Car Wash Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
adding a third iba
- Thread starter bmattivi
- Start date
escapement
New member
My answer to the original question is Friction, especially since there isn't much in the way of friction machines in your area. I know a guy who has a brand new Water Wizard next to an old friction machine and the rollover blows the Water Wizard, well, out of the water in terms of sales volumes.
As others have stated, when polled many people will answer "Touchless" but when they get in line for the wash it will more than likely be for the friction machine.
As others have stated, when polled many people will answer "Touchless" but when they get in line for the wash it will more than likely be for the friction machine.
I doubt people change their mind right before they get in line for a wash.
escapement
New member
That's not what I meant. Here are the comments I was referring to and agreeing with:
I'm not arguing touchless is better or a better investment than a friction, I'm just saying that when people say they prefer touchless over friction, they usually mean it and won't change their mind when they get in line. Your differences in friction numbers vs. touchless is likely the splitting of customers with the other touchless washes in town and not a preference or a change in preference for friction.
escapement
New member
So when you added the comment "I doubt people change their mind right before they get in line for a wash" it was just to split hairs over what is at worst a poorly worded sentence, not to disagree with my stated opinion that the thread starter should go with friction.
How about this: (warning: anecdotal information) many car wash owners and potential owners have conducted surveys of their area which would indicate the majority of car wash users prefer touchless automatic car washes. However, there are a large number of car wash owners who report that when placed side by side, friction machines almost always outsell touchless washes, with reported ratios of 3-1 and 3-2 (with some in the industry going so far to say that a touchless machine outselling it's friction counterpart at the same location is unheard of). Also to consider is the success of many tunnel washes (not the same thing as an IBA but a car wash nonetheless) reporting in excess of 100,000 washes a year (to beat a volume like that, any IBA, touchless or not, would have to be running 5 minute washes on a constant basis, one after the other, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). While difference in sales volumes may be caused by the saturation of touchless washes coupled with a relative lack of friction machines in the same area, and some may argue that comparing the sales numbers of tunnels and IBA's is comparing apples and oranges, it is something to consider nonetheless. There is absolutely a client?le for touchless IBA's out there, but any owner or prospective owner thinking of purchasing a new machine should consider a friction machine very carefully, especially if there are already touchless machines in the area and/or a relative lack of friction machines available for use.
My goal wasn't to split hairs, but to ensure the thread starter to do his research before throwing up a friction. Simply stating that a friction will outperform the touchless without knowing his market is misinforming.
Please remember that what you read in text can be misinterpreted depending on the reader's mood at the time. I wasn't arguing for the sake of arguing, just trying to make sure the correct research is done ahead of time. I meant no disrespect.
Please remember that what you read in text can be misinterpreted depending on the reader's mood at the time. I wasn't arguing for the sake of arguing, just trying to make sure the correct research is done ahead of time. I meant no disrespect.
Another thing to consider is will your market support a Mini Tunnel. If it will they are coming and you will have brushes out the a--pple. I personally think that the customers that absolutely will not take their cars into one of those will be hitting the touchless automatics like crazy. I view touchless as the other option and I like it.
