Im tired

[getnbusy]

Been doin this over 20 years and the upgrades never end. Never. Sometimes i wonder if im in the carwash business or equipment and construction business. I hope the people that think the car wash business is easy and all you have to do is go get the quarters and fill up the soap tank read this. Wake me up in a few minutes im goin to take a nap

 

[Greg Pack]

A friend of mine that sold his car wash after ten years told me it was living in the movie groundhog day,

 

[CheetahExpress]

I started my carwash from the ground up at age 67, not knowing anything about the carwash business, being guided by those in the business for many years, reading everything I could, along with alot of knowledge gained from this forum. And I agree, it sure can feel like ground hog day every day, waking up thinking what's going to break today. Between wash equipment maintenance, pay station problems, stupid idiotic customers, and general site maintenance, it can drive you nuts. I sometimes say to myself, "What Were You Thinking?!" I am now 75 and intend to keep this wash until I am no longer physically or mentally able to manage it; at which time, it will be sold. It's what keeps me physically and mentally active. I would probably be bored to death without it.

 

[TMoliver]

Good for you . I am the same way as long as I am able I will be working around washes.

 

[ShinePro]

Kentucky works for me!

 

[Dan kamsickas]

Oh come on. You just show up and collect your wads of cash from the bill changer and buckets of quarters. I saw a guy on youtube so it must be true.

 

[washnshine]

Kentucky works for me!

Hey ShinePro - is that a setting on your meter box? Probably would be more popular than your graphene and ceramics!

 

[David Rolf]

In my case, it's been a blessing. Six years ago, I bought an old wash that was in bad shape. Since then, I've upgraded everything, revenue is up 125%, and now find myself all out of projects. I still have the Groundhog Day moments.... But it allowed me to retire from the corporate world of 35 years and I don't answer to anyone now or manage my old 16 people crew. I love this business.

 

[Jon]

I started my carwash from the ground up at age 67, not knowing anything about the carwash business, being guided by those in the business for many years, reading everything I could, along with alot of knowledge gained from this forum. And I agree, it sure can feel like ground hog day every day, waking up thinking what's going to break today. Between wash equipment maintenance, pay station problems, stupid idiotic customers, and general site maintenance, it can drive you nuts. I sometimes say to myself, "What Were You Thinking?!" I am now 75 and intend to keep this wash until I am no longer physically or mentally able to manage it; at which time, it will be sold. It's what keeps me physically and mentally active. I would probably be bored to death without it.

I love this

 

[Waxman]

I started my career in the car detailing business way back in the 80s. It was just part time then. I opened a freestanding shop in 1996 and was detailing full-time. It was so nice to have a warm building to wash the cars in finally after washing them by hand outdoors for the better part of a decade. My car wash was just a dream of mine until 2006 when I was able to build my current Location. For me the car wash industry still feels amazing to this day. It's so much easier than detailing even with all the repairs and the occasional grouchy customer. I used to have to scratch and claw to make money washing and detailing other peoples cars and now they pay me for them to wash their own car! How cool is that?

we still offer detailing but I have employees do most of it and it makes maybe 1/3 of what the car wash brings in.

 

[Randy]

We’ve been in the car wash business for 42 years. It used to be fun and enjoyable. Anymore it’s pure drudgery. The class of our customers has gotten to the point that they are mostly the scum of humanity. The theft, vandalism and the general disregard for the car wash property has pushed us over the edge. We are in maintenance mode and are no longer making any capital improvements. Tired yes, I’d have to say we are tired.

 

[kentadel]

34 years for me in the business. If it wasn't for the area we live in I too would likely be tired. While it has changed some, our customer base consists mostly of good, honest and loyal folks. Midwest values. I feel for owners like Randy where the demographics have changed. I would probably put my washes up for sale in that situation. I am to the age that if running the wash is not enjoyable I don't need to be doing it.

