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Pet Peeve: Never getting to relax

You could hire another person to oversee the self serve and keep it up and running. Or you could get software to remotely manage your wash. Just depends.
 
Debra Gorgos said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to relax/vacation when you own a self serve?
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I've been trying for years to get where we can take a day trip during the week so I can be available weekends. At this point I don't think it's going to happen without an attendant. I can't imagine anyone wanting to work just one week a month.
 
Seems as though when ever my wife and I get away, something breaks down at the wash! It can go months and months and not even a single glitch. But as soon as we leave the driveway, it rears its ugly head! It knows!
 
2Biz said:
Seems as though when ever my wife and I get away, something breaks down at the wash! It can go months and months and not even a single glitch. But as soon as we leave the driveway, it rears its ugly head! It knows!
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You are exactly right. And trying to solve a problem with an attendant over the phone drives me nuts. "There's a reset button right there in front of you! Right there! Push it! It's.....right....THERE!"
 
It seems that most of my break downs come on Friday afternoons, so maybe we do away with Fridays and start weekends on Thursdays,

What do you think??
 
You guys aren’t living right. Train your employees or whoever takes over when you’re not there as to what to do if somethings goes wrong when you’re not there. If they can’t figure it out that why we have orange cones. We go away a couple times a year. I’m not going to stress about anything while I’m away, Life’s to short. I know one car wash operator who has a love shack in Arizonia and he goes down there a few times a year for weeks at a time, his crew handle things fine.
 
My son finally got out of the navy where he was a flight engineer and also airplane mechanic. I finally get to relax now and take off a bit. He knows how to get hold of me if can't figure something out and we also have a great distributor who is always just a phone call away and willing to talk us through things.
 
Randy hit all the buttons. when i leave town my cell phone is turned over to trusted employee and I take another cell phone that only he has the number.Over the years I've got good relationship with a plumber & electrician that know when I'm gone.Employee calls them if there is a problem.Yes it cost a little more but its piece of mind.My deposits are done by a gal that has a high security clearance with her company.I don't micro manage my employees and pay them very well,all have been with me over 3 years and alex is @ 10 yrs. There will be owners that say their car wash is different, no its not,they don't trust their employees.If you can't trust them get rid of the person or sale your wash.Enjoy life as it goes by too fast !
 
I have to concur with Randy and Swampdonkey. If you think that your not expendable I got news for you, everyone is. A good business owner will have employees that he can trust whenever he is gone or away on vacation. We do what Swampdonkey does, turn off the phone when we go away for the weekend or on vacation. Why be a slave to your business!
 
Randy said:
You guys aren’t living right. Train your employees or whoever takes over when you’re not there as to what to do if somethings goes wrong when you’re not there. If they can’t figure it out that why we have orange cones. We go away a couple times a year. I’m not going to stress about anything while I’m away, Life’s to short. I know one car wash operator who has a love shack in Arizonia and he goes down there a few times a year for weeks at a time, his crew handle things fine.
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100% agree with Randy. I’m fortunate enough to have a reasonably competent, honest attendant that lives on site. If something goes to all hell, he just puts a cone out. I’ve been gone for up to 3 weeks and actually the place always seems to “kill it” business wise when I’m gone.

This summer I’ll test being gone for 3 months. The winter usually worries me a little more....
 
Prior to my son coming back I had a 20 year employee who I could trust and did to run things while I was gone. I paid him well and even provided a vehicle. He finally landed a government job and I could not compete with all the perks they offered. Randy and the rest are right you have to train and trust people.
 
I've made up my mind that I don't have anyone who can "Put out the fires" like I can. If omething happens whie I am gone so it cost me more money to solve than if I had been there, that's just another vacation expense.
 
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