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Car Wash Survey - Trying to Match Reality with Figures

От AvtoRentaCar | February 23, 2009

We have all heard the saying, Liars figure and figures lie? Well today we shall look into the reality of the Survey of Automatic Car Washes. Did the industry in fact tell the truth? In the study of all those responding only 13% said they had no competition, which is probably a matter of mindset for if it were true it certainly will not be within a year or two. As the number of car washes in the United States is over 30,000. One could say that this is not a lie but rather wishful thinking. For instance one operator we talked to in Macon, GA who owned a full service carwash said he had no competition, but their were 2 self serve washes, 3 roll-over gas station carwashes and two hand wash detail shops all within less than two-miles. When we pointed this out to him, he said, “well they are not competition, we have a steady clientele.” Indeed he did, yet he could have much more if they were not down the block. I bring up this point for two reasons; first, truth is relative and second, many operators of smaller type coin-op car washes, roll over carwashes or hand car washes do not subscribe to the trade journals, attend trade shows or go online to participate in such surveys. One could say this means that the entire survey is without merit and that it is all a wash.

Well 43% said they have partial uniforms, which is an increase from previous years and an up-tick in the professionalism needed to be combined with ethics of the workforce.

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Robotic Conveyor Systems

От AvtoRentaCar | February 15, 2009

Robotic conveyor systems are used in modern automated factories, warehouses and cleaning processes. In fact robotics and car washing are nearly synonymous really. There are many cross over scientific technologies used in car washing indeed. Lots of stuff is involved in car washing that relates to a wide variety of sciences and all things in life for that matter. For instance; Physics, Water, efficiency, chemicals, environmental, pollution, energy, ionic bonding, lighting, crime prevention, labor management, signage, advertising, location, flows, cycles, temperatures, robotics, sonar, electronic eyes, video surveillance, impulse purchasing, manufacturing processes, quality control, building, contracting, computer kiosks, time, customer service, automotive. You name it, car washing has some of it, it is a lot to think of and everything relates to everything else in car washing.

Being involved in the car wash industry for 27 years taught me a lot about robotics. Automated car wash systems have been around now over 70 years, think about it, this was the very beginning of robotics, especially conveyor type robotics. Even in my other life endeavors such as becoming a pilot, athlete, motorcycle racer, franchisor and even politics seem to be aided by the many modern principles of car washing. There are few things missing from the car wash model. In car washing you deal with car owners from all professions, nationalities and walks of life, as everyone owns a car. Everyone you see? Everyone is your customer or future customer. It’s all one really. Everything kind of bleeds into everything else, no real definitive barriers like dimensions, airflows, songs & tunes, weather, cycles and the like. One is ending as another begins. Life kind of is like that too.

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Adding Express Detailing Services to Your Already Successful Car Wash or Automotive Business

От AvtoRentaCar | February 10, 2009

Express Detailing is a term, which has been marketed and inevitably defined by fixed site car washes in their attempt to increase average per ticket transactions. By using express detailing as an “add-on” service for between $35.00-$60.00 they are able to up sell a $4.99 exterior wash direct mail coupon that a customer brings in to a $40.00- 70.00 charge. Their theory is sound and tends to work well for them. A car wash in and out wash which takes 10-15 minutes for vacuum, tunnel wash and dry and then another 15-20 minutes for a solvent polymer wax, with dash and tire dressing is consistent with their industry $/hour goals. Now car wash owners have gone one step further with The Blue Coral Wax Treatment.

This is a wax put on while the car is still wet, thus eliminating the drying step. The wax is rubbed on the wet car, dries to a haze and is wiped off which dramatically increases efficiency and adds even greater revenue. Thus by speeding up the process they cater even more to the new consumers attitude. “I want it now”, the quicker the better, give me my detail, I have things to do, I’m outta here. Similar customer attitudes are found in the demands of e-commerce where you buy a product today and it shows up at your doorstep next morning guaranteed by Fed EX or Two day service by RPS, Airbourne, UPS, Emery Express, or Fed EX.

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Mobile Car Wash Company, Do I Need an Office?

От AvtoRentaCar | January 23, 2009

Many times mobile car wash companies ask themselves if they should get an office to look more legitimate or to run the business out of. This depends on may things. If you have a larger company with many units it might be wise. But if you are a small company with relatively few units, it really would not make too much sense.

So with that said should a mobile car care company involved in mobile car washing have a office somewhere? This would of course depend on the circumstances I suppose. In some markets perhaps it is not such a good idea to have such costs. If you are in a high-end market with many units on the road it might be a good idea, although if you have a location you have added additional costs and you will need to staff that office. If you will look at the Asplanaugh Tree Trimming Company you will see a much better plan. Find a place to park the trucks and have one office for many markets. Similar in theory to the GE Way as they downsized costs, they were careful to not have so many chiefs and offices. Most larger companies are like this now with regional offices running many units. Some have ratios of 1:30 or one office for 30 units, as is the case in retailing.

