Too many options?

[cleancars24]

Hey guys,

Im wondering if there is a such thing as too many options to have available for the customers to use in the bay. As im building out my wash im starting to wonder if having too many options may be too confusing for self serve customers and turn some away. As of now I will be providing 11 different options on my 12pos switch along with a second selector switch to change between the spray gun and a undercarriage wand. So on the walls in my bays ill have 6 different hoses/items that need to be hung up... High pressure gun, low pressure foam gun, tire brush, foam brush, air dryer and undercarriage wand. Im in Minnesota and that undercarriage wand will be well used, only my high pressure options will work through the undercarriage.
To those experienced operators, Is more a good thing or will I be shooting myself in the foot with too much going on? Thank you.

 

[washnshine]

Hey guys,

Im wondering if there is a such thing as too many options to have available for the customers to use in the bay. As im building out my wash im starting to wonder if having too many options may be too confusing for self serve customers and turn some away. As of now I will be providing 11 different options on my 12pos switch along with a second selector switch to change between the spray gun and a undercarriage wand. So on the walls in my bays ill have 6 different hoses/items that need to be hung up... High pressure gun, low pressure foam gun, tire brush, foam brush, air dryer and undercarriage wand. Im in Minnesota and that undercarriage wand will be well used, only my high pressure options will work through the undercarriage.
To those experienced operators, Is more a good thing or will I be shooting myself in the foot with too much going on? Thank you.

I think yes and no. First of all, not everyone is going to use everything, so you are essentially offering a buffet - more items will please more people.

I think you can’t overdo different implements - obviously a hp gun, a foam brush - very necessary, an undercarriage spray in your neck of the woods, and a dryer - they are always popular and possibly a foam gun for a high foaming presoak or polish - not uncommon. Also - I think Waxman and other operators are having good success with a tire brush.

I think where I see operators overdo it is when they have a high pressure wax, a low pressure clear coat protectant and hot wax or ceramic out of the foam gun etc. Those products all bead water. Keep it to one specialty protectant - low pressure or foam gun, of good quality that shines and beads. A hp wax is nice for those who just want to rinse after the wash but still use your dryer. That can be just like a non foaming drying agent in an automatic. Also don’t be afraid to use one product for tire cleaning and engine cleaning. A lot of operators do but they also have it in two spots on the dial. Just call it “tire, wheel and engine cleaner” and let it occupy one space. Also some operators have a bug cleaner - that can be your presoak - so on your menu it is presoak and bug remover. Consolidate where you can and make sure all of the different options are truly different and serve a unique purpose.

 

[Waxman]

I have everything that you have except for the undercarriage wash. I don't think it's too much. You're selling time so the more options of the better in my opinion. Like wash and shine said just don't have anything that's too redundant.

 

[CarsPerHour]

More can work if the customer knows what to do with it. 11 options on the dial and 6 hoses is a lot for somebody standing there with the timer running. When people get confused they waste their time and leave unhappy, or they skip the extras altogether.

A few things I'd do:
- Put a simple sign front and center for a basic wash: step 1, 2, 3. Let the extras be the step up for the folks who want them.
- Set the dial in the order they'd actually use it.
- Spend an hour or two on a busy day watching people use the bay. You'll see real quick where they get stuck.
- If you can track usage, check which options nobody touches after a month or two and combine or drop them.

Keep it easy and they'll come back. Make them think too hard and they'll go somewhere simpler.

 

[Mr. Dude with a face]

I have everything that you have except for the undercarriage wash. I don't think it's too much. You're selling time so the more options of the better in my opinion. Like wash and shine said just don't have anything that's too redundant.

I have seen washes with up to 5 hoses in my area. My biggest question is do people cross the hoses a lot, or do they struggle a lot putting them away correctly? That's always been my biggest concern. People struggle enough with 2!

 

[Blanco]

I have seen washes with up to 5 hoses in my area. My biggest question is do people cross the hoses a lot, or do they struggle a lot putting them away correctly? That's always been my biggest concern. People struggle enough with 2!

It's not that they struggle to put them away correctly. They simply do not care to put them away correctly.

 

[Blanco]

FWIW I would scrap the underbody option. For one your in a cold climate state so you have to weep them which makes an absolute ice mess/liabilty on your floor but they are also expensive. People are going to not put them away correctly and they are going to get run over. When a foam brush gets run over it's only $100 but underbody wands range anywhere from $400-$1000 easily depending on manufacturer. That a big pill to swallow every time one gets damaged.

I also wouldn't go tire brush because just another function that need weep in the winter.

Keep it simple. High Pressure Gun, Tri Foam Gun, Foam Brush, Air Dryer. That way you have one function in each corner of the bay with a center mounted overhead boom for the high pressure gun that can sit at home by the meter box.

 

[edredtop]

I have seen washes with up to 5 hoses in my area. My biggest question is do people cross the hoses a lot, or do they struggle a lot putting them away correctly? That's always been my biggest concern. People struggle enough with 2!

I've got 5 hoses because the market demands it around here.
Unbelievably, as our hose count has gone up so has the return of the hoses.
It's now kinda rare to find a hose on the ground. Color me surprised.