 

[Kimberly Berg]

After fixing up and running my SS car wash for 21 years, top-notch, I'm exhausted. I just signed the papers yesterday to sell to a local business family. They own a large gas station, express tunnel, mechanic shop, rental truck business. We met through our soap salesman and they run their business the same way I do (clean, quality & customer service)

When I started in 2003, I was so green, cute and positive! My husband and I had money and NO experience running a business or hands-on skills. The seller gave us 2 hours of training, a HUGE set of keys and then moved out of state. The learning curve was straight up! By true grit, fear of failure, tenacity and God's grace, we survived and thrived. I kept the car wash in our divorce, and over the past 12 years I worked hard to replace and improve everything (credit cards, payment app, new vacuums, in-bay dryers, LED lights, asphalt, electronic vendors, water softener, air compressor, etc). I vowed that if I ever became a negative, cynical owner - I would sell. 2024 was a very busy year and I realized I had lost my joy! I know running a car wash is a lot of work, but in addition to the normal wear and tear, credit card theft, unexpected repairs, it felt more intense this year. My well was running dry, and I was burning out...

1. I have become a product of my own success! My SS wash is open 24 hours and busier than ever - more trash, more wear and tear on the hoses and equipment. We're on-site about 30 hours a week to help customers, clean and make repairs, and direct traffic.
2. Poor customer support & declining quality. If I don't have the support from a vendor, how can I continue to offer a high-quality service to my customers? In the past 7 months, I was dealing with a growing pigeon population in my billboard (billboard was dragging their feet certifying a replacement pest control service), 8 of 10 motors on my new vacuums smoked, melted and burned up (bad motors, blame game), my huge logo sign was peeling (inferior vinyl, no customer service), trying to replace damaged metal building trim (5x company sent wrong trim).
3. Demanding customers. Just had a phone call last night at 8:30pm. Customer called mad that my new vacuums (with great suction), vacuumed up his truck keys. It was cold and raining outside. When I told him that I could meet him Saturday morning to retrieve them, he threatened to break into my new vacuums!
4. Hot summer. I believe that climate change is a real thing. Hot sun, hot asphalt. Heat increases the stress hormone (cortisol) in our bodies, leading to more rage and demanding customers. 5 months ago, a customer pulled a gun on another customer because he cut in line waiting for a SS wash bay. WTF!?

The good news is that all the issues were resolved, but the damage was done to me emotionally and physically. It was exhausting to have to document everything, threaten legal action, and stand firm. While I may feel intimidated, I always put on a strong face! After 21 years, running my car wash was no longer fun. I have found a great family to buy it and now I can relax and enjoy my life. I walk away with my head held high - no regrets, no remorse!

 

[Mr. Clean]

Been doin this over 20 years and the upgrades never end. Never. Sometimes i wonder if im in the carwash business or equipment and construction business. I hope the people that think the car wash business is easy and all you have to do is go get the quarters and fill up the soap tank read this. Wake me up in a few minutes im goin to take a nap

Had a just last week with a younger fellow interested in the car wash business. After finishing thawing frozen lines, I couldn't have been less enthusiastic about car washing. Also tired and looking to get out.

 

[Mr. Clean]

After fixing up and running my SS car wash for 21 years, top-notch, I'm exhausted. I just signed the papers yesterday to sell to a local business family. They own a large gas station, express tunnel, mechanic shop, rental truck business. We met through our soap salesman and they run their business the same way I do (clean, quality & customer service)

When I started in 2003, I was so green, cute and positive! My husband and I had money and NO experience running a business or hands-on skills. The seller gave us 2 hours of training, a HUGE set of keys and then moved out of state. The learning curve was straight up! By true grit, fear of failure, tenacity and God's grace, we survived and thrived. I kept the car wash in our divorce, and over the past 12 years I worked hard to replace and improve everything (credit cards, payment app, new vacuums, in-bay dryers, LED lights, asphalt, electronic vendors, water softener, air compressor, etc). I vowed that if I ever became a negative, cynical owner - I would sell. 2024 was a very busy year and I realized I had lost my joy! I know running a car wash is a lot of work, but in addition to the normal wear and tear, credit card theft, unexpected repairs, it felt more intense this year. My well was running dry, and I was burning out...

