Yes, the wash business is down. In some places, way down. But I tell you, I'm starting to feel pretty good. The main reason for this is reading the latest copy of Flying magazine. The people who actually create a very large number of jobs can not buy enough small jets fast enough. Virtually every manufacturer has deposits on three years worth of production. Think about that for a minute. These things start at about 2 million. Some go way, way up. There is simply no way that this many rich people would be buying these three years out, without a very healthy outlook on the economy. My company, relatively small by many standards, has used the slow economy to trim our overhead. Cut it nicely. We recently picked up the maintenance for every car rental company at our major airport because my competitors are cutting back on quality and service. It will take some time for this to translate into more washing their cars, but it will happen. Hang in there.
Why I see a light at the end of the tunnell
- Thread starter mac
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MEP001
Well-known member
It's the people who are preordering these $2 million planes that are partly responsible for the economy. They're making millions on oil, sending jobs overseas to save money, and getting paid obscene salaries for making these decisions.
bigleo48
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Mac,
If it were that easy. First...who exactly is buying the jets? Are they destined for US customers or overseas? You're indicator is only one small one in a million. If I was wrong, then every trader on the planet would be looking at jet orders as a somewhat clear indicator of the economy's direction.
Perhaps it's the opposite as many of the jet set types are could be fed up with the complete basket case called the American airline industry.
BigLeo
If it were that easy. First...who exactly is buying the jets? Are they destined for US customers or overseas? You're indicator is only one small one in a million. If I was wrong, then every trader on the planet would be looking at jet orders as a somewhat clear indicator of the economy's direction.
Perhaps it's the opposite as many of the jet set types are could be fed up with the complete basket case called the American airline industry.
BigLeo
Earl Weiss
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Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train heading toward you.
While it's true, this is only one indicator, IMO, I think it's an important one. I have been heavily involved in aviation for many years. I use my car wash profits to subsidize it. I suspect that most people not familiar with this market, which is most people, think only Paris Hilton and the like use these. Most of these orders are from businesspeople who use them in their work. It's a powerful tool. The jet market also pushes the turboprop and piston market, and those are healthy. I use a small Mooney to travel around Florida. The original founder of Ryko, Larry Klein, used a twin a lot. There are many others. This is not the evil rich doing this. These are hard nosed business people who recognize opportunity. Sorry, but I'm optimistic.
Waxman
Super Moderator
I'm optimistic, too.
Mainly because it's my nature and I've only gotten positive results from optimism and never from pessimism!
However, I'm also optimistic based on my detail shop numbers; net up almost 30% over same period 2007.
Mainly because it's my nature and I've only gotten positive results from optimism and never from pessimism!
However, I'm also optimistic based on my detail shop numbers; net up almost 30% over same period 2007.
PaulLovesJamie
rural 5 bay SS
Me, I try to ride the third rail & be a realist - try to see whats coming, not what I want to happen or what I fear will happen. Be confident in my decisions, then work toward the best and be happy with wherever I land.
In bad economic times its wise to invest in assets that will provide a competitive advantage. The jet orders could indicate that they think things are going to get worse.
Be interesting to hear from a few of the folks who did order a jet, I'd like to hear their reason why.
In bad economic times its wise to invest in assets that will provide a competitive advantage. The jet orders could indicate that they think things are going to get worse.
Be interesting to hear from a few of the folks who did order a jet, I'd like to hear their reason why.
JMMUSTANG
car wash owner
mac, you have profits?
Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
As Earl said that light might be a train. I sell car washes to people that buy Winnebagos, not business class jets. Look at Winnebago sales.
pitzerwm
Active member
I think that you make your own luck. If you think things are going to hell, then they will. When you are an optimist, good things will happen for you. IMO this happens because the optimist keeps adjusting his decisions to deal with reality, the pessimist doesn't adjust his decisions because he knows that all is going to hell and he has no control over it.
Personally, I'm thinking that the radical Muslims or Obama if elected will blow up the planet soon, but in case I'm wrong I'm still making decisions that will save me if that doesn't happen.
