ShieldX vs rainX

[bigleo48]

All,

So my rainX prices have gone up to $800/15gal pail! I can't say I'm overly happy with the product either. So I'm going to change.

Now since I get all my chems from Kleenrite, I figured I try ShieldX from National. Has anyone tried this product.

I have also tried rainshield from Ryko and liked it....but buying from Kleerite is just more convenient.

Thanks in Advance...Big

 

[bigleo48]

Sorry guys...this one's been beaten to death and I should have searched before posting.

 

[mac]

Take a look at Armor All's Orange Body Shield. At $53 per gallon I can't see how they sell RainX

 

[Waxman]

the rain x prices are ridiculous.

does the customer give the name and results that much credibility? doubtful!

never ever going to pay those kind of prices for a cw product.

 

[MEP001]

never ever going to pay those kind of prices for a cw product.

It's very, very concentrated. It's still more expensive per car than other brands, but when broken down it's not that bad (especially when coupled with brand recognition).

 

[dewey9876]

It's very, very concentrated. It's still more expensive per car than other brands, but when broken down it's not that bad (especially when coupled with brand recognition).

I agree, who cares how much per drum or gallon, it is cost per car! It costs me around .23 cents per car. I get $3.00 a la carte. Not bad margins. I find the name recognition to be well worth it!

 

[rph9168]

Do you get many buying ala carte? If it is part of a package the margin is not that great as you think. Are you sure it is .23 a car?

 

[dewey9876]

Do you get many buying ala carte? If it is part of a package the margin is not that great as you think. Are you sure it is .23 a car?

Yes - I am sure it is .23/car. I have had it go up to .26/car at times (not sure why?) No, not a huge number ala carte. When I put Rain-x online I added it to my top wash and raised the price of that wash by $1.00 It is at $17.00 now. That wash accounts for 42-47% of my washes.
Basic wash is $10.00. This still works for me! I apply it through a sonnys total body protectant arch. It has 10 K nozzles on it, I only use 4, but still have great coverage. I am very impressed with this product and its results. I am sure other comparable products can produce the same results but this one is working for me.

 

[Earl Weiss]

$800 per 15 gallons is about 42 cents per oz.

We sell most thru a package and the increment is $2.00 .

I need to see how much we use oper car. I would guess it's around 1oz.

Like the idea of using 4 K Nozzles (we currently nuse 6), but it seems like Ecolab may be overestimating the name value.

If the price continues to go up I may need to rethink this.

 

[robert roman]

I believe some carwash operators are still suffering the consequences from years of salesmanship that taught them to focus on cost rather than benefits (revenue).

For example, one of my clients recently added Hot Wax and Shine. It takes 6 oz of product at a cost of roughly $1.50 per application. He upped his wash price by $6.00 for customer to obtain it and is selling it like hot cakes.

The why is the product works, noticeably, and the brand name resonates with customers.

Why do some operators add scent to their foaming products?

Some may say to increase value of the wash at little cost. Although correct, the more important reason is it helps a carwash operator to better connect to their customers.

Just as pit odor turns people off and keeps them away from a wash, pleasant smelling soaps creates a good experience and keeps the customer coming back.

When you create this type value-added, it helps reduce downward pressure on price.

As a consumer, I have bought a version of hot wax and shine for several years at the Mister Car Wash chain. Although pleased with the results, I find that Rain-X or Double Bond produces fairly similar results and is less expensive, typically a $3.00 up in my area.

As for pricing points, it will be interesting to see what ZEP will do since it owns Armor All and recently acquired Ecolab Vehicle Division and its brands - Blue Coral, Rain-X and Black Magic.

 

[Washmee]

...As for pricing points, it will be interesting to see what ZEP will do since it owns Armor All and recently acquired Ecolab Vehicle Division and its brands - Blue Coral, Rain-X and Black Magic.

Speaking as a long time Zep customer, I just hope they don't mess up what is already working for me.

