Vac time and price
- Thread starter Waxman
- Start date
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
$2 for 6 minutes...
However, I like $1 for 3 minutes better. Especially when customers pay with quarters.
I'm at $1/3min with $1 & quarter acceptors and display timers with 30 seconds of "grace time".
Works good for me. Customers frequently add another quarter for that additional 45 seconds of "finish time".
Bob C.
New member
$1.00 @ 2.1/2minutes works great, some make comments that the competition is too high at 
6 minutes @ 2.00, yet most customers buy two cycles, go figure.
6 minutes @ 2.00, yet most customers buy two cycles, go figure.
As a customer I like the $1 for 2 1/2 minutes rather than $2 for 5 1/2. Somehow I feel like I wasted money when the vac keeps running for a while after I use it. I would suspect as Bob C. says I would probably end up spending $2 most of the time but I am fairly sure I would also only need $1 some time. The point is I would at least feel that I am in control of what I spend and not wasting any.
PaulLovesJamie
rural 5 bay SS
I've been at $1 for 4 minutes for a long time, and I'm also considering raising my vac price.
As I mentioned in a previous post a few months ago I am considering eliminating the trash cans, and closely related to that raising my vac price. Maybe one, maybe the other, maybe both. Too much going on right now, I'll be making this decision over the winter.
However... I've been watching closely for the last few months, and I'm shocked at how many trash dropoffs I have, and how many "vac only" customers I have. And they appear to be closely related, 95% of my trash appears to be coming from the vac-only customers and non-paying "customers."
Here's the kicker - when I analyze vac revenues separate from wash revenues, it just flat out isnt worth it to be in the "vac & trash" business. Remember, I'm in a very small market, I expect that most of you will disagree. But if your vac revenues were 10% of what they are, would you have the same response??
I agree with other responses that a lower startup for less time is perceived as a better deal by customers, and for that reason I'd like to keep it at a $1 start.
However, I'll probably be going to a $1.50 start for the vacs. I find that my token customers spend more than quarter customers, so the $1.50 start isnt perceived as doubling the price by the quarter customers, and the token customers are likely to drop 2 in anyway.
As I mentioned in a previous post a few months ago I am considering eliminating the trash cans, and closely related to that raising my vac price. Maybe one, maybe the other, maybe both. Too much going on right now, I'll be making this decision over the winter.
However... I've been watching closely for the last few months, and I'm shocked at how many trash dropoffs I have, and how many "vac only" customers I have. And they appear to be closely related, 95% of my trash appears to be coming from the vac-only customers and non-paying "customers."
Here's the kicker - when I analyze vac revenues separate from wash revenues, it just flat out isnt worth it to be in the "vac & trash" business. Remember, I'm in a very small market, I expect that most of you will disagree. But if your vac revenues were 10% of what they are, would you have the same response??
I agree with other responses that a lower startup for less time is perceived as a better deal by customers, and for that reason I'd like to keep it at a $1 start.
However, I'll probably be going to a $1.50 start for the vacs. I find that my token customers spend more than quarter customers, so the $1.50 start isnt perceived as doubling the price by the quarter customers, and the token customers are likely to drop 2 in anyway.
seattleguy
Member
I'm $2 for 3 minutes. Vacuums are a lot of maintenance and work. Keep the vacs performing well and my customers don't complain about the price.
I'm probably going to get flack for this one! I justify it by comparing to the guy offering "Free" vacs! I really can't figure that one out! I'm at .50 cents for 3 minutes....Keep in mind it only costs about $.01 cent to run a vac for 3 minutes, the highest profit margin you have at the CW....My wash is in a small town with 2 other washes. So I have competition. I just retrofitted my old Doyals with LED 7's and electronic acceptors. Vac Revenue has almost doubled. People picked up on it really quick that they can add as much $$$ as they want, just like the bays. The visible timers really made a difference!
My angle is to offer the best vacs in town at the best price. It does help draw people in, and most of them wash. Yea I get the occasional vac only or dump trash only, but we all have that regardless of vac or bay price.
Total revenue is up about 30% over last year. So I think I'm doing something right. At least headed in the right direction....
My angle is to offer the best vacs in town at the best price. It does help draw people in, and most of them wash. Yea I get the occasional vac only or dump trash only, but we all have that regardless of vac or bay price.
Total revenue is up about 30% over last year. So I think I'm doing something right. At least headed in the right direction....
JMMUSTANG
car wash owner
I talked to a lot of customers years ago when I was going to order new vacs and asked them what they would like as for as services.
Many said they did not like it when they were almost finished vacuuming and they ran out of time and had to find more quarters to finish. They also wanted to be able to use dollar bills at the vacs.
So I increased my start time from 3 minutes for $1 to $1 - 4 minutes.
And I added a Bonus Time option 30 minutes for $5, giving the customer 10 free minutes.
Many women driving SUV's and mini vans use this option.
I added dollar bill acceptors on the vac doors.
Many said they did not like it when they were almost finished vacuuming and they ran out of time and had to find more quarters to finish. They also wanted to be able to use dollar bills at the vacs.
So I increased my start time from 3 minutes for $1 to $1 - 4 minutes.
And I added a Bonus Time option 30 minutes for $5, giving the customer 10 free minutes.
Many women driving SUV's and mini vans use this option.
I added dollar bill acceptors on the vac doors.
chaz
Active member
.01 to operate a vac for 3 minutes?? What about the cost of those new timers, motor replacements, cleaning the vac, repairs to the vac, Cleanup and disposal of trash?
