Controversial Vending Items!!!

[Waxman]

There are certain products that have an element of embarrassment/shame when purchased from a store clerk/cashier. Condoms are one. There are others. I know what they are as well as you do so there's no need to elaborate on 'this and that'.

Judgements aside, there seems to be alot of profit potential hiding within this added convenience of vending certain items without the requirement of human interaction.

So should a carwash operator sell such items in his/her vending machine? Why/why not?

 

[bigleo48]

Waxman,

That's an interesting idea and I do agree. I remember a guy who wanted to get into the DVD vending business. It seems that porn was the major driver of that business. He never did do it as I believe the internet killed that idea.

The first thing that came to my mind was condoms...but I can't think of anything else really.

BigLeo

 

[washboy]

I have always been affraid of the customers I might upset. All my friends would love for me to have a bikini wash.

 

[rph9168]

I guess it might depend on your customer base. I think it might offend some people. Some operators have found condoms in their bays or trash. I guess that would just make it more convenient for those people. How about mood lights and soft music in the bays to create a better atmosphere.

 

[washboy]

We might be on to something. I would be able to raise price per bay.

 

[pitzerwm]

In some states you can not vend condoms outside a drug store or a bar bathroom, I know beyond stupid, but you need to check.

Also, I remember in the early 90s or late 80s, a car wash in Chicago brought up the idea and you would have thought he was running a whorehouse in the ER. It amuzed the hell out of me, listening to other carwashers bad mouthing him.

 

[washboy]

I have always thought the best idea would be to have a wash, laundry, and sports bar. Sunday afternoon(would be busy) Honey I am going to wash the car and do the laundry be back in a few hours, you don't mind watching the kids.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Several years ago I asked where to buy those air fresheners of bikini clad sexy girls. You would have thought I was Larry Flynt. Anyway, I finally found them and sell the heck out of them. I see them hanging on mirrors all over town and not one peep from anyone in years of selling them.

BTW, I sell the "hunky" guys also, but not nearly as many.

 

[Waxman]

Well, let's face it; selling condoms doesn't promote sex; it promotes safe sex. Anyone with half a brain knows this.

It may offend some and seem in poor taste to others. The margins could be great!

 

[Red Baron]

I can remember the sermon my dad gave to my brothers (half of them smoke) and me when we went to work for him 29 years ago:
You aren't going to smoke when we're on the customer's property. If he doesn't smoke and he sees you smoking, he might get offended. If he smokes, the fact that you aren't smoking on the job won't offend him.

In that, I wouldn't take the chance of offending any customers by selling condoms for what seems like a small profit boost.

 

[Randy]

I have a customer in Connecticut who tried selling Condoms in his venders. He thought it would be a big seller. Turn out to be a big loser. He's sold less than 50 in two years.

A couple of years ago my wife suggested we sell the Bikini Girl Air fresheners from Kleen-Rite. They sell real well.

 

[JustClean]

I sell condoms and don't have a problem with it. Why?
They sell - but nothing to rave about. However, one morning I got to the wash and 3/4 of them had gone. Must have been a big night...

And off topic I still don't get it why it is politically correct to show somebody on TV being killed, tortured or pulled apart (CSI) but a couple having sex is offending?

 

[rph9168]

I am not sure I understand the analogy but doesn't one smoke AFTER they use the condom?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

doesn't one smoke AFTER they use the condom?

If that's the result they should probably be buying the lubricated ones.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I have always been affraid of the customers I might upset. All my friends would love for me to have a bikini wash.

Thought of having a Bikini wash. I know it would generate a lot of publicity.

When it opened I would have a bunch of empty Bikinis hanging around. Maybe an initial curtain of Bikinis. (If neeeded i would clue the local regulators to the plan to facilitate getting approved.)

 

[pitzerwm]

I found that 60% of my customers were women, so changed my Male oriented ideas.

 

[BillClinton]

I always heard that I shouldn't vend anything that I didn't want to pick up off the lot after it has been used.

 

[JJJakubowski]

Is it safe ... in more than one way?

I've had Aussie SS operators tell me that vending condoms is an SOP thru out Australia and that condoms are among their most popular vended items.

In this country, about 10 years ago, a SS operator out west sent me a copy of the mini flyer that he had printed and had put on windshields ... mostly targeting the high school parking lot down the block from his wash.

I cannot remember the verbiage, but I do recall that it was rather provocative ... altho' tongue in cheek. He caught surprisingly little flack for his aggressive little promo. And "rubbers" (do the kids call 'em that anymore?) ended up being one of his most sold items. (Now I gotta dig thru the archives to see if I can find a copy of that flyer.)

BTW and not to preach, BUT: condoms do NOT make sex SAFE. Given the failure rate (what is it --- 5% or 10%?) and that STD's migrate in a variety of ways: condoms only make casual "hook ups" less dangerous.

JJJ/SSCWN

 

[washboy]

The failure rate on Randy's 2 year old rubbers can't be good. I also am finding the most of my customers are women. I could save money and go wash the cars with a speedo but I don't think I would even go to that was. My toes haven't seen the sun in years on account of my dickydo.

 

[JJJakubowski]

Well, I was digging thru the archives looking for materials for the 2nd installment of my "SS Marketing" article, and, sunnuvvagun --- I found that "provocative" flyer that I mentioned above.

Personally (and I guess I'm showing my age and old school sensitivities), I think it "pushes the envelope" a bit much. Then again, the nearby high school officials pretty much condoned this condom promo that was plastered on every windshield in the school parking lot. Then again, again and pardon the preachment --- but maybe that response (or lack thereof) is a wee symptom of "what's wrong" nowadays.

JJJ/SSCWN