Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
Hi guys, I have a 4/2 with touch free units in middle to upper income area. The wash does decent numbers with the IBA making up the bulk of my site revenue. I have a fair amount of IBA customers that do not like friction units and also those that have bike and ski racks, etc. However, my current philosophy is most customers just want a clean car.
I have recently purchase a used combination unit made by the same manufacturer as my touch free (coleman) and plan on replacing one of the touch free units with this combo unit. I'm doing this primarily to offer the infrequent washer a way to get their car clean without road film issues. I'm also hoping it will help minimize the impact of yet another express tunnel that is entering the outskirts of my market area. I've used this combo wash before and although it is painfully slow, it cleaned as good or better than most express tunnels I have been through. I'm purchasing this used unit for less than the cost of a new friction-only unit. So although technically it is a combo wash, I don't feel I HAVE to use the touchless capacities if it doesn't benefit me.
I'm trying to get opinions on how to best price the wash packages and utilize this equipment. Current pricing on touch free 5,7,8,10, with the ten dollar wash applying Rain-X type product(and is the most popular). I currently have four IBA packages I can sell but understand an upgrade is available to offer as many as eight packages on the combo. I's also like to take the opportunity to go up a little on my wash prices.
My current concerns is customer confusion on "which unit does what?". Also a single line forms for both units. If a preference is made for one machine or the other a traffic issue could indeed develop on busy days.
I initially thought I would offer on my menu the two most popular washes in either a touch free or combo version, with the combo being $2 more.
I have had one operator suggest just run the combo unit as a friction unit and price identical as touch free with four friction options.
Another possibility is run the unit as a touch free with the same four menu choices and same pricing and then offer an "upgrade" to combination wash for an upcharge of perhaps $2. This will allow touch free customers to use both lanes and help pay for the slower throughput of the combo. I like this option if it's not too confusing.
And, then there's options I hope you guys here will suggest.....
Finally, just to throw another factor to consider, the current plan is to rip out my other touch free unit in about five years and install a mini express package.
Anyway, just looking for help thinking this through. Any input is appreciated.
I have recently purchase a used combination unit made by the same manufacturer as my touch free (coleman) and plan on replacing one of the touch free units with this combo unit. I'm doing this primarily to offer the infrequent washer a way to get their car clean without road film issues. I'm also hoping it will help minimize the impact of yet another express tunnel that is entering the outskirts of my market area. I've used this combo wash before and although it is painfully slow, it cleaned as good or better than most express tunnels I have been through. I'm purchasing this used unit for less than the cost of a new friction-only unit. So although technically it is a combo wash, I don't feel I HAVE to use the touchless capacities if it doesn't benefit me.
I'm trying to get opinions on how to best price the wash packages and utilize this equipment. Current pricing on touch free 5,7,8,10, with the ten dollar wash applying Rain-X type product(and is the most popular). I currently have four IBA packages I can sell but understand an upgrade is available to offer as many as eight packages on the combo. I's also like to take the opportunity to go up a little on my wash prices.
My current concerns is customer confusion on "which unit does what?". Also a single line forms for both units. If a preference is made for one machine or the other a traffic issue could indeed develop on busy days.
I initially thought I would offer on my menu the two most popular washes in either a touch free or combo version, with the combo being $2 more.
I have had one operator suggest just run the combo unit as a friction unit and price identical as touch free with four friction options.
Another possibility is run the unit as a touch free with the same four menu choices and same pricing and then offer an "upgrade" to combination wash for an upcharge of perhaps $2. This will allow touch free customers to use both lanes and help pay for the slower throughput of the combo. I like this option if it's not too confusing.
And, then there's options I hope you guys here will suggest.....
Finally, just to throw another factor to consider, the current plan is to rip out my other touch free unit in about five years and install a mini express package.
Anyway, just looking for help thinking this through. Any input is appreciated.
Last edited: