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For Car Washes, More is More.

Updated: May 17, 2023

Running a car wash business requires careful planning and execution. One key factor that contributes to the success of a car wash is having a variety of products available for customers to choose from. While this increases upfront costs, the downfall of not having many products at a car wash can lead to several negative consequences that can harm your business.



Limited Customer Base

Not having many products at a car wash can limit your customer base. Customers are likely to look for car washes that offer a variety of services to meet their needs. If you do not have a variety of products available, you may lose customers to competitors who offer more options.



Decreased Revenue

Offering a limited range of products can also lead to decreased revenue. While some customers are heavily focused on price when making decisions, some other customers may be willing to pay for premium services. If those services are not available, they may opt for a basic wash, that has lower margins, or choose to go to a competitor. It is much more cost-efficient for a car wash owner to instead offer a wide selection of chemicals divided in multiple tiers to meet the needs of the more cost-conscious consumer while also being able to capture the customers who prefer a more premium offer.



Lower Customer Satisfaction

On top of lost revenue, a limited chemical suite may bring other negative consequences. Customers want to feel that their needs are being met, and if you do not offer a variety of products, they may leave feeling unsatisfied. This can lead to negative reviews and word-of-mouth publicity that can harm your reputation and deter potential customers from visiting your car wash. Unfortunately, this can prove to be very hard to change. Once a customer starts suggesting your competitors to their friends, you are not likely to have the opportunity to show them why your wash stands out. It’s much easier to start off strong by meeting potential customer’s needs.



Missed Upsell Opportunities

Not having a wide range of products also means missed upsell opportunities. If you only offer basic wash services, you may miss out on the chance to upsell customers to additional services such as detailing, waxing, or other premium services. Our friends that own car washes have seen this many times: a customer happens to be in the area, so they decide to come in for a quick wash, but after seeing a few car come out of the wash, they decide to go for a premium package. Some customers may be brought to the cusp of trying the premium option(s) and would just need the tipping force of a nearby attendant. This is called the ‘Jones Effect’ and it brings great profits for only a small effort.


Reduced Competitiveness

In today's competitive market, car wash businesses need to differentiate themselves from the competition. Not having many products can reduce your competitiveness and make it difficult for you to stand out in the market. Customers are looking for businesses that offer unique and varied services. Products like ceramic sealant and RainX can make a massive difference – just look at this video. In a world where people expect innovation, don’t get left behind.


To wrap up, not having many products at a car wash can lead to several negative consequences. It can limit your customer base, decrease revenue, lower customer satisfaction, miss upsell opportunities, and reduce competitiveness. Offering a wide range of products can help attract more customers and differentiate your business. Therefore, it is important for car wash businesses to carefully consider their product offerings and ensure that they have a diverse and comprehensive range of services to meet the needs of the customers.

 

If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We have an expert team of professionals who are ready to give you the advice you need to start or improve your car wash business in Canada! Check out the contact options at the bottom of the page or click here to get in touch!

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Contact Us

Northern Alberta:

Murray Prescesky

Phone: (587) 385-8225

Email: murray@envirowashsolutions.ca

Southern Alberta:

Stuart Duff

Phone: (403) 462-7499

Email: stuart@envirowashsolutions.ca

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