Best RFID System for IBA

[MDrost1]

Folks,

Looking for some advice about RFID systems. What are you using? What systems are good? What systems should I avoid. I'd like to have a customer loyalty system that makes washing cars simple. Currently, I have one LW4000 and would like to start by offering monthly passes(not unlimited just yet) and/or pay as you go.

As always, thanks!

 

[BBE]

You could probably achieve what you are looking for with your current paystation. One IBA is not nearly sufficient to do a monthly unlimited, and RFID would not be cost effective enough to do simple monthly/pay as you go fleet accounts IMO.

 

[MDrost1]

I totally understand that. However, my situation is stunted. I purchased the wash with and "ExpressKEY" system. The previous owner is still managing it and very diligent. They are doing a great job. However, I know the ExpressKEY system is not necessarily a long term customer loyalty system for the wash as the management software is relegated to an XP machine which MS is not supporting anymore.

So, at some point I will have to find a new customer loyalty system that can pick up where the ExpressKEY left off. I am in no rush, but will need to phase the system out at some point.

This is where I am right now. I have an ACW-4. Retrofitting an Xpress Wash system or something like that seems like it might be a good upgrade from the current ExpressKEY system which currently is about 10% of my current wash income.

I hope this clarifies my situation. Thanks, BBE. Would this change your opinion of the matter?

 

[BBE]

Is the xpress key system installed in the bays as well? If it's the wash I am thinking of, it is. If not, it may make more sense to have a system that will work in both the bays and the IBA. I have not heard many great things about the xpress wash system, very pricey as well.

I would look into something that would work across both the bays and the IBA and that you could swap your customers expresskey's out for a card of some sort. They could then use the card across both the bays and the IBA, and be billed monthly like now.

 

[MDrost1]

Yes. As I said earlier, the customers like it and the previous owner makes the management side of things fantastic. But I know the management and support of the express key is limited and I am just looking around for a good option in the event that I'd need to switch. I looked at wash card, and that seems expensive to me.

 

[robert roman]

“I'd like to have a customer loyalty system that makes washing cars simple.”

The goal of customer loyalty program is to encourage customers to wash more frequently and spend more per purchase.

The objective is to reward your best customers.

Carwash program use digital card that identifies members. Typical “rewards” are free wash on birthday, buy 4 washes get 1 free, special discounts, vacuum token.

Issue with unlimited washing is under competition the per-unit price is set below marginal cost.

This is important with single in-bay because unlimited members normally wash 4 to 5 times a month.

Another issue is capacity, average 12 cars an hour.

If volume is 9,000 cars annually, average hour would be 2.5 cars and peak demand would 7.5 cars.

If you have 300 unlimited members, this would add 1,500 washes a month. Average hour would be 5 cars and peak demand 15 cars.

So, average hour changes to 7.5 cars (2.5 + 5) and peak hour to 22.5 cars (7.5 + 15).

In other words, when very busy, you will have a lot of disappointed customers from exceedingly long waiting lines and average waiting times.

RFID would speed up sales transaction process but not the in-bay process.

Get a self-pay terminal with smart technology. For example, people prefer the ATM-like units, phone apps are popular and mobile payment is growing.

 

[MDrost1]

What self pay terminals do you recommend Robert?

 

[robert roman]

My personal preference is DRB because of the capabilities and technology. However, I find many self-serve operators have Hamilton. I like Hamilton, very dependable, but its definitely not as sophisticated as DRB.