THE WASHES THAT I MAKE REFERENCE TO ARE IN A METRO AREA THAT HAS BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS SO THERE ARE MANY PICKUPS & SUV'S THAT GO THROUGH THE WASHES.Thank you Jon. Our clients are primarily large trucks and suvs. Our customers have gravel drives and tow their boats to the surrounding lakes on weekends or to the motocross tracks.
So our new menu signs that are on their way indicatethe $6 is for lightly dusty frequently washed cars. Our bug guarantee is posted on our other three wash packages.
I am slo curious if Bud hand towels. I know of several washes that can hide or diminish the stray bug with a hand dry.
We are a true express.
I WOULD AGREE THAT EVEN IN THE RURAL AREAS THE ROADS ARE PAVED AND WE DON'T HAVE MANY VEHICLES THAT LOOK AS THOUGH THEY JUST CAME OF AN "OFF-ROAD" RALLY.
SINCE YOU HAVE MOSTLY PU'S AND SUV'S THAT ARE EXTREMELY DIRTY, WHY NOT OFFER A "TOP QUALITY EXPRESS WASH" AND CHARGE $7 OR $8 AND DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THEM CLEAN.
WHAT I HAVE FOUND IN MY 40+ YEARS IN THE IN THE INDUSTRY IS THAT TOO MANY CAR WASH OPERATORS FUNCTION FROM A "ME" PERSPECTIVE RATHER THAN A "THEY OR CUSTOMER" PERSPECTIVE.
AS CONSUMERS WE WANT THINGS TO BE SIMPLE, WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A LOT OF CHOICES AND TAKE TIME TRYING TO MAKE A CHOICE. AND A SMART CAR WASH OPERATOR DOES NOT WANT TO HOLD UP THE LINE EXPLAINING ALL THE DIFFERENT PACKAGES TO THE CUSTOMER. YOU WANT TO WASH A LOT OF CARS YOU HAVE TO "GET THEM THROUGH THE CONVEYOR" ON BUSY DAYS. THAT IS, VEHICLES SHOULD BE BUMPER TO BUMPER ON THE CONVEYOR. EXPLAINING ALL YOUR DIFFERENT PACKAGES TO THE CUSTOMER IS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE.
PLUS, BE HONEST, YOU DO NOT READ SIGNS IN THE BUSINESSES YOU PATRONIZE AND I AM AMAZED AT HOW NAIVE OPERATORS ARE THINKING THAT THE CONSUMER IS GOING TO READ THEIR SIGNS WITH ALL THE WRITING AND EXPLANATIONS ON THEM. BE HONEST, MOST DO NOT READ THOSE SIGNS.
TRYING TO GET CUSTOMERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SMALL - MEDIUM - LARGE VEHICLES ARE IS A NIGHTMARE. YOU MENTIONED, SLIGHTLY DIRTY VS REALLY DIRTY. WHO DECIDES THAT? YOU? OF COURSE, BUT WHAT IF THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT AGREE? ARGUMENTS, BAD FEELINGS.
ELIMINATE ALL OF THAT, TURN OUT A CLEAN VEHICLE AND CHARGE FOR IT. IF YOU HAVE TO CHARGE $7 OR $8 TO DO THAT THEN DO THAT.
IF YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT A $5 OR $6 WASH AND DON'T CARE IF IT COMPLETELY CLEAN YOU WILL SOON FIND OUT.
THE KEY IS TO KEEP YOUR BUYING CHOICES SIMPLE AND TO A MINIMUM.
MOST EXETERIOR WASHES IN MY AREA OFFER EITHER TWO OR THREE PACKAGES:
TWO SERVICES
Basic Wash $ 6.00
Deluxe 10.00 (wash, polish 'n wax, undercarriage spray)
THREE SERVICES
Basic Wash $ 6.00
Wash & Polish 'n Wax 8.00
The Works 12.00 (wash, polish 'n wax, undercarriage spray, tire shine)
THEY SELL ABOUT 35% TO 40% OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THE HIGHER WASH PACKAGE
IN YOUR CASE YOU WOULD SIMPLY CHARGE A HIGHER PRICE FOR THE BASIC WASH AND CLEAN THE CAR.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT HOW GOOD A JOB YOUR EQUIPMENT IS DOING ON AUTOMATICALLY CLEANING THE WHEELS AND WASHING THE VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE RUNNING OVER 100 CAR PER HOUR CHAIN SPEED YOU NEED AT LEAST 3 TO 4 PASSES ON THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE TO GET IT CLEAN WITHOUT TOUCHHING IT MANUALLY.
AND YOU PROBABLY NEED TWO SETS OF WRAP-AROUNDS TOO.
WITH THE CORRECT WHEEL CLEANER YOU CAN GET PRETTY DARN CLEAN WHEELS WITHOUT EXTENSIVE EQUIPMENT.
JUST A FEW WELL INTENTIONED THOUGHTS.
BUD ABRAHAM