My vacs are $1 for 4 minutes. Other washes are similar with a few gas stations higher and some lower. My vacs are always working top notch and repairs refunds taken care of very fast. My units take quarters, dollar coins and bills. My change machine dispenses dollar coins. My vacs allow for added time.
I would like to increase my price but really need to think in dollar increments. I guess I could drop the time, but does that bring more money or result in customers just working faster?
My vacs are $1 for 4 minutes. Other washes are similar with a few gas stations higher and some lower. My vacs are always working top notch and repairs refunds taken care of very fast. My units take quarters, dollar coins and bills. My change machine dispenses dollar coins. My vacs allow for added time.
I would like to increase my price but really need to think in dollar increments. I guess I could drop the time, but does that bring more money or result in customers just working faster?
Rudy
Active member
$1.50 for 4 minutes. I raised from $1 about 4 years ago. I'd estimate that about 1 out of 4 go for a second cycle.
I disagree that it's a lot of work for the return. I replace all brushes once a year. Haven't replaced a motor in over 3. New nozzles 2x a year. New hoses every other year. Decals always look great.
Vacs are a nice return, for the very simple, and limited maintenance. Closest thing I've seen to pure profit.
I disagree that it's a lot of work for the return. I replace all brushes once a year. Haven't replaced a motor in over 3. New nozzles 2x a year. New hoses every other year. Decals always look great.
Vacs are a nice return, for the very simple, and limited maintenance. Closest thing I've seen to pure profit.
Earl Weiss
Well-known member
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"Vacs are a nice return, for the very simple, and limited maintenance. Closest thing I've seen to pure profit. "
Ad a tire inflator.
Ad a tire inflator.
Earl Weiss
Well-known member
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I agree with the"Stang" .. I think most customers are willing to pay your price but will be PO'd if time runs out and they think they did not get "Enough".
Since free vacs have come in a big way (Have now had a few customers ask why we charge)and I see at least one location where the 20 slots are not enough I am keeping the pay vacs at $1.00 for 3 Minutes 20 seconds. Thiswas a holdover from 80 seconds per quarter 4 Minutes for the 75 cent start when I raised to a dollar and put up signs with new vacs saying "More Time"
Note: this is the same pricing at My Tunnels and SS.
Since free vacs have come in a big way (Have now had a few customers ask why we charge)and I see at least one location where the 20 slots are not enough I am keeping the pay vacs at $1.00 for 3 Minutes 20 seconds. Thiswas a holdover from 80 seconds per quarter 4 Minutes for the 75 cent start when I raised to a dollar and put up signs with new vacs saying "More Time"
Note: this is the same pricing at My Tunnels and SS.
Did you miss the part about total revenue is up 30% over last year? I replace "Maybe" one vac motor a year. Maintenance is nill, now I have new timers/acceptors. No more coin jams that was plaguing me! The cost to upgrade was well worth it! And the ROI is less than a year since I'm getting more income off the vacs now. So whats the guys angle that is offering free vacs? He still has all the maintenance/expenses we do, but somehow justifies it....
Everybody's wash is going to be different. What works for one may not work for another. My vacs pay the entire electric bill for the month in one week....Lighting and all....I'm with Rudy...There's not much work for the return. Keeping the price reasonable and gaining market share over the competition is what I'm after. It seems to be paying off for me.
chaz
Active member
Not saying it's a lot of work for return....just that the operating costs are more than just the price of electricity
soonermajic
Well-known member
Anyone try K-R new LED nozzles? I have, & LED chamber broke on all of em , & that was after the LED light went out (which was about in 30 days...battery was cheap Chinese made).
soonermajic
Well-known member
I need new decals on mine, but dam those are expensive! Any ideas on decals, that are cheaper?
MEP001
Well-known member
In 13 years the vacs have made well over $300,000, maybe $2,000 in parts and perhaps 30 minutes a week on maintenance. Pretty good profit margin, if you don't count the garbage they throw out.
soonermajic
Well-known member
Holy $HIT dude!! You're making nearly $30,000/yr on freaking vacuums!??!!! That is unreal !
I don’t think price really matters. I’m at $1.25 for 3.5 minutes, going to $1.50 at the New Year. I was at $1 for 3 minutes for years. The tunnel wash on the other end of town, about a mile from me has 4 vacuums. He has 2 at .50 for 5 minutes and the other 2 are newer vac’s and they are .75 for 5 minutes. I very seldom ever see anyone there. I asked him one time why he didn’t raise his price on his vac’s and he told me that he couldn’t afford to get a licensed electrician to come in and raise the price. I told him I could do it no problem, I have the stickers and would only take a few minutes. He asked me if I was a licensed electrician, that only a licensed electrician could adjust the timers, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at him. He still at the same price. Raise your price to whatever the market will bear.
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
My experience is comparable to MEP001’s. But only after losing those POS Mark VII Designer Vacuums.
My IVS 3-motor vacs are approaching 22 years old now. I found the key to reliability and longevity is to “salt” the vacuums with about $10 in spare change each week. My attendants used to argue about whose turn it was to empty and clean them. Not surprising that downtime was also minimized. Hehe.
My IVS 3-motor vacs are approaching 22 years old now. I found the key to reliability and longevity is to “salt” the vacuums with about $10 in spare change each week. My attendants used to argue about whose turn it was to empty and clean them. Not surprising that downtime was also minimized. Hehe.
