So my sister calls me the other day and tells me, the old car wash in town is for sale, its run down cosmetically, the guy wants out of it and is willing to sell it cheap, it does needs some TLC but does get used and would get used alot more IF it was cleaned up,had some things fixed up and was managed correctly, there is also a small little room where some things could be vended or displayed. Structurely the building is very solid and in good shape its pretty much cosmetic, my brother law says they have put new pressure pumps in within the last year a new vacumn recently. Its a corner lot in a small town off a busy highway/main street, also freeway access is 1/8 mile away. The owner says it makes money the way it is, I think with some clean up & a paint job & new H.A.M.B artist sign would help! There could also be another outside bay added and the lot behind the car wash is also for sale. Any H.A.M.Bers own a small car wash in a small town? or know of anyone who has one? are these old car washes a sign of the past or is there some potential? Looking for some feedback, post up or pm me if you like. Thanx,
Your new nickname could be "jingles" from all the quarters rattling around in your pockets! Seriously, I knew a guy who had a car wash that was just down the hill from his house. It made keeping an eye on the place really easy. He also was close enough that it wasn't a pain to maintain/close up at night. Be sure you have a 50cent Tuesday for all the tight asses. You'd be amazed at how busy that day will be! The cleanliness of a car wash is a big draw in my opinion. If it looks like a dump, I would be afraid it will take my $ and not give me any water! Good Luck, it's a business I've thought about buying several times.
I have talked to the guy that owns a small wash in my home time. He told me the car wash saved his ass on his other businesses more than once. I would love to grab one if I could find one reasonable. Go for it !!!
There's about 3 self-serve washes within a couple miles of my house. They were there 20 yr. ago when I moved in, and are still there today. One got pretty run down over time but was remodeled a couple of yrs. ago and seems to be pretty busy. These are all 3+ bay washes. As you're close to a highway, and want to add a outside bay, make it tall enough so the semi trucks can get under it.
Only one suggestion,,,ask to see the records,,water,power and tax notices. Here in my hometown we are under water restrictions because of the drought,,,and that could dry up your income if it happened on the left coast. Good luck,,HRP
Yep, clean and well lit will help allot ..Property is always a good thing to buy ..Washes are targets for theives so protect from that best you can with video and again LIGHTS ! Have to find a way to use all those quarters
Yup if its in the city limits you will be paying water and sewer and that can get costly.. We almost lost a car wash near me but finally the city quit screwing them on water and they actually lowered prices. remember if you add an outside bay it still has to be drained properly by the city codes.. Dave
In ma, you need a well and recycle the water. I had a hard time finding one i could wash the rv in the one i found was 12 miles away.
Thanx for the feedback! good idea on the .50 tuesday deal! yep the place needs a good cleaning, a paint job and a cool H.A.M.B artist sign for starters. As far as the quarters go, I could walk around with the rolls of quarters in my pockets and then people could say "is that a roll of quarters in your pocket or are you just excited to see me!" nope just a roll of quarters! good point on the truck deal if an outside bay is added, wouldnt be no room for a trailer, the lot is not big enough, but they could wash a truck or rv there I would think? yep He says he will reveal all records ect. (thanx tho) Yep the lights are one of the things that needs some TLC there pretty dim! like I said its run down, I think the current owner thinks it would fix and run itself, he's young has a young family and is busy running the kids around to every sport and then he is an avid sports fanatic himself & then he needs some time with wifey .... or someone else will! The little old bank just a block away still takes quarters, no worries there ! or theres a casino about 20 miles away that would .......... no on second thought I think I would be better off taking them to the little ole banky!..... Thanks again all, who knows where this will go, theres alot of things that need to fall into place before this could happen, but I thought I'd get some good feedback for starters and what better place then right here. xtra
I used to be sales manager for a large chain of carwashes in Indiana...the owners diversified and branched out into self serve washes...they were highly profitable, no employee headaches, the machinery was easy to maintain and they made you money while when you weren't there and they are cash so paypal and the credit card companies don't have their greedy fingers stuck in there...on the weekends hire a couple of bikini clad "helpers" to assist the customers and you will have cars lined up down the street...if you don't buy it and if it's close to me I would jump all over it.
Go to the town hall-municipal building and talk to the conatruction-zoning person. See if they have been giving the place a hard time over water and sewer. And if MAJOR improvements are in the future requirements. Sometimes a change of ownership will kick in rules that don't apply to an existing operation.
Sewer is a big concern make sure it has all the proper grit/grease intercepters in place. The township I work for has had a huge surge in new carwashes every one has an automatic touchlesss (maybe something to think about for the future).
I think it's a great endeavor. I use them all the time! I have certain ones I go to and others I avoid. The ones I avoid is because they have shitty pressure or I have been screwed out of money. Maintenance is key to a successful car wash. I hate when I use one that leaks out of the ceiling mount or the handle while you're using it. Just some food for thought. I like the idea of a HAMB style artist doing some cool shit to draw people. BloodyKnuckles
. Do a search and there are a few real good car wash boards out there, Read up and learn by others past mistakes. Also you might consider not using quarters but special coin/slugs purchased at your change center. Lots of Good reasons for doing this. Like any business , get a hold of your water and sewer rates and then get out there a make a fortune.. Best of luck...H
A Hot Rod friend of the family had a wash. I think it made good money, but it shortened their weekends, as they had to get back and clean the bays, perform maintenance, empty the money etc. If your lifestyle allows it I think it would be a great supplement. Need something to draw people away from the gas station washes... creative marketing cleanliness. Good lighting good maintenance. Nothing pisses them off more than being ripped off, or being out of spotless rinse or wax etc. give away a few promotional items air fresheners, pens, wax samples ask local business or industry if they would like to offer their employees an incentive and sell them coupons for your wash at a discount. I've been to a few that are unlimited for $5. Might be good for a slow day. the 50 cent wash is a good idea too. the local car wash just installed a dog wash station. It's been a hit. Offer some free dog biscuits. offer detailing, drop off and pick up. tie in with a local oil change place and sell coupons to them for their patrons. Offer it one day month for charities to use. Give them part of the take. Don't do any of this if there are circle trackers, mudders, mudboggers, four wheelers around that need a cheap wash.
Just a FYI. Car washes as well as coin Laundramats are simular cash businesses but want to point out that the IRS monitors the books of all of those type of businesses by the amount of water and electricity the business uses. It use to be years ago that yes indeed the car wash and laundry places WERE cash cows because of the laundry of the books and the IRS cracked down on fraud by including the Power and water bill for those businesses. Trust me - money too be made but you ain't going to retire quick. It is a job like any other. ALSO check the enviromental changes going on for those businesses. BIG CHANGES AND ESPECIALLY in California where EVERY business is under threat of closing because of ALL THE CHANGING REGULATIONS.
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