Articles
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Positive Business Experience
04/13/2010
Creating a better supplier/operator relationship
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by Ron Holub
For many years the relationship between car wash suppliers and operators was based primarily on the personal relationship between the operator and the supplier. Most operators were reluctant to change suppliers as long as they felt they were getting a good deal for products and service and liked the [...] -
Money Changer Advice
03/29/2010
Practical and personal considerations
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by Mike Coons
There are numerous considerations to evaluate when choosing a change machine for your car wash business—some practical and some personal. And there are options and models to suit most customer requests. Basically it boils down to two basic considerations—What do you want to take in? And what do you [...] -
Cross Promotion Makes Sense—and Dollars Too!
03/29/2010
Inventive car wash operators share their success
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by Dottie Hopkins
As you read this there are potential customers driving right by your car wash. So how can you get them to stop by? That’s the million-dollar question. While each situation is different, here’s how several car washes have benefited substantially from cross promotional efforts with nearby businesses.
Drawing [...] -
Fragrance Service
03/23/2010
Maximize profits with quality service
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by Steve Osborn
Why should you offer fragrances at your car wash? Very simply: clean cars should smell clean. While that is one reason to provide fragrance services, certainly another reason is the profit. But how do you maximize sales to make the most profit?
Create the Impulse
Fragrances offered at a car wash [...] -
Salesmanship & Pricing
03/23/2010
Pricing starts with excellence in service
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by Prentice St. Clair
The detailing industry has long had as one of its main challenges the correct pricing and selling of the service. These two concepts go hand-in-hand. First, one must possess the confidence to set prices that are fair to both the customer and the operator. Second, one [...] -
Time Stands Still For No One
03/18/2010
Is there a better way to sustain your car wash business in today’s environment?
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by Stuart Levy
I was having a conversation the other day with Craig Burr the publisher of this magazine. The topic of the conversation was “sustainability.” Actually it was more of a philosophical discussion on how businesses and individuals may need to [...] -
Curb Appeal: The Art & Science of Enticement
03/18/2010
Curb appeal is that all important first impression
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by Joe Cameron
How often have you wondered why people, when confronted with multiple choices for the same goods and services, will choose one place over another?
Is it because they know or have heard that company A makes a better product than company B?
Is it because one company is [...] -
So You Want to Build a Car Wash?
03/18/2010
Part 2: Tips for planning—avoiding the pitfalls
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by Andy Pazz (Pazeotopoulos)
Last month, we discussed how to get started in the car wash business. In this issue we continue the discussion including topics that will help you avoid some of the pitfalls while planning.
Prior to Applying For Permit
Select Your Architect
Be sure that the architect you hire [...] -
Increasing the Bottom Line With More Than Just a Gift Card Loyalty Program
03/18/2010
Technology & new card programs can eliminate problems
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by Ken Allmacher
Wash tickets, annual passes and loyalty punch cards have been around forever. The concept is not new, but with the advancement of technology with computers and the Internet there has been a significant improvement in administering these types of programs. With the old-fashioned, labor-intensive paper programs [...] -
Dirty … Grimy … Filthy … Seatbelts!
03/15/2010
Get the dirt on seatbelt cleaning
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by Kian Amirkhizi & Doug Snow
If you are in the business of cleaning cars then you have more than likely been challenged with seatbelts that were dirty, grimy and filthy! Yes, the seatbelt is the universal sponge for all omni-present gunk floating around in our car interiors. The nexus of [...] -
Defining Success
03/15/2010
Weathering the recession by reducing costs and increasing productivity
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by John Holzinger
We would, in normal times, have a clearly defined discussion regarding business success. Increasing profitability, generating customer loyalty and gaining market share would be main topics for examination and discussion.
Now, unless you have been in a cave for the last 18 months, success can be [...] -
The Show Must Go On
02/25/2010
Give customers the quality wash they deserve
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by Marco Marinelli
Let’s face it; we have all seen better times in this business we love. Washing a car has become a luxury for some as opposed to a weekly visit to their local car wash. We now have a smaller clientele than ever before and those customers are [...] -
Saving Cents on Leather Interiors
02/24/2010
Wise facts for the care of leather interiors
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by Kian Amirkhizi & Doug Snow
First, let me say that I admire you! Since you are obviously reading this article I am guessing that you are continuing with your education to better serve your customers and increase your technical proficiency. That’s simply not the case with the [...] -
Retrofit Your Self-service Bays
02/22/2010
Maximize your car wash site with all the industry has to offer
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by Brenda Witte
Retrofit simply means to convert or modernize parts and/or systems from the old worn out equipment, or just take the “old school” way of operating to the “high-tech” world of computer and Internet-based car washing. Just like you can upgrade your fries [...] -
Signage, Menus & Marketing
02/16/2010
For self-serve car washes
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by John Holzinger
Marketing a self serve car wash in the ’80s, ’90s and even into this century could basically be described as “location, location, location.” Now, in 2009, operators are faced with competition at a high level, populating most good sites. Wash volumes are down. Investment capability is down. Advertising and marketing [...] -
Ten In-bay Wash Promotions You Can Easily Create & Implement Tomorrow
02/16/2010
1. Ladies Day Special
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Example: Include a FREE Rose with an Ultimate Car Wash—this will create a lot of “positive buzz.”
2. Discount Gas With an Ultimate Car Wash
Example: Take advantage of motorists who “shop” for gas!
3. Cross-promote With Other In-store Purchases
Example: FREE 16 oz. bottle of water or fountain drink with Ultimate Car Wash.
4. Cross-promote [...] -
Deodorization
02/16/2010
Techniques to effectively remove odors
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by Prentice St. Clair
Professional detailers are often faced with the challenge of stinky cars. For example, a well-used mini van that has carried several children munching on snacks in the back can become quite odiferous in a matter of a few short months. Sometimes the standard interior detail will remove these [...] -
Get Ready For the Bank Game
02/16/2010
What’s happened over time is we’ve stopped looking at the fine print in documents
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by Philip Toppino
Not only do business owners have to struggle with this sluggish and uncertain economy, but it’s only a matter of time before they face an even more dangerous situation, which is dealing with their own bank.
Come on down, you’re the [...] -
Small Changes Can Make Big Differences
02/16/2010
2010: Your most successful year ever
by Megan Loch
It’s a new year and a new decade. And more than that, it could be your most successful year ever if you take steps now to optimize your operation, strengthen your value and build your brand. The best part is that small changes can make [...]
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