See also:
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Running a Mobile Car Wash
As the phrase implies, a mobile car wash
goes to the customer rather than the other
way around. Most commonly, the washing is
done in the parking lot outside a plant,
office, or shopping center. The customer,
accordingly, has one less errand to run,
and the washing is done while he or she is
already occupied with other tasks.
Since a mobile car wash is run out of a specially
outfitted truck, the investment is only a
fraction of that associated with a traditional
operation that requires land, building, and
stationary equipment. Moreover, a significant
number of customers may be motivated to have
their cars washed more frequently, since
they can get it done more easily.
To succeed with a mobile car wash, you must
convince the parking lots owners to let you
in, preferably on a regularly schedule. If
you are trying to gain access to a work location
(such as an office building), your pitch
may be most successful in locations that
already allow other on site operations (such
as dry cleaners, shoe repairers, and pharmacies)
since these employers understand that they
boost productivity by limiting the amount
of errand running that takes place during
business hours.To be welcomed at a shopping
center, you must position yourself as an
amenity that will increase customer traffic.
In either case, whether at a shopping center
or at a company site, negotiate first for
free access, but be prepared to have to pay
a fee or to share your revenue.
You also can offer your services, perhaps
at reduced cost, to organizations that tend
to offer car washes as fundraisers, such
as scouting troops, schools, youth sports
teams, volunteer fire companies, and rescue
squads.
Depending on local environmental regulations,
there may be issues with what happens to
your wastewater. For instance, letting it
flow into storm drains may not be acceptable
in some places. Additionally, some organizations
that might otherwise offer a base of customers
for you (especially colleges and universities)
may have adopted their own “green” policies
on water usage and wastewater discharge.
Lastly, if you are in an area with freezing
winter temperatures, recognize that your
operations will be limited. While drivers
will be anxious to rid their cars of salt,
sand, and mud in winter, it may
not be feasible
for you to prevent frozen locks,
doors, and
windows, or to avoid creating
icy parking
lots. If, on the other hand,
you are eager
to take winters off, this can
work fine for
you. |
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