Self Service Vac Price Increase

[dewey9876]

We are a exterior car wash with express and full service detailing. We have 6 self service vacuums. They had been $1.00 for 4Min for about 15 years. The vacs were getting tired so we bought brand new Vacs with 3 motors instead of 2 and got new electronic coin mechs and dollar bill acceptors. We increased the price to $2.00 to start for 5 Min 20 sec. We were nervous about the price increase but have been very happy with the results. We have doubled our monthly vac income! This has only been for 2 months so far but we are very happy. What else hasn't seen a price increase in 15 years! Some people want to give away vacs giving away money in my eyes!

Just thought I would share

 

[Whale of a Wash]

It is so refreshing to hear someone in wash business, not wanting to be cheaper than everyone else. Nothing wrong with making money.

 

[Rudy]

Last summer I went from $1 to $1.50 for 4 minutes. Three or four people grumbled but that was it. It had been 15 years at the old price......yet electricity was going up every year, and trash removal tripled over that time.

 

[dogwasher]

Your lucky your location isn't in the Chicago suburbs...you would have to lower your price to $3.00 for a car wash and give away free vacs just to get on the playing field, I'm still trying to figure out if we can all come together and raise the bar but its not looking so good!

 

[dewey9876]

Your lucky your location isn't in the Chicago suburbs...you would have to lower your price to $3.00 for a car wash and give away free vacs just to get on the playing field, I'm still trying to figure out if we can all come together and raise the bar but its not looking so good!

I understand what your saying, but not every restaurant charges .99 for a hamburger just because McDonald's does.

 

[dogwasher]

I understand what your saying, but not every restaurant charges .99 for a hamburger just because McDonald's does.

Yes Dewey but when they charge .99 for the hamburger they are bound to take some of your business away.

 

[Waxman]

We are all in this business to make money. Price increases should be a regular part of our business. Why? Because our own costs also increase at regular intervals and it is only common sense and 'business 097' that increased costs must be absorbed somewhere if healthy (or any) profit margins are to be maintained.

I personally do not concern myself with too many 'what if' scenarios when implementing a price increase. Rather, I increase when I feel it is necessary to the financial well-being of my business.

We all need sales. Perhaps my competitive landscape is different from others. But in carwashing, no one benefits from a price war in the short term, IMO.

I say keep prices where you need to in order to maintain a profit level and cash flow that allow you to keep things properly maintained, updated, fresh, and in working order. This should include proper staffing at the wash where applicable.

But what do I know? I'm just a rookie here.