High gas prices and its effect on the car wash business.

[Waxman]

The construction of my new detail shop has greatly benefitted from the building slump. Lower costs, responsive contractors, great loan rates.

 

[bigleo48]

Most of the gas/c-stores that are not doing well charging $10 for a wash are those which are still using low volume, touch-less in-bays. This usually means long waiting times, a grim looking wash-bay and barely acceptable wash/dry quality. After spending $70 for a fill-up, that is why people don't want to use them.

Several weeks ago, I visited a gas/c-store that pumps about 400,000 gallons a month. The carwash (express conveyor) did over 400 high quality washes on a Thursday. The top package at this place was $12.00.

Bob,

Those are washes in my area that my friend services (and so we can get the numbers off the machine). They were doing great a few months ago and have seen a noticble dropoff.

BTW...the converyor in town fairing worst (but people in this neck of the woods prefer touchless washes).

BigLeo