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$100... and Up without hesitation! I agree with Ron and John. If you want to do the job, then price them as you see them because all engine jobs are not the same. Listen to what the customer really wants, examine the engine, and give a fair estimate that covers your risks. It makes sense...

MURPHY'S LAW #99: People Lie! Bill, I suggest that you contact your insurance agent. Getting ****ed off at me and venting may make you feel better for the moment, but I'm simply a messenger responding to the commentary.:( We've all probably had situations where negligence has caused damage...

Get A Clear Understanding of coverage BEFORE, NOT AFTER! My comment referred to EACH SIDE of an issue ultimately will focus on someone paying for damages. Find out where you stand if ultimately you need to contact your insurance agent about an issue.;) Remember the old adage of ASSUME...

We agree. We routinely check with multiple sources inside and apart from the insurance industry... as well as independent legal firms. Keep in mind that insurance companies have a vested interest in protecting their clients, be they businesses or individuals; essentially both sides of a...

Earl... Since we're not attorneys, all I can do agree with your premise and rely on guidance offered by various sources readily available to all on the web. Most of our information came from either insurance industry sources or legal advisors, and we've used them for guidance on issues like...

"In an exterior wash, except for the conveyor moving the vehicle, the customer essentially has care custody and control over their vehicle.":rolleyes: Bogus. Closer examination of business law indicates that as soon as a carwash accepts a customer's vehicle (either an attendant starts...

Precision Speaker Communication My suggestion about a headset w/controlled speaker utilizes a precision-targeted speaker aimed at the driver-side for controlled communication. I've seen it and heard it, and it isn't offensive. The attendant usually is giving arm motion directions and guides...

Tee Shirt Billboard! Great suggestion, John! TEE SHIRT BILLBOARDS are effective ways to communicate, when done properly. ;) Direct, to-the-point, short & sweet. I've used them with good success... but the operator must be vigilant in exchanging dull, faded or washer-worn screening with a...

An Intelligent Alternative An intelligent alternative: http://www.moderncarcare.com/articles/flat-belt-conveyor-alternative-carwash-system.html Some exterior carwash operators with an attendant facilitating the loading process make the mistake of processing with a "wham, bam, thank you...

Limited Thinking Results In Limited Solutions Of course a prep-free tunnel can be designed and installed with today's technology. The problem with the nay-sayers is their limited thinking confined within a familiar frame of reference. The average tunnel ranges between 90-130 feet of conveyor...

To Prep... Or NOT To Prep Prepping requires labor... and labor is costly. In certain cases, no prepping can be even costlier if the desired result requires manual washing to fill in the gaps left by the automated equipment. Prepping is a necessary evil for some existing operations, but I...

Mac: Ouch! Feel better now? :p I seldom criticize operators who choose to prep, but rather point out that prepping can be avoided if advanced planning is exercised. The technology does exist to render a vehicle clean and dry. The challenge is to make the commitment to achieve it. That...

Sorry. The question obviously struck a sore nerve. But instead of rendering me speechless, it provoked an impulsive and unfortunately hurtful outburst. SORRY for any inflicted pain and suffering... caused by my knee-jerk overreaction. :o

Huh? Anyone have a clue? NO! Once again, WHY would anyone ask a question like that, knowing that automated equipment is typically purchased to eliminate the need for manual washing? Should manual washing be required? NO. Might manual prepping be needed? Maybe, unless the wash tunnel was...

Duh...? With all due respect, what would make you ask such a question?!!!:confused: Vehicles are prepped when they need to be prepped to render a vehicle acceptably clean to the marketplace's standards. If the equipment isn't cleaning, I guess you must pick up the slack and fill in manually...

Well Managed Labor Is Profitable The Flex-Serve paradigm: 1. Outside-Only Carwash (express, deluxe, whatever yields a clean, dry shiny car) 2. Express After-Care (hands-on detailing) 3. Self-Serve Vacuum & Vending (optional) Abraham's recommendation: 1. express exterior 2. express detail...

Yes, the right location in Southern California would be a tremendous moneymaker! One thing that many carwash investors overlook is the product mix in a given marketplace. Although there may be several existing full-service and even express exterior operations serving that marketplace, a...

To Many, Southern California is a State of Mind In many ways, Southern California is quite different than most other marketplaces. :cool: There is a tremendous population of car owners who probably spend more time in their vehicles than anywhere else... mostly out of necessity. No real...

YES... With A More Sensible Option Actually, a hand-carwash can enjoy a great deal of success in the right venue. But the traditional full-service model is outmoded and passé due to its inefficient utilization of labor. The Flex-Serve model would be a much more effective business model for...

Inbay Express Hybrid Viewing the video provides some good ideas for those who wish to increase volume processing. The narrator makes some good points. The company has a surface conveyor as well as a trench mounted unit. The Inbay Express with the flat-belt conveyor increases the throughput...