Utilize the In-Bay Dryers for Self Serve

[Bubbles Galore]

I was talking with a customer yesterday and a question came up that piqued my interest. With my Hamilton ACW-4 and Washworld Razor, can I use my refund button to allow customers to purchase a dryer pass only for a dollar or two? I think if it is marketed properly, I will pull some decent traffic from our self serves.

Thanks!

John

 

[bigleo48]

Bubbles,

Another interesting idea. I'm sure with some gigging, I could do the same, but I hesitate.

First, I think it would only work if the machine is free.

I would also wonder about the appearance of a line up scaring away full washes, when they are only there for the dryer.

Next, if the people don't use wax or other water shedding products in the SS bays, they will not be happy with the dryer.

I also don't try to get people over to the IBA from the SS bays, unless they just can do a proper job (intelligence, disability, whatever)...since I have 8 SS bays, but only one IBA.

Finally, I have air-shammees, so I'm happier with they SS bay users that device.

 

[Buzzie8]

I know this is off subject, but how do you like your Washworld Razor?

 

[MEP001]

A lot of operators are just eliminating a wash and running only three choices - you could turn on into a dry-only, but I think you might have other issues with lines at the auto. If someone has to wait through two washes to get just a dry, his car will be nearly dry before he gets in.

You might want to determine what it costs in electricity just to fire up the dryers. I wouldn't be surprised if that alone is close to $1.

I'd try to educate the SS customers in the spot-free rinse and its effectiveness rather than try to sell a dry in the auto. Whenever I see or hear someone use spot-free and then turn back to regular rinse, I add some time for them and let them know how it works.

 

[pitzerwm]

I did just that, used 4th button for Dry only. It was never a problem and it did capture some loyal customers.

 

[MikeV]

I see where J.E Adams has come out with a heated hand held dryer for just over $1000.00 per bay. Might be worth looking at.

 

[soapy]

If I were going to do a air dry in the auto I think I would add a spot free rinse cycle to the package and charge $2 for the combo.

 

[bigleo48]

Soapy,

I think you'd still need a drying agent to get the water off properly.

Big

 

[briteauto]

I was talking with a customer yesterday and a question came up that piqued my interest. With my Hamilton ACW-4 and Washworld Razor, can I use my refund button to allow customers to purchase a dryer pass only for a dollar or two? I think if it is marketed properly, I will pull some decent traffic from our self serves.

Thanks!

John

I agree there is the chance that you will line up some "dry only" customers and possibly scare off some of those who are going to purchase a full wash. Also, as was mentioned, if there is no sealer applied in the SS, it will not work. Also, on a warm, sunny day, if the customer is driving from the SS bay to the auto, waiting for a wash or two to finish up, they have easily created more water spots (if they did not use SFR) on the car than if they just drove off your property and down the street.

Tom Hoffman has a three blower system mounted on the exit end of his SS bays at his new wash in Vestal, NY. I know, I know, this costs money compared to using what you already have with the auto, but if you just put them on one bay to start, you could see if it would attract enough people to the service. No to mention, it would work much better - less instructions for the customer, as they are just driving out of the bay and not lining up somewhere else. Proper signage would probably be better received (indicating the use of a sealer), as they are staying right in the bay, and it is essentially just another function.

I think there is a fine line between what people are willing to do in a do-it-yourself situation and what becomes a hassle. Driving out of the SS bay and into an auto bay, the refund button, etc. - it just seems clumsy to me.

Mike

 

[bigleo48]

If you ever decided to put dryers in the SS bays (overhead or air-shammee), first thing you need to find out is if your electrical services can handle it.

For example, air-shammee is 3 motors at 10 amps, say times 6 bays is 180 amps!

 

[I.B. Washincars]

For example, air-shammee is 3 motors at 10 amps, say times 6 bays is 180 amps!

I thought those motors only pulled about 7 amps, and won't be running at the same time as the pump motor. Is it really a big deal?

 

[MEP001]

I thought those motors only pulled about 7 amps, and won't be running at the same time as the pump motor. Is it really a big deal?

It depends on the electrical service - with normal 240V/high leg service you wouldn't run the air shammes off the same breaker as the pump motor, so you might need a separate box. The municipality may or may not allow panels or total breakers that would draw more amps than the service hookup provides. We've got 208V with each individual leg a separate phase of 120V, so I could just add a second contactor in the control box and run conduit to the bay.

 

[bigleo48]

Thanks MEP. Here code would not allow you to have a total breakers exceeding your service.

I.B, you would likely not have a situation where everybody chooses the blowers at the same time...I'm simply trying to make sure everyone knows to check their service BEFORE you order all this stuff and find out that you can't support it without an expensive electrical upgrade. For us with 8 bays, we had to upgrade our transformer that steps down the 600V 3phase service.