Car Wash Work

[Glassguy]

Hey guys, this past weekend was my first experience at a carwash. This was an automatic drive thru wash with very high volume traffic in an upscale neighborhood. Compared to the number of cars, there were very few chips and the folks didn't seem interested in getting them fixed while there. Any suggestions?? I thought this would be a gold mine.

[GlassStarz]

A couple winters ago I spent 3 months working out of a Carwash I had a sign at the entrance (Delta offers a vinyl banner exactly like it) I walked up and down the line of cars waiting for thier wash I wore a clearly labeled shirt from my company and handed LRs Free windshield Repair brochure to each car with a chip I did an average of 5 or 6 cars a day but had days where I did as many as 15
90% were insurance. I gave the Carwash 20% I think if someone does it correctly a lot of money can be made at the Carwash

[Emagdnim222]

so whats the best way to approach someone who owns a carwash with the idea of doing repairs?? What do i need to ask them, etc..

[GlassStarz]

I just approached him and offered to pay for being there it was an easy decision for the owner more $ for no extra work on his part and I agreed to pitch in when it got busy and wasnt doing work of my own free employee and free $ hard for the owner to say no if you present it right

[Bois]

Just curious...
I assume that you place a "chip saver" over the break and do the repair after the car is washed. I've investigated car washes around me and they don't seem to have adequate space at the end of the line for repair work. All space is taken up drying off cars. Also, do you walk along side the customer's car (until it enters the wash) while dealing with customer & insurance company?

Dale...

[GlassStarz]

I use ACT when I was working the Carwash I put them on the cell with the ACT rep and got the phone back when they came out the end
the busy season for the washes around here is winter and spring I didnt like standing around in sub freezing weather for hours so i quit doing it but the money was good
And no I didnt use chip savers just did the repair on the other end never had a problem with the water vac first the thiing hasnt been wet long enough for much if any to work into the break

[screenman]

You must have different water out there. I can fill chip or crack with our type of water just by putting a very small amount above the chip and letting it run in. The UK type of water will definately need drying out properly and I would certainly suggest the use of chip saver over here. I have never been over the pond so I cannot discuss your type of water maybe it is thicker or not so runny. No doubt someone will enlighten me on this. Or maybe you have a different type of car wash maybe dry cleaning or whatever.
I would like to point out that I have not had a dry repair to do for 6 months in the UK so maybe I am a little bitter.
If you keep showing your face in any retail spot the work will eventualy come to you, just keep looking proffesional. Some spot work better than others.

[Dave M]

The water in Vermont must be mixed with the maple syrup!

[LisaLVNV]

100% of our business is procured through Car Wash ventures. We pay a flat rent to the Car Wash, most with 3 year leases. 90% of our work is insurance work. We run 350-400 repairs a week. The key we have found is to find a wash with not only good volume, but with a process flow where the customer knows they are going to be there for 20-30 minutes just for the wash. Our techs approach after the wash ticket is written, but before the customer goes into the lounge area. The tech turns the car owner to the CSR, who makes the insurance call, once authorization is obtained, the tech begins the repair. The kind of autowash locations you referred too wouldn't work as well becuase the owner just plans on zipping thru, not being there for the time you need to make the insurance call and do the repair.

Lisa

[ca_beachguy]

Lisa,

You state that you do 350-400 repairs per week. WoW...I have a few questions.

1. How many car washes are you serving for those numbers?
2. How many techs do you have working and how many repairs do they
average daily each?
3. What is your cost per repair?
4. Do you set a tent up on site?
5. How do you handle the moisture in the chips/cracks after the wash?

thanks!