Just wanted to share a previous job experience at an Autobell
Autobell Carwash: Man this place is the epitome of horrible car care.
(For those that dont know, its a full service car wash...the car is put on a conveyor belt, and is washed by machine and blown somewhat dry by a big blower, then employees pull the car around and proceed to dry it off with towels, apply dressing, clean inside windows, dash, etc)
First off, the scrubbers were so old and rough, that alone scratched the car beyond belief. They were caked with years of dirt and grime.
Second, sometimes the place ran out soap, so the car was just sprayed and scrubbed with water (no lubrication whatsoever)
Third, the towels that were used to dry the car were the exact same towels that were used to wipe the dash, clean brake dust off wheels, and whatever else people felt the need to use them for. So a towel could go from cleaning the brake dust off one car, then be soaked in a water + window cleaner solution, spun dry, and then be used to dry off the next car.
Fourth, the sponges that were used to apply armor all to the tires, were the same that were used to apply the same armor all to the dash if the customer bought an "interior shine".
These same sponges were used to apply rain-x to the windshield.
The worst part is, on a good day, this place would handle 200+ cars. So in 1 day, 200+ car would be raped....
Re: Just wanted to share a previous job experience at an Autobell
Quote:
Originally posted by 2drtahoez71
So in 1 day, 200+ car would be raped....
You are just jealous cause you can`t do 200+ cars a day! :D
Unfortunately, what you describe is not all that uncommon for drive-thru car washes.
Some of the equipment and the techniques look pretty bad.
Problem is, some of the dealerships are almost as bad.
For those that can`t do their own vehicles, taking care of them is a real challenge.
Forunately, I can screw mine up myself.
Only 1 or 2 a day though.
Charles
Re: Just wanted to share a previous job experience at an Autobell
Quote:
Originally posted by 2drtahoez71
...on a good day, this place would handle 200+ cars.
hmmmm.... must be a low volume car wash. :lmfao
The one I managed had weekday averages of 250, with us doing 400+ on the weekends. The detail center did an average of 25 express waxes a day, and the detail bays were filled with an average of six complete details a day. Yep your right the quality of washes can go down when you do that many cars. However the number of complaints ran less than 1 per 1000 vehicles washed. Our customer retention base was 110 percent because we strived to be more than your average car wash. I guess it`s the people who make the difference; those who lead will ensure the employees receive the proper training, those who do the work know that unless the quality is there they wouldn`t be doing the work, the customer needs to be educated on what exactly detailing is, and how it is achieved and maintained. Those in the know will seek out a professional detailer who will hand wash their investment or will deal directly with the car wash manager who will see to it that the customer is treated right and that an experienced crew performs the work. It is amazing but true though that about 85 percent of people who own cars really could give a rats @$$ about the finish of their car. The majority just want the interior vacuumed, the car washed, windows cleaned, and the tires dressed. Cherry and Pina-Colada are their scents of choice, and if the job looks good, they throw $2 to the guy who dried it. Very few know anything other than a car wash to have the work done on their cars.
I guess these are some reasons why a car wash in a good location will generate a net profit in excess of $750k/year, why a ground-up car wash will cost about $2.1 million, and why disgruntled employees will try unsuccessfully to bring them down.
Re: Re: Just wanted to share a previous job experience at an Autobell
Quote:
Originally posted by CharlesW
Problem is, some of the dealerships are almost as bad.
Charles
I was just at the dealership for a *free* oil change and actually asked them not to wash it for me. Does anyone else do this? Got back home and found tons of finger prints and oil splatter....Nothing a QD cant handle.
