Bill Capron
Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2021
- Messages
- 36
- Reaction score
- 56
- Points
- 18
We need to stop giving our business away.
Where are you and what are your prices?
- Thread starter Debra Gorgos
- Start date
Greg_T
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2020
- Messages
- 240
- Reaction score
- 246
- Points
- 43
Victoria, Australia. In Australian dollars, $1 = 1 minute, 30 seconds.
Just wondering what constitutes a cold winter day in Southern California looks like as I stare out at the snow covered landscape.For the past 4 years our wash prices were $3 for 5 minutes. The vacuums were $1 for 2.5 minutes.
We have the cleanest & most modern SS car wash within 25 miles. We have in-bay dryers, new vacuums, accept credit cards, offer mobile payment app and absorb all the card fees.
No complaints from customers & we're still busy on a cold, winter day!
wrightwash
Member
Your location: Middle Tennessee
Your start-up price: $1.00 to Start
Price per minute: $0.50/min
Vacuum Price: $1.00 for 4 Mins
All competition is at the same price or cheaper than me, this is the tough thing about rural areas. Closest competitor is $0.50 to start, $0.50/min.
Your start-up price: $1.00 to Start
Price per minute: $0.50/min
Vacuum Price: $1.00 for 4 Mins
All competition is at the same price or cheaper than me, this is the tough thing about rural areas. Closest competitor is $0.50 to start, $0.50/min.
Kimberly Berg
Well-known member
HeyVern, I'm located in Northern California, with daytime temps in the mid 50s. No snow at my car wash! When my customers tell me it's cold outside but still willing to come in and wash/vacuum, I'm happy!
My father was from Minnesota, and moved to Southern California in the 50s. He used to mock me and my sisters that we "didn't know what cold was!" I was quick to remind him that's WHY he left Minnesota!
I admit I'm a fair-weather car wash owner. I couldn't handle working at a car wash in freezing weather, shoveling snow, requiring a boiler, heated floors or bay doors. 
God bless those of you who do!!
Last edited:
Waxman
Super Moderator
How are you making any money at these prices???
wrightwash
Member
Fortunately, my overhead is low but it is tight! I'm planning on working my cost per min up some this year.
GoBuckeyes
Self-Serve and Automatics
Cleveland, Ohio
Bay $4 Start
Bay $1 / Minute
Vac $2 / 3 minutes
Bay $4 Start
Bay $1 / Minute
Vac $2 / 3 minutes
chaz
Active member
wow……very very cheap
chaz
Active member
chaz
Active member
Why so cheap
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 4,225
- Reaction score
- 1,063
- Points
- 113
- Location
- SW Indiana melon fields.
I've always wondered why that area was always so far behind the rest of the country in pricing. Maybe they should keep the prices down there and give away a bunch of stuff like the express washes.
designflaw
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2023
- Messages
- 59
- Reaction score
- 23
- Points
- 8
I am scared to raise the prices. I feel like, my customers will run away.
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 4,225
- Reaction score
- 1,063
- Points
- 113
- Location
- SW Indiana melon fields.
You and everyone else. In the end, most everyone comes back here, and says they should have done it sooner.
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
Most of our customers are $3/3minutes.
Many are planning $4/3minutes soon. Potential 25% increase in property taxes and insurance!
Here’s one who took the leap last year…$5/3minutes!
I asked how it’s been working and have there been any repercussions.
(It’s always busy when I’m there for service so, I already knew the answer.)
Him: ”I worried and worried, fretted and lost sleep, to no avail.”
Me: ”So, worrying works, huh?”
Him: ”???”
Me: ”98% of things we worry about never happens. Worrying works!”
Many are planning $4/3minutes soon. Potential 25% increase in property taxes and insurance!
Here’s one who took the leap last year…$5/3minutes!
I asked how it’s been working and have there been any repercussions.
(It’s always busy when I’m there for service so, I already knew the answer.)
Him: ”I worried and worried, fretted and lost sleep, to no avail.”
Me: ”So, worrying works, huh?”
Him: ”???”
Me: ”98% of things we worry about never happens. Worrying works!”
I don't understand with the cost of business going up every month how you can not raise your prices to match and keep your bottom line where you need it? Every situation is different but let's presume in your opinion you have the best wash in your area, the cleanest,up to date, and everything works 99% of the time. Just as an extreme example, if you raise your prices and lost 10% of your customers which is almost ridiculous. You still have 90% paying your increased price and you've probably lost your worst customers anyway. You're still making more money with less customers! Over the last 34 years in business 28 of those attended,when I raised my prices the attendant only had to deal with the people who didn't put enough money in the box and said "my bad" I should have noticed. Do the math otherwise you'll end up working for nothing. You're in business to make a fair PROFIT on what you're doing. If you're doing that without raising your prices ignore this post!
Northern Minnesota
Cash & CC
$5 start $1 per minute
Superbay
$6.25 start $1.25 per minute
Vacuum
Coins only
$2 for 4 minutes
All brand new equipment summer of 2023
All bays have
Bug off / De-Salt
Presoak
HP Soap
Foam Brush
HP Rinse
HP Wax
Tire cleaner on it’s own brush
SFR
Air Dryer
Superbay also has a underbody rinse
Cash & CC
$5 start $1 per minute
Superbay
$6.25 start $1.25 per minute
Vacuum
Coins only
$2 for 4 minutes
All brand new equipment summer of 2023
All bays have
Bug off / De-Salt
Presoak
HP Soap
Foam Brush
HP Rinse
HP Wax
Tire cleaner on it’s own brush
SFR
Air Dryer
Superbay also has a underbody rinse
