Hamilton HTK mobile app worth the price?

[tylerwash]

Hello,

What’s your experience with the HTK mobile app?

I’ve been using the HTK pay station for a couple of years with the silver subscription. But what it offers is very limited.

Last check it cost 6k to have the app developed that offer many more features such as monthly wash clubs and royalty rewards. How does it compare to Dencar, Everwash and other app based apps?

Thank you

 

[Roz]

We have the app. Works fine but do not expect it to sell your wash. Still takes marketing. We have about 1000 downloads of our app but revenue is maybe $2000 per month. Depends on your customer base.
We use the app with our Goldlines.

 

[tylerwash]

We have the app. Works fine but do not expect it to sell your wash. Still takes marketing. We have about 1000 downloads of our app but revenue is maybe $2000 per month. Depends on your customer base.
We use the app with our Goldlines.

I've been selling wash bundle with the HTK - not impressive at all. A customer buys the bundle from the pay station and it just prints out a receipt with a barcode so he can use it for a certain # of times. On a good month, we sell around 30 bundles.

Because I don't find too many topics related to the HTK mobile app in this forum, I guess most folks are leaning toward other third party apps or different pay stations when selling the monthly membership program.

It seems Dencar has done a decent job integrating the membership program into its pay station. I was hoping the HTK could match or does better than Dencar's due to its higher premium pricing.

 

[RSmith]

Because I don't find too many topics related to the HTK mobile app in this forum, I guess most folks are leaning toward other third party apps or different pay stations when selling the monthly membership program.

It seems Dencar has done a decent job integrating the membership program into its pay station. I was hoping the HTK could match or does better than Dencar's due to its higher premium pricing.

I have been wanting to make the switch to Hamilton from the aforementioned. I got my quote back last night for 3 HTK, 3 DAN Transaction Terminals, 9 DTT Controllers, 3 LRP Cameras, 3 DAN Econo G5, 3 Hamilton base kits, 3 wraps, 3 gold subscriptions. Came out to $180,000 or $60,000 per site in my case. I'm not understanding where the value-add is to justify the price over the Commander. The reason I wanted the HTK was to eliminate quarters since the Commander does not give bills for change. I was also quoted $4k for the app if that helps your original question.

Although, I paid to have my own app with D and now they have discontinued updating it, and switched me over to the singular app for all of their customers. The worst part about it is when my customers go to download the new app (they cant update CC information or anything with the old app) they are greeted with a 2.7 star rated app (I've given it 5 stars from 7 devices/accounts on my own so the number is worse still).

 

[tylerwash]

I have been wanting to make the switch to Hamilton from the aforementioned. I got my quote back last night for 3 HTK, 3 DAN Transaction Terminals, 9 DTT Controllers, 3 LRP Cameras, 3 DAN Econo G5, 3 Hamilton base kits, 3 wraps, 3 gold subscriptions. Came out to $180,000 or $60,000 per site in my case. I'm not understanding where the value-add is to justify the price over the Commander. The reason I wanted the HTK was to eliminate quarters since the Commander does not give bills for change. I was also quoted $4k for the app if that helps your original question.

Although, I paid to have my own app with D and now they have discontinued updating it, and switched me over to the singular app for all of their customers. The worst part about it is when my customers go to download the new app (they cant update CC information or anything with the old app) they are greeted with a 2.7 star rated app (I've given it 5 stars from 7 devices/accounts on my own so the number is worse still).

The HTK wasn't cheap even before the pandemic. I should have opted for the the Commander as the majority of the transactions are CC. Back then, it's $15K difference between the HTK and the commander.

I drove by a nearby express tunnel equipped with the latest HTK pay stations few days ago. But it seemed weird to me they used Everwash to sell their monthly membership program. I thought the HTK got all the bells and whistles.

 

[Car Wash Brothers]

I have been wanting to make the switch to Hamilton from the aforementioned. I got my quote back last night for 3 HTK, 3 DAN Transaction Terminals, 9 DTT Controllers, 3 LRP Cameras, 3 DAN Econo G5, 3 Hamilton base kits, 3 wraps, 3 gold subscriptions. Came out to $180,000 or $60,000 per site in my case. I'm not understanding where the value-add is to justify the price over the Commander. The reason I wanted the HTK was to eliminate quarters since the Commander does not give bills for change. I was also quoted $4k for the app if that helps your original question.

Although, I paid to have my own app with D and now they have discontinued updating it, and switched me over to the singular app for all of their customers. The worst part about it is when my customers go to download the new app (they cant update CC information or anything with the old app) they are greeted with a 2.7 star rated app (I've given it 5 stars from 7 devices/accounts on my own so the number is worse still).

