I realized today how much my life as a self-serve operator has changed since I put cameras at all my washes with internet access. I looked at the washes before I left this morning. 1st one - everything seemed good, bays clean, trashed picked up & changer working. I didn't stop at that one. 2nd wash - noticed a broken wand so I decided to go there first. 3rd wash - everything working so I'll check back after church. In the past, I spent a lot of time going to the washes, checking on employees, making sure the "detailers" setting up shop at my wash weren't there, checking on changers for a busy weekend etc. I could spend the whole weekend running around to the washes. Now I check my cameras & can spot a good percentage of problems before my customers do. I've seen some things on my cameras I would rather not have seen, but for the most part it's been one of the best things I've done to save me time & provide better service. One customer told me that he's come back to my wash because the people bugging him for money or to wash his car aren't there anymore. I've even called the police & they've responded to me saying what I'm seeing over the internet. That might not be a big thing in a small town, but to get police to respond to anything in my city is huge. Yep, I'm liking this technology.
Cameras are Cool
- Thread starter LisaLyons
- Start date
washnvac
Well-known member
Agreed!!! I have had cameras with remote access since '97. Why some operators still do not have them is beyond me. They must think: I am spending $1M+ on land and building and equipment, but I can not afford $5-7k for a great camera system. The issue is: that you can not afford to be without them. I look at my four locations every single night at some point. Like you, I have caught plenty of stuff. Most importantly I prevented a soda machine theft, and an attempted auto-cashier break in. Called the PD as I watched from home. Nothing like catching them in the act.
MEP001
Well-known member
I've finally gotten cameras up in all bays, and the entire perimeter of the lot is well visualized. I just noticed today that I'm not seeing the tell-tale piles of tobacco in the bays anymore where someone stopped to roll a blunt.
Yep, I caught car after car selling bags in one bay each weekend. I was there when a guy was stowing something up under his dash so I just pulled beside him and said "Did you know that this whole are is on film and that the police monitor it and can be here in less then three minutes. This is not a safe place to be". Hard to emagine that it was not safe for the guy!!!!!!!!!!! Word got out and I haven't seen any traffic in a couple of years. He was gone in less than three seconds.
Cameras are so incredible that I live in one State and Galen lives in another. I can monitor his lots and office at home in addition to my three businesses. Nothing like knowing what is going on before getting a good nights sleep. Also a great heads up for problems and knowing what tools to take to the wash the next morning.
bigleo48
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,887
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 36
My attendants even use it live. My attendant can't see everything everywhere, so he looks at my 30 cameras to watch everything at once.
I also use it to look around the lot before exiting with any cash. I know when I open that door where everyone (if anyone) is.
My wash is only 3 yrs old, and I always had the cameras, I just can't imagine what it would be like without having 30 sets of eyes on 24/7 recording 3 months deep!
I had a credit card user contest a wash purchase from my IBA. Based on his last 4 digits, credit card type and wash selection, I was able to determine the time of purchase from the logs of my entry system. I got the video and replied to the credit card clearing house (Global Payments) that we are willing to fight it based on video information proving it was used and by who. Never heard back from them! Gotta love it!
BigLeo (aka Big Brother
)
I also use it to look around the lot before exiting with any cash. I know when I open that door where everyone (if anyone) is.
My wash is only 3 yrs old, and I always had the cameras, I just can't imagine what it would be like without having 30 sets of eyes on 24/7 recording 3 months deep!
I had a credit card user contest a wash purchase from my IBA. Based on his last 4 digits, credit card type and wash selection, I was able to determine the time of purchase from the logs of my entry system. I got the video and replied to the credit card clearing house (Global Payments) that we are willing to fight it based on video information proving it was used and by who. Never heard back from them! Gotta love it!
BigLeo (aka Big Brother
)
Red Baron
Active member
I wouldn't operate a wash without them. My first 2 washes were without and the stress of knowing that 95% of the time I wasn't going to catch the guy going stupid just drove me nuts.
