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Secret of attracting nighttime business?
- Thread starter Clintearl
- Start date
Location is the number one factor in nighttime traffic. People will not leave their homes at night because they have a sudden urge to wash their car. The car wash needs to be located in an area where people are out anyway and for other reasons. Security is also a big nighttime factor. Summer time we have decent traffic, but winter is dead after 10pm. I have set my timers for the lights to go out at 10 and back on at 5 during cold months. Not one complaint and my electric bill goes down more than what I would bring in duing those hours. I have good security lighting around compound, or I would not consider turning the lights off.
Night
One of the surprises upon entering this business was to see the usage of a SS wash-- day compared to night. Forget about day, at night virtually nothing goes on. After adding cameras and being able to review activity it was reinforced to me how my property sits there totally unused for at least half of each day.
I have no clue on how to improve night time business. I'm in a rural area and the sidewalks are rolled up at dark. I burn a few hundred dollars a month in lighting just for security .......
One of the surprises upon entering this business was to see the usage of a SS wash-- day compared to night. Forget about day, at night virtually nothing goes on. After adding cameras and being able to review activity it was reinforced to me how my property sits there totally unused for at least half of each day.
I have no clue on how to improve night time business. I'm in a rural area and the sidewalks are rolled up at dark. I burn a few hundred dollars a month in lighting just for security .......
pitzerwm
Active member
One thing to think about, for years ski resorts were dead all summer/fall then some bright person came up with bike/4 wheeler trails and golf courses. There must be something that will work. Just a thought, a singles nite on Friday/Sat special deals, guys can show off their rides and chicks can get some guy to wash their car for them. I
That is one night of the week, but a start
That is one night of the week, but a start
MEP001
Well-known member
I don't know what goes on Thursday nights, but once in a while at 11 PM I see all six bays full. On any other night, even after a busy Saturday, at sunset the place is like a ghost town.
I don't think lighting is the key. I was replacing a capacitor in one fixture tonight, and the breaker I had to turn off made the bay next to me dark as well, but sure enough someone came in and used that dark bay when the other four open ones were lit up like daylight.
I agree that some sort of special event would help, something as simple as double time after 9 PM to a car show or a small charity carnival.
I don't think lighting is the key. I was replacing a capacitor in one fixture tonight, and the breaker I had to turn off made the bay next to me dark as well, but sure enough someone came in and used that dark bay when the other four open ones were lit up like daylight.
I agree that some sort of special event would help, something as simple as double time after 9 PM to a car show or a small charity carnival.
MEP001
Well-known member
I'm sure they know by now - part of the challenge is to turn them into regular nighttime customers. Another part is turning them onto whatever is offered as incentive, for example if you run double time after 10 PM, you have to let them know somehow.JustClean said:
I think rather than try to attract nighttime business, I'm just going to turn off half the lights at night.
PaulLovesJamie
rural 5 bay SS
I agree.
My lights are all on photocells, and as of a year ago half of them are on a photocell and a timer, they go off at midnight. (2AM on friday/saturday.) I'm also considering changing the half that stay on to flourescents, leaving the ones that are on the timer as metal halides. (too many projects, not enough $
)
madscientist
Member
....having a wash that's so busy during the day that people are forced to start coming at night.
The new washes that are built here are required to be ?CLOSED? from 10 pm -7am. They have to be fenced, gated and the lights off, you can have a security light on above the Changer and the back door. There is talk of making the existing car washes comply with this requirement. They have done this to stop a lot of the crime that happens at car washes and it seems to be working. There is a way to stay open at night, have the car wash attended at night.
Bubbles Galore
Active member
I tend to have a pretty steady flow of traffic at my wash up until about midnight. I have several apartment complexes around that may affect my wash traffic. Apartment dwellers (not trying to be stereotypical here), tend to have working hours that don't operate in the normal 9-5. I think that helps my wash out quite a bit.
A clean, well lit, well maintained and ''safe" carwash will also attract some nighttime business. If you have programmable timers, why not run a midnight special or night owl special? Try thinking outside the norm. Good luck!
A clean, well lit, well maintained and ''safe" carwash will also attract some nighttime business. If you have programmable timers, why not run a midnight special or night owl special? Try thinking outside the norm. Good luck!
