Robert2181
Member
I don't know about any body-else, but we let the customer dictate our cost (profit) for to long. for get the neighbor or competitor. We need to get back in charge of what truly do.
$00.25 for 30 seconds of your $$.$$ time
- Thread starter Robert2181
- Start date
seattleguy
Member
I just ordered new decals to go to 15 seconds for $.25 for cash . $1 a minute. credit card users .25 for 21 seconds.
chaz
Active member
Not at my wash...
I'd rather wash fewer cars at a higher price.
S/S $3.00 for first 4 minutes, cash or credit with count up for credit.
Auto 6, 8, 10, and 12$. Planning on dropping the 6 and adding an 11 that will add second presoak.
Yesterday my markvii gt700 ran 155 cars non stop from 8am till 10pm. Average ticket $10.45
My s/s has been averaging $4.70 spend per activation, since my price increase from 2 to 3 start up and change to dispensing dollar coins instead of quarters. Folks are dropping the extra dollar coin for more time instated of a quarter at a time. I still accept quarters, just don't dispense them. Used to add about 200.00 in quarters each week, now I have about 300.00 each week going to the bank.
I'd rather wash fewer cars at a higher price.
S/S $3.00 for first 4 minutes, cash or credit with count up for credit.
Auto 6, 8, 10, and 12$. Planning on dropping the 6 and adding an 11 that will add second presoak.
Yesterday my markvii gt700 ran 155 cars non stop from 8am till 10pm. Average ticket $10.45
My s/s has been averaging $4.70 spend per activation, since my price increase from 2 to 3 start up and change to dispensing dollar coins instead of quarters. Folks are dropping the extra dollar coin for more time instated of a quarter at a time. I still accept quarters, just don't dispense them. Used to add about 200.00 in quarters each week, now I have about 300.00 each week going to the bank.
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Whale of a Wash
5 Washes 36Bays 2Vectors
I think after being the same price for 4.5 yrs, I have to raise the price, this winter was brutal, and $2 didn't cut it.
I also have been bitten by taxes-ND went down some because of our oil Boom, but MN has sales taxes for car washes, My 5 bay SS is running about $7500 for propert taxes. So I don't think going to $3 and back to 4 min is unreasonable. But actually is becoming quite necessary for us.
I also have been bitten by taxes-ND went down some because of our oil Boom, but MN has sales taxes for car washes, My 5 bay SS is running about $7500 for propert taxes. So I don't think going to $3 and back to 4 min is unreasonable. But actually is becoming quite necessary for us.
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sjb
Active member
My SS bays are $2 for time of 3.20, a penny a second.
Vac's @ $1 for 4 minutes. Going down to 3 minutes this week.
Vac's @ $1 for 4 minutes. Going down to 3 minutes this week.
robert roman
Bob Roman
“Not at my wash...I'd rather wash fewer cars at a higher price.”
“S/S $3.00 for first 4 minutes…”
“Auto 6, 8, 10, and 12$. Average ticket $10.45”
That’s great performance and I might not fix something that ain’t broke.
For example,
“Yesterday my markvii gt700 ran 155 cars non stop from 8am till 10pm.”
That’s 11 cars an hour or about the average (12) for a conventional in-bay.
At an arrival rate of 11 customers an hour, there is over 90 percent probability of having five cars waiting in the line plus one in the wash-bay.
At a rate of 12 customers, the line grows exceeding long.
I think your prices are great. Problem seems to be that you need to wash more cars because long lines mean lost business.
You can’t make up tomorrow what you lost today.
If you were quick-serve format or 20 cars an hour, it could have been a 280 car day.
“Vac's @ $1 for 4 minutes. Going down to 3 minutes this week.”
Some ice cream makers have changed to less than 1/2 gallon size but sell at 1/2 gallon price. This angered a lot of customers and affected sales volume and brand selection.
Given more, charge more is easier for consumers to digest.
“S/S $3.00 for first 4 minutes…”
“Auto 6, 8, 10, and 12$. Average ticket $10.45”
That’s great performance and I might not fix something that ain’t broke.
For example,
“Yesterday my markvii gt700 ran 155 cars non stop from 8am till 10pm.”
That’s 11 cars an hour or about the average (12) for a conventional in-bay.
At an arrival rate of 11 customers an hour, there is over 90 percent probability of having five cars waiting in the line plus one in the wash-bay.
At a rate of 12 customers, the line grows exceeding long.
