Cost

[DAWGWASH]

I have MonexGroup for my CC. It’s been a nightmare with them. (Thought about switching to nayax) I paid for them to install and one of my bays has been down ever since. I email and call each week and get ignored. I did see the revenue go up as ppl like the count up. They use as much as they need without worry. They don’t like the $15 hold but it goes back in a day or two. I would like new meter boxes but can’t afford them at the moment. I couldn’t get any loans and have used my retirement for all of this.

I love cryptopay for the credit cards. Easy install. I’ve had it for about 3-4 years no issues whatsoever. Young people don’t carry cash. I still do a lot of Q business but more & more people are using credit cards especially on IBA and it will bleed over to the SS side as time goes on. And with the CC in the SS set a minimum credit card amount $3,$4,$5 whatever you want. Usually the the CC users have no cash and aren’t as worried about the price. Get local sign guy to re decal meters & vacs all new signage it’s not that expensive
Like everyone said you just have to go up. Everybody already expects it. JUST DO IT

 

[Monte]

Adding a thought I haven't heard here yet...last couple years I got all my SS bays from $.75/minute to $1/minute....but I left the $3 to start alone. I put up bold simple sign at each coin box showing the start price and rate. We have had very little kick back....because we kept equipment perfect, functions working and lots of product BEFORE the increase. If they love the wash...they will accept increases...PERIOD

 

[cbchevy4x4]

This is a great discussion and very relevant to my monthly/weekly/daily thoughts on how to improve my wash.

For context, I took it over last year and have spent a significant amount of money to upgrade it. When I took over it was your typical, barely functioning self-serve wash with original coin boxes, 6-switch rotary with only 3 in use (high-pressure rinse, soap brush and "spot-free").

Since taking over, I've added new coin boxes, monex CC (and @Rooster’s Car Wash I've had the same headaches with them re: poor wifi connection, end button issues on count up, etc...I think we're in a better spot now), multiple new features including tire cleaner, pre-soak, high pressure soap/water, wax, true spot free, and air dryer. The response once I put them in was almost immediate, my revenue immediately ticked up both due to people coming back and improved CC revenue. My revenue was up 150% from Dec. to May (not sure what ya'll typically see). But it's kind of flat-lined, and I'm trying to decide what to do.

My pricing is higher than competitors (and I have three self-serve within a 2-3 mile radius). I'm currently at $1 for 1:30. Competitors by me are $1 for 2 min and $1.50 for 4 min.

My wash is definitely better than all of theirs, but unsure how much volume I miss out on due to pricing. Any thoughts from the group? Better to stay somewhat "premium" in my pricing due to value provided, or do people not care and try to match competitor pricing to get more volume. I know I'd take a hit by adding more time in the short-term, but in the long-term will it drive more loyalty and revenue. Appreciate any thoughts.

I always try to keep my washes priced higher than any others in the surrounding areas for 2 reason:

1st i keep my equipment well maintained with more functions than any others. I keep the facilities cleaned very well
2nd i am after the higher end customers, even though it is self serve there are levels of customers within the business model. Id much rather be priced higher and let the rift raft go to the competitor and trash their facilities and break their stuff.

The volume increase you gain, by pricing your self at or below the competition, will come with a higher expense/time ratio due to the type of customers you attract with the "volume pricing."
To verify this, a wash i took over last April was one of the lowest priced in the area. Immediately after taking over and putting in some quick upgrades i increased the pricing to my other washes level, about 6 months later the owner of the nearest wash told me he was having the most trouble he had ever had at his location in 20 years with trash being dumped, break ins etc. Needless to say i did not mention how i had vetted my customer base by simply increasing my prices.

 

[danmonex]

I have MonexGroup for my CC. It’s been a nightmare with them. (Thought about switching to nayax) I paid for them to install and one of my bays has been down ever since. I email and call each week and get ignored. I did see the revenue go up as ppl like the count up. They use as much as they need without worry. They don’t like the $15 hold but it goes back in a day or two. I would like new meter boxes but can’t afford them at the moment. I couldn’t get any loans and have used my retirement for all of this.

