interiors.
✓Stunts, wet weather or FX exposure.

Two productions can receive different prices for the same car because their usage requirements differ.

3. Risk and liability are major pricing drivers

Owners factor risk into their pricing — not because they expect problems, but because film work exposes vehicles to conditions that normal road users never face. Higher-risk scenes increase the uplift on the baseline trade price.

Risk elements Owners cost for:

✓Mechanical stress from repeated takes.
✓Tight access, uneven ground or restricted zones.
✓FX, SFX or environmental exposure.
✓Insurance excess liability based on usage.

Example: the “simple but risky” job

A production requests only a short driving scene — but it’s on a narrow rural lane with soft verges and poor turning space. Minimal usage, high risk. The Owner increases their rate accordingly because the baseline trade price doesn’t cover the exposure.

4. Logistics, distance & movement add legitimate uplifts

Trade price usually assumes a standard-distance job. Anything beyond that — long travel times, multi-location days, awkward access or urban restrictions — justifies an uplift for time, fuel and vehicle wear.

Common logistical uplifts:

✓Extended mileage from the Owner’s base.
✓Multiple moves between unit base and set.
✓Low-loader or tow transport requirements.
✓City access, controlled zones or restricted parking.

The baseline trade rate does not include complex movement — each additional layer is costed independently.

5. Owner professionalism & expertise influence pricing

Experienced Owners — the ones who understand continuity, camera language, time pressure and set etiquette — command higher trade prices for good reason. Their reliability protects your shooting day.

Professional value included in the price:

✓Safe, consistent on-set operation.
✓Ability to collaborate with AD, camera & rigging teams.
✓Support with continuity resets between takes.
✓Clear communication during prep and shooting.

Trade prices reflect not just the asset, but the skill of the person who runs it.

6. The final quote isn’t arbitrary — it’s the trade price + your brief

Producers sometimes assume the trade price should match the full quote. But picture car work is entirely brief-dependent. Once usage, risk, logistics and timing are understood, Owners calculate the real job cost.

Final quote components:

✓Owner’s trade price (baseline).
✓Usage uplift (static, driving, FX, hero scenes).
✓Risk uplift (conditions, terrain, repetition).
✓Logistics uplift (travel, access, movement).

The trade price starts the conversation — your brief finishes it.