Does anyone have any insights on setting up a lease with a C-Store ( for IBA- i will install my machine in their existing bldg)?I am especiallly interested in how insurrance concerns can be addressed. Negotiations involve a large C-Store chain . They appear open to idea of the lease, but thrashing out insurance concerns is holding up finalizing the contract .
This project involves me upgrading a few of their currently unused Iba buildings and installing / maintaining the automatics, for either a fee or percentage .[* that aspect of also unconcluded at this time]. Approximately four sites being considered,,,,
Any help /advice appreciated -- thnx

I have been approached about purchasing a used High Velocity machine. It was new in 2008 and has around 60,000 washes on it. There are a few things that I will have to have added like 3x foam, but it seems to be nicely equipped. I would like to know from some of you that have this machine, what your thoughts are on something with that amount of washes on it. Am I looking at something that is worn out, or is there still 10 years of life left in this thing? I also wanted to get everyone's opinion on stocking replacement parts. What are the typical problem points in this machine and how often are you making repairs or replacements? I would love to get a new machine like the Razor, but this seems to be a far better deal when comparing price points as long as I can get some good years to make it payback. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lighthouse.

Is it just my phone or does the home page redirect you to some other page unrelated to the forum. Doesn't seem to matter if I use my bookmark or click on the Home tab from the forum page, same result.

I have a customer who dropped a very expensive gold ring with diamonds into the pit in one of our bays. This pit is 8 ft. deep and is about half way full right now with sludge...suggestions anyone? I want to help this guy out, but I truly don't have the time to sift through this pit by hand and due to liability issues, cannot allow him to look for it on his own. Help!

Anybody had anyluck with getting the "stink " out of reclaim water. Ozonator has not worked for a couple of years, but this spring water is really starting to stink. Bleach ? Thanks.

recently have had an issue with my top brush lifting about half way threw washing the hood, and keeps lifting on the windshield and top on trucks and SUV I thought it was a count weight issue but has been working flawless for 5 months checked the weight an is within spec adjusted the return air needle valve on the top cylinder was told to adjust the top brush air pressure lower and this actually helped but not a complete fix everything on this machine was new 5 months ago including he Mac valve I talked to ryko they said something is not dialed in right and needs a service tech. I explained that the top brush is lifting up at he rear of he hood high enough while in the driver seat you can see light between the brush and the hood surface and continues up the windshield and on the top and then lifts at he rear correctly. Today I connected my hand held to the PLC checking the ultra sonic thinking it was reading wrong but looked good while watching the PLC output 37 which is the top brush air solenoid lights up when the top brush is to be lowered to wash and continues till about half way across the hood then the output 37 goes of for a second which triggers the Mac valve to apply air to the top brush solenoid and continues to blink while moving up the windshield and on the top ryko said no doesn't work that way but I seen it personally. Has to be a setting to do with tall vehicles because only happens on trucks and SUV cars work perfect. any ideas.

Was there any new innovations for wall paneling at the ICA show or any new companies? I am in the process of trying decide which company to go with to panel my 2 automatics and 3 self serves.

So, about 1 year ago, I revised my wash menu. At that time I added a wash & towel dry for $4.95. I am an exterior with towel dry who used to have a base price of $6.50.
The volume has increased 20%, and I am pleased with that. However, for an array of reasons I want to go from 4 to 3 packages, and my main goal is to increase my revenue per car.

Presently I am $4.95 (35% of sales), $6.95(22%), $8.95(16%), $10.95(25%)

I plan on consolidating my $6.95 & $8.95. Is it best to switch that middle package now to $7.95 or leave $8.95? I purchased a couple new wax arch applications and will be able to maneuver, justify either way I go $7.95 or $8.95.

My question is: Which route should I go to achieve the increased revenue per car?

Thanks,
Wood

I would first like to thank everyone for all the help in advance. This forum is filled with great owner/operators.

A little about me, I live in the northeast and work for "the man". I do not have any car wash ownership experience....yet.

Recently I decided to make my dream more of a reality and started pursuing a complete build up, I researched new building designs and really became hooked on the Tommy Wash building and equipment. Development costs with land are near the 3mil range and this would be the only car wash of it's kind in this area.

My other option is which I seek help with...

In my area there is a local wash for sale with the following details:

Full Service Car wash, asking price ~1.3mil
80' Tunnel, but I need to confirm this
Econo-craft Equipment????? Haven't heard much about it
Land is leased - approx 5500 per month, 25yrs remaining
Gross Revenue - 800K
Gross Profit - 500K
Net - 300K

Daily Traffic Count is over 40K, nearest competition is approximately 3-4miles away.

My plan would be to invest 150K and remodel the building/site, add a self pay station and change it to a self exterior wash by adding a POS unit and pay vacs.
The wash is tight to really expand and my thinking is cashing in on the early bird/late night type customers I see going in for exterior time slot specials at other nearby washes.

Question #1, How do I verify the current cash flow numbers?

Question #2, How bad is it to not have the ability to ever own the land?

Question #3, Best way to have the business evaluated.

Question #4, Offering price!

I'm open to all suggestions and don't want to rush into this. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.


=S2R