Grace for Vets

[Earl Weiss]

Great idea to give vets a free wash 11/11 and active duty personnel as well.

Is there a way to monitor the veracity of the customer (ID card or something they would have), and how about employee accountability. For example 100 vets / active duty personnel come (out of 250 washes,) and at the end of the day the employee says 150 of the car count were vets / active duty.

Monitoring Accounting solutions?

Or just say the heck with it. Whatever it is, it is.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I plan on the same. I wouldn't ask for "papers please". Not sure about your area, but I would think my area would have a minimum of losers that lie about military service.

 

[Ric]

We take their word for it and wash the car. Maybe some slip through but it's worth it when they show up in uniform, give you their story and you get their picture. These folks are deserving of this and are very appreciative of it. We started doing this many years ago...before the Grace For Vets program was organized.

 

[Jeff_L]

Personally I wouldn't ask for ID/papers, just ask "Are you a vet? Thank you for your service, enjoy the wash." Yes, some will lie, they can answer to someone higher up later. I would like to think most would tell the truth.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

In my area I dont believe anybody would lie about military service. When they show me ID I look at it to be polite and tell them "I dont require any ID, I trust you." They usually appreciate that.

As for employees fudging the numbers, sorry, I dont have an answer for that. But to be honest, if I had employees that I was concerned they might be stealing from me by cheating on free washes for vets, I'd find new employees. I know, not that easy. Just sayin.

 

[washnvac]

Most that come to my washes already have their id out; they want us to know what branch they were in and they want to tell you a story. Great stuff, for sure!

 

[Randy]

We have close to 35,000 active duty military personnel in our area and just about every other person is a veteran. We don’t ask anyone for any kind of proof that they are active duty, retired or if they are a veteran. On November 11th it’s free day for everyone. I wonder how many members of this forum are veterans.

 

[Dcalhoun]

I love the idea and have been a little gun shy on pulling the trigger. (Sorry for the puns) My concern is that our IBA is only manned during normal business hours but is open 24/7. I have been concerned about only being able to give the washes during the time it is manned. Am I being overly cautious in worrying about making an offer with limited opportunity to take advantage of it? The caissons go rolling along....

 

[Waxman]

I love the idea and have been a little gun shy on pulling the trigger. (Sorry for the puns) My concern is that our IBA is only manned during normal business hours but is open 24/7. I have been concerned about only being able to give the washes during the time it is manned. Am I being overly cautious in worrying about making an offer with limited opportunity to take advantage of it? The caissons go rolling along....

Yes you are over-thinking it. It's your promotion to do (or not do) as you please. I run my grace for vets from 9am-3pm. That's what I feel comfortable committing to, so that's what I do. This is America. You run your business the way you see fit.

 

[washnvac]

I do the same as waxman. 9-3 where I can keep them manned. If someone comes by, and can not wait, we give them a coupon for later. A lot of these guys are going to ceremonies, and if we have a long line they can not wait. So they get their free wash either way.

 

[Ric]

I do the same as waxman. 9-3 where I can keep them manned. If someone comes by, and can not wait, we give them a coupon for later. A lot of these guys are going to ceremonies, and if we have a long line they can not wait. So they get their free wash either way.

That is what we do at our iba's also.

 

[mmurra]

We have been doing this for fifteen years or more. We take their word and I have them sign in with a phone number. More in providing a control from an internal security standpoint. Mark

 

[Dcalhoun]

I do the same as waxman. 9-3 where I can keep them manned. If someone comes by, and can not wait, we give them a coupon for later. A lot of these guys are going to ceremonies, and if we have a long line they can not wait. So they get their free wash either way.

I like the idea of the coupon. Thanks guys for helping me to understand to just follow my gut and not overthink it!