New To The Industry....HELP

Hello,

I am new to the industry. I have a location for a new car wash. But don't know where to begin.

I would like to set up an AUTOMATIC In Bay unit. I would like to do a friction as all the other Touchless Carwashes would be in direct competition with me. Hence the reason to be different.

I also would like to do free vaccums.

I would like it to be completely automatic. (Cash Machine/ Credit Card machine/)/ how to make the free vaccums available to customers; Possibl with a code.

Few questions come to mind; should I purchase a used unit?

What unit is the best; I figure the average wash would be in these price ranges. $5/$7/$9. (The closest competitor who has a conveyor style unit charges $11 for their high end wash). I don't mind going cheaper on the pricing.

I want the best possible friction wash for the customer. I want to build repeat business and build a solid front for customers.

What would the costs be to build one of these units (MINUS LAND)
What equipment costs should be considered and what bay costs.

Look forward to hearing from everyone.

nikunjbhakta@yahoo.com

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."

Sounds like you have too little information to make a sensible decision. especially when considering a site. There is a wealth of free information from the archives of the four leading industry magazines... as well as the ICA and their member organizations.

For instance, visiting some manufacturer sites will provide you with plenty of basic information that you can download to print. Depending on where you are located, there is undoubtedly an ample amount of equipment suppliers and representatives that can offer their suggestions while improving your education and understanding of available options and alternatives.

For example, the worst nightmare for inbay automatic operators with excellent locations and great traffic counts is having to compete with an express exterior with very low basic pricing.

As for your notion of free vacuums, it clearly indicates that you've not done much prudent cost analysis investigation.

There are consultants that can provide independent unbiased assessments and conduct skilled site evaluations and feasibility studies.

My advice is to do you homework alone initially by reading, researching, and exploring until you get a much better feel for the industry and the marketplace you seek to exploit. Empower yourself... instead of asking to be led by the hand. Doing the research and investigation will provide valuable insight. Numbers are relative to the specific site, the marketplace, and how you chose to go-to-market. A skilled salesman can make many of the formulas validate whatever is needed to sell equipment, so ask many... then overlay and compare notes. Maybe that's what you're actually doing right now, which is good. If so, keep it up, but realize that putting the pieces of the puzzle together correctly takes knowledgeable expertise.

Once you know "which way is up", then seek professional assistance.

Many who choose to fly by the seat of their pants... often lose their shirt!

Where are you located, hamilton has a machine that will give a token back so they could use tha vacs

Without demographics of the site it is hard to make any recommendations.

A newer modern friction automatic will provide a better quality wash than a touch free IBA. But I see very few of the "good" used units on the market. Most of the ones I see are the older less expensive models used in oil company sites. Some of these are notorious for skunk stripes down the back.

I would also hesitate to recommend used equipment to anyone new to the industry. You need good local support.

I disagree with Steve, Free vacuums has in at least in part proven pretty successful in my part of the country to bring people in. In my area, old school exterior washes had generally died off. The new express wash concept revived the exterior wash concept. 95% of the sites I see have free vacs. Customers do see value in that and have begun to expect it with their car wash in my area.

You need to find a professional and pay them some money to do a site analysis for you. Let them recommend what type of wash to put in.

Do not try and install anything used on your first carwash project; that is asking for trouble!

The professional carwash consultant has no direct ties to any one mfg. and works solely for you w/your best interests at heart.

I know Istobal has a pretty good set up with a modular building, friction IBA, followed by a series of arches for drying agent, triple foam, clear coat and spot free. It allows you to do express exterior type volume on a site suited for a regular IBA. Free vacuums would also tie in well with the lay out. Check out there website, this concept is called express on rails. http://www.istobalusa.com/

I just think thats cool. If you are just looking for a top knotch friction IBA check out the Tandem from PDQ. It is unlike any other friction IBA out there.

Hello
May I make a suggestion for you to contact Spray and Shine Inc.
It is an international full service installation company with over
thirty years in the industry. I believe this would be a wise decision
for you to make. Please check out the website for some further information. www.sprayandshine.com Good luck with you endeavor.