What's new

Business Model

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Kim I'll bet you'd be singing a different tune if you had a EE tunnel open a half a mile away from you.
Sunrise Express car wash is located within 1 mile to the East. Maybe if the EE tunnel wash's monthly memberships were less expensive, washed customers vehicles better, with less damage and accommodated more vehicles, then maybe I'd be singing a different tune. There are many variables and I think I'm in a good place.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sjb

tdlconceptsllc

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
1,060
Reaction score
427
Points
83
Location
NC
Sunrise Express car wash is located within 1 mile to the East. Maybe if the EE tunnel wash's monthly memberships were less expensive, washed customers vehicles better, with less damage and accommodated more vehicles, then maybe I'd be singing a different tune. There are many variables and I think I'm in a good place.
Ms Kim isnt your Traffic count a ungodly amount like 100k of cars a day traffic count from what I remember.
 

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Ms Kim isnt your Traffic count a ungodly amount like 100k of cars a day traffic count from what I remember.
Yes, traffic counts done from 2012-2019 were 102,300 CPD (cars per day). I'm located on a prominent corner with 2 driveways. Posted speed is 45. Another variable to consider in this complex EE puzzle.
 

TheCluelessWasher

New member
Joined
Oct 19, 2023
Messages
8
Reaction score
6
Points
3

traveler17

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
861
Reaction score
693
Points
93
Location
SE NC
Yes, traffic counts done from 2012-2019 were 102,300 CPD (cars per day). I'm located on a prominent corner with 2 driveways. Posted speed is 45. Another variable to consider in this complex EE puzzle.
Fabulous!! 100k cpd!! And you are strictly SS? I’m sure have but can you imagine revenue if you put in an IBA!!
 

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Fabulous!! 100k cpd!! And you are strictly SS? I’m sure have but can you imagine revenue if you put in an IBA!!
Yes, strictly 5 SS bays. No room for an IBA. My bays are only 28' deep & I'm located on a very shallow lot. Honestly, I love the simplicity of my SS equipment. There is a SS car wash 1/2 mile up the road, but it's poorly maintained. The Valero and Shell gas stations on the other 2 corners have a wash tunnel, but they're not maintained either. No viable competition. My SS wash stays very busy. On the weekends, cars are stacked 3-4 deep. Crazy!! o_O
 

Attachments

traveler17

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
861
Reaction score
693
Points
93
Location
SE NC
Absolutely incredible
Yes, strictly 5 SS bays. No room for an IBA. My bays are only 28' deep & I'm located on a very shallow lot. Honestly, I love the simplicity of my SS equipment. There is a SS car wash 1/2 mile up the road, but it's poorly maintained. The Valero and Shell gas stations on the other 2 corners have a wash tunnel, but they're not maintained either. No viable competition. My SS wash stays very busy. On the weekends, cars are stacked 3-4 deep. Crazy!! o_O
Ya found yourself a needle in a haystack. And you’re right about the simplicity of SS washes. Definition less headache as far as your equipment. Very Nice !!! 👌🏼
 

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Absolutely incredible

Ya found yourself a needle in a haystack. And you’re right about the simplicity of SS washes. Definition less headache as far as your equipment. Very Nice !!! 👌🏼
Thank you! We knew the location was unique which is why we paid almost $1M for it in 2003. And I just paid it off last year!! (y) 😀
 

Axxlrod

Car Washer
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
498
Reaction score
365
Points
63
Location
CA
I own tunnels and SS washes, and I can tell you that tunnel customers (DIFM) and SS customers (DIY) are different, and they rarely cross-over.

SS washes can exist and thrive in the same trade-area as EE washes, just like Kim has shown.

EE washes will decimate an IBA however, friction machines especially.
 
Etowah

traveler17

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
861
Reaction score
693
Points
93
Location
SE NC
I own tunnels and SS washes, and I can tell you that tunnel customers (DIFM) and SS customers (DIY) are different, and they rarely cross-over.

SS washes can exist and thrive in the same trade-area as EE washes, just like Kim has shown.

EE washes will decimate an IBA however, friction machines especially.
Decimate? lol , I beg to differ. 2 friction machines at one site , one being a combo wash. I guess it depends on the area or if operators take pride in their washes but I took a small bump until the newness wore off then i was rolling again.
 

