Honoring Veterans

[Waxman]

It's time for my Veterans Day Carwash! For the past few years I've been giving away free carwashes to all US veterans who come in on Veterans Day. This year I will hold this great event once again.

No matter what your political ideas, I encourage everyone to join those of us who wash Veterans cars for free next Tuesday.

 

[Earl Weiss]

How do you market it? How do people prove they are veterans? If no proof is required I would expect certain demographics are moree ssuceptible to abuse than others.

 

[Waxman]

Flyers in cars we detail. Flyers at the carwash. Word of mouth. Free mentions in local paper and on local radio.

I require no proof; small town, I know everybody pretty much and they know me.

Faking being a Veteran just to get a free wash is low. Karma takes care of those folks without any involvement from me.

I choose to trust those who say they are Veterans because the ones who are deserve that trust and a whole lot more and those who are not are only hurting themselves.

 

[Red Baron]

I have mixed emotions on this. I advertised in newspaper and website that all Purple Heart tagged vehicle wash free. With one exception, I found that anytime I approached a car with a PH tag and explained our policy, they politely declined. It seems as though most who win PH's are proud vets and they don't want a reward for their service. I respect that.

The one exception was one guy who took advantage of it - not only was he wanting to go through my IBA several times a week, but after awhile he began calling me at home saying he was at the wash, and wanted me to bring him a handful of Tokenotes so he could get free car washes without me being there to do it.

 

[washtubman]

We are giving free washes to any active, reserves, or retired military personnel. ID required. It will be published in the newspaper under "local briefs". We're not in an area with a lot of military influence, so not sure what the response will be. But, being retired USAF I thought it important to do something.

 

[Waxman]

There will be pros and cons to every decision you make in business and in life.

I fly the American flag proudly, work in and serve a small, close-knit community and run a respectable and community-oriented operation.

This event is part of what I do and who I am. There may be people who take advantage of this event, but I CHOOSE not to focus on that. Instead, I do my very best to do my little part and lead by example.

If you over-analyze every seemingly good and easy to implement idea, what goal will that accomplish for you? How does that benefit your community, your customers and yourself?

 

[pitzerwm]

Waxman, You have it totally right on all counts. Keep doing what you are doing and keep participating on the Forum and helping some of the old salts/farts.

 

[Tom Thumb]

Waxman, If everyone tried to treat their customers as well as you do this would be a better world to live in.

Good luck and keep up the good work, and you will be rewarded.

 

[galen]

"Karma takes care of those folks without any involvement from me. This event is part of what I do and who I am." I'm proud to call you a friend Dave. G

 

[mmurra]

We offer free washes to all honorably discharged vets, no ID required. We THANK each vet, on behalf of our community, for their service to our country. I have seen old men in tears, saying that they have never been PERSONALLY thanked for their service. That alone makes the event worhwile and successful this past ten years! We send announcements to the paper and all veterans organizations in the area and wash hundreds of veterans (ususally), on Nov 11. Mark

 

[galen]

Mark, a great business plan. You will be successful.

 

[Randy]

How did your guy?s Veterans Day car wash turn out? I had to cancel mine it was raining sideways all day.

 

[Waxman]

I had about 2/3 of last years turnout due to cloudy skies, threats of rain, wind and a few sprinkles.

We still washed quite a few cars. I brewed up a big urn of coffee and put out complimentary donuts.

The best part for me was interacting with US Veterans, looking them in the eye and telling them what they did means alot to me and how thankful I am to them. I really connected with a couple in particular and that alone made the day a success to me.

 

[mmurra]

We washed just under 200 vets. Our goal is 200+ in a small market. Mark

 

[johnny]

if you are a vet and buy anything at lowes you get a 10% discount at the check out,all year

 

[Kevin James]

Just curious, how many car wash operators are veterans? I've never heard of a 10% veterans discount at Lowes, do you need any proof?

 

[johnny]

i just show my va card and the cashier calls for a override,
they take off 10%,very easy
i wish i knew about earlier
i just heard about it 6-8 weeks ago
i am 65, there are a lot of vets my age