Senior Citizens Day

[Waxman]

I'm considering a Senior Citizen discount for my IBA on Tuesdays.

To start, I will knock 20% off the top wash.

Anyone done this? We're right next door at the detail center, so staffing isn't a problem.

Thanks!

 

[pitzerwm]

You might try 50% off at the start just to build goodwill and get attention, you could always change it if it gets too expensive.

 

[ted mcmeekin]

Sounds like great idea--let us know how it goes. Since we are not always attended--anyone have any info on just an across the board mid week discount?

Ted

 

[Waxman]

I'm reluctant to give a bigger discount at first and then scale it back later. I think the seniors may revolt!

I will keep you posted.

 

[briteauto]

I did something similar - on Wednesdays we would give seniors a token for a free wash if they bought the top package ($10). It ended up as the equivelant of 1/2 price, but only if they selected the top package with their token - not all of them did! It also brought them back to the wash if they had two cars and they would go for the vending, vacs etc. with another vehicle.

I am no longer fully attended, so I stopped this promotion, but I do offer seniors a 15% discount on all token purchases all the time. Basically, they get my top wash for $8.50 any time they want it. They seem to like this since it is not restricted to a certain day.

Good luck with your idea.

 

[jfmoran]

Why limit it to just Tuesdays? I'm not really a fan of limited promotions like ladies day, etc...

 

[rph9168]

I agree with several of the suggestions here. One thing for sure, once you set up a program for seniors any changes made better improve the offer or you will lose them. For some reason most seniors feel everyone is out to rip them off so they resent any deal that starts out being good and is reduced later on. I agree that you should not limit the days or at least make it for more than one day a week. Make the offer simple and easy for them to use. Most seniors are creatures of habit so once they like your program they stick with it.

 

[Jim L.]

A fellow operator I know did a lady’s day on Wednesdays for a few years. He offered $2 off his top wash. It turned Wednesdays into his busiest day of the week.

He discontinued the practice 2 years ago for the following 4 reasons.
Although his car count was up his profits did not reflect the volume increase.
He got tired of arguing with his male customers about why they did not get a discount.
The busy Wednesdays took away volume from the other week days.
He had to attend the wash all day and just got tired of working hard for a little extra profit.

 

[bigleo48]

I do a $1 off for seniors on Tuesdays and has worked very well (aside from them hitting the machine or falling asleep in the bay .

Funny thing about that generation...they like to talk and so word spreads fast.

Big

 

[Waxman]

Wow. I was thinking $3 off!

I love my Senior Customers. They do talk you up, good and bad, so I think it'll fly.

A newspaper ad first then pull the trigger!

 

[Washmee]

When I bought my wash 23 years ago the previous owner had Tuesdays as Senior Citizen day. He was washing their cars for $2. I switched the offer to $1 off any day of the week. At first it wasn't well received, but over time most thought it worked out better for them. To this day I still get calls on Tuesdays wanting to know if we still have senior day.