Cleanup fee signs

[Reds]

I have a major problem with people leaving huge amounts of mud, grass, mulch, leaves, etc. in my SS bays. Enough that customers won't use the bays when they are trashed like that. I have seen on some posts that some of us put up signs regarding a cleanup fee that you charge someone when they do that. Any suggestions or examples of wording for these signs? Do you have many instances of having to charge people for cleanup? Do they resist? Or argue that it wasn't really that bad? I want to make sure I word my signs properly so no one can weasel out of the cleanup fee. I have cameras and intend to hold their feet to the fire. The mud & cleanup seasons (spring & fall) are the worst. Thanks for your input.

 

[MEP001]

I know someone who just bought and rehabbed a wash that had three truck bays. He has completely banned trucks, and has put up signs stating a $100 fine for a mess left. I'll ask him for the exact wording. So far he's had very little trouble since he reopened, but when he first bought it they were picking up several wheelbarrowsful of mud off the bay floors every day.

I don't have any signs up, only a short list printed on the meter decal, such as "Please, no truck bed rinsing, barbeque pits, commercial equipment, oil or grease." Over the last five years I've done what I could to either stop someone from washing a mess out of their bed or to explain that we don't allow it if it's already done. That alone has made a huge improvement - I see 2 or 3 messes a month where it used to be that many a day. All the list seems to be good for is give me something to point to when they say "Where's the sign that says I can't?"

 

[bigleo48]

Stopping that kind of behavior takes a little time (and patiences) on your side.

You can put up all the signage you want, but if the site is unmanned, then many will do it anyway as nobody reads signs and some just don't care.

So when I'm there I explain nicely that dumping a load of dirty in my bays cause my drains to block, creates lots of work to clean up after and fills my pits which are very expensive to pump out.

Some get ****ed and leave to my competitor (which is fine with me), while others understand.

I also watch my cameras from home a lot and when I see someone ready to dump a ton of mud, I fire off a message through my PA system explain my dumping rules on mud. Initially I used that a fair bit...now that I've run them most of them off, I rarely have a problem.

Hope this helps...BigLeo

 

[jprb]

Our clean up message is at the bottom of our menu board.

 

[pitzerwm]

This worked for me: http://www.autocareforum.com/signs.html While you are at it, surf around the site, you will be surprised what else is here.

 

[Rudy]

I posted a sign that said "Dirty Bay Incurs Minimum $250 Cleanup Fee" this includes Mud, Landscaping Debris and Trash. When I find people washing out their truck beds, I simply approach them and say, "Will that be MasterCard, Visa or Cash"? When they look at me with a puzzled look, I simply point to the sign. Boy, you should see the apologies begin! Problems are very few now....

 

[crewchief97]

Where can I purchase these signs? Thanks

 

[Patrick H. Crowe]

Dear Reds:

Please do not believe those folks who say: "Nobody reads signs." Not so!. Some folks do, some don't. The other posters are telling you that you can minimize the problem by starting with signs. You'll never completely eliminate it so do not expect that. My following example shows that.

One day, years ago, I was on my way to another location and had to drive by one of my washes. I saw a small pickup overloaded with construction debris enter my place as I sped past. I did a 180 and told the driver he was not to dump his trash at my place under any circumstances. He denied that he had any intention of doing so. I left.

That little voice within me told me to go back and check. I did. There he was, dumping away. I called the cops, confronted him and told him he was about to be arrested. He jumped in his truck and ran. I followed and called the cops again. The police dispatcher told me not to do that. I replied: "Madam, I do not take my legal advice from police dispatchers, just get your officers on the way, I'll keep you posted on locations." She was indignant that I would dare defy her order..

He finally stopped and I then called the media as well as the cops. He turned out to be a mayoral candidate, Clay Chastain. The cop ticketed him and me. Mine was dismissed before it ever got to court.

The media had so much fun with it I could hardly believe it. Turns out Mr. Chastain had an earlier conviction for stealing from a lumber yard.

Yes, this is the same Chastain of light rail fame.

Point of story: Go after these unscrupulous, cheap skate fools with all guns blazing so to speak. He messed with the wrong guy.

Patrick H. Crowe

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I had someone dump a bunch of garbage in my dumpster once. I spent the better part of a Sunday rummaging through all of that garbage to find an address of the dumper. I found it and also got her employer's address. Seeing as how she was throwing out business literature, I found it prudent to not only send her an e-mail, but her employer also. I sent her an e-mail stating it is illegal to dump anywhere on my site, and I requested payment for having to empty my dumpster before its scheduled pick up. I cc'd the employer in my initial e-mail.

......my wife thought I was losing it.......until........

Not only did I receive the payment for the extra pick up. The company started buying tokens from me to wash their fleet. That was the best afternoon of garbage picking I have ever had.

Strangely enough, Pat is right. Go after these people as hard and as fast as you can. I don't have any problem with being the car wash that doesn't take any s***. I run a car wash, not a city dump.

Signs are a great way to start, being on site is how you will really drive the point home though.

Good Luck!

 

[Waxman]

I just sweep up the messes and use it as fill when appropriate.

I'm on site often, sweeping is good exercise and my lot slopes off in the back!

Don't worry. I'll be as jaded as the next seasoned carwasher in a few years or maybe months.