Who gave you that quote? I need to talk to them because I was quoted $150k for two but that was with installation.

 

[Roz]

I think you need the Hamilton App with Hosted Solutions to be able to run a monthly program. We have the Hamilton app. Works OK. Our biggest issue is the Goldline scanner that sometimes does not read the QR code immediately. Could be a better app but not their priority. Has a few bugs that they exorcise now and then.

Before you drop serious money you should ask what are my major issues I am looking to resolve or improve. Then see if Hamilton handles them for you. I have seen HTKs with Everwash too. Everwash is cheap to install but you get the headaches on the backend with abuse.

If memberships are your driving issue then you might check out the Dencar paystations as they seem to have a more refined and easier to use system. Frictionless as they like to say.

NRCC is the beginning of October if you can wait to see them or I would call them for a few owners to talk with so you can check them out. I know one small owner with five locations who converted all paystations to Dencar and is very happy.

we have ICS and Goldlines. We converted all our changers to dispense dollar coins instead of bills which has alleviated bill dispensing issues on ICS and made dispensing coins easy in the Goldlines. Our cc percentage varies significantly by location (demographics).

 

[ShinePro]

Commander paystation is cheaper to purchase than an HTK.
I ve been to Hamilton plant and seen them all.
Only difference is change is given in coin.
No bills
We use $1 coins to give change.
I really like the Commander!!!!!!!!!
So do my older Customers!!!!

As far as the App. We are 4 yrs in to the App. 1050 downloads.
People that use the App - love it! And use the shit out of it!
Getting the others to remember or actually use it-(after down loading) is the issue.
About 8-9 % of our washes are sold thru the App.
Signage- direct emails- push notifications-
Nothing moves that needle any so far.

I do know this - Hamilton is going thru an App upgrade- and a Hosted Solutions upgrade. Bringing everything in house- no more out sourcing -( if thats the right term)

I m looking forward with some anticipation to seeing how this all effects my business and usage.


Roz is right- it will not sell your wash!
I have friends in other parts of country with different apps and they arent getting any more app sales than I am, on a percentage basis.

I think folks have app fatigue. I m hopeful that as time goes on that the younger generations - who live on their phones- will get the usage to be more agreeable to cover the expense.

The expenses-
The rewards points are worth $2+ off a wash.
Plus Hosted Solutions and an extra cc account with World Pay and their fees are about 15-20% of sales depending on the month.

Ps
I bought in to this to have something to offer besides the unlimited memberships.
I have no regrets working with Hamilton.
Bob and his staff are great people to work with!

 

[Roz]

I tend to agree with ShinePro. We have about 1000 plus downloads of our app. Hard part is knowing who is still using the app and Hosted Solutions backend is very dated (and I have heard of the upgrade being on the way for a long time). We send notices via the app but have no idea who still has the app on their phone or reads the specials we blast out.

That said customers read little these days. I gave away $5 for our SS bays with the CryptoPay loyalty cards (like a Starbucks card). I can count on two hands how many people asked for the cards even with simple signs promoting the $$ benefits.

no idea if Dencar has experienced their growing pains but what I saw at ICA was impressive.

cannot go wrong with a commander or a Dencar. Really depends on what you seek to accomplish.

 

[ShinePro]

Hey Roz

Last Thursday Hamilton called.

They put me on the new Hosted Solutions as a trial run.
Its nice - very well done.
In the App section you have several new tools to go in and look at usage and log in’s

They are getting close!

 

[ShinePro]

Tylerwash

Here is a perfect example
Off the new Hosted Solutions
I have sent out 511 FREE birthday washes.
FREE washes
Make sure I m clear FREE! FREE
As of today.

Only 58 have been redeemed

 

[Carwashclubber]

Hello,

What’s your experience with the HTK mobile app?

I’ve been using the HTK pay station for a couple of years with the silver subscription. But what it offers is very limited.

Last check it cost 6k to have the app developed that offer many more features such as monthly wash clubs and royalty rewards. How does it compare to Dencar, Everwash and other app based apps?

Thank you

Tylerwash, fyi only, I'm about to ditch my Dencar unit for an ICS or Hamilton model. While we all want to see a garage band (Ron & Phil) do well against the big uglies - how long does an IBA operator, living beyond service truck driving distance (Ohio-ish?), have to deal with replacing the unresponsive touch screen 2x, replacing the jamming recpt printer 1x, replacing the speaker 1x, and repairing the bill changer 4x. Each time, wrenching it myself, all within 3yr. Sure the box is pretty and the demo at Carwash Expo is slick...but these nice-enough fellas seem way over their heads in building a reliable box for the unattended IBA market. I'm thinkn about driving this beautiful stainless steel box to the next expo, and raffling it off at the front door. Sooo, tired of this overly pricey Dencar box! Beware the forum shills who defend this garage band to the death...it might be the death of your biz.