I think your prices are great. Problem seems to be that you need to wash more cars because long lines mean lost business.
You can’t make up tomorrow what you lost today.
If you were quick-serve format or 20 cars an hour, it could have been a 280 car day.
“Vac's @ $1 for 4 minutes. Going down to 3 minutes this week.”
Some ice cream makers have changed to less than 1/2 gallon size but sell at 1/2 gallon price. This angered a lot of customers and affected sales volume and brand selection.
Given more, charge more is easier for consumers to digest.
carwash11147
Member
Some ice cream makers have changed to less than 1/2 gallon size but sell at 1/2 gallon price. This angered a lot of customers and affected sales volume and brand selection.
Given more, charge more is easier for consumers to digest.[/QUOTE]
I totally disagree with this. The majority of people don't look at the quantity of what they are paying for, just the price. I'm currently at $1.50 for 4 minutes and plan on moving to $1.50 for 3 minutes. Sure a few people will notice and some will get upset but they will get over it and come back. The grocery business has been doing this for 25 years. Remember when you used to be able to buy a 2lb can of coffee, a 1lb bag of potato chips, a gallon jug of laundry soap, etc. When you have huge multi-nationals like Kraft, PepsiCo, and Proctor and Gamble giving less and charging the same, you know it has to work. These companies spend millions of dollars on pricing research and surveying. Believe me if it didn't work they wouldn't do it. The market is too competitive.
Given more, charge more is easier for consumers to digest.[/QUOTE]
I totally disagree with this. The majority of people don't look at the quantity of what they are paying for, just the price. I'm currently at $1.50 for 4 minutes and plan on moving to $1.50 for 3 minutes. Sure a few people will notice and some will get upset but they will get over it and come back. The grocery business has been doing this for 25 years. Remember when you used to be able to buy a 2lb can of coffee, a 1lb bag of potato chips, a gallon jug of laundry soap, etc. When you have huge multi-nationals like Kraft, PepsiCo, and Proctor and Gamble giving less and charging the same, you know it has to work. These companies spend millions of dollars on pricing research and surveying. Believe me if it didn't work they wouldn't do it. The market is too competitive.
robert roman
Bob Roman
“totally disagree with this. The majority of people don't look at the quantity of what they are paying for, just the price.”
That’s a myopic view for “The market is too competitive.”
Some years ago, Pepsi sold 12-pack 12 oz cans for a decent price. Then the company switched to 8-pack 12 oz cans with much higher price per can. Sales fell off the cliff.
Pepsi switched back to 12-pack and introduced pony cans.
Breyer’s was first ice cream maker to reduce package size and keep same price. It did so buy redesigning the container so as to not reduce the height of container so the difference could not be perceived on the shelf next to competitor brands. Once customers wised up, sales dropped.
Today there are ice cream brands that have gain market share by selling 1/2 gallon containers.
There are two roads to success, low or high.
Self-serve has been able to get away with taking the low-road approach for a long time.
Those days are over unless you are content with having cheapskates as primary customer base.
Likewise, you want to reward loyal customers not punish them.
For example, “$1.50 for 4 minutes and plan on moving to $1.50 for 3 minutes”
$0.38/min versus $0.50/min
Now, sell more for more.
$2.00 for five minutes = $0.50/min
That’s a myopic view for “The market is too competitive.”
Some years ago, Pepsi sold 12-pack 12 oz cans for a decent price. Then the company switched to 8-pack 12 oz cans with much higher price per can. Sales fell off the cliff.
Pepsi switched back to 12-pack and introduced pony cans.
Breyer’s was first ice cream maker to reduce package size and keep same price. It did so buy redesigning the container so as to not reduce the height of container so the difference could not be perceived on the shelf next to competitor brands. Once customers wised up, sales dropped.
Today there are ice cream brands that have gain market share by selling 1/2 gallon containers.
There are two roads to success, low or high.
Self-serve has been able to get away with taking the low-road approach for a long time.
Those days are over unless you are content with having cheapskates as primary customer base.
Likewise, you want to reward loyal customers not punish them.
For example, “$1.50 for 4 minutes and plan on moving to $1.50 for 3 minutes”
$0.38/min versus $0.50/min
Now, sell more for more.
$2.00 for five minutes = $0.50/min
chaz
Active member
Robert, you may need yo check your math.
