self serve chemicals

[mac]

I was recently fortunate to get involved with a major manufacturer of chemicals. For the first time in a long time I can aggressively go to washes, see what they have, and sell something superior. It's made me look closely at all self serve locations. What I've noticed kind of surprised me. I would guess that only about 20% of then really have a decent product that is adjusted properly. It's no wonder that driveway washing is still the major competitor. To those of you here reading this, don't take offense this. Most of the forum regulars would fall into the 20% doing it right. It's just been kind of eye opening.

 

[Waxman]

Kleen Rite

SS chems have become a no-brainer for Waxman since taking some advice from a good friend. He said :'Dave, Kleen Rite is like the Walmart for carwashers'. Well-put and straightforward, which is what it takes sometimes to get me to act.

The ultra-concentrates are priced so that they can be applied nice and rich so the customer is happy.

You mean there are washes NOT following this simple formula???

 

[Earl Weiss]

SS chems have become a no-brainer for Waxman since taking some advice from a good friend. He said :'Dave, Kleen Rite is like the Walmart for carwashers'. :

Ditto on the KR. Got the info from the forum.

 

[sparkey]

Are you praising or slamming kleen rite? Walmart isn't a store that comes to mind when I want to buy something with great quality?

 

[Earl Weiss]

Are you praising or slamming kleen rite? Walmart isn't a store that comes to mind when I want to buy something with great quality?

Walmart Like Kleen Rite carres name brnds with the same quality those brands provide if you buy them elsewhere. As with Walmart, private brand quality is a trial and error proposition. I have had issues with some KR products "Gelling", over time . Purple passion was really bad.

Others like their Low PH Triple foam I use in the Tunnel, Triple Foam soaps, Triple foam Polish, Kleen White SS Tire cleaner, I have been happy with. Tunnel Drying products--- not so much.

 

[robert roman]

What do you get at Wal-Mart - Everyday low prices and poor customer service.

Shoppers have to depend on the brands of the products they purchase because they can’t depend on Wal-Mart.

I am not suggesting that Kleen Rite doesn’t make a good product.

Rather, you get what you pay for. In this case, low price that provides quality/value that you and, hopefully, your customers find meets expectations.

What you don’t get is a brand.

I do not believe you can find Kleen Rite products lining the shelves of auto parts and department stores where people who wash their own cars purchase their car washing products and wax.

For example, operators who apply national brand total body protection usually obtain $3.00 a car extra or so for this product. Are you able to obtain this additional $3.00 a car with what you are using?

 

[mac]

You know Robert, keep this up and pretty soon most will realize that you're making a lot of sense. Good comparison. You really do get what you pay for. There is a good financial reason why big manufacturers of chemicals spend millions on brand adverting.I see more washes now advertising a brand for a premium service. Even relatively small wash operations should think hard on this. It works.

 

[Waxman]

Customer at the self-serve care about rich lather, high-beading and good water break from the wax, good smells throughout and products that work. Not about turtles or bears.

The $3 per car extra due to brand recognition sounds like an optimistic guess when referring to self-serve.

For certain things I go to the dollar store. Things like paper products, coffee filters, etc. Other things I insist on certain brands; Carhartt, Duluth, Volvo, etc.

Your argument seems like a BIG stretch (to me) when applied to SS carwash chems.

 

[Waxman]

Are you praising or slamming kleen rite? Walmart isn't a store that comes to mind when I want to buy something with great quality?

Purely praising. My wash is 'all Kleen Rite'. And that's all-Rite with me and my customers.

 

[Earl Weiss]

What do you get at Wal-Mart - Everyday low prices and poor customer service.

Shoppers have to depend on the brands of the products they purchase because they can’t depend on Wal-Mart.


For example, operators who apply national brand total body protection usually obtain $3.00 a car extra or so for this product. Are you able to obtain this additional $3.00 a car with what you are using?

Are you suggestingh Self Serve bays will average $3.00 a car extra for offering name brand products? I would like to see this data.

I had a representative from a large well known Car Wash supplier that makes well known consumer care care brands as well tell me when I asked him to match some prices "Earl. I get a premium price for my stuff because I offer a premium level of service. Some operators need that service. You don't." He knew he couldn't sell me all that companies products. His successor tried agin - twice and faied miserably. I do offer a name brand protectant because of market appeal.

I suggest that the principals are not mutualy exclusive. Use good stuff at the lowest cost when available and take advantage of pricier stuff if the retail appeal warrants it.

I agree with Waxman.

 

[mac]

"I suggest that the principals are not mutualy exclusive. Use good stuff at the lowest cost when available and take advantage of pricier stuff if the retail appeal warrants it. "
Well said Earl. I believe Robert was referring to the premium charged at automatics and tunnels. Those do get the extra $3. I am starting to see premium wax, like RainX sold at self serve at a higher price. You have to have a dual timer to do that however.

 

[Jeff_L]

SS customers read the signs and advertisements? I find that they are more apt to look at the chemicals going onto the vehicle rather than read how "good" the product is. IMOH, the proof is in the pudding. Put on a great show, give great value for the money, give great pressure, and keep your place clean. This keeps customers coming back.

 

[MEP001]

SS customers read the signs and advertisements? I find that they are more apt to look at the chemicals going onto the vehicle rather than read how "good" the product is. IMOH, the proof is in the pudding. Put on a great show, give great value for the money, give great pressure, and keep your place clean. This keeps customers coming back.

I agree about 98%. I believe (and could be wrong) that some customers might choose a car wash for a brand-name chemical, but for sure the overwhelming majority only notice that they're getting something that works or at least looks like it's working.

 

[robert roman]

“Put on a great show, give great value for the money, give great pressure, and keep your place clean. This keeps customers coming back.”

Jeff, I can’t disagree with the above because it is true and valid.

Occasionally, I take my wife’s old convertible to the local wand. I get all of what you described above except great value. I get value but not great value.

On the bay sidewall is mounted a hand-gun that sprays scented foam. Looks pretty, smells good, but what does it do?

Does it protect my car for several weeks like Rain-X does? Does it make my car bead water better? Same questions would apply to self-service high pressure spray wax - drying agent with little protection or staying power.

I want to buy protection for my wife’s car when I get it washed but I can’t buy this at the local wand because the owner doesn’t sell it. Instead, I now go somewhere else where they do sell it and I pay the additional $3.00 to get it.

 

[Jeff_L]

I agree with both of you and sum it up to the value can be perception, which is what you're stating by advertising brand names as RainX, Carnuba, etc.. Having their logos around the premises would most likely add to the value of the service just received.

Just like a coffee shop, I'm sure the dime store coffee is just as good as the Starbucks one, but the perception of value is added with the brand name. Hence, I'm a Starbucks junky!