My new policy is that, when someone does something blatantly wrong, he's going to get a bill in the mail for $50-$250. If he's from out of town I subtly hint that if my bill is ignore he will be invited back to lovely Lubbock Texas to defend himself in Small Claims Court. Easier just to drop that check for $50 in the mail. I don't get nearly as stressed knowing that if a guy causes a problem, he's probably going to end up paying me to clean it up.
Btw, the first thing I do when my cameras see some one breaking the rules, is get into Wash Gear software and see if they paid with a credit card. If they did, I can usually find them by searching their name at 411.com. If not, I print out their pic and jot down what they did as a reminder, and eventually I'll see that vehicle passing though town again and I'll go talk with Goober. The deflated look on their face is pricless when I say "Here is a security camera photo of you cleaning a trailer load of engine blocks at 3:21 pm on 1/3/08. If you do that again you will be paying me to clean it up, probably more than you think I deserve."
My new policy is that, when someone does something blatantly wrong, he's going to get a bill in the mail for $50-$250. If he's from out of town I subtly hint that if my bill is ignore he will be invited back to lovely Lubbock Texas to defend himself in Small Claims Court. Easier just to drop that check for $50 in the mail.
I don't get nearly as stressed knowing that if a guy causes a problem, he's probably going to end up paying me to clean it up.Btw, the first thing I do when my cameras see some one breaking the rules, is get into Wash Gear software and see if they paid with a credit card. If they did, I can usually find them by searching their name at 411.com. If not, I print out their pic and jot down what they did as a reminder, and eventually I'll see that vehicle passing though town again and I'll go talk with Goober. The deflated look on their face is pricless when I say "Here is a security camera photo of you cleaning a trailer load of engine blocks at 3:21 pm on 1/3/08. If you do that again you will be paying me to clean it up, probably more than you think I deserve."
Red Baron
Active member
Oh yeah, in anticipation of the customer's usual excuse, if I can I also print out another pic so I can say "And here is a pic of you stoppoing to read the sign that says No Grease."
Washmee
Fullservice Tunnel
My cameras have caught things I would have never believed possible. Numerous false damage claims and a customer stealing money from the wallet of one of my employees. Pre-cameras the theft would have caused a morale problem with the victim accusing other employees of the theft, but now we know exactly what happened. It has also helped me keep an eye on them when I'm not around. Best 10 grand I ever spent.
bigleo48
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,887
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 36
Red Baron,
I don't wait to catch them later. I have canned messages for stuff like dumping and no-grease cleaning. I log into the computer with the PA system attached and they get a loud and clear message that what they are doing is not permitted and that they are beind recorded and will be proceduted for any damages. It stops them in their tracks and they never come back. Those problems have almost completely disappeared at my wash and so I can't remeber the last time I had to use the system.
BigLeo
I don't wait to catch them later. I have canned messages for stuff like dumping and no-grease cleaning. I log into the computer with the PA system attached and they get a loud and clear message that what they are doing is not permitted and that they are beind recorded and will be proceduted for any damages. It stops them in their tracks and they never come back. Those problems have almost completely disappeared at my wash and so I can't remeber the last time I had to use the system.
BigLeo
Red Baron
Active member
Good idea, Leo.
I thought about rigging up a recorded message that would start with the initail quarter drop that would say: "Just a friendly reminder that greasy parts that aren't under your hood are never allowed at Red Baron Car Wash. The camera you see up in the corner is real and recording 24/7. We appreciate your business."
Anyone know of a simple way to tap into my meterbox to do this?
I thought about rigging up a recorded message that would start with the initail quarter drop that would say: "Just a friendly reminder that greasy parts that aren't under your hood are never allowed at Red Baron Car Wash. The camera you see up in the corner is real and recording 24/7. We appreciate your business."
Anyone know of a simple way to tap into my meterbox to do this?
Ric
Cantree Member
Can any of you recommend a place to purchase camera equipment?
MEP001
Well-known member
Everyone seems to like www.carwashcameras.com
