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copperhens, welcome to the forum! If you enjoy it go for it. The wash numbers look good from a distance. Every system will wear and have part replacement needs. Some more than others. I have had times where I never felt I could leave the wash, and times like now, knock on wood, where I can be away and be confident the wash is working as it should. Get to know every bit of your systems so that you can do most repairs yourself. Good credit will go a long ways. I wish the interest rates would be lower for you than they presently are.
Good luck!
 
copperhens said:
Hi everyone. I’m a new member here.



Some background on me; I just finished college with a bachelors degree I may never end up using. I have always worked multiple part time jobs that add up to 40-50 hours a week. In my spare time, I like to fix cars so I’m mechanically inclined. A lot of my time is spent working at a farm, the other working hours have been at a car wash.


I’ve worked at this car wash for a year now. It’s family owned, and the building and equipment is only a few years old. From what I understand, they built this automatic wash thinking it was going to be a hands offs investment but it’s been more work than they expected and they want to sell it.



It’s a two bay automatic car wash off of a busy freeway. One touchless, and one soft touch. I read the traffic is 30k cars a day, and on really busy days the car wash will do 200 cars, slower days maybe 70. It is completely automatic. However, there are a number of people who get confused during the process which is why there is an attendant here at all times. Is it possible to have an automatic self serve wash and to just be on call after hours so it can be open 24 hours?


Am I crazy to consider buying it? I’ve enjoyed working here. I work by myself 30 hours a week (I would do full time if I could but for their insurance I have to stay part time) and I’ve gotten to know the customers, and the equipment. It’s also local to me. This could finally be my in to having a full time job and working towards my own business and investment.



There are a couple big things to consider for me. I’ve never taken out a business loan because I definitely can’t afford the place on my own. I have great credit and no debt.



The wash also has had some issues the current owners have gone to court over. The people who built it seemed to have cut corners. For example, they ran 1.5” pipes instead of 2” pipes for water feed which made the water tanks fill up too slow to keep up. They are working to resolve these issues before it’s sold.



There are of course mechanical things that break like water hoses bursting or sensors going bad. What are normal intervals for parts to be replaced? The owners have been quite frustrated with the repairs. I’d say either wash bay is down a couple days a month depending on the issue.



Id say I’m friends with the owners, and see them regularly. I will bring this idea up with them, but I want to become more informed from other car wash owners before I do.
Click to expand...
Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. It all depends on how much they want for the site. Also maybe they will owner finance some of it. Also if you have a surveillance system you can leave the wash and watch remotely. A lot of systems you can activate remotely. Best thing to do is have a second job with some flexibility to leave if a problem comes up
Good luck
 
Etowah
How big is the property and what’s the gross revenue. Over a years time what is the daily wash count average because those numbers you shared look good. Most places are sold 3 to 5x gross revenue with the real estate. Sounds good but just depends on their asking. Owner finance is the way to go if you can swing it. Rates are ridiculous now
 
I know the exact wash you're talking about. DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! That place is so f***ed up. If you want to get into detail on everything thats wrong with that place you can PM me your number and we can talk because it's way too much for me to type out.
 
copperhens said:
Hi everyone. I’m a new member here.



Some background on me; I just finished college with a bachelors degree I may never end up using. I have always worked multiple part time jobs that add up to 40-50 hours a week. In my spare time, I like to fix cars so I’m mechanically inclined. A lot of my time is spent working at a farm, the other working hours have been at a car wash.


I’ve worked at this car wash for a year now. It’s family owned, and the building and equipment is only a few years old. From what I understand, they built this automatic wash thinking it was going to be a hands offs investment but it’s been more work than they expected and they want to sell it.



It’s a two bay automatic car wash off of a busy freeway. One touchless, and one soft touch. I read the traffic is 30k cars a day, and on really busy days the car wash will do 200 cars, slower days maybe 70. It is completely automatic. However, there are a number of people who get confused during the process which is why there is an attendant here at all times. Is it possible to have an automatic self serve wash and to just be on call after hours so it can be open 24 hours?


Am I crazy to consider buying it? I’ve enjoyed working here. I work by myself 30 hours a week (I would do full time if I could but for their insurance I have to stay part time) and I’ve gotten to know the customers, and the equipment. It’s also local to me. This could finally be my in to having a full time job and working towards my own business and investment.



There are a couple big things to consider for me. I’ve never taken out a business loan because I definitely can’t afford the place on my own. I have great credit and no debt.



The wash also has had some issues the current owners have gone to court over. The people who built it seemed to have cut corners. For example, they ran 1.5” pipes instead of 2” pipes for water feed which made the water tanks fill up too slow to keep up. They are working to resolve these issues before it’s sold.



There are of course mechanical things that break like water hoses bursting or sensors going bad. What are normal intervals for parts to be replaced? The owners have been quite frustrated with the repairs. I’d say either wash bay is down a couple days a month depending on the issue.



Id say I’m friends with the owners, and see them regularly. I will bring this idea up with them, but I want to become more informed from other car wash owners before I do.
Click to expand...
We're at United States are you located
 
Booster pumps and water holding tanks could overcome the water issue worst case.
Tell us what brand Automatics you have and paystations? Memberships?

Is there room for improvement to get the numbers up more?
Could the owners finance it to you for a short period of time like 2 years and refinance with a local bank if they are in a position to do so? Sounds like you are taking this more seriously since you are working the wash & involved than a investor off the street which is a good thing.
 
copperhens said:
Hi everyone. I’m a new member here.



Some background on me; I just finished college with a bachelors degree I may never end up using. I have always worked multiple part time jobs that add up to 40-50 hours a week. In my spare time, I like to fix cars so I’m mechanically inclined. A lot of my time is spent working at a farm, the other working hours have been at a car wash.


I’ve worked at this car wash for a year now. It’s family owned, and the building and equipment is only a few years old. From what I understand, they built this automatic wash thinking it was going to be a hands offs investment but it’s been more work than they expected and they want to sell it.



It’s a two bay automatic car wash off of a busy freeway. One touchless, and one soft touch. I read the traffic is 30k cars a day, and on really busy days the car wash will do 200 cars, slower days maybe 70. It is completely automatic. However, there are a number of people who get confused during the process which is why there is an attendant here at all times. Is it possible to have an automatic self serve wash and to just be on call after hours so it can be open 24 hours?


Am I crazy to consider buying it? I’ve enjoyed working here. I work by myself 30 hours a week (I would do full time if I could but for their insurance I have to stay part time) and I’ve gotten to know the customers, and the equipment. It’s also local to me. This could finally be my in to having a full time job and working towards my own business and investment.



There are a couple big things to consider for me. I’ve never taken out a business loan because I definitely can’t afford the place on my own. I have great credit and no debt.



The wash also has had some issues the current owners have gone to court over. The people who built it seemed to have cut corners. For example, they ran 1.5” pipes instead of 2” pipes for water feed which made the water tanks fill up too slow to keep up. They are working to resolve these issues before it’s sold.



There are of course mechanical things that break like water hoses bursting or sensors going bad. What are normal intervals for parts to be replaced? The owners have been quite frustrated with the repairs. I’d say either wash bay is down a couple days a month depending on the issue.



Id say I’m friends with the owners, and see them regularly. I will bring this idea up with them, but I want to become more informed from other car wash owners before I do.
Click to expand...
So, any update on your car wash buying journey? I am also looking to buy my first car wash. Perhaps we can connect.
 
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