What’s next? (Wash technology)

[Eric H]

I’ve been around this forum long enough that I remember huge debates over adding bill acceptance, credit cards, air dryers etc. I think most of the urban washes already have all of the latest and greatest upgrades that were available pre-COVID. Smaller market washes are adding items as budget allows.
What is the next great innovation for our industry? I’m mostly focused on Self Serve bays for this question. I’m feeling like I’ve hit a wall on offering new options for my customers

 

[OurTown]

Do you have undercarriage spray? That's something that a wash near us has. They only have one bay that has it, the trigger is stuck on, and the boom isn't mounted high enough to get over my van's ladder rack but I like the concept. The main reasons I hesitate for installing them is the cost vs usage because it would probably only be used four or maybe five months out of the year. Also we have four hoses in the bay already and it would just add to the tangling. Also we may add some type of club or loyalty app. Not unlimited though. We think we can do this with our Dencar system but we have to play around with it more before making it available.

 

[TMoliver]

The undercarriage wash wands have been around for over 35 years in one forum or another. I agree you only get a few months of usage and they require a lot of weep water as well to keep from freezing. They were for me high Maintenance part, Hoses and handles always getting broke.

Self-service loyalty sounds does sound neat if you can signup / sell it to enough users to justify costs. Looking forward to how it works for you.

 

[washnshine]

This isn’t a technology upgrade, but I think more self serve washes will be offering all of the same chemicals that are offered in IBA - the waxes, ceramics, graphene etc. Back when I started in the business in the dark ages, there were the chemicals we used in the ss and the chemicals we used in the IBA or tunnel. That line has blurred a lot now especially with all the high and sealants. I think more ss washes will offer these chemicals- especially to compete with the express exteriors with membership plans.

 

[Wash4Life]

I'm going to take a shot in the dark here. I'm thinking an intercom system that would tell the customer when they have missed a spot, explains how to properly wash vehicles and can sell the different bells and whistles.

On the humor side, a bucket destroying robot.

 

[Eric H]

I'm thinking an intercom system…

My old Etowah Valley credit card timers had a voice feature. It would announce which function was selected and give a verbal last minute warning to add more money. really miss not having it after switching to CryptoPay.