Owning a Car Wash in a Low Income Area.

[allthis4adream1]

I've come across a few washes in lower income areas. What can I expect to run into. I have prepared a few questions to get this started and excited to hear what everyone has to say. Thank you.

How do you cater to a lower income neighborhood?
What have operators experienced?
What to look out for?
What works? Does not?
Any other thoughts?

 

[mac]

I've owned washes in these areas and generally did well with them. In poorer neighborhoods, the car is usually the most expensive thing they own, and would wash it a lot. The current economy has hurt that lately as most are now out of work. (Thank you Obama & Co.) If the local economy still exists the washes may do well. Watch them on a weekend. When owning one, don't worry about providing a lot of bells and whistles. Provide the basics, BUT keep everything in good working order, and the place clean. Most vandalism is caused when a customer puts in money and something doesn't work. There are some good deals now on depressed washes.

 

[Earl Weiss]

. The current economy has hurt that lately as most are now out of work. (Thank you Obama & Co.)

.

Hmm, I guess you are lucky to be somewhere the economy has only been bad for the last 21 months or so.

 

[Red Baron]

While farmers and hunters don't generally vandalize or steal from car washes, they are by far my 2 most troublesome customers. By a wide wide margin!!! Poor people don't cause me many problems.

 

[Jeff_L]

...keep everything in good working order, and the place clean. Most vandalism is caused when a customer puts in money and something doesn't work...

I'd say that's the key for any wash. People will tend to stay on the up and up when they're at a clean, well maintained place. I typically see vandalism at sites I know are run down and not in working order.

 

[seattleguy]

I'd say that's the key for any wash. People will tend to stay on the up and up when they're at a clean, well maintained place. I typically see vandalism at sites I know are run down and not in working order.

I also would be interested in any tips for running a wash in a low income area.