Seeking Guidance: How to Start a Company Building Self-Service Car Wash Systems?

[Dan kamsickas]

We actually had a data collection system years ago called the Datamate. Nearly all connections were made in the equipment room. You could generate some very informational reports on revenue, function usage, etc. Pretty slick system for the early 2000s............................and I don't think we actually ever sold one on it's own. They were always included as a "bonus" for buying a complete wash package. There have been a few others available form other manufacturers over the years. They all were pretty slick in their own ways. IMHO, the problem are the initial cost of the system, ongoing maintenance, and shorter life span(the higher the tech, the shorter the lifespan) offset the utility of the system. Is it really going to add to the wash or do self serve customers still want what they have always really wanted...............a clean car at a fair price. Every survey I've ever seen still show soap and rinse as the two most used functions with everything else a distant third.

 

[OurTown]

We actually had a data collection system years ago called the Datamate. Nearly all connections were made in the equipment room. You could generate some very informational reports on revenue, function usage, etc. Pretty slick system for the early 2000s............................and I don't think we actually ever sold one on it's own. They were always included as a "bonus" for buying a complete wash package. There have been a few others available form other manufacturers over the years. They all were pretty slick in their own ways. IMHO, the problem are the initial cost of the system, ongoing maintenance, and shorter life span(the higher the tech, the shorter the lifespan) offset the utility of the system. Is it really going to add to the wash or do self serve customers still want what they have always really wanted...............a clean car at a fair price. Every survey I've ever seen still show soap and rinse as the two most used functions with everything else a distant third.

I could see it being useful for logging the LEAST used functions. You could then decide if installing those functions at another wash would be worth it.

 

[Dan kamsickas]

Yeah, heard a lot of similar things on show floors but in reality they really weren't used that much by those who installed it. Similar to the Hourmaster that we used to build. Looked really cool on the show floor but in practicality, rarely if ever looked at. We obsoleted those 15+ years ago and the number of complaints I could count on 1 hand.

 

[edredtop]

Great idea, Earl

That's why I use the "floppy" gun wands and put tip protectors on religiously. It's to prevent a bad experience for the customer... and me!
I'm from the old school of KISS (keep it simple stupid), the less complex a system is, the easier it is to maintain and use.