Georgia Self Serve- lower profits than expected

[Island_Landlord]

Purchased and renovated our site in coastal GA in June 2023. Operational since OCT 2023. 6 BAY self serve with cc readers.

I was surprised to see our best month ever doing around 5k.

We run facebook ads, do geo fencing ads, and are active on local FB groups. Have one competitor 2 miles away that has been there for 20 years.

Any advice on attracting new customers or marketing ideas?

 

[OurTown]

You stated low profits in the title so is the $5K per month profit or gross sales? What features/functions do you have? What are you charging? How well do you run your wash compared to the close competitor? Are you attended during busy times? Is it attractive from the street? Is it highly visible or hidden from traffic? We have found that online advertising for self serve doesn't pay off that well. If this was a closed location or you closed it during renovations then it will take time to get them back.

 

[water guy]

How long have you been in the business.

 

[Island_Landlord]

How long have you been in the business.

9 months so far

 

[Island_Landlord]

You stated low profits in the title so is the $5K per month profit or gross sales? What features/functions do you have? What are you charging? How well do you run your wash compared to the close competitor? Are you attended during busy times? Is it attractive from the street? Is it highly visible or hidden from traffic? We have found that online advertising for self serve doesn't pay off that well. If this was a closed location or you closed it during renovations then it will take time to get them back.

5k is gross each month. We have new 10 function ginsan panels and freshly painted building. No attendant all self serve. 25k traffic count but I need an idea to get people to turn theirs heads and look.

What have you had success with if not online adverts? I'd appreciate any wisdom you can provide!

 

[Earl Weiss]

Do you have: / offer:

1. Count up with Credit Cards?
2. Offer Superbays?
3. Bonus Time?
4. In Bay Dryers?
5. Grace Time?

 

[chaz]

What’s your pricing and time

 

[Island_Landlord]

What’s your pricing and time

$5 for 5 min

 

[Island_Landlord]

Do you have: / offer:

1. Count up with Credit Cards?
2. Offer Superbays?
3. Bonus Time?
4. In Bay Dryers?
5. Grace Time?

Definitely count up + CC

Is a super bay like a truck/boat bay branded with more pressure?

Whats bonus time?

No dryers and not sure what grace time is

 

[kentadel]

For us, switching from count up to 4 price selections resulted in card revenue increasing over 15%. Customers really like it. We recently raised these price points. New signage and adding new features, such as a foam gun may certainly help. Good luck!

 

[chaz]

$5 for 5 min

that’s not bad. I’m at $4/5min. My vac is $2/6min

 

[Island_Landlord]

that’s not bad. I’m at $4/5min. My vac is $2/6min

Our market is definitely higher priced than areas around us. Vacs are $2 for 4

 

[MudMoney]

Did you do a grand opening with free car washes ? Attended washes pay for themselves in the long game.It amazes me how often customers have questions or issues with a self serve wash and a part time attendent can resolve those issues. I use retired guys as attendent as they are more outgoing and personable.

 

[OurTown]

5k is gross each month. We have new 10 function ginsan panels and freshly painted building. No attendant all self serve. 25k traffic count but I need an idea to get people to turn theirs heads and look.

What have you had success with if not online adverts? I'd appreciate any wisdom you can provide!

Was this wash closed down? Keep it as clean as possible. Use chemicals that actually work well and learn how to check on that periodically. Check your water hardness and spot free TDS on a daily or weekly basis. Pump out the soap like mad. Make everything work as perfect as possible. Test every function in every bay and on combo vacs daily. Claim your business on Google and respond to every review or rating politely and genuinely. Make it stupid bright at night with no dark areas. Attend it during busy times. It puts a face to your business and people like the fact that issues can be taken care of immediately instead of later. Do you have a flat roof? If so rent a large inflatable to put up there and get some necks cranked your way. Considering 25K ADT, $1/minute and only bringing in $5K/month or less that is a pretty slow 6 bay.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Definitely count up + CC

Is a super bay like a truck/boat bay branded with more pressure?

Whats bonus time?

No dryers and not sure what grace time is

Superbay - more pressure with higher cost for start and cost per minute. You may be able to do it with a slightly larger pully and adjust the regulator.
If you use LED 7 you can give X time free with deposit of Y$ Only will work with cash, Function is already available in timer.
Grace time is timer will re start if time expires but additional $ - less than start amount is inserted within X time. Already available with LED 7 timers

 

[Dick Nitro]

Would you be opposed to sending a few pics of your facility as viewed from the road? How is your pavement and accessibility

do you have a large sign and with anything stating that you have card readers?

 

[Dan kamsickas]

I'll second posting some pictures. I'll bet we'll be able to point out some things you are either missing or don't think is a big deal.

 

[Keno]

$5 for 5 min

What price is your competitor at?

 

[Roz]

Do You have a website and FB page?

people look at websites. One page, easy to read, attractive to entice someone to try your place.

 

[Monte]

IMO....top revenue requires an attendant. Period. Customers become long-term loyal because a good solid personable human is there helping and checking on things. You will get a return on that labor expense.