Need to make a decision on bonus time

[slash007]

Now that I have bill acceptors in the bays, I have been considering offering bonus time when $5 or $10 bills are used but can't make my mind up. For it to be successful, people that would normally spend only $3-4 would spend $5 just because of the bonus time. On the other hand, I might be giving free time to people that would be paying $5 or more regardless. Currently my start time is $2 for 4 minutes. If I offered bonus time, I thought about making it $5 for 11 minutes and $10 for 22 minutes. I also thought about making it $5 for 12 minutes so that there is a little more incentive to use $5, but at that price I would be losing $1 for every customer that was going to pay for 12 minutes regardless. Currently the wash is busy and since raising prices about 2 weeks ago, I haven't really had any complaints and it hasn't slowed down one bit, so I'm not sure if I should even bother offering bonus time. There is always room to grow thought, so if offering it makes people spend more, then I'm willing to do it. I have read many threads about the topic, but figured I would start a new thread that might get some responses from people that have tried it both ways and would have a more current opinion.

If I do decide to add bonus time, I need to have a sign that promotes it the best way possible. Attached is a sign that I just had made up, but haven't approved yet. I think the text above the line is fine, but am wondering if I should keep the bottom as is, or maybe remove the part that says $2 = 4 minutes and just leave the $5 and $10 times so that the emphasis is on those.

Thoughts?

 

[mjwalsh]

Slash007,

It appears that in some of Tom Hoffman's posts he has used bonus time effectively. I agree "to the point" signage is important.

From our own experience, like on our coin op vacuums & laundromat dryers we give a slight bonus for using goldie dollar coins ... we honestly see a different mindset of "what are these" to "we need & want more of these" Bonus for cashless - CC usage like some advocate does not make sense in our specific area of the country in my opinion .... in light of significant cost from merchant fees etc than the slight increase in more utilities usage cost. A big conglomerate who also shares in the take of the merchant fees through partial ownership probably would have a different perspective though.

Just a thought ... if there is a transition of sorts at a car wash such as a customer no longer able to get ones from a bill breaker machine &/or ability to use ones in the car wash bill acceptors ... to take the edge off the change ... there could be a slight bonus for the five dollar bills. Hopefully, that would more than appease the goldie dollar coin haters. Knowing that some paper or metal tokens will be lost (to our net gain) could spur a consideration of a bonus at the time of purchase or at the time of usage it seems.

Accommodating the "i don't like to be interrupted" crowd ... it seems is also a factor with giving bonuses for larger bills.

mike walsh http://kingkoin.com/USA_Deficit_Reduction.html

 

[mjwalsh]

Just to add to previous post: We successfully use "non weekend" bonus time within our dog wash. That requires a wee bit more sophisticated control though.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Your sign requires me/customers to a) read the "fine print" then b) do math. Quick, tell me whick is a better deal:
$10 = 15 minutes! Bonus: $15 = 22 minutes!

I prefer a simpler approach, here's the bonus I give to encourage bill usage in my bays, it requires very little thought from my customers:

View attachment 453

I have the etowah valley timers, so when they put in a $5 bill the speaker announces "six dollars." I've had customers tell me they like using $6 bills at my carwash
FYI I get a higher ratio of $5 to $1 bills in the bays than I do in the bill changers.

 

[slash007]

With the price increase, more people are using about $5 to wash anyway. I am thinking about maybe only offering bonus time to those that spend $10? What do you guys think about that? Still can't decide if I want to publicize the $2 = minutes or just mention the higher prices and corresponding times.

 

[slash007]

Your sign requires me/customers to a) read the "fine print" then b) do math. Quick, tell me whick is a better deal:
$10 = 15 minutes! Bonus: $15 = 22 minutes!

I prefer a simpler approach, here's the bonus I give to encourage bill usage in my bays, it requires very little thought from my customers:

View attachment 453

I have the etowah valley timers, so when they put in a $5 bill the speaker announces "six dollars." I've had customers tell me they like using $6 bills at my carwash
FYI I get a higher ratio of $5 to $1 bills in the bays than I do in the bill changers.

You are right about simplicity. Since most people don't read signs, simple is always better. I don't mind the top of my sign, but the bottom is a little cluttered. I will think of a new design. Yours does look nice and to the point. I first need to decide if I want to offer bonus time to $5 and $10 users, only $10 users or no one.