Article on mobile wash / detail

**WAS** · 03-11-2010, 09:28 PM

Interesting article:

They arrived early in weathered vans and pickups, their 40-gallon plastic water tanks sloshing as they pulled to a stop along debris-strewn Belrose Street.

A dozen homemade mobile units in all, they collectively created the valley`s longest car wash on this homely slash of asphalt that angles past a payday loan store and pawn shop and reaches right to the front door of a state Welfare Division office.

On a street traveled by so many people seeking state assistance, here is an example of the indefatigable entrepreneurial spirit Americans like to brag about.

I didn`t take a poll or request identification, but I bet not many of the mobile washers were American citizens or even legal immigrants. Most spoke only Spanish.

One who spoke English said a great deal in a single sentence, "Everyone needs to work."

By 9:30 a.m., half the outfits were busy. In addition to the water tank, each unit had a small generator, power sprayer, canister vacuum, and enough cloths and spray cleaner to make a car lot sparkle. The outlay runs about $1,000, I was told, but when the economy was booming, a mobile wash, wax, and detailing might run $30 or $40 per car.

In good times, many of the washers had long client lists. They made house calls for local doctors, lawyers, and insurance brokers who wanted a custom detailing job. They had business licenses.

As the economy worsened, many clients dropped away. That leaves the mobile washers spending much of the day on Belrose, which runs in front of a converted Kmart that`s now an indoor swap meet called the Rancho Discount Mall.

Depending, literally, on what the Belrose traffic will bare, they charge as little as $10 for a meticulous wash and hand-rubbed finish. Beyond the excellent quality of the work, I wondered what brought people down to this neighborhood that has seen better decades. (As if on cue to illustrate the fact the neighborhood is crime-riddled, a Metro black-and-white flashed its lights and stopped a pedestrian as he emerged from a pawn shop.)

For resident Linda Herrera, it`s more than getting an immaculately clean car. She has her car washed three times a month, partly out of respect for the effort the mobile washers put in to eke out a living in a community with a 13 percent unemployment rate and the highest foreclosure rate in the nation.

"This is their living, the way they feed their families," Herrera said as a mobile washer detailed her late-model sedan. "They`re not out on the street corner holding up a sign and begging for money. These people aren`t trying to fool anybody. They`re not asking for anything except work. They`re doing what they can to take care of their families. I`d rather pay somebody and know the money went directly to them than pay a company."

Herrera told me the story of the couple that lives next door to her. The husband and wife lost their jobs and found themselves with zero prospects.

Out of desperation they began collecting aluminum cans. Morning, noon and night they filled sack after sack until there was food on the table and the rent was paid. They even were able to buy an old van from the proceeds of their efforts. They use it to travel to other neighborhoods to collect even more cans, Herrera said.

"They`re not out there asking for a handout, these people," Herrera said. "They`re not letting nothing get them down. Some of the people have a lot of pride."

As the morning stretched toward noon, almost all the mobile washers had enjoyed a little business. I drove away with the worker`s words ringing in my ears.

"Everyone needs to work."

Found here: JOHN L. SMITH: Workers just trying to make a living speak the same language - News - ReviewJournal.com

**Flashtime** · 03-12-2010, 08:11 AM

Excellent article!

**tssdetailing** · 03-12-2010, 09:04 AM

wow thats sad to read

**imported_advs1** · 03-12-2010, 09:50 PM

should have posted the rest of the story. read the comments, i have mixed issues on this type of story.

**WAS** · 03-13-2010, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by advs1

should have posted the rest of the story. read the comments, i have mixed issues on this type of story.

That was the entire article, plus a link to it. I haven`t read the comments yet.

I was surprised at the amount of business these folks do. Personally, I`ve NEVER seen a mobile detailing / car wash operation in my life. Everywhere I`ve lived gets cold winters, snow and below freezing temps for half the year, making mobile operations more or less out of the question.

**WAS** · 03-13-2010, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by advs1

should have posted the rest of the story. read the comments, i have mixed issues on this type of story.

That was the entire article, plus a link to it. I haven`t read the comments yet.

I was surprised at the amount of business these folks do. Personally, I`ve NEVER seen a mobile detailing / car wash operation in my life. Everywhere I`ve lived gets cold winters, snow and below freezing temps for half the year, making mobile operations more or less out of the question.

