FACTOID: 50% of all cheating comes from foam spreading... continuing to use the foam brush after time has run out. This happens all year long!
What are car wash owners saying?
Cheers!!!!Comment sent to us via email 8/6/12
I was a bit nervous about putting in the Wobbleheads. I was concerned that my customers would complain about it. I have 3 SS bays, a single bay in one town and a two bay in another. I ordered 3 but only installed it in my single bay to try it out. I use my own soap solution and I noticed the handle would take too long to engage. I called Don and he told me that one of their first handles they tried wouldn't disengage fast enough, but might work for me. Patrick made one up and sent it out. It worked perfectly. They sent out 2 more and I installed them all. I have had zero complaints and only one comment about it being a liitle heavier but easier to hang onto. I didn't even put up a sign because customers don't read them anyway. (I have very few signs in my bays for that very reason). The best part is that my income average the last 2 months is higher than the previous 5 month average. My single bay is up 13% and my doulble bay is up 21%. I have been keeping monthly records of income for the last 12 years and will check to see if this increase continues. My 13% is $387 and the 21% is $944. I will try to remember to send you what it is after a whole year because 2 months doesn't tell a story, but it's not a bad start. The Wobblehead gets 5 stars from me. Thanks Don & Patrick for not giving up and seeing this project through. Rick From AutoCareForum.combigleo48 Senior Member
So I ordered a Wobble Head foam brush handle to check it out...not cheap at $150 each from Kleenrite. The brush is very sturdy and perhaps a little heavy...but seems well made. I must say it works very well and as advertised. Will monitor customer comments for the next month or so and report back. Then I'll decided if I add it to the other 7 bays. bigleo48 Senior Member
People do all kinds of stuff...but misusing the foam brush is extremely common. thoffmanjr Senior Member
It works through the winter months just fine. We still haven't heard a single complaint about it but we are a new location. I also think the positives outweigh the negatives by far. It feels like a higher quality brush. coincarwash.ca Washin cars in the GTA
I have installed Wobbleheads in all 9 bays and it was a busy day today. Everything worked great and they did exactly as they are designed to do. I had zero complaints from customers... TurboJet Member
Really I can handle the late night taxis, but what really bugs me is lost revenue on those days when you have line ups. Guys tying up bay time rinsing with weep water, or pushing foam around or washing with a brush with time expired coincarwash.ca Washin cars in the GTA
I also have a huge problem with weep washers using the brush for free. They waste a lot of bay time while paying customers are waiting for a bay on a busy winter day. The cab drivers are the worst, they sometimes don't spend a penny and take up the bay for 10 to 20 minutes. These wobbleheads will get them paying and on there way faster. coincarwash.ca Washin cars in the GTA
We have had a very busy last few days with all bays running for most of the day. The wobbleheads are working great. I still get the odd person trying to use the brush while not on the clock, but the majority feed the machine coins. A few customers asked if they were broken and I explained the system to them. I am sure at the beginning some customers will be confused, but in time they will be retrained into paying for the brush. When a customers time runs out on the brush is where you really see a difference in extra $$$.I have a complaint box at the front of the wash and have not received one complaint about the brushes. waterworks0413 Junior Member
I have a busy 4 bay self serve , and I have been using the "wobblehead" handles for almost a year now with no problems. They are very durable and reliable. I'm happy that I made this purchase. thoffmanjr Senior Member
We just opened a new wash with 4 bays and have them. I would agree with "waterworks0413" above. I haven't heard a single complaint about it. bigleo48 Senior Member
So I've had this in service now for a few weeks and I have yet to get one single complaint (we have attendants there daily and its in one of our busiest bays). I guess I really like it. It works very well, stiffens almost instantly and stays stiff for about 15 seconds after the FB soaps function stops. It is sturdy, weeps fine and has a quality overall feel. So I'm going to install it in the 7 remaining bays. In the last few years I've been working at eliminating problems and annoying areas of the wash. Like replacing or enhancing equipment and monitoring, so things can run smoother for both the customers and our staff. This is just another one to cross off the list and every time I do cross one off, it makes me feel so much better and I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. |
Jeers!!!!From AutoCareForum.comWaxman Senior Member
I think the wobble head idea is dumb. Spend money on things that reward the customer, not things that punish the customer. Why punish the customer? Bad business decision, IMO. [The benefit for the customer is a scratch free vehicle. (See Smart Brush info.)This comes at a nominal, fair price. When a customer benefits from something...we don't call it punishment.]
Kevin James Senior Member
I don’t really see weep water washing to be a major problem. Our weep water has been running about non-stop since about the first of December and I don’t recall seeing anyone washing with a foam brush that wasn’t foaming. By the time you add the fittings and brush you’re going to have over $200 in the foam brush handle that someone can come in at night and steal. I’ll keep the ones I use now from KR. We lose a lot of them during the year. [Those who don't see the abuse aren't paying attention. If you have a lot of handles stolen, either don't get the Wobbleheads or use a wire braided drop line. As it is, there has only been one Wobblehead stolen... after 18 months and hundreds of Wobbleheads in use.]
mac Senior Member
I see the wobblers as a solution in search of a problem. Time will tell. Let us here know how they work for you. I see many regular customers use the foam brush after the time runs out. See what those ones think. [We understand skepticism. For those who see the problem, the Wobblehead means everything. If you can't see the problem, the Wobblehead means nothing.]
|