Has anyone offered FREE VACS at a self serve location?

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I have a 4/2 that does pretty good other than my vacs. I have 5 combo vacs and they generate a paltry $70 a week combined. I'm at $1/4mins.

Been thinking for some time about offering them free to draw more customers to the wash. Especially the autos. I have 2 locations within 4 miles of me that offer free vacs...1 EE and 1 Flex. My nearest SS is about 3 miles away and I believe he's at $.50/4min.

I know it's hard to go back once you try this, but I was thinking about trying this for say 6 months and if it's a bust I can tell the customers it was a limited time promotion.

My thinking is if it draws one additional customer per day it will make up the loss from the vacuum.

Thoughts?

 

[Jeff_L]

It’s discussed on this thread: http://www.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?15438-Free-Vacuums-VS-Pay-Vacuums

 

[robert roman]

If the wands and in-bay are doing pretty well, so should the vacuums.

So, what is holding vacuums back?

Is it poor visual appeal, weak two motor, no crevice tool, no bill acceptor, no card payment, etc.?

Typical in-bay customer cleans interior about twice a month. How much of business is in-bay?

I see lots of things to consider before giving it away.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I have 5 combo vacs and they generate a paltry $70 a week combined.



I know it's hard to go back once you try this, but I was thinking about trying this for say 6 months and if it's a bust I can tell the customers it was a limited time promotion.

My thinking is if it draws one additional customer per day it will make up the loss from the vacuum.

Thoughts?

Advertise it as a limited time promotion. You can always make it permanent.

1 extra customer per day? Between the SS and IBA the average customer pays $10.00?

Have you done other stuff like add
Bill accepters,
credit card accepters,
Bonus time,
Superbay,
In By blowers?
Vacuum Dualers?

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

If the wands and in-bay are doing pretty well, so should the vacuums.

So, what is holding vacuums back?

Is it poor visual appeal(They're Fragmatics Combo Vacs in near new shape), weak two motor(Yes, 2 motor), no crevice tool(no), no bill acceptor, no card payment, etc.?( YES on bills/CC)

Typical in-bay customer cleans interior about twice a month. How much of business is in-bay? My SS are beating my in-Bay by about 30%

I see lots of things to consider before giving it away.

Responses in red.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Advertise it as a limited time promotion. You can always make it permanent.

1 extra customer per day? Between the SS and IBA the average customer pays $10.00?

Have you done other stuff like add
Bill accepters,
credit card accepters,
Bonus time,
Superbay,
In By blowers?
Vacuum Dualers?

On the auto side, higher...but that average wasn't accurate if we factor in the SS customer.

No bonus time, dualers, superbly or blowers. The problem I have with the blowers, and I've considered them, is my towel station which my costumers love. Maybe I need to implement all these and see what happens before giving up something else?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[MEP001]

The problem I have with the blowers, and I've considered them, is my towel station which my costumers love.

I don't see the problem. If you keep the towel station and add blowers, are you worried the blowers won't get used because of the towel station? I've had quite a few people ask for blowers, more for getting water out of their mirrors and crevices than drying the finish.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Since your customers love your towel station maybe moving the towel station near or between the vacs might help the vac income.
That’s assuming it’s not located there already.

 

[Jerry]

I have a 4/2 that does pretty good other than my vacs. I have 5 combo vacs and they generate a paltry $70 a week combined. I'm at $1/4mins.

Been thinking for some time about offering them free to draw more customers to the wash. Especially the autos. I have 2 locations within 4 miles of me that offer free vacs...1 EE and 1 Flex. My nearest SS is about 3 miles away and I believe he's at $.50/4min.

I know it's hard to go back once you try this, but I was thinking about trying this for say 6 months and if it's a bust I can tell the customers it was a limited time promotion.

My thinking is if it draws one additional customer per day it will make up the loss from the vacuum.

Thoughts?

this is solid thinking and really all that matters.
Don't worry as much about your current customers as they already love your wash and amenities. Focus on bringing in new customers.

All the latest bells and whistles are great but how are you going to let all these new customers know you have blowers? and is that really a draw for new customers?

I'd drive to my competitors places, watch for an hour and see how many people use their free vacs or .50 start vacs. then pull up your camera system and see how busy your place is the same day. Your price is currently at least double for the same 4 mins. Is it worth double? is it worth paying at all? only you know how great your vacs suction is. The customers that you are trying to attract already made their choice.

Now if you do go free then your SS should have the latest bells and whistles so these new customers don't get the idea to wash somewhere else. Doing things differently(and better) than your competition sets you apart. Your towel program is something I'm sure they really enjoy. Build off that value.