Anyone here own a self serve Car Wash? Opinions Please!

[NOVA]

So my sister calls me the other day and tells me, the old car wash in town (small midwest town) is for sale, it has been there and opened for years.

its a one (1) bay and its run down cosmetically, the guy wants out of it, pretty reasonably priced, I think he thought it would run itself, it needs some TLC but does get used and would get used a whole lot 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, it pretty much needs cosmetic TLC, my brother in law knows the owner & says they have put new pressure pumps in within the last year and a new vacumn recently.

Its a corner lot in a small town off a busy highway which is also the main street of the town, also freeway access is 1/8 mile away.

The owner says it makes money the way it is? with some clean up & a paint job and someone that took some interest in it would help considerably,There could also be another outside bay added and the lot behind the car wash is also for sale

No I dont plan on just running the car wash and making a living, but was thinking it could help supplement my income and maybe could use the property for other things (sell a used car here and there) use the building for marketing other things or maybe do personal detailing as well?

Here is my question, are these old one bay car washes a sign of the past or is there some potential there?

Looking for some constructive feedback.... Thank you.

[67ragtops]

Well a one bay isn't ideal, can you expand? I would buy it , if you get the land. It needs to be close to home so you can drive by it daily to ensure its clean and no "out of orders" . One pump breakdown puts you out of business temporarily. I dont believe its a 'has been' business, the industry average for an "in bay wash" is 1500/month the vacuums should make 200/mo each according to industry magazines. Those figures are probably low. Drive thru espresso is usually found at every self serve wash in our area.

[funbnme]

What type of competition is in the area?
Big concern would be other car washes that aren't self service.

I used to go to the self serve place a lot when my normal driving had me passing it. Now that it's a special trip and not that close, I don't go there any longer.

From a price perspective, last time I went there to wash my truck, it was about $7 and 20 mins. I can go to a full serve car wash for about $15 and they do the work in about the same time. It almost doesn't make sense to do it myself.

Sellers are selling for a reason and most of the time, it's not because it's an easy business to run that's making good money.

[67 ls1 vert]

I looked in to one of them a while back. I think if its close to home and there isn't much competition around it would be cool. You wont get rich off it, but you knew that. I would probably look in to what it would cost to add a new stall next to it and referb the old one to match. Check the present owners taxes and P&L statements. Good luck. :) Have fun.

[NOVA]

What type of competition is in the area?
Big concern would be other car washes that aren't self service.

I used to go to the self serve place a lot when my normal driving had me passing it. Now that it's a special trip and not that close, I don't go there any longer.

From a price perspective, last time I went there to wash my truck, it was about $7 and 20 mins. I can go to a full serve car wash for about $15 and they do the work in about the same time. It almost doesn't make sense to do it myself.

Sellers are selling for a reason and most of the time, it's not because it's an easy business to run that's making good money.

The next closest town is 10 miles away, and the next bigger town the other direction is about 15 miles away, again this is a small town deal here, one benefit, its on a major road/main street.

lots of traffic gets off the freeway and takes the major road to neighboring towns?

points well taken about the drive through I use them myself, haha! they do a great job and I dont touch a thing!
In the case of the seller, I think the guy that owns it shouldnt, its just not his cup of tea, I would certainly ask to see all books, he verbably said he would disclose that info??

I guess I just have a itch to do something else, I always thought detailing cars was kind of fun, but I think I am more intrigued by fixing the place up (doing as much as I can myself) and seeing what it will do after that.

I know half the reason why business is so off is it is run down, I heard last winter he had no hot water etc. the lights are poor and it looks rough, but it has stayed open as long as I can remember and I think it has made money.

Thanks for your feedback.

[NOVA]

Well a one bay isn't ideal, can you expand? I would buy it , if you get the land. It needs to be close to home so you can drive by it daily to ensure its clean and no "out of orders" . One pump breakdown puts you out of business temporarily. I dont believe its a 'has been' business, the industry average for an "in bay wash" is 1500/month the vacuums should make 200/mo each according to industry magazines. Those figures are probably low. Drive thru espresso is usually found at every self serve wash in our area.

Wow those numbers are awesome, again this is small town, good idea about the coffee deal, there is a lady who opened up a little bakery next to the car wash, hmmm??

Thanks for the feedback.