Hello!
I'm Daniela from MONEXgroup. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I just came across your post and want to help. Could you please provide your MONEX account number? Someone will call you right away to resolve this.

 

[edredtop]

I always try to keep my washes priced higher than any others in the surrounding areas for 2 reason:

1st i keep my equipment well maintained with more functions than any others. I keep the facilities cleaned very well
2nd i am after the higher end customers, even though it is self serve there are levels of customers within the business model. Id much rather be priced higher and let the rift raft go to the competitor and trash their facilities and break their stuff.

The volume increase you gain, by pricing your self at or below the competition, will come with a higher expense/time ratio due to the type of customers you attract with the "volume pricing."
To verify this, a wash i took over last April was one of the lowest priced in the area. Immediately after taking over and putting in some quick upgrades i increased the pricing to my other washes level, about 6 months later the owner of the nearest wash told me he was having the most trouble he had ever had at his location in 20 years with trash being dumped, break ins etc. Needless to say i did not mention how i had vetted my customer base by simply increasing my prices.

Yup!
Spot on, CB.
When I was a $1 car wash I would get the drywallers, carpenters, and trailers back from the local dump covered in mud and they would put one dollar in and trash the bay by blowing all of the debris out of the back of the bed. I now have the highest price in our city (18 seconds per/quarter and dropping) and start up price @ $5.00. When I get to where Monte is I will no longer think in the dated terms of seconds per quarter but seconds per dollar. Same with vending, no more quarters. If a price increase is needed, I now double the item on the shelf and go to the next dollar, two air fresheners for $3 for example, instead of dealing with a $1.25 price point for one.
It's the same thinking as to where you buy your gas, do you want the lowest price possible and rub elbows with the rough crowd, their loud music, profanity, and graffiti, or do you pay 10 cents more a gallon to avoid all of that (3 bucks more for 30 gallons) and have a better experience.

 

[Waxman]

I think most operators will agree that keeping the car wash clean and highly functioning with good amounts of product dispensed is the way to go. You can do improvements as money allows, which is what I have done. I definitely charge a premium price for my car wash. I am a dollar per minute with a five dollar start up. The same for credit as cash. I'm A capitalist and I'm in business to make money not to be a charity or helping people save money because inflation is so high etc. etc. I make charitable donations to causes of my choosing but that is separate from what I do as a business. The profits from the Business or what allow me to be charitable and allow me to continue offering a high-quality car wash experience for the customer.

 

[Bodhi]

I've basically been a garbage collector for 25 years. Part of the business. Keep it clean, no vending, credit cards only. Still have to work 365, you can't hire anyone to do the job I'm doing every day if you want to make a profit. I'm at $6 for wash and $3 for vacs.

 

[Keno]

I've basically been a garbage collector for 25 years. Part of the business. Keep it clean, no vending, credit cards only. Still have to work 365, you can't hire anyone to do the job I'm doing every day if you want to make a profit. I'm at $6 for wash and $3 for vacs.

What you are describing is a job, not a business

 

[Bodhi]

If you are the owner/operator, which I am, what is the difference?

 

[Keno]

If you are the owner/operator, which I am, what is the difference?

The difference is not having to work 365 and the wash ruling your life

 

[soonermajic]

I've basically been a garbage collector for 25 years. Part of the business. Keep it clean, no vending, credit cards only. Still have to work 365, you can't hire anyone to do the job I'm doing every day if you want to make a profit. I'm at $6 for wash and $3 for vacs.

$6 a wash & $3 Vacs you should be killing it! We just went up to $2 SS & $1.50 Vacs, & are doing really good. Wish you could find a good cleanup guy. I go by after Church on Sundays, for 20 minutes, collect my money , pay y cleanup guy & leave.