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Mobile Car Wash Business in Southern California

От AvtoRentaCar | January 12, 2009

A good and inexpensive small business to start in Southern California, due to the good weather might be a mobile carwash. You may not want a business that large, perhaps a couple man operation; yourself and a friend? Remembering of course it is a lot of work. You might have a few questions before you invest in such a business, such as what type of advertising should you use? We have found flyers work the best, with personal sales and referrals from your excellent work. If you are looking to decide the best prices you will want to do a quick survey of the mobile car wash industry, but remember that the prices in your area would be substantially higher.

Since the business is very simple, there are few operational challenges. There are no operational challenges at all. Except Labor quality and work ethic, but that is to be expected in America right now; drug issues, laziness and lack of caring or responsibility.

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Car Wash Owners Hate Mobile Detailers

От AvtoRentaCar | December 27, 2008

The biggest annoyance to car wash owners who have invested millions to buy a piece of property and build a car wash is to see mobile car wash operations and mobile auto detailers who compete with minimal investment. And they will do whatever they can to shut them down.

Their biggest tactic is to call the city code enforcement and the water quality control departments of environmental protection on these mobile operators. This has worked for a while. However now the mobile operators have figured out a way to collect their waste wash water affluent. Having been in the mobile car wash sector as the industry leader for a couple decades, we understand both sides of the issues. And we do not have a problem with storm water enforcement, EPA, RWQBs, NPDES agency permits, DEPs, or what ever they call themselves this week.

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Starting a Mobile Auto Detailing Company in 2006

От AvtoRentaCar | December 14, 2008

How hard is it to build a customer base in a mobile car washing or mobile auto detailing company? You simply get a trailer or pick-up; load it with equipment supplies; make up a flyer and go make money right? Well yes and no. It is not exactly that easy, but indeed it is not that hard either.

Once a customer base is built then you would need to work on efficiency. Once you have a substantial market base and are ultra-efficient in your methodology, you can reap the rewards of all that hard work building your little company. Here are some links to free information;

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Home Car Washing Robot Unit, Environmentally Friendly

От AvtoRentaCar | December 7, 2008

Home robotics have sure come along way. You can buy a pool sweep to clean your pool and it will float around all day and clean all the leaves out, which is very cool. It is even fun to watch, kind of like watching your clothes wash or the dryer spin at the laundry mat. You can also buy a lawn mover, which once set will mow your lawn all by itself. Now that is cool indeed, it will cut the grass while you drink a beer or two, depending on the size of your middle class neighborhood lawn. Oh it might screw up every once in a while, but that is what you are for, you are the brains of the family and besides it gives you something to complain about; “Those damn robots!”

Then there is the coolest little invention of all; the “cat terrorizing” iRobot “Romba” vacuum. Oh it is sure scary for your cat for about ten minutes. Then eventually becomes your cat’s favorite stalking object as it plays with the thing while it cleans the floor and entertains your cat all day? Your cat never had so much fun attacking anything like this before. Hell, I caught my cat riding around on it. I guess my cat is now too lazy to walk across the house and simply waits until the iRobot Vacuum is headed that way? Go figure and you thought your cat was stupid?

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SmartCar Voice Enabled Automotive Coatings of the Future

От AvtoRentaCar | December 2, 2008

There are so many things that can destroy a car’s finish and it is too bad that the paint cannot talk to you or those around the car. Luckily in the future of the Smart Car, the paint coating will have sensors embedded in it which will be connected to the net centric systems of the car. Incorporated into the skin of the car’s carbon nanotube constructed body will be haptic sensors that gauge pressure and the cars coating and clear coat paint will all be part of this system. The paint coating will not have to worry any longer about bird droppings or the occasional mischievous kid in the neighborhood throwing eggs, as they will be somewhat self cleaning like the new self cleaning glass available.

The car will also have anti pedestrian collision systems which when parked will guard the car from passers by. If someone approaches with too close the car will warn the individual of a potential non-lethal stun gun shock. If a shopping cart is rapidly approaching the car will turn on and move out of the way. When you are at a car wash the car itself will monitor the washing and drying process. “Hey you missed a spot” or “Oye usted perdió un lugar, usted imbecile.” So, you do not have to worry about your car in the future. Think on this in 2006.