1. I have become a product of my own success! My SS wash is open 24 hours and busier than ever - more trash, more wear and tear on the hoses and equipment. We're on-site about 30 hours a week to help customers, clean and make repairs, and direct traffic.
2. Poor customer support & declining quality. If I don't have the support from a vendor, how can I continue to offer a high-quality service to my customers? In the past 7 months, I was dealing with a growing pigeon population in my billboard (billboard was dragging their feet certifying a replacement pest control service), 8 of 10 motors on my new vacuums smoked, melted and burned up (bad motors, blame game), my huge logo sign was peeling (inferior vinyl, no customer service), trying to replace damaged metal building trim (5x company sent wrong trim).
3. Demanding customers. Just had a phone call last night at 8:30pm. Customer called mad that my new vacuums (with great suction), vacuumed up his truck keys. It was cold and raining outside. When I told him that I could meet him Saturday morning to retrieve them, he threatened to break into my new vacuums!
4. Hot summer. I believe that climate change is a real thing. Hot sun, hot asphalt. Heat increases the stress hormone (cortisol) in our bodies, leading to more rage and demanding customers. 5 months ago, a customer pulled a gun on another customer because he cut in line waiting for a SS wash bay. WTF!?

The good news is that all the issues were resolved, but the damage was done to me emotionally and physically. It was exhausting to have to document everything, threaten legal action, and stand firm. While I may feel intimidated, I always put on a strong face! After 21 years, running my car wash was no longer fun. I have found a great family to buy it and now I can relax and enjoy my life. I walk away with my head held high - no regrets, no remorse!

Congratulations! Now on with enjoying life................

 

[Kimberly Berg]

If you're tired and looking to get out, I would do it sooner rather than later! By July 2024, I felt I was too tired to run my car wash and too tired to go through the long process of selling it. I hired a real estate friend, who recently sold his car wash to handle the deal. He received 15 NDAs and I gave 6 tours. I tried to be upbeat but realistic. If I had been negative, I would have lost $$. Foreign investors can smell desperation! Found a great guy through my soap salesman. I didn't want to wait till I was burned out to start the process! We listed the property in September (after busy summer). It took me 11 days to inventory all my equipment, vending, parts and fittings. The buyer was very thorough, hired an inspector to look at roof, drains, equipment and hired 3rd party to complete a 632-page environmental impact study. That's California for ya!

 

[David Rolf]

If you're tired and looking to get out, I would do it sooner rather than later! By July 2024, I felt I was too tired to run my car wash and too tired to go through the long process of selling it. I hired a real estate friend, who recently sold his car wash to handle the deal. He received 15 NDAs and I gave 6 tours. I tried to be upbeat but realistic. If I had been negative, I would have lost $$. Foreign investors can smell desperation! Found a great guy through my soap salesman. I didn't want to wait till I was burned out to start the process! We listed the property in September (after busy summer). It took me 11 days to inventory all my equipment, vending, parts and fittings. The buyer was very thorough, hired an inspector to look at roof, drains, equipment and hired 3rd party to complete a 632-page environmental impact study. That's California for ya!

I hope you stay on this page to spread your wisdom and positive thoughts, Kimberly. Good on you! congrats!

 

[washnshine]

I hope you stay on this page to spread your wisdom and positive thoughts, Kimberly. Good on you! congrats!

Yes - please stick around, Kimberly!

 

[Jaltavela]

I work in trucking, fright brokering to be exact. I sit in a comfortable chair in a warm office in front of a computer all day. Everyday has interesting challenges, and you deal with all walks of life, I've been doing it for 11 years and I hate it. I'm only 10 months in to owning car washes and I hate the days stuck at my day job wishing i was fixing broken machines instead. I think its all relative, too much time doing the same thing will drive you crazy. I actually enjoy the challenges of broken things, it gets me out of my desk chair and exercises my brain. I am younger, 38, and newer to this so i will say that my least favorite part is worrying about the weather and hoping that we make enough to make the loan payments, they say not to buy these places with too much debt but without a trust fund or a windfall its the only way for the next generation to get in to the business. I don't blame people for selling to the highest bidder but i still hate to hear its foreign money or private equity, i worry that my four year old daughter will one day live in a world where Blackrock controls all of the businesses and housing.

 

[mgmtoo]

Been doin this over 20 years and the upgrades never end. Never. Sometimes i wonder if im in the carwash business or equipment and construction business. I hope the people that think the car wash business is easy and all you have to do is go get the quarters and fill up the soap tank read this. Wake me up in a few minutes im goin to take a nap

I can certainly understand! i have a 5bay 1 auto in Tulsa, Ok. Bought as a retirement supplement , there is always something to do!
24/7. AND THE PEOPLE , CAN WE TALK!