New IBA friction? Any suggestions?

[JustClean]

Stainless has most value when a site is within about 35 miles of coastline. Aside from this, it usually doesn’t pay to keep an in-bay more than 8 years or so because of technical and marketing obsolescence.
Yes, I am within 35 miles of coastline. A well maintained stainless machine will last more than 8 years with a few new stickers and a bit of show (but only if you buy the right machine).


So, simplicity refers to the burden the machine puts on an owner to understand it. One way to understand something is to get schooled in it.
Please allow me to disagree partly on this. Understanding is one thing, expensive spare parts (due to the complexity of the machine) is another thing. And if the electronics fail do you want me to earn a degree in science first to get the machine up and running?


Too wide open? For example, when I drive by gas stations and glance at the wash-box, many times it looks like there is no equipment inside the wash-bay. Reason is most in-bays around me are inverted-L and lighting is poor.
With a few flashing colored lights inside the bay this won't happen.


Motorist only sees brushes and drives off when touch-less is available. This is also a burden the machine puts on an owner. In this case, the consumer or motorist needs schooled.
To be honest: I am not in the business to school the consumer. Been there - done that. Rule NO 1: Give the customer what they want! Everything else is wasting time = money. Plus, you don't even get the chance to talk to them as they drive off.

 

[Jeff_L]

I put a PDQ ICON in a couple of months ago. Happy with the unit, really love the wheel scrubbers. I use them on my to two packages and customers tend to want them. Thus the draw to my best packages.

 

[robert roman]

And then there were two, simplicity and drive-offs.

“....expensive spare parts (due to the complexity of the machine)….”

“Expensive” is a function of pricing, quality of materials used to make the part and shipping cost and not the complexity of machine.

For example, people would use a record player to listen to music. Crucial component of record player was stylus or needle.

Diamond tipped stylus provided superior high-fidelity sound, less expensive man-made sapphire tip not so much.

“….if the electronics fail do you want me to earn a degree in science first to get the machine up and running?””

No, because most of the operators I know don’t have a college degree and they solve 80 to 90 percent of their problems over the phone.

Refusing to enter the property and the drive-off (leaving the waiting line) occur because consumers don’t like something.

Typically, this means a long waiting line or long waiting time.

So, if consumer balks based on observation alone (no touch-less available), I suspect you have poor signage or another marketing problem.

 

[cleaning up mud]

What length bay do you need? for the Profile MAX and you guys with them, do customers prefer touchless?

 

[tdlconceptsllc]

Mr Roman I have always wanted to ask you one question. Do you own a Express wash site personally? because I always see you lean towards this they must do really well in your area. I have seen so many mixed reviews and opinions. I just know personally that most women in my family & friends personally will not use a express wash because it scares them to death and with Washworld with virtual treadle they love it. As I say you can close your eyes and drive in as long as they hear a beep to stop them lol. Just saying. I am not in a Metropolitan area with enough people to support a Express wash, small town of 7,000 people

 

[robert roman]

“….Roman….Do you own a Express wash site personally?”

No.

“….I always see you lean towards this.”

My leanings are dictated by market trends. Today, automatic car washing is the market.

Wand segment has been wrecked and there are few prospects for a comeback.

Timid as in “scared to death” is simply a byproduct of ignorance.

For example, women who like to gossip but are not computer literate or understand terms like “gone viral” typically balk at prospect of joining Facebook. Therefore, they talk on the phone.

However, once you teach women how to use computer and Facebook, they quickly become adept at using laptop (home) and smart phone (mobile) to gossip online with photos and videos too.

It’s all about motivation.

“I am not in a Metropolitan area with enough people to support a Express wash, small town of 7,000 people”

I have clients with automatic washes with equally small and smaller populations washing nearly 30,000 cars a year.

I suggest you make a distinction.

Automatic is the market segment meaning it targets DIFM whereas self-serve targets DIY and can target both DIY and DIFM.

Format refers to full-serve, express, flex and free-standing in-bay automatic and self-serve (wands-only or wands plus in-bay automatic).

Since express and in-bay target same segment, why can’t in-bay be used for express format instead of conveyor?

With technology that is available today off-the-shelf, there is no good reason why this can’t happen.