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Attendants: wages and hours?
- Thread starter Buzzie8
- Start date
We're open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM and 9-5 most Holidays. We have two crews of 2-3 employees who work on an alternating 2 week schedule of M, W, Fri. Sun. (48 hrs. one week) and Tues. Thurs. & Sat 46 hours next week.
Our attendants are a loyal lot. Keep in mind that they have been with me for 4, 4, 6, 15, 25 and 25 years respectively). Their hourly wages are $9, $9.50, $ 10, $10.50 and $16.50. The last gentleman is also my plumber, electrican and handles all equipment maintenance - and is worth his weight in gold on days and at times we are not on site, and is on 24 hr. standby if needed.
Next to delivering to each customer a superbly clean vehicle, your next most important job is to take care of the people who take care of you, including bonuses when times are good a meal from time to time, and of course being the lender of first, and last resort when they get into a jam (car maintenance, utility bills, DUI's, whatever.
They are to the point where they peform their duties like clockwork down to the smallest detail. They actually take a hard look at each car for extraordinary washing conditions, vehicle damage, check whip antennas to make sure they are tight, and pay extra attention if wheels are especially dirty and brush the front, windshield and rear of every vehicle - especially the cracks and crevices. Their annual re-wash rate is .002%. They don't like to have re-washes. I have to say they are good crews and get along well.
On peak wash days, I'll borrow 1-2 men from the crew that works tomorrow to fill that days needs. If I need them, I don't mind the overtime.I also do not want to add an extra employee to the payroll if I don't have to and usinmg a temp service not only doesn't save me any money, but you never know what you're going to get. In the event we get a superbusy stretch say 8-10,00 cars in two weeks in the winter and all the guys are dog tired, I may breakdown and get temp. But the guys want the hours so I haven't need to call a temp service for over three years now.
Treat them well and they will treat you well.
Our attendants are a loyal lot. Keep in mind that they have been with me for 4, 4, 6, 15, 25 and 25 years respectively). Their hourly wages are $9, $9.50, $ 10, $10.50 and $16.50. The last gentleman is also my plumber, electrican and handles all equipment maintenance - and is worth his weight in gold on days and at times we are not on site, and is on 24 hr. standby if needed.
Next to delivering to each customer a superbly clean vehicle, your next most important job is to take care of the people who take care of you, including bonuses when times are good a meal from time to time, and of course being the lender of first, and last resort when they get into a jam (car maintenance, utility bills, DUI's, whatever.
They are to the point where they peform their duties like clockwork down to the smallest detail. They actually take a hard look at each car for extraordinary washing conditions, vehicle damage, check whip antennas to make sure they are tight, and pay extra attention if wheels are especially dirty and brush the front, windshield and rear of every vehicle - especially the cracks and crevices. Their annual re-wash rate is .002%. They don't like to have re-washes. I have to say they are good crews and get along well.
On peak wash days, I'll borrow 1-2 men from the crew that works tomorrow to fill that days needs. If I need them, I don't mind the overtime.I also do not want to add an extra employee to the payroll if I don't have to and usinmg a temp service not only doesn't save me any money, but you never know what you're going to get. In the event we get a superbusy stretch say 8-10,00 cars in two weeks in the winter and all the guys are dog tired, I may breakdown and get temp. But the guys want the hours so I haven't need to call a temp service for over three years now.
Treat them well and they will treat you well.
Bubbles Galore
Active member
Are you referring to an attendant at a self serve wash?
MEP001
Well-known member
What you pay depends a lot on what you expect from them. Are they just clean-up guys who help customers when they're around, or do you keep your wash(es) staffed at certain hours and have them prep cars? Do any of them handle money? Do any of them do repairs beyond the difficulty of turning a screwdriver?
Chiefs has the right idea - pay them well and they won't need to steal or pull any tricks to pad their own wallet.
Chiefs has the right idea - pay them well and they won't need to steal or pull any tricks to pad their own wallet.