I watched the CEO of a private jet company and he was saying that many of the rich are downgrading there choices here, but the foreigners are paying a $10M premium for the high end jets rather than wait for the next newer one. I was also watching a segment that showed how for the casual driver buying a highly discounted SUV made more sense than a compact car.
I think that the bottom line is that if you stay in control with your thinking and your decisions, you will be ok, those who assume that the sky is falling will also be right. The sky will fall in their world.
Personally, I'm thinking that the radical Muslims or Obama if elected will blow up the planet soon, but in case I'm wrong I'm still making decisions that will save me if that doesn't happen.
I watched the CEO of a private jet company and he was saying that many of the rich are downgrading there choices here, but the foreigners are paying a $10M premium for the high end jets rather than wait for the next newer one. I was also watching a segment that showed how for the casual driver buying a highly discounted SUV made more sense than a compact car.
I think that the bottom line is that if you stay in control with your thinking and your decisions, you will be ok, those who assume that the sky is falling will also be right. The sky will fall in their world.
I am seeing more good signs. It is definitely not anywhere close to universal, but they are there and increasing. Today a barrel of crude is hovering around $114, and gas is down 0.50 a gallon here from its high. I am still getting requests for quotes on new systems. And, believe it or not, I saw the first help wanted ad on a service truck just this morning.
Red Baron
Active member
Hey Mac, that Cirrus on the cover is sexy, no?
I've noticed the same thing you have. The new VLJ (very light jet) market is booming, and I think part of the reason is that these new jets actually get better fuel economy than many piston twins. And, you know how pilots think, it isn't much of a sell to get a Baron driver to trade up to a Cessna Mustang jet.
I've noticed the same thing you have. The new VLJ (very light jet) market is booming, and I think part of the reason is that these new jets actually get better fuel economy than many piston twins. And, you know how pilots think, it isn't much of a sell to get a Baron driver to trade up to a Cessna Mustang jet.
The Cirrus is a marvelous machine. They really hit the design well. And a lot of them are being flown in the IFR system, on business would be my guess. I think it's a safe bet that every Fortune 500 company uses their own aircraft to get around. A lot of the new very light jets and turboprops are designed as single pilot capable. I suspect most of these will be used for their owners to expand the business. I know my little Mooney has made sales that I would otherwise not have got. Also on the radio today I heard about all the new millionaires in Wyoming from the Bakken oil field. The regular stores there can not find labor to staff them.
Red Baron
Active member
Yeah and that new synthetic GPS/horizon equipment is going to make IFR flying a LOT easier, imo. I suspect it will also cause more VFR pilots to be more inclined to venture into the soup.
My dad will tell the story to anyone who will listen about how he still has my drawings for a parachute system to bring down trouble airplanes. I was testing it on models that I threw off the roof, and had plans to build an RC version to show to the folks at Cessna, where a servo would let a wing come off, then another would deploy the chute. BRS beat me to the punch.
Whale of a Wash
5 Washes 36Bays 2Vectors
The Bakken is in our state of ND. The oil is fairly difficult to extract, but with new techniques it is getting better. Our state has a $1.2 Billion surplus of money our two democratic Senators are trying to waste. Alot of $$ due to Oil taxes. I live almost 400mi from the Bakken area, so haven't seen it. Our economy is Fairly strong, our locals are buying Big Planes. Our GA Fargo Jet Center Just did a $2m Facelift. We are a Fuel stop for alot of Privates- Midway for NY-LA. I have seen numerous stars out there. Trying to rent a plane is difficult, as so many are learning to Fly. 80mi to the North is Grand forks, UND flying School they have so many Chinese Taking lessons, The radio sounds like all Chinese when flying in this area. The economy looks good from here,
The Garmin synthetic vision is like magic. Maule is even now installing an infrared heads up display in their new planes that sees in the dark, rain, and any conditions. It will even show you that deer at midfield at night. We are truely living in wonderful times. And the best part is, some of this is affordable to us piston crowd. It drives me to sell more, which supports the people that I employ.
pitzerwm
Active member
Seeing that deer at night hopefully is only needed around Xmas, so you don't hit Santa?
