I’ve been doing self service CARWASH for many years now, but I am stuck with a dilemma on raising prices or adding more time per quarter can anyone give me some input on what you’re charging we are in Colorado. We currently offer a start of $.50 for 40 seconds and we would like to increase our revenue but not sure how to do it without losing some customers. I’d like to know what is going on throughout the country and Colorado if someone is on this form from here, much appreciated.
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How much time per Quarter is good to charge these days?
- Thread starter Morqtrs
- Start date
Car_Wash_Guy
Well-known member
$1/min
We like to do the 50 Cent start just to help people when they only need to wash one little area of their car rather than putting in another bunch of money but what we’re trying to figure out is the price per quarter. we’re afraid if we change it from $.50 to start customers would get upset. We tried it years ago and it seemed to have an impact almost immediately in the wrong direction.
AnalyticWash
Well-known member
I know a few people that are at 12 and 13 sec/quarter.
Your customer experience should always set the tone for how you price.
Imo, if a customer is only going to spend 50 cents at my wash, I don't want them as a customer.
Your customer experience should always set the tone for how you price.
Imo, if a customer is only going to spend 50 cents at my wash, I don't want them as a customer.
OurTown
Well-known member
A low start attracts bucket washers. Nobody can wash their car in 40 seconds, so why have such a low startup time? Do you have nearby competition? Do you run the best wash in the area?
Both washes in my area are 50 cents start and we do have a few tunnels however none are within 1/2 mile of us. We have great customer relations and offer very good quality with all features. We are scrambling to find a way to make our revenue increase but get pushback whenever we try anything. I guess our customers own the wash?
Yes, within 2-3 miles we are the best and I know that for sure, not because I own it.
So do you have any recommendations?
I also don’t wanna lose all my customers and send them to the other 50 Cent washes
We are at $3 for 4 mins, we run higher pressures and keep chemicals looking good. Planning to be at $1/ min next year. We want premium customers and offer a premium experience, 50 cent start customers aren't what we want and actively try to keep them away with having the highest prices in the area.
Our wash runs 1500 PSI with water at 105 +/- All chemicals are top notch and work very well. Out touch free Automatic is fantastic and cleans the dirties Black vehicle with no film left. unfortunately the other washes around us are really subpar and don't take much pride in clean lots or bay and offer limited features and quality of wash. We get a fair amount of customers that notice lowered time per quarter and we tried dropping the 50 cent start but ultimately returned as customers fell off quite fast. Are we just stuck and dealing with customers driving our wash prices? There has to be something we can do as winter is coming and we would like to be more profitable to offset all the work winter months bring here in Colorado.
washnshine
Well-known member
If your quality is that much ahead of the competition, you should charge much more and challenge your customers to go elsewhere. It’s not like you would be gouging them, you’d be asking a fair price for and outstanding product. If they want an inferior product, they can pay less at your competitors. As it is now, you are letting them “own” your wash. You can take charge of that.
I totally agree unfortunately I don’t like to help other washes gain customers for offering poor service. I guess I’m dealing with a bunch of pennypinching people that may or may not appreciate a quality wash. A lot of people come. And say What a fantastic wash and clean wash it is then there’s others that just come and dump their trash, crap in your bays and drive off. Yes, it’s one of those kind of areas
After doing this for 33 years, you would think I would have a handle on it, but the last five years have been very challenging in all aspects. I guess I’m just wondering how all of the others are dealing with it too.
As washnshine said, they will go try the other guy, realize it's a dump and come back to your superior wash. The people who don't come back, good riddance.
Go up in start price and down on time per quarter a little every 6 months until you are at a good start price/ time per quarter. Try to have a small update or upgrade right before you go up in start price.
Go up in start price and down on time per quarter a little every 6 months until you are at a good start price/ time per quarter. Try to have a small update or upgrade right before you go up in start price.