Who watches/runs wash when you go away?

[tobaccofarmer]

Just trying to get ideas from others on what they do when they go away? I would like to figure out a way to be able to go away now and then but still just can't seem to figure out how? I have thought about just closing down for a week but can't seem to get the nerve to do that yet, as there must be something more viable. I Dont have any distributor/service relationship as I have done everything myself from day one. I would love to have a guy I could trust the washes with but they dont fall from sky? Any ideas?

 

[lighthousecarwash]

I have a friend of the family watch my wash when I'm away. He is pretty handy and I trust that he is taking care of the place like I do when I'm there. Find someone that you can trust to keep the place clean and report any problems if they find them. I let my guy fix minor things, but I want to know about them and if it's something major, he knows to put up the cones and I can deal with it when I get home. Biggest thing to remember.....DO NOT GIVE THEM ACCESS TO ANY MONEY! I have a separate set of keys that gets him in the front door, the vacuum clean outs, and the dumpster. I leave the remote for wash downs in the office, but that is the only access he gets.


Thanks,
Lighthouse

 

[ProCarWashes]

Watch washes

I have several different people watch the places for me. All but one is family. All good people. Had an attendant that I had a hard time with until one day I just let him go and I've never regretted it. Galen P.S. wheres all my old buddies? They all dead now?

 

[Eric H]

I have a retired guy that cleans up on weekends. Being that he is retired he is available to cover when I go away or get sick.
Yesterday I got really sick in the late afternoon from what I suspect was food poisoning. I just called him at 8:00 pm and asked him to cover for me. "No problem"

If you need to find some one I would check with a church pastor. They always have someone that is down on their luck and could use some extra money.

When I ran the tunnel the YMCA director always sent down the best kids. I would just call up the director, explain what i needed and he would send a couple of guys down. The thing I like about teenagers is that they are usually honest about money because they have not figured out how to steal it yet.

PS: Galen, It's good to see that you are back.

 

[MikeV]

My partner and I cover for each other so we can travel, go on vacations etc. I would be happy to sit your wash for a week or two....for a price, of course. As an installer, service tech etc, your wash would be in good hands.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Is this a SS?

If So, what is the possibility you could buy a second set of locks for some essentials like changers? Some have Plug locks that aren't that expensive. USe them only when you are away and put the others on when you return.

You would keep a known quantity of $ in the changers which would need to be maintained at that level. You could also create a seperate but temporary alarm code. Depending on your set up you could also get a second set of locks for coin mechs to allow them to clear jams.

 

[gearhead]

I too have a partner that takes care of things while Im away. But like you I take care of all the mechanical things that need attention. All but the things that are too big or I havent learned to fix yet. For that I have a service tech come in and take care of it. It would be worth your while to either have Dist. support or an independent wash service company familiar with your equipment set up in case of an issue. Try and beat murphys law down as much as you can by doing your PMs just before leave and if possible schedule your get away during your slow time (assuming you have one). I really dont like paying anyone else to fix things, but I have found that getting away is a must to keep your sanity. It would be worth whatever you MIGHT have to pay.

 

[Waxman]

My Dad takes care of the wash and detail shop when I go away.

We small business owners deserve a break occasionally. I often get great ideas and insipration from time away from the business and many of the things I have implemented have been a success.

 

[Louise]

I have a teenager work with me on the weekends and he helps to look after things when I am away. I work closely with him and am very confident that he is honest. Yes, he does handle money.

I also posted an ad on Craigslist in the government section for a retired military guy who could do daily clean up and do minor repairs. He has worked out beautifully. Arrives every a.m at 3:15 for one hour of clean up and every afternoon for clean up and repairs. He has a great work ethic and now, four months later, had can do almost everything in the way of repairs.

 

[pitzerwm]

When I had the empire, my vacations were a 12 hour flight to NV and back.

If all else fails, go talk with another operator in town, maybe you could make a good mutual deal to watch out for each other. Your real competition is the home washer.

 

[tobaccofarmer]

Are you serious Mike V? Maybe I should try to recruit a tech that works for one of the distributors now and make it a full time position? Do you think that would/could be attractive? I could pay around 1000 per week, which would hopefully help in finding a decent person?

 

[MikeV]

Of course I am serious, I have done it before and wouldn't mind doing it again. $1000.00 a week is acceptable.

 

[jimbeaux]

I have tried using young people to do clean-up but found most did not know how to work or the desire to learn, plus they wanted more money than they were worth! Now I use only retired people that want's some extra money and something to do. It's amazing the difference in generations. Works great for both of us.