Whale of a Wash
5 Washes 36Bays 2Vectors
I have noticed the Big Mac -isn't too big anymore. If McDonalds does it, why not copy the people that pretty much do it right.
Everything they sell is downsized now. Might have to do with the supersize me problems.
My OJ is now 59 oz. Pretty much every product i buy has shrunk. My new Healthcare plan raised my deductible, and also raised my
price. So according to Obamacare- Raise your price-cut your time- cut your service- and force them to wash.
Everything they sell is downsized now. Might have to do with the supersize me problems.
My OJ is now 59 oz. Pretty much every product i buy has shrunk. My new Healthcare plan raised my deductible, and also raised my
price. So according to Obamacare- Raise your price-cut your time- cut your service- and force them to wash.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Yes, should be 2/5 = 40 cents/min or yes, even better make it $2.50 for 5 or 50 cents.
Value of product/services as well as prices (competition and prices in auto parts stores) have been rising around self-serve for years.
Man, you got to eat. To do so, you have to get a good price for the investment risked and goodwill you created.
Why subsidize people's needs and wants?
If customers resist, let them try the low ball guy and see what they get or the hassle of washing at home, if they can.
Then instead of punishing them, offer them some ice cream.
Value of product/services as well as prices (competition and prices in auto parts stores) have been rising around self-serve for years.
Man, you got to eat. To do so, you have to get a good price for the investment risked and goodwill you created.
Why subsidize people's needs and wants?
If customers resist, let them try the low ball guy and see what they get or the hassle of washing at home, if they can.
Then instead of punishing them, offer them some ice cream.
robert roman
Bob Roman
“I have noticed the Big Mac -isn't too big anymore.”
Big Mac isn’t smaller, the dollar is.
Drive-thru burger business got into trouble during the $1.00 price war and still hasn’t recovered completely.
Downsize and supersize are different market strategies.
Supersize is low-priced commodities corn (tacos), potatoes (fries) and sugar (soft drinks).
National health care is different issue.
Concept (not right) of providing affordable health coverage to the population stems from failure of free market.
Over time, health care has become significantly more expensive and the number of people who can afford to pay for health care and health care insurance has dropped significantly.
If the free market wasn’t perverted, the opposite would be the case.
I recently had major back surgery and had to be cleared by cardiac day before the anesthesia. I met with board certified cardiologist who did echo-cardiogram.
Echo took 15-minutes. This is “30-year old” technology but service cost $1,200. Five minute interview with cardiologist cost $500.
What’s wrong with this picture? How do you spell big insurance, big pharma, AMA and lobbyists and slick-palmed politicians?
Look at airlines industry mess. Worst thing ever happened was deregulation. It’s not an industry well suited to the masses like automobiles.
Some time ago, there were airlines I enjoyed traveling with. Now, I detest airports. Southwest is like boarding a cattle car. Agents at many companies are mean spirited. Planes are dirty, there is too much waiting and so forth.
Hey, since we don’t know how to run an airline business and make normal profit, let’s gouge customers by charging them for stuff we used to include in retail price. Like aisle seat or window seat, bags, food, water, peanuts, whatever. Then, let’s increase the number of seats on planes by squeezing in our customer’s legs. Next, let’s change frequent flier so we can avoid previous obligations.
Feel the love.
Big Mac isn’t smaller, the dollar is.
Drive-thru burger business got into trouble during the $1.00 price war and still hasn’t recovered completely.
Downsize and supersize are different market strategies.
Supersize is low-priced commodities corn (tacos), potatoes (fries) and sugar (soft drinks).
National health care is different issue.
Concept (not right) of providing affordable health coverage to the population stems from failure of free market.
Over time, health care has become significantly more expensive and the number of people who can afford to pay for health care and health care insurance has dropped significantly.
If the free market wasn’t perverted, the opposite would be the case.
I recently had major back surgery and had to be cleared by cardiac day before the anesthesia. I met with board certified cardiologist who did echo-cardiogram.
Echo took 15-minutes. This is “30-year old” technology but service cost $1,200. Five minute interview with cardiologist cost $500.
What’s wrong with this picture? How do you spell big insurance, big pharma, AMA and lobbyists and slick-palmed politicians?
Look at airlines industry mess. Worst thing ever happened was deregulation. It’s not an industry well suited to the masses like automobiles.
Some time ago, there were airlines I enjoyed traveling with. Now, I detest airports. Southwest is like boarding a cattle car. Agents at many companies are mean spirited. Planes are dirty, there is too much waiting and so forth.
