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How much time per Quarter is good to charge these days?

Morqtrs

New member
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.
 
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.
 
I know a few people that are at 12 and 13 sec/quarter.

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.

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.
 
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.
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?
 
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.
 
Call me crazy but maybe all the car washes want to start making more money in your area???

You can rationalize it all you want but you're way too cheap. It's time to get current with your pricing.
 
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.
 
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