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cmcclu

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I have a 9 year old wash (2.0's) and am considering options for modifying my wash with the intent of increasing my wash prices. We typically do a pretty good job of cleaning and customers are generally pleased but just feel that an increase in pricing is justified with the general rising costs of conducting business.

I have considered adding additional features such as blowers, wheel brushes, hot wax,or recipe modifications for improved cleaning and therefore an increase in price; or just simply increasing the price with no modification of equipment or washing.

I expect that a call to a dealer/distributor could turn into a "sales pitch" and instead I would appreciate hearing from other operators who have any experience or recommendations in this matter.

Thanks!
 
The 5$ basic is a 1 pass presoak with wash/rinse and spot free, and the premium 8$ is an undercarriage, double presoak, rocker panel, double wash/rinse, triple shine, clear coat, and spot free.

The 6$ is the basic plus undercarriage and rocker panel and the 7$ is the premium minus the triple shine and clear coat.........Thanks!
 
I added a 2nd WW2.0 with wheelscrub to my site in 2008. That side does 20.7% more washes than the original WW bay without the wheelscrub. 62% of the washes in the new bay get the wheelscrub for an extra $1. People will wait in line 3 or 4 deep for the wheelscrub instead of going to the other side where there may be one or no cars waiting (I ask them why they are waiting). I have considered adding the wheelscrub to the original bay but it is a 10k add on. 5k to add it at the factory to a new machine. But it does have issues. There is some maintenance (motors) which cost about $500. You also need signage with minimum ground clearance to keep low riders from getting the wheelscrub option. Overall I would definitely do it again. But I don't know if I can justify the cost of adding it on to the original WW. I do feel that it gives me an option that is not available everywhere else. I want to increase prices too. But with my wheelscrub wash at $9 I would be charging $10 and in my area I don't want to break the $10 price point. Am considering a 50 cent increase but would like to keep my prices in even dollar amounts.
 
Blowers and hot wax will add to your costs. Blower motors draw a lot of electricity. How wax has to run the heater (mine is only on 12 hrs a day), motor, pump, and chemical costs. I have both in both of my bays. I have been lucky with the onboard blowers and only had to change 2 motors in my original WW over 7 years. Not a fun job to do.
 
If rising operating costs are raining on your parade as it is with many self-service operators, this may be a good time for you to develop a business or marketing plan.

For example, when I work with clients on business growth, we begin by developing a framework which sets out priorities for allocating resources and attracting investment.

Next, we identify strategies that can be evaluated and prioritized to help raise the bar or close gaps that may exist in a carwash business. This may include issues like car counts, throughput, products and services, pricing points, average revenue, margins, employees, customer service, etc.

This process is evidence-based meaning it requires assessment of area household statistics, economic outlook, segmentation, competition, etc. and financial history.

You can also use the shotgun approach as it may be suggested by some of your peers.

However, this is like trying to hit a moving target wearing a blindfold.

Most of the time, the target will be missed.
 
I feel blowers are almost a "must have"- you can get an extra dollar for that option. Stand alones are not cheap, but you can keep them when you reload.

Hot wax doesn't have to be hot. IMO, hot wax is pretty "old school". Just use a good premium low pressure CCP product and don't be stingy with the product. You could install your own low pressure wax for probably 1K. I get an extra two dollars for this service, and it is the most popular wash.

Wheel scrubs are nice, but pretty expensive to install and maintain. I'm not sure I would spend 10K to install them on a nine year old auto.
 
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