Holy crap, batman

[MikeV]

I was in Dodge City, Ks last week and while there I get a call at 5:00 am from the police where my car wash is ,(Seabrook, TX) They tell me someone has crashed into my car wash and they need someone out there ASAP. I call my partner and he goes to meet the police at the car wash. Turns out some kid...no drivers license, but has insurance...fell asleep at the wheel and wipes out 3 bays. They will need to be leveled and rebuilt. Hard to imagine how a kid in an SUV can do as much damage as he did. Destroyed the three walls from one end to the equipment room, roof sagging and opposite pillars cracked. What a mess!!!!

 

[cdreed06]

Gee whiz! Good luck!

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

That brings new meaning to "get the hell out of dodge"! OUCH!

 

[washme1]

Congratulations. You'll get a new building, reimbursement for lost business and new equipment, lighting, etc. plus some time off.

Be sure to claim additional loss if business takes time to recover after reopening.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I hope you called the media for free advertising, and to tell the story.

 

[CRHAMEL]

It always seems like whe you get out of town... S!@#$ always hits the fan....Almost... ALWAYS!!!

 

[DiamondWash]

Do you have any pictures to share?

 

[MikeV]

I do have some photos...on my iphone. Bill, is there a way I can maybe text message the pics to you and you can post them or do I need to download them and email them to you?
On the upside..washme1 is correct, I get to rebuild and do some upgrades. I would like to put in new meter boxes with bill acceptors, credit cards etc. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which is the best, easiest to get? I'm thinking maybe Ginsan might have something like that.. Any thoughts?

 

[pitzerwm]

Mike email them to me and I'll cut and paste them in.

 

[captain cw]

Lucky! I wish someone would give me a free re-model at my old wash. I'd look hard at Etowah Valley's meter boxes with the push buttons. I've been very happy with them.

 

[pitzerwm]

 

[MikeV]

Thanks for posting my photos, Bill. Meeting with the GC today to discuss specs and such.

 

[Eric H]

If you are going to totally replace those masonry walls I would highly recommend Royal building system. I have a wash built in 2004 that still looks great today.
I did have a high school kid come off of the main road and slam into the dumpster enclosure. Car was totaled (bent frame) and the RBS walls only had a few scratches.

 

[mjwalsh]

Lucky! I wish someone would give me a free re-model at my old wash. I'd look hard at Etowah Valley's meter boxes with the push buttons. I've been very happy with them.

Captain CW,

I can't really honestly say that we have ever had rotary switches long enough to do a fair comparison between them & vandal proof push buttons or a less vandal proof membrane switches. We are transitioning to vandal proof push buttons & led "on" feedback with the help of GinSan on our old non standard sized faceplates of the Specialty Equip touchpads. Before we went with Specialties Membranes Touchpads in 1987 we had two toggle switches with just off on & soap rinse wax.

Out of curiosity, other than being more customer friendly & allowing for larger individual decals ... do you notice other advantages over rotary switches? You seem to be an operator who has experience both so that is why I am asking. I guess it is related ... to MikeV's post because of the total rehab he needs.

mike

 

[MikeV]

Yes, we are looking at Nuform and Royal building systems for the walls. Also , looking at Ginsan meter boxes w/gs-400 timers, Mars $1 & 5 acceptors, Sensotron coin acceptors.
Doug made me an offer that is hard to refuse.

 

[MikeV]

Update. Royal Building Systems is now Nuform building..one and the same. The insurance adjuster turned down my GC's first bid and now wants to send out another GC. My guy was about $20,000.00 over her spec. I don't know where she got her information from, but I think she is lowballing me to save her company a few bucks. Anyhow...its just another delay. I'm ready to get started and get the thing rebuilt.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Hopefully their paying you for Business Interruption.
If so you might remind the insurance agent that every delay is going to be costing them in the long run.
Not all gen. contractors get the job done quickly or on time.

 

[MikeV]

After getting the contractor I wanted, and getting a few upgrades, we are now back in business...just in time for the Fall rush...I hope. Everything is working fine and you can't tell that there has ever been any damage to the building except that it looks a little newer. Had the whole place painted and refurbished.Thanks for your support.

 

[MikeV]

By the way...Insurance paid for it all and even paid for lost business based on last years numbers.

 

[DiamondWash]

Post some Pictures?