 

[tylerwash]

Tylerwash, fyi only, I'm about to ditch my Dencar unit for an ICS or Hamilton model. While we all want to see a garage band (Ron & Phil) do well against the big uglies - how long does an IBA operator, living beyond service truck driving distance (Ohio-ish?), have to deal with replacing the unresponsive touch screen 2x, replacing the jamming recpt printer 1x, replacing the speaker 1x, and repairing the bill changer 4x. Each time, wrenching it myself, all within 3yr. Sure the box is pretty and the demo at Carwash Expo is slick...but these nice-enough fellas seem way over their heads in building a reliable box for the unattended IBA market. I'm thinkn about driving this beautiful stainless steel box to the next expo, and raffling it off at the front door. Sooo, tired of this overly pricey Dencar box! Beware the forum shills who defend this garage band to the death...it might be the death of your biz.

carwashclubber, at this moment responding to your post, Hamilton has put me on hold for 30+ minutes for the tech support. I just wanted to reset the passcode logging into the HTK so I can diagnose the printer.

I really don’t have a good experience with their HTK.

The HTK is pricey! After you install the HTK, the tech support is nowhere to be found - even ordering a simple parts can be difficult. I inquired about the mobile app and the monthly pass several weeks ago. I didn’t get the response back until a week or two later. The hardware inside the HTK are not as reliable as their old predecessors - they’re pretty much all made in China. 3 years after installing the HTK, we’ve replaced 5 credit card readers, 1 power supply, 4 speakers and 2 touch-screens. And I’m having an issue with one of the receipt printers now.

I’m scheduled to replace the old ACW with dencar for another site because the rampage on the wash abuse using Everwash. I hope I didn’t make a bad decision this time.

I can’t comment on ICS. Maybe other folks can chip in.

 

[Flex- Wand]

Wow ! This a good read

 

[OurTown]

We are not happy with our Dencar system but maybe some day it work right and we can open for business. If I told you guys how many help tickets we have put in so far you wouldn't believe me. They do have very good customer service but the product is so so. We do finally have all of our self serve and vacuum relays working finally. Apparently our installer wired some of them wrong. The app works on my phone (Android) now after they updated it. I think the biggest issue now is that the voice module appears fried again. (Second one) I still am confident that it's the best idea for selling club memberships at unattended washes. My opinion of the looks of the box is that it's ugly and reminds me of the old Ryko pay stations. Have any of you guys had ICS quote you on a system? I couldn't believe the price.

 

[JKWash]

I’ve got a site run by all Hamilton equipment and I’m using the Touch4Wash mobile app. Touch4Wash works at all my sites regardless of the different equipment at each location.
This App does everything for self serve and IBA customers. Memberships (which I don’t use), discounts, loyalty programs, fleets, push notifications and marketing, time of day pricing, etc, etc, etc. Customer service is absolutely incredible and it’s cheaper than everyone else.

 

[TouchFree330]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum but have been in this business for quite a while. We own 9 IBA washes in the Northeast Ohio area. We have Wash World Razors and Petit Accutrac machines in our locations and have Hamilton Goldline's in most of the washes but also HTK's at one location (3years old) and recently put a set of Dencar Kiosks at our newest location.
We have been using the Hamilton App and scanners for around 5 years now and our HTK site is a test site where you can buy wash clubs on the touch screen. From our experience, we have had many downloads (almost 6K) and people do buy bundles and face value washes to store in their wallets on the app but its been hard retaining wash club members. It is nice to be able to offer someting for everyone but my biggest complaint is not being able to monitor the wash clubs for abuse. As for Hamilton, the tech support has been pretty good for us over the years but the Hosted Solutions platform, even though it is good, you have to be careful with the app revenue. We have had a hard time breaking down the numbers from what the gross revenue the app shows to what we actually have in our World Pay account. Basically, if you look at your monthly/ yearly gross, it looks better than it actually is!

Now, the Dencar kiosks we installed over a year ago, are much better at retaining and signing up wash pass members. Also, we have had hardly any issues with customers calling about problems at the kiosk (scanners) and using our app. Contrary, we receive calls all the time about Hamilton app/scanners. TThe Dencar scanner is hands down superior to the Hamilton. Also, tech support is ok but I know sometimes it is hard to reach them and have to leave a number to call back.

All in all, it depends on what you want to achieve, but my opinion is if you want to offer month subscriptions, then Dencar is the only way to go. Especially with the LPR mounted in the canopy.


Hope this helps,
Dustin