Would ya like to own a car wash? Think again...

[TurboBuRick]

Thats a good one Glen. I thought about exploding ink packs.

 

[TurboBuRick]

I am sure my drought clouded view is different than most, but why not sell the bussiness' to someone wating to try something new? If things dont DRASTICALLY change soon, people in your business in my area will be forced to close to water restrictions. Forced. Washes are still open, but rations are not far out of realm of possibilities when we have huge lakes 18'-20' low, (180 days of water left for Atlanta) and 27" of rain deficit to Dec. 1 since jan 1. I pray things change soon, and dont worsen and come your way. If they do, you wont want to be holding those cards then. Having a dirty car in Atlanta is almost a badge of honor, oh and the local paper (Atlanta journal) writes the names of the top 10 water users each month in the paper to embarrass them into conservation.

Thats a bad situation but I bet they don't wash many cars anyways. They don't get dirty. The only way to make money in a car wash is to do volume. The only way to do volume is to be in the salt belt. If it was not for winter time this would not be a good buisness at all.

 

[Phoneguy]

Rick, think about trying a drying crew for awhile. I am in the St Louis suburbs and the car washes here are slammed almost all day long every day. They charge more than you do( upwards of $36.00 depending on the service) and the help makes very little hourly wages but make a ton on tips. there is no less than 12 people drying cars! All tips get split by the crew. The crews pretty much police themselves which keeps the slackers away. If you are not pulling your weight or are treating the customers badly it affects everyones tips, this alone would relieve some of your stress and should bring your profits up. This is just a suggestion, I am not in the business and do not know your clientele in your area. May be worth a shot.HTH

Bryan

 

[tom j]

Rick, Hang this up with a warning about not returning the towels

 

[DR BOOST]

fine, ill give em back Rick.

i was wondering what the stack of turbans were for...

 

[jdodman]

And here I thought picking up a car wash in my retirement years, would be a good way to create cash flow, with little to no aggravation.

Glad I read this thread.....

 

[stack1]

It sounds like you're too generous in paying for damage. You're exactly right, how do they and you know that the damage wasn't caused somewhere else?

I'm an insurance adjuster and I've handled dozens of car wash claims. Both where our insured is the car wash and the person with a damaged car. Unless there was an equipment malfunction, the car wash was off the hook. It's their duty to PROVE that your car wash damaged their vehicle, not yours to prove that it didn't. Be sure to post a sign that says you're not responsible for damaged vehicles and you are using the car wash at your own risk.

Good luck. I hope things go well. Sounds like you'll be successful at whatever you do.

Greg

 

[TurboBuRick]

It sounds like you're too generous in paying for damage. You're exactly right, how do they and you know that the damage wasn't caused somewhere else?

I'm an insurance adjuster and I've handled dozens of car wash claims. Both where our insured is the car wash and the person with a damaged car. Unless there was an equipment malfunction, the car wash was off the hook. It's their duty to PROVE that your car wash damaged their vehicle, not yours to prove that it didn't. Be sure to post a sign that says you're not responsible for damaged vehicles and you are using the car wash at your own risk.

Good luck. I hope things go well. Sounds like you'll be successful at whatever you do.

Greg

Thanks Greg,
I am very generous when it comes to my customers. My reputation is important to me and I will usually do whatever it takes to make them happy.
Some people just expect too much.
Don't know what I would like to try next. I know I would like to take about a year off.

 

[Not Avg 6]

It sounds like you're too generous in paying for damage. You're exactly right, how do they and you know that the damage wasn't caused somewhere else?

I'm an insurance adjuster and I've handled dozens of car wash claims. Both where our insured is the car wash and the person with a damaged car. Unless there was an equipment malfunction, the car wash was off the hook. It's their duty to PROVE that your car wash damaged their vehicle, not yours to prove that it didn't. Be sure to post a sign that says you're not responsible for damaged vehicles and you are using the car wash at your own risk.

Good luck. I hope things go well. Sounds like you'll be successful at whatever you do.

Greg

Hey Rick,

I agree with with Greg on the sign for damage. I also would start selling towels for $2 ea.( Due to rising operating cost and the popularity of our towels). Or else we could use a Turbo / Supercharger speciality shop around here, if so cut me in.