Hey, since we don’t know how to run an airline business and make normal profit, let’s gouge customers by charging them for stuff we used to include in retail price. Like aisle seat or window seat, bags, food, water, peanuts, whatever. Then, let’s increase the number of seats on planes by squeezing in our customer’s legs. Next, let’s change frequent flier so we can avoid previous obligations.
Feel the love.
Stuart
Member
Probably one of the lowest in the area for time/price, I am currently at $1 = 2m8s and got there from two time reductions the first 3 years as an owner from $1 = 2m20s. This was actually a big jump for the area since the previous owners kept the same price for over 8 years. (local competition has not changed time/price)
I plan on a price/time change after some upgrades to services. Considering going $2 for ?4minutes?. Price/time changes are a fact of business to stay healthy and I look to coinciding a change along with a service addition or visible addition to facility (ie signage, siding, bay wall covering, adding a premium protectant).
My bills too are increasing- prop tax up 26% to $18k at one location, Obamascare, notice from trash hauler of price increase next month, and soap had an increase 2 months ago.
I will hold off on an increase though until I have something more for the customer. It will be easier to swallow. FWIW
I plan on a price/time change after some upgrades to services. Considering going $2 for ?4minutes?. Price/time changes are a fact of business to stay healthy and I look to coinciding a change along with a service addition or visible addition to facility (ie signage, siding, bay wall covering, adding a premium protectant).
My bills too are increasing- prop tax up 26% to $18k at one location, Obamascare, notice from trash hauler of price increase next month, and soap had an increase 2 months ago.
I will hold off on an increase though until I have something more for the customer. It will be easier to swallow. FWIW
robert roman
Bob Roman
“I am currently at $1 = 2m8s and got there from two time reductions the first 3 years as an owner from $1 = 2m20s. This was actually a big jump for the area since the previous owners kept the same price for over 8 years. (local competition has not changed time/price)”
So, you moved from $0.0071/sec to $0.0078/sec in 8 years.
If we convert to minutes, this means price increased by average annual rate of only 0.020% or 2ths of one percent.
What other market has not changed price for eight years?
Today, the price of gasoline can change by the hour.
I have clients in the Land of Oz with exterior washes in blue collar areas that average over $10 a car.
If I lived where you wash cars, I might think just how cheap is it to own a self-serve when the price to use it hasn’t changed in 8-years?
Clint Eastwood once said in a movie, “Tomorrow is promised to no one.”
You have a plan, so, why wait.
I know some operators who decided to wait and they are still waiting and waiting whereas others that decided to forge ahead are making more money.
So, you moved from $0.0071/sec to $0.0078/sec in 8 years.
If we convert to minutes, this means price increased by average annual rate of only 0.020% or 2ths of one percent.
What other market has not changed price for eight years?
Today, the price of gasoline can change by the hour.
I have clients in the Land of Oz with exterior washes in blue collar areas that average over $10 a car.
If I lived where you wash cars, I might think just how cheap is it to own a self-serve when the price to use it hasn’t changed in 8-years?
Clint Eastwood once said in a movie, “Tomorrow is promised to no one.”
You have a plan, so, why wait.
I know some operators who decided to wait and they are still waiting and waiting whereas others that decided to forge ahead are making more money.
Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
Personally, I have been my own worst enemy on raising prices. I have been at 2.00 startup for thirteen years. I have moved time from 4:00 to 3:30 in the past year. Everything has gone up substantially in that time period. Merchant processing fees continue to eat away at the margin. I feel it's time to make the move up to 3.00 startup. I may move to 2.00/3:20 for a brief period, then go to 3.00/5:00. That way I can say the price per unit remained the same, and only the startup price was changed.
eric
New member
We purchased this wash with $1.25 for 4 mins in 2011 quickly changed to 3 .5 mins. I made the change to $2 for 4 minutes this past weekend and I am not looking back.
chaz
Active member
After 7 years, I went from $2 to $3 s/s start for four minutes, 4 months ago. Also changed to dollar coins from quarters in my changers. A few "customers" have driven off, including a guy yesterday who waited three deep and was wondering why it wasn't $1.50 start up, my wash never that price. The dollar coin helps my average activation increase as customers are dropping , in many cases a buck for more time rather than a quarter at a time. I am ok with being the highest in my area on s/s, I know when my pumps are running I am making money, and I have a better customer base that appreciate a clean well maintained wash.