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Mobile Car Wash Rig Set Up Designs

От AvtoRentaCar | December 1, 2008

Most of our mobile washing competitors are the enemy. Not because they are evil, but because if you are also in the business they will do anything to get your customers. They will obviously be impressed with image if you have a classy rig and be little intimidated; you should use this to your advantage to keep them at bay. I can tell you that most of our mobile car wash competitors (I run a business called the Car Wash Guys), operate out of short bed pick up trucks can’t use 5.0 hp Craftsmen Shop Vacs or small 5 X 7 foot trailers. Either way there is just not enough room. If a competitor has a short bed pick up, he will be inefficient and clumsy, moving stuff around every time they wash a car. This will take time; time costs money. Being all discombuberated is also very irritating for the operator. This type of competitor fits our perfect competitor profile of $150-200 per day gross sales with heavy Friday and Saturday routes of up to $300-500. They try hard, but they can’t be too serious about their business in a short bed pick up truck. When all of the car washing equipment is close together things break. Such as:

Extension cord melts on exhaust of generator

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How Many Car Washes Are in the United States?

От AvtoRentaCar | November 24, 2008

We know pretty certain from public records and auto sales how many cars are in the United States, but have you ever wondered how many car washes are available to wash all those cars? With the long lines at the carwash it often appears the answer is, Not Enough! What is interesting is that in the carwash industry even the industry’s own surveys often disagree.

Many people call Conveyor car washes those full-serve types. I think the estimates are between 17,000 to 26,000 in US 50 states and 4 territories. And they say there are 35,000 Coin-ops. 35,000 rollovers. Now are there duplicates of rollovers at coin-ops? YES. Is that considered? Maybe, depends on the carwash self proclaimed Guru and which anal-ist report you are looking at? But judging by these numbers the 10% number for full-service car washes could be close to accurate and is why you have to wait in line for a good decent carwash. This trend shows that the other types of carwashes are outpacing conveyor systems, bummer for the carwash clientele that want a complete full wash with great service. But like the steel industry, it is only because they are costly and have not adapted along the way very much, except for the new old man Hanna Carwash Systems, have some new stuff, which actually washes the car, better.

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Car Wash Car Jackings on the Rise

От AvtoRentaCar | November 23, 2008

Well as if the car wash industry did not have enough to worry about being one of the top industries to hirer illegal aliens, now they are seeing a rise in car-jackings too? Does this mean if you go to a car wash someone will boost your car and throw you and your children onto the pavement at gunpoint?

Well the odds are that this might not actually happen to you, although studies show that those odds are changing fast? But why are people being car jacked at carwashes instead of at let’s say 7-11 or the grocery store parking lot? Is it because car thieves like to steal clean cars with streaks down the side from a poor wash job? Is it because the illegal aliens are angry that they may lose their jobs as more and more carwashes get raided, so they are stealing cars to drive back home to Mexico?

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12 New Rules for the Car Wash Industry

От AvtoRentaCar | November 11, 2008

It appears we need some new rules for this so-called car wash industry. Having studied the car wash industry for 20 plus years, it appears we need a few changes to balance the fairness of the market to the consumer and still retain a proper ROI to entrepreneur. There has been many a scandal in the car wash industry and perhaps you have seen the Sixty Minutes, TV Special Segments on this issue? Personal items being stolen from cars, fake hot wax and even the crime issues, which come with that business model.

Here are some Rules, which the Car Wash Industry needs to consider. Twelve simple rules to bring the car wash industry back into reality and restore consumer confidence. Today the average car wash only has a 15% regular customer following. The remainder of their business does not come from regulars? Why is this, how can any business operate with such a dismal rate of returning customers?

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What a Buyer Should Look For When Purchasing a Car Wash

От AvtoRentaCar | October 28, 2008

After searching all the available Car Wash locations that are available and finally deciding on a Car Wash location he desires to purchase, the buyer should create a punch list of competing washes in the chosen area of purchase. There are many unique variables a buyer should be aware of in purchasing a car wash location; an inexperienced buyer would be wise to consult with an industry consultant to help in analyzing and investigating the results from the following list.

1) Check the demographics of this chosen area.

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How to Clean Bugs Off of Your Car

От AvtoRentaCar | October 26, 2008

It’s a beautiful day and you decide to head out for a ride in your newly washed car. As you are driving down the road, you feel as though every bug in the area has found your clean car and are picking that moment to end their life by flying right into your car. By the time you get back home, your bright, shiny, clean car has taken on a whole new look from all the bugs that are attached to it.

Cleaning bugs off a car can be a lot of work. However, there is hope for you and your car yet. The first thing that you can do is to attempt to clean your car with warm water and car cleaner. Do not use dishwashing liquid on your car as it can cause streaks and take the wax and shine off of your car. Buy liquid wash that is specifically designed for cleaning cars.

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