Going on vacation - how do you owners/operators do it?

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Just curious. Been in this business since July. Been trying to hon a few people I hired to help keep the place clean and orderly. Have a system & chart of duties for each shift.

We're planning 2 trips for about 2 weeks each, and I'm curious how you guys do it? My biggest concerns are dealing with removing the cash, and of course major problems. The major problems I can deal with by leaving the employee's a list of techs to call in the event of a major ( or even minor ) issue.

I can fill up the coin hoppers to the max. I've been thinking about having a close friend whom I trust just remove and deposit the bills.

How do you guys get away from your washes for any amount of significant time(if you do)? I'm not talking about guys that own large EE's or others where they have multiple employees and possibly a manager and asst. manager. I assume people with smaller operations either place a certain amount of trust with an employee(s) or they don't, and are kept on a tight leash to their business.

 

[MEP001]

It's not really a problem to trust someone with keys as long as you can account for everything. The trick is to give keys to only one person rather than just hang them from a nail in the equipment room for any employee to access money, otherwise if you come up short you won't know who did it. Before you leave, valuate the changer, pull everything and write down counter readings.

 

[slash007]

I wouldn't leave money in that long, and the hoppers should run out if you are decently busy. You really need to trust someone to pull the money and fill the changers at least.

 

[Waxman]

give one person you trust ( i have mine ) keys to coin boxes and vaults and vacs and vending. i like to have them keep the cash collected in separate envelopes with the date and machine they came from on it. when i get back i make the deposit.

longest i have been away is i think 9 days. when i have a good crew, i ask them to only call me with good news. it never works. i was away for 4 days to work in a friend's business during his peak sales period and the hot water heater in the detail shop went bad. it's always going to be something, but the older i get the less i stress. it will all be there waiting for me when i return to the wash, might as well enjoy time off.

 

[lilb93]

Well if Hillary wins, hang the keys on the front door and take 4 years off.

 

[MudMoney]

I struck the mother lode years ago when I only hire retired people.In addition another business couple takes care of my deposits & her husband is a great mechanic to boot.I also see way to many business owners micro manage their staff and then the staff is afraid to make decisions while the owner is gone.Btw I just returned from a week in Portugal,this past year I took 14 weeks off out of the state and out of the US.Beside my ss carwash,i'm a mail contractor, courier service, & a canadian package service. I've got a great crew that I reward on a regular basis.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Yes, I feel I found a good kid who is a disabled vet with a small pension. He's got a mechanical mind, and seems eager to fix stuff and learn things. He now lives on site, and is literally available 24/7 - although we have some set hours/days that I need hime there 100% of the time.

I also booked my trip for about 16 days. I'll make it happen. I'll have 2-3 numbers for various techs to get out to fix things. I'll line up someone to handle the cash - refilling hoppers and depositing cash.

I'll update the thread as the trip progresses.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Earl Weiss]

1. If you can get away with only having changers serviced buy Separate new locks for those and give the person you trust keys for those only. Depending on Hopper capacity put $1k in each. Instruct person to replace with quarters exact amount he takes out and record it. When you get back, Hoppers and bills should still total $1000.00 As stated have them record counters and $ pulled and deposited.

2. when you get back swap out the locks again.

3. When I have to be away i expect things to cost me some money / lose revenue and that is part of the cost of being away.

4. Can you be accessible by phone or e-mail?

 

[MEP001]

A tip for what Earl suggested, order locks and keys for the changer from Hamilton and no one can duplicate them. Some locksmiths can copy Medeco keys, but not if they came from Hamilton.

 

[DiamondWash]

What is this word "Vacation" you speak of and how does one acquire such a thing.

 

[MEP001]

I don't know, it's been 24 years since my last one.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I don't know, it's been 24 years since my last one.

Dang - why is that? Traveling is important to us. At the expense of higher incomes, new cars, expensive clothes, and so on.