Lube down by 50%!!!

We have full service wash with lube and detail.

Our wash and detail revenue took a nose dive since we took over as new owners later year in August. I don't know if that was from bad economy, weather, or new ownership change. We have regained our revenue back and our wash and detail is relatively stable now.

But our lube biz seems to continue to sprial downward. I see that the lube biz has been loosing ground since before we bought the place. Over the course of about one year, we have lost about 50% in revenue due to both loss in volumen in car count and lower average ticket.

I do hear many lube operators telling me that they are off too. But, I'm thinking off by 50% isn't too good.

Is that not such a surprising drop now days or am I slipping into deeper trouble?

Thank you for any help or advice!!!!!

-tom

Do you offer a FREE carwash w/lube? I'm sure some cross marketing would help. You walked in to your wash at a bad time, so don't think it's you.
we have teamed up with local lube franchises and they have seen hugh results, and we were selling washes to them for a fraction of the cost, but we promoted there lube with coupons and they gave free washes to there customers which were purchased from us. lucky for you, i'm sure you can come up with some good cross marketing techniques. contact me anytime at manchesterautowash@yahoo.com

Have you considered poor management or employee theft? It takes a very good manager to operate it well and keep the customers coming back, and it's far too easy to steal by doing the work, using the products and accepting cash. Consider a "secret shopper" or two and have them do a survey on how they felt they were treated.