Vacuum pricing & Vacuum Bonus Time

[Sequoia]

I'd like to increase my vac revenue. Prices are currently $1 - 4 mins and $1 - 3:20 for a 3-motor turbo vac.

I'm considering giving less time while keeping the startup price at $1.

Alternately, I'm kicking around offering vacuum "bonus time" if $X is inserted up front. At my current pricing, this would be something like $2 - 10 mins instead of $ 2 - 8 minutes. Or maybe even make the vac bonus at $3. I'd promote the bonus time with signage.

I assume the cost of delivering vacuum minutes is a fraction of the cost to deliver wash minutes. So is adding a "bonus time" option a good way to increase revenue, or do you think just shortening the times is best?

 

[MEP001]

I've thought about this too. I'd have more concerns about lowering the time than increasing the price. Customers do notice if the time is reduced significantly. I would think offering a bonus time would go over better. When I watch, I see the majority of customers deposit $1, vacuum and deposit another $1 when the time runs out. They'd likely take advantage of a bonus time, assuming they read the signs.

 

[Sequoia]

Vacs

I've never kept count, but I also see customers spend $1, then have time run out, then spend another $1. If they do this, they are probably typing up my vacuum for at least 10 mins-- especially if they walk over to the changer in between.

How many self-serves offer any sort of bonus times on vacs?

 

[Bill Manke]

$1 cash or credit price for 4 minutes. or $1 for Wahcard users double time 8 minutes for a bonus.

 

[Randy]

I don’t do Bonus time on my vac’s. But I charge $1 for 3 minutes, it’s been that for years now and have never gotten a compliant about the price. The car wash on the other end of town charges .50 for 5 minutes, his vac’s don’t work very well so most everyone comes down to use our vac’s. We clean our vac's out twice a week.

 

[mjwalsh]

Sequoia & others,

We converted our vac coin mechs to Dixmor's last spring. When we did we wanted to encourage use of dollar coins so we are giving an extra minute for use of a dollar coin. If they put in 4 quarters reasonably quick it also gives them the bonus. No regrets. 50 cents gets them 3 minutes. Dollar=>7 min. Our customers are real troopers --- to use --- our vacs when an extremely tough winter settles in here in North Dakota. We are cautious on pricing because we know --- what the dynamics --- that were involved when the very large 14 bay --- completely indoor --- Canadian style car wash was only about 2 miles from us here in Bismarck.

Have any of you vacuumed your car in below zero Fahrenheit weather?

MJ

 

[pitzerwm]

You haven't told the whole story, MJ

 

[mjwalsh]

Bill ---- yaaah that too! Thank God for our Case 1840 Skidsteer! The price of diesel is once again getting to be a factor. We should have it serviced one of these years --- I suppose I will be in a state of shock on a repair cost that it might eventually need. Whale --- I think another blast is headed your way in Fargo again --- we are getting it today!

MJ