Thinking about buying a SS car wash.. NEED ADVICE

[pitzerwm]

Some reality, all industries have business cycles as well as economic cycles. There is over building which causes all kinds of issues, and then a lot go under and the survivors, start making money again. Of course, there is a overall desire by government to penalize the people that work and create the jobs and take the risk. Now is a prime example.

So some industries just don't survive. What I see is that the mom & pop single units won't survive. Too many regs, and BS. The people that have a few of them, have a scale of economics which helps. I've made money in most things that I have tried. Sometimes didn't make a lot, but it all adds up in the end.

Many people don't belong in business in the first place, so as for a number of people sounding negative, I would take all the advice and sort it out. Their experiences and success or failure may or may not be close to someone else's issues.

Many times things that work in one size city won't work in another size. Everyone here has learned a lot of lessons and their reality may not be the same as someone else's.

 

[GSragtop]

Update

Well, I said I was scared straight and I still mean it. But i thought an update was in order. The price has apparently dropped to under 20K, and on my last few trips I have driven past the old place. Let’s say its location is not ideal, it’s not next to a Laundromat.. Its behind it (visible but only if you’re looking for it), and across the street (I MEAN DIRECTLY ACCROSS THE STREET) is another SS with automatic car wash, much newer and much cleaner... Now here is the kicker.. EVERY time I drive by the wash that is for sale has MAYBE one bay being used, and every now and again the hand wash has a customer. However the wash across the street is PACKED, sometimes two or three deep.. So my question is this (and its only a question).. Why would someone wait for an open booth, when there are free ones across the street?? Why would one wash be SO much busier then another in the same location?? I have to assume the operator has alot to do with it, and maybe some advertising.. The other location is MUCH more visible.. Maybe people don’t notice the one that is for sale as it kind of blends in?? Again just asking so I know what to look for in the future.

 

[Waxman]

Probably visibility makes the competing, nicer wash busier.

People like a clean place, everything working and decent value. Beyond that is convenience, plain and simple.