Alignment Machine Investment good?

We are a full service wash with lube. Our lube does about 20 cars a day average. We have 3 bays with pits. I was thinking about purchasing alignment machine. If I financed it, I can break even if I can sell about a dozen a month at $59.95. We do not have many places around us that provide alignment service. So, I thought maybe adding alignment service can generate extra revenus for us.

What do you think? Do you think having alignment machine for lube shop like ours maybe an overkill? Do you know any good vendors who sell alignment machine?

Thank you.

-tom

well with only 20 cars a day, it would seem very over kill for your shop. I would invest in other machines and sell other services. My shop does about 110 cars a day and about 160 on Saturdays and we dont have an alignment machine.. FYI.

When your numbers are down in one area and you cannt seem to bring them up,it may be time to branch out into another service :) We have a low number self service and are looking for ways to inhance revenue. Getting more wash's just doesnt seem to be our future in this location.

Instead of taking on $720/mt in additional debt on an unknown quantity, I would consider paying down my existing debt or better yet spend this amount to promote the wash and lube to generate new business/volume and additional spending from your existing customer base.

Don't most older vehicles need some sort of repair before you can align them? It would seem to me that an alignment machine would be just one of many expenses: tools, parts, and a mechanic would also be necessary, wouldn't they?