 

[Earl Weiss]

As for pricing points, it will be interesting to see what ZEP will do since it owns Armor All and recently acquired Ecolab Vehicle Division and its brands - Blue Coral, Rain-X and Black Magic.

If they asked me (they won't) I'd tell them to rethink their culture business model.

Ecolab charged a premium price and tried to justify it with premium service. For some it was well worth it but in the internet age comparisons are easy and as far as service goes a long retired Ecolab rep who tried to get my business repeatedly one time was candid and said:

"Many of my clients need my service and are willing to pay for it, you don't need it."

Another time we had been thru a stretch of horrible weather and a rep let me know that at a sales meeting the higher ups were complaining about the sales figures. The reps told them that due to the weather the customers still had equipment rooms full of product inventory and wouldn't re stock until existing inventories were used. The higher ups said "You have to sell beyond the market conditions."

Yes, I believe name brands have a value, but it only goes so far. Lets just take an example and figures are not exact but still a good example:

I can buy 3 pails of KR Low PH Foam soap and make a 55 gallon drum which I dilute at 240 / 1 thru a hydrominder for the foam soap and pre soak for a cost of about $250.00 Brand name with same dilution costs double that. Same show or better with KR, and both get the cars clean.

Do you think the customers really care that it's Brand X Foam Soap?

On the other hand I use Rain X because I think it has some marketbility and their is a cost / revenue judgement.

 

[rph9168]

It all depends on your management style and your operation. From my years of experience unless a rep can prove to be a real benefit to your operation it is not worth any extra cost. I have seen some reps that can save you money and operating costs and still make money for themselves. Then there are others that are only commission oriented and will overstock you or fail to give you all the discounts available to you. It is important to maintain good contact with them to keep them on their toes.

 

[MEP001]

Do you think the customers really care that it's Brand X Foam Soap?

If you aren't marketing it by brand, then certainly they won't care or know to care. On the other hand, we had a customer who could make a 32 oz. bottle of Joy last for a month as foam brush soap, and I'm sure a lot of his customers would have been angry to know that.

 

[robert roman]

The power of a brand is the promise of trust.

Consider NASCAR or Tide made by Proctor & Gamble (P&G).

Tide brand is golden and good laundry detergent but is it the best or least expensive soap?

NASCAR brand is also golden but the family that owns the NASCAR brand makes most of its money from selling NASCAR-branded merchandise, not racing.

On the other hand, there is Mr. Clean (another P&G brand) and NASCAR-branded carwash initiatives.

Where these branded washes exist, customers have accepted the brands and these washes are doing some numbers.

However, these branded washes have gained little traction with investors and there has been no development of a network of stores.

So, yes, there is a limit to what can be accomplished with a brand.

Consider the gentleman who purchased Coleman and Hanna. Long ago, his family business Galloway Chemical developed its own brand of carwash spray wax – Gator Wax.

This required a significant investment in formulation, testing, trademark, production, packaging, marketing and distribution.

So, the value of a branded chemical for a carwash operator is convenience.

All of the work and creating the “trust” has been done for you.

What is done with this potentially big stick is up to the operator.

 

[Earl Weiss]

What is done with this potentially big stick is up to the operator.

OOOOOK, you opened the door.

Had 3-4 major car wash name reps / suppliers come to my place with samples or provide samples telling me they could meet or beet KR Soap and Triple foam wax, as well as FB and some items I use for show and cleaning.

After a few weeks of aggravation working with them and / or their products trying to match the cost I felt like I had that stick you know where

Note, I do use other than KR stuff for tunnel wheel cleaner and drying agent for the same reasons I use KR for the other stuff. (Price and effectiveness)

 

[rph9168]

A brand name may bring people into a wash but unless they come out with a clean dry car they won't come back. I think over the years the effect of a branded product has diminished somewhat due to the rise of store or generic branded products you find in the retail market.