Negotiating equipment purchases ?

[Petitlong]

I am in the process of planning a 3 bay petit build and got some quotes for a dual petit with double pumps and it was 177k. I’ve reached out to some other owners and they shared they paid between 150-160 for this setup. One purchased in 2021 and the other recently. I’m looking for advice on negotiating the price down on these machines. I feel like I’m being charged a premium.
thank you.

 

[Axxlrod]

So you're saying the quote for two Petit units each with double pumps totaled $177K? Seems way too low.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

So you're saying the quote for two Petit units each with double pumps totaled $177K? Seems way too low.

I’m assuming he means per unit

 

[Waxman]

maybe there are options you can remove? you're only $17k over, doesn't seem that bad to me. I really don't think you can compare a quote from four years ago to yours and expect it to be exact. A lot of things aren't the same price as they were four years ago.

 

[Islandwash]

Relative to the discussion of price is if you already have a relationship and is it the same distributor who will service and maintain it for its lifespan. Look ahead a few years for when you have to call for service when the machine is broken. Our distributors have the same price pressures on them that we do.

 

[Rapidoil]

.

 

[Blanco]

Relative to the discussion of price is if you already have a relationship and is it the same distributor who will service and maintain it for its lifespan. Look ahead a few years for when you have to call for service when the machine is broken. Our distributors have the same price pressures on them that we do.

This is spot on. Not all distributors are equal. If you have to pay an extra 10K but your distributor is good then it's worth every penny.

Some distributors will install machines the cheapest way possible with tapcon, zinc bolts, galvanized unistrut and pipe.
Another distributor will spend more and use stainless screws, stainless unistrut, stainless clamps, and stainless pipe.

Theres distributors that take pride in their work and theres ones that are just about a quick money grab.

Some distributors you won't ever hear from after an install and they get their check. Other you can call at anytime and they answer.

You need to find out if you have an actual distributor or a sales person. If you dont know them then ask to see their work. Go to a site they installed and talk to the owners.

 

[Greg Pack]

177K is the retail base price for a dual pump petit. By the time you add install and options (RO delivery, foaming applicators, etc.)you're looking at significantly higher numbers. I see operators claiming 250K installed as a fairly common number. if I was buying three at a time I'd expect a discount. Have no ideas what the margins for petit are but I'd expect 15% off retail maybe

 

[water guy]

This is spot on. Not all distributors are equal. If you have to pay an extra 10K but your distributor is good then it's worth every penny.

Some distributors will install machines the cheapest way possible with tapcon, zinc bolts, galvanized unistrut and pipe.
Another distributor will spend more and use stainless screws, stainless unistrut, stainless clamps, and stainless pipe.

Theres distributors that take pride in their work and theres ones that are just about a quick money grab.

Some distributors you won't ever hear from after an install and they get their check. Other you can call at anytime and they answer.

You need to find out if you have an actual distributor or a sales person. If you dont know them then ask to see their work. Go to a site they installed and talk to the owners.

That's Gospel Right There!

 

[AnalyticWash]

This is spot on. Not all distributors are equal. If you have to pay an extra 10K but your distributor is good then it's worth every penny.

Some distributors will install machines the cheapest way possible with tapcon, zinc bolts, galvanized unistrut and pipe.
Another distributor will spend more and use stainless screws, stainless unistrut, stainless clamps, and stainless pipe.

Theres distributors that take pride in their work and theres ones that are just about a quick money grab.

If owners would define their install scope better and hold their distributor accountable when they do a bad job (suing them) we would not have an industry like this.

Car wash distributors charge trade rates (or higher) without being a regulated trade. Manufacturers do not check the work of their distributors/installers & many manufacturers have eliminated or do not have any training programs.

As far as I am aware, there are no car wash industry standards/regulations except what is established by the distributor/manufacturer. If you are building a new wash you should consult with someone who has experience with new builds and has dealt with multiple distributors.

I have seen many people get bent over thinking they were working with a top notch distributor.

 

[water guy]

You Know I actually see a lot of crappy installs here in Texas. And really surprised of the people who purchase this Carwashs and have the work done and don't know the difference. I was at one a so called carwash installer installed all the low pressure supply lines in Black and ordered the fittings from Amazon. Come on Really!

 

[water guy]

I love taking pictures of crap like that.

 

[Blanco]

If owners would define their install scope better and hold their distributor accountable when they do a bad job (suing them) we would not have an industry like this.

Most owners do not even fix their own machine let alone supervise/instruct an installation. Most wouldn’t even know what a good install is, what to look for, or what type of materials should be used. There is a difference between running a car wash and building/installing one.

Car wash distributors charge trade rates (or higher) without being a regulated trade. Manufacturers do not check the work of their distributors/installers & many manufacturers have eliminated or do not have any training programs.

Manufactures don’t care. Good distributors/installers are very rare. Either they sell hypothetically 10 machines with good distributors or a 100 with anyone that can get it running. They are in no position to be picky and the bottom line is what counts.

As far as I am aware, there are no car wash industry standards/regulations except what is established by the distributor/manufacturer. If you are building a new wash you should consult with someone who has experience with new builds and has dealt with multiple distributors.

This is a given. Although it relies on the fact that the builder is good at their job. Just because some company has built multiple car washes does not mean they are honest or good at what they do. There is a company in my state that has built plenty of new builds. Every time they almost always get sued a month or two after the wash opens and I can guarantee they have never had a repeat customer.

It’s the owners who have to own the location years down the line after the build that you want to talk to and hear their experiances with the build and the aftermath of it.

I have seen many people get bent over thinking they were working with a top notch distributor.

Most times the owner is sold a dream. We all know pick up the money once a week. The nieve owner and POS distributor share equal fault. Other times the distributor does not even know any better. He may even think he is doing good job. Then there is times where the distributor is an POS doing a in an out just to make a buck the quickest way possible, takes no pride in their work, and leave you ghosted in the future.