Is the self serve dead or dying?

[MudMoney]

I agree with Mac,all about location again.My 3 bay with no inbay rocks all the time in spite of 12 other bays with in 2 miles of me.

 

[Robert2181]

We had had that happen only a couple of times. We traced it done to the flex wands. They are the only thing in line that are galvanized .

Robert,

I know this is a little off topic, but since it has been brought up! How cold does it actually get at your location? The Midwest can cover a lot of different weather patterns…

I have a very similar system, only mine is a semi-automated AIR/WF purge for those long cold spells. It allows me to purge 2, 3, or all 4 bays within a few minutes. BUT…When reopening the bays a few days later or even a week later, the inrush of water through the hose “Always” breaks crud loose and partially blocks a tip, distorting the spray pattern.
This is the only time I have problems with blocked nozzles. I never have problems when running weep and keeping the hoses full of water.

With your automated system, you ever have issues like this? This problem keeps me from completely automating the process to save on weep. At least I am there when re-opening a bay to unplug the tips.

 

[1carwash1]

I think there has been a healthy thinning of the ranks. And with construction cost through the roof, I cannot fathom how someone could justifying building a new self serv. Were in an area loaded with expresses and our self serv is doing just fine and steadily improving.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I think there has been a healthy thinning of the ranks. And with construction cost through the roof, I cannot fathom how someone could justifying building a new self serv. Were in an area loaded with expresses and our self serv is doing just fine and steadily improving.

That's somewhat re-affirming.

One of my competitors is a newly built 200' express with free vacuum and mat cleaning. I have a friend that owns a wash about 90mins from me and he is going give me some help getting started.

 

[cmawash]

have to agree, never saw the recession, business increased, in the past 5 years business has doubled and we only co op self serves wash with several locations.
what we have done is up grade services and equipment with the same basic start price that has not changed in 7 years, also we have been to a lot of car wash conventions and will be there this year.

In other word

 

[mrfixit]

Sales were down... go bargain basement on the price, I'm sure the guy just wants to get out of it..

The other washes sound run down and an owner that's running them on auto pilot... Bays that are always working and in good condition will bring customers every time. Always working is key, you gotta keep up on it. Customers want reliability.

If you can step in for a low enough price and invest a little into the ss to make it stand out and be the best of the bunch, you can put the others under if you go about it right..

Carwashing is a tight profit margin in certain areas, sounds like you will run into many many things that need to be fixed and upgraded, to stand out and be successful.. To the tune of thousands.. Push every issue you can find to lower the price. Updates to the wash should put you on top, but is the property worth it..

 

[AZcarwashman]

I have three self serves here in the valley two have roll overs as well. Please keep in mind, the whole phoenix metroplex area has been inundated with $3 express washes. I have seen my business drop a good 20% since they have come around, but have seen things level out the last three years as well. Maybe even tic up a bit. But, it's a tough business here for self serv. they are a dime a dozen and you really need to run it good, upgrade where you can and understand the carwash industry has changed and the glory days of the self serv are gone, but if you find the right one, there's still plenty of business to be had. Just don't over pay. There are good deals here now for self serves. You just need to hold out for the best price. Email me if you'd like any advice in the Phoenix market. I've been in the business for 13 years so I got in only a few years before the downward trend and have learned a lot. Good luck to you though.