Pay Stations - Hamilton vs ICS Auto Sentry vs other?

[mintman]

Hi all,

New to the game. I own a few sites in Australia. We currently have a friction IBA and looking to add a touch free IBA soon. The existing machines are paired with a either an ANZTEC or local pay station. The pay stations offer 3 or 4 options with no interactive touch screens, with no ability to change pricing according to times of the day or provide customers with 'discount codes' or QR/barcodes during certain trading periods etc. Also, with the existing pay stations, specifically relating to our friction IBAs, I cannot segregate washes depending on the type of car e.g. a 4WD with many after market mods cannot use a brush - i.e. I have to make a specific wash for those vehicles reducing my options to market or up-sell etc.

With the context above, does anyone recommend Hamilton HTK/CTK or ICS Auto Sentry Flex HD for both my IBAs? Have you found you could drive revenue with the discount/QR codes? Am I able to program the interface and wash programs/marketing from my end?

It's quite an expensive machine. However, if it supports marketing campaigns it could well be worth it.

How is there after sale support services? Will it be difficult given the big differences in time zones?

Appreciate any advice!

 

[Islandwash]

I have used the ICS Flex for over 10 years at two different IBA sites, plus my tunnel. I have been pleased with them. You can dispense Free Vacuum Tokens, and there are good promotional capabilities, some are Time of Day pricing, wash codes bar coded or numeric, Coupons. Big Touchscreen, their support team is consistently good, be aware that they do Triage support calls depending on your need. I previously used Hamilton, but that was well over 10 years ago, so I have no idea about them now, but they do have a excellent rep. Your critical issue as a car washer anywhere is your local support and install. Brand is nice, support essential.