**WAS** · 03-13-2010, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by advs1

should have posted the rest of the story. read the comments, i have mixed issues on this type of story.

Just read the comments. I have some issues with people`s opinions. It`s like the Canadian auto worker, who after 4 years in their unionized position on the assembly line, can make $74 an hour. Now I`m sorry, but you work on an assembly line. You move a door from one conveyor belt to another. Then you do it again. And again. And you make $74 an hour doing this. Absolutely, 100% I agree with these clowns losing their jobs. I remember seeing interviews where some of these "vetern" 20+ year auto workers didn`t even have a high school diploma, so they couldn`t go get another job when the plants closed down. Well guess what, in today`s world, a high school drop-out gets to work at Wal-Mart or McDonalds. Guess that`s where these "highly skilled auto workers" belong too.

My car wash (a wand wash) charges $14 to wash a car in full serve (employees do the wand washing), $16 for a mid-size SUV or truck. You get soap, foam brush, and rinse. Add another $2 for spray wax. In larger centers down south, it`s roughly $3 to $4 cheaper. I`m sorry, but $40 for a car wash ? I wonder why others, doing it at $10 a wash, have such busy businesses ? Because $40 is a rip-off, and these guys, illegal residents or not, have figured that out. It`s like graphics design, IS / IT and web design companies. Why do you think a business case even exists for off-shore development by firms, a lot of which are in India ? Because they realize that $30 USD an hour is a killing in-and-of-itself, where-as $90 USD an hour is just plain absurd.

It would be like you, telling a customer that shampooing their interior fabric (just shampooing, nothing else), is going to cost $850, even though it only takes you a half hour to do. Eventually, other people would catch on, and start offering it for less, because they realize that there`s still good profit to be made.

That all said, I certainly don`t agree with illegal resident aliens working at all. If you can`t immigrate while following the laws, rules and regulations, then you don`t belong in that country. Anyone found being an illegal alien should simply have all their assets seized, and get deported, end of story.

**Sudz On The Run** · 03-13-2010, 06:24 AM

Thanks for sharing

**Flashtime** · 03-13-2010, 10:08 PM

That all said, I certainly don`t agree with illegal resident aliens working at all. If you can`t immigrate while following the laws, rules and regulations, then you don`t belong in that country. Anyone found being an illegal alien should simply have all their assets seized, and get deported, end of story.

Agreed. Aside from the so-called native Americans, all others should move back

to your own country. The real end of story.

**brwill2005** · 03-14-2010, 10:53 AM

I never understand the hatred for immigrants; legal or illegal. Most of you probably have a house that was built using immigrant labor. Lets all try to open our minds a bit; even if it is just for a few minutes. As for the article, it just illustrates the ease that one can gain entry into this business. Many operations, are in business one year and gone the next. It is the operations that position their services correctly, and operate efficiently that will survive through the tough times. It also leaves a really good opportunity for the savvy business person who packages their services correctly, and positions them well within the market.

**Flashtime** · 03-14-2010, 03:29 PM

I never understand the hatred for immigrants; legal or illegal. Most of you probably have a house that was built using immigrant labor. Lets all try to open our minds a bit; even if it is just for a few minutes...

It`s due, in part, to a distorted view of history. Gotta open your minds a bit more

and realize that this nation was (also) built on slave labor; like all others.

**WAS** · 03-15-2010, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by brwill2005

I never understand the hatred for immigrants; legal or illegal. Most of you probably have a house that was built using immigrant labor. Lets all try to open our minds a bit; even if it is just for a few minutes.

Yeah but I don`t agree with illegal residents in a country. Seriously, if you can`t do it legally, you have no business being there, IMO. This comes from someone who`s been trying to legitimately get a green card for about 3 years now.

**brwill2005** · 03-15-2010, 07:44 AM

I understand that, but much of it is simply rooted in racism and prejudice. That is the part I can not stand about the whole immigrant debate.

**WAS** · 03-15-2010, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by brwill2005

I understand that, but much of it is simply rooted in racism and prejudice. That is the part I can not stand about the whole immigrant debate.

Oh absolutely. I don`t believe any immigrant "shouldn`t be there" just because of where they`re coming from or any of that nonsense. My only beef is that everyone should play by the rules, that`s why they`re in place.