Looking for opinions

[washnvac]

I have been $5 for 30 minutes at four locations since 2003. I have double floor loops to shut bays off upon exit, and to keep two cars from washing at once. It has worked well for me. There are a few that use their full 30 minutes. The Summer/Fall average is 14 minutes. The Winter/Spring average is 21 minutes. (averages taken on Saturdays)

Chemical costs is a little higher than the average ss. But you get 5 bucks from every customer, and no bucket washers. And the grass cutters will go somewhere else; just as I encourage them to do.

This set up is obviously not for everyone. You always get the few who say "$5 to wash your car?". You can't please everyone--I stopped trying long ago!

 

[Tom Thumb]

Washvac,
Thanks for the responce, curious as to why 30 min is there a reason for that amount of time other than adding more value to the customer.

 

[MEP001]

curious as to why 30 min is there a reason for that amount of time other than adding more value to the customer.

I know someone who has done something similar - they can pay the usual $1.50 startup, but if they deposit $5.00 or more before the time runs out, the time doubles and they get around 24 minutes. He says about 25% pay $5 with no intention of using it all, just so they don't have to rush. I know this doesn't do what you want as far as stopping the lawn guys, but it's probably the most cost-effective way to get the people willing to "pay one price" without losing the regulars.

 

[washnvac]

Washvac,
Thanks for the responce, curious as to why 30 min is there a reason for that amount of time other than adding more value to the customer.

Yes, exactly. Those folks that say "$5 to wash??", you respond yes, but you get a half hour. In most cases they realize what a fantastic deal it is.

There will still be a few that say--I just want a quick rinse, or I just want to wash my wheels or mats. We just always try to convince those folks by telling them all the products they get in our bays. There is still a couple of folks that won't pay it no matter what. So they just have to go somewhere else.

As the economy turned south, and operating costs increased, I considered cutting back to 20 minutes and/or raising my price to $6. But instead, I refocused my efforts on advertising the value I provide, and that my prices have not gone up since 2003.

I am sure there will be a time when I have to reduce the time and/or increase the price, but I am just not there yet. I have also focused on cutting other non essential expenses.

I know an operator that tried to do half his bays the old way, and half with the $5 for 30 minutes. He said that was a bad idea, because it was just too confusing for the customers. Plus more folks wanted the $5 for 30. Just fyi.

 

[robert roman]

Perhaps if you would have first mentioned the land is located in one of the State’s up and coming “income segregated” communities, I would have not made such a broad statement.

With the exception of tony areas like Nona, Baldwin or Meadow where the vast majority of Floridians can’t afford to live, most neighborhoods have seen property values decline by 40 percent or more.

I live in the 2nd or 3rd most affluent area in the county and our townhouse lost 49 percent value since 2005. My wife has a house on an inter-coastal with a dock. This thing has lost 30 percent.

 

[robert roman]

As for charging $5.00 and wash for 20 to 30 minutes, this concept is similar to the pay-one-price, wash all you want format. I agree, this strategy can create more value for customers and some people are finding this approach is effective in countering lowest price/free vacuums. Self-service operators can also generate more sales per square feet by adding services to the mix.