Has anyone given this any or much thought? Instead of having 3 or 4 different wash packages why not just have one wash package and one price. Costco here does it that way here and they are busy all day long. They only take credit cards, no cash and the sales tax is included in the price.
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One price Inbay Automatic
- Thread starter Randy
- Start date
Eric H
Well-known member
Thought about doing this with a tunnel I wanted to buy. I was going to price it at $10. Owner wanted too much money for the property.
My thought is that we have to give a certain amount to get what I consider a "clean car". That means: undercarriage, enough presoak to clean, and a premium wax/sealant to make the car shine, and a dryer. How many applications of wax/sealant, triple foam and total body protectant can you apply before the point of diminishing returns. We sell multiple applications of sealants because the customer wants it and is willing to pay for it. I'm not sure the customer needs all of the extra stuff but if they want it to feel good then it makes me feel good to sell it to them.
My thought is that we have to give a certain amount to get what I consider a "clean car". That means: undercarriage, enough presoak to clean, and a premium wax/sealant to make the car shine, and a dryer. How many applications of wax/sealant, triple foam and total body protectant can you apply before the point of diminishing returns. We sell multiple applications of sealants because the customer wants it and is willing to pay for it. I'm not sure the customer needs all of the extra stuff but if they want it to feel good then it makes me feel good to sell it to them.
Earl Weiss
Well-known member
There was a frequent poster (Chiefs) I think who initially had one price I think and then added a few extras.
I not positive but I think Chiefs was in Kansas City
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
Pretty sure Chief's was in Cleveland.
6t7gto
Member
Chief’s Auto Wash
4345 Monticello Blvd @ Green Rd.
South Euclid OH 44121
At Chief’s, EVERY CUSTOMER receives our ”Works” wash each and every time, they wash. No games to play, no “good, better, best” packages to choose from and No pushy salesperson!
But the OP did ask about an in bay. Chief's is a tunnel.
Sorry about that
4345 Monticello Blvd @ Green Rd.
South Euclid OH 44121
At Chief’s, EVERY CUSTOMER receives our ”Works” wash each and every time, they wash. No games to play, no “good, better, best” packages to choose from and No pushy salesperson!
But the OP did ask about an in bay. Chief's is a tunnel.
Sorry about that
Ontario Car Wash
Member
Ive thought of it
currently i run
$5 splash n dash special soap and dble rinse
$8 classic - undercarriage, soap, wax, hp rinse spot free no dryer
$10 supreme - above with two step presoak and dryer added
$12 deluxe - above with triple foam and a hp rinse first
no one ever uses the $8 and the one customer a month that does cry's why the dryer didnt come on
its funny but they choose the $5 or the $12 never the $10 or the $8
so i was going to change it to
$5 monthly special
and $10 deluxe
plus it keeps em moving instead of starring at the menu
currently i run
$5 splash n dash special soap and dble rinse
$8 classic - undercarriage, soap, wax, hp rinse spot free no dryer
$10 supreme - above with two step presoak and dryer added
$12 deluxe - above with triple foam and a hp rinse first
no one ever uses the $8 and the one customer a month that does cry's why the dryer didnt come on
its funny but they choose the $5 or the $12 never the $10 or the $8
so i was going to change it to
$5 monthly special
and $10 deluxe
plus it keeps em moving instead of starring at the menu
chaz
Active member
My thought, drop the $5. The name makes it sound cheap and it is cheap. Your $8 would increase in sales as well as your bottom line. I still offer 4 washes, though I'm considering dropping my basic wash as I call it, (undercarriage, 1 pass soap, clearcoat and spot free) its my only no dry option, good for the (considerate) truck driver with junk in the back. My basic is $8 then 10, 11, and 13
Yep your right
chaz
Active member
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
I'm pretty sure he's the same guy that wouldn't wash an open bed pick-up. I'm not sure if I would be lining up to copy his business model.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Costco sells gasoline and carwash under its membership-only warehouse umbrella.
This means low-price, limited-selection retail items are offered next to cheap bulk goods.
For example, toiler paper next to TV. At certain locations, it’s one price carwash next to Costco gasoline.
Premise of bulk goods is volume. In-bay isn’t designed for volume.
Bill Consolo’s one-price strategy worked for him because 1) his market and 2) volume.
He operated a tunnel.
Costco operates tunnel. Seven days a week, rain or shine, 7 am till 8 pm or so. Price about $7.00.
How much would volume increase if an in-bay carwash operator would change from 4 tier pricing scheme and average sales of $10.00 to one price wash of $7.00?
I don’t think the operator would be happy with outcome.
This means low-price, limited-selection retail items are offered next to cheap bulk goods.
For example, toiler paper next to TV. At certain locations, it’s one price carwash next to Costco gasoline.
Premise of bulk goods is volume. In-bay isn’t designed for volume.
Bill Consolo’s one-price strategy worked for him because 1) his market and 2) volume.
He operated a tunnel.
Costco operates tunnel. Seven days a week, rain or shine, 7 am till 8 pm or so. Price about $7.00.
How much would volume increase if an in-bay carwash operator would change from 4 tier pricing scheme and average sales of $10.00 to one price wash of $7.00?
I don’t think the operator would be happy with outcome.
Fatboy769
Living the American Dream
Robert, if you have an average sales of $10 with a 4 tier pricing scheme and you decided to go to a one price wash, why would you only charge $7.00?
Fatboy769
Living the American Dream
Chaz, can you get a dirty car clean with this wash?
Earl Weiss
Well-known member
As Robert said. "I don’t think the operator would be happy with outcome." But, you never know. There is a reason many Tunnels have gone from multiple platforms, EE and FS with prices starting at $6.99 and higher to $3-$4. Start. They may have washed 40,000 at an average of $12.00 but are now washing $140,000 at an average of $4 or more. For an IBA could you go from 4000 at $10.00 to 8000 at $7.00. What is the cost per car?
Fatboy769
Living the American Dream
Earl, I agree with what you are saying, I guess I missed Robert's point. There is no comparison between IBA and Tunnel, because the volume of cars that can be washed is so much greater in a Tunnel. I would just think if you are averaging $10.00 with 4 tier wash in an IBA and you wanted to go to one price wash, you would give them the best wash for $10.00. May or may not work.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Main reason is a $10.00 price may chase away people who buy $5.00 wash regardless of how much value-added is rolled up into the one price wash. Conversely, people who buy $13.00 wash may visit more frequently at $10.00 price.
To calculate if one price makes sense requires information about beforehand and proposed.
What is current sales mix (take rate) and COG for each wash package? COG needs to include credit card fees, chemical, utilities, and equipment maintenance. In addition, assumptions are needed for volume, capacity, pricing, and product recipe.
Moreover, there is market consideration. In Albany FS is $30.00, Clearwater, FL. $15.00.
Again, principal constraint for in-bay, one price, is physical - time on the machine.
Here, price can’t be so low that increased hourly demand leads to excessively long waiting line and long average waiting times.
If bottlenecks occur frequently, total volume will be affected.