HeyVern

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
402
Reaction score
460
Points
63
Yes, strictly 5 SS bays. No room for an IBA. My bays are only 28' deep & I'm located on a very shallow lot. Honestly, I love the simplicity of my SS equipment. There is a SS car wash 1/2 mile up the road, but it's poorly maintained. The Valero and Shell gas stations on the other 2 corners have a wash tunnel, but they're not maintained either. No viable competition. My SS wash stays very busy. On the weekends, cars are stacked 3-4 deep. Crazy!! o_O
Is there room to squeeze one more bay on the end maybe?
 

Dan kamsickas

GinSan Technician
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
705
Reaction score
941
Points
93
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Sunrise Express car wash is located within 1 mile to the East. Maybe if the EE tunnel wash's monthly memberships were less expensive, washed customers vehicles better, with less damage and accommodated more vehicles, then maybe I'd be singing a different tune. There are many variables and I think I'm in a good place.
This is a common refrain I'm hearing from "civilian" friends of mine about the tunnels pushing the membership model. I know a lot of my personal associates who have canceled their memberships. Their cars were not getting clean and it was annoying to have to constantly go back around for a rewash.
 

soapy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
2,894
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Location
Rocky Mountains
I remember when I first started 30 years ago the Wonder Wash chain was growing pretty strong sticking to the small markets. I don't hear much about it anymore. SS washes take more time than most people think. They have to be checked several times per day 365 days per year. Some might have a attendant but that can be a huge expense for one location. <My plan was to get enough washes in one local area that I could take care of them myself or have one person visit them all several times per day. I had 4 at one time but found that was a bit of a stretch for one person even if they are in the same area. Spent too much driving. I have 3 now and feel that is good for me.
 

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Is there room to squeeze one more bay on the end maybe?
Unfortunately not enough room for more bays. On the East side (Auburn Blvd) we have a vacuum and vending machines. We lost some footage when they widened Auburn Blvd 10 years ago. On busy days I wish I had MORE bays!! We are open 24 hours and see a steady business overnight (Lyft & Uber drivers, graveyard workers).
 
  • Like
Reactions: sjb

Axxlrod

Car Washer
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
498
Reaction score
365
Points
63
Location
CA
Unfortunately not enough room for more bays. On the East side (Auburn Blvd) we have a vacuum and vending machines. We lost some footage when they widened Auburn Blvd 10 years ago. On busy days I wish I had MORE bays!! We are open 24 hours and see a steady business overnight (Lyft & Uber drivers, graveyard workers).
I looked up your wash. Great website. Street View on Google Maps shows the gas station next door to you being all boarded up. Have you considered buying it?
 

Kimberly Berg

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
441
Reaction score
709
Points
93
Location
Citrus Heights CA
Yes, over the years I have considered buying it, but never had a good reason to. It's been for sale off/on the past 20 years. Originally, it was owned by the Neal family who built the car wash and gas station in 1982. The elevation is about 4' different and the 2nd owners put in a large retaining wall, separating our properties. The land and building is for sale at $800,000. The ground is contaminated from the gas tanks, the building is falling apart, and homeless are living in their cars. I live simply and don't need a headache. I've been in touch with the sellers, and it's supposedly in escrow with Dunkin Doughnuts to develop it as a drive-through. YAY!! I can always use a good cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich. I know my customers will appreciate it too!! 👍 :D Coffee and car wash - sounds like a great marketing opportunity!!
 

Attachments

Jibbotson

New member
Joined
Oct 23, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Points
3
This gives me hope. Hopefully going to acquire a rather beat up 4 bay SS and 1 IBA with the thought of ripping out the IBA and converting it into a laundromat but keeping the bays. The location is prime for a laundromat but I think the double whammy would be a great fit.
 

HeyVern

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
402
Reaction score
460
Points
63
Yes, over the years I have considered buying it, but never had a good reason to. It's been for sale off/on the past 20 years. Originally, it was owned by the Neal family who built the car wash and gas station in 1982. The elevation is about 4' different and the 2nd owners put in a large retaining wall, separating our properties. The land and building is for sale at $800,000. The ground is contaminated from the gas tanks, the building is falling apart, and homeless are living in their cars. I live simply and don't need a headache. I've been in touch with the sellers, and it's supposedly in escrow with Dunkin Doughnuts to develop it as a drive-through. YAY!! I can always use a good cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich. I know my customers will appreciate it too!! 👍 :D Coffee and car wash - sounds like a great marketing opportunity!!
Don't let the gas station contamination automatically put you off. My wash was built on an old gas station site and the remediation was no big deal. Though, I imagine California regulations are probably quite different than here.
 
Top