SLS/R197/C197 AMG: Mobile carwash and detaling
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 16
G63, SLS AMG, Shelby GT350
Mobile carwash and detaling
So I've been considering buying a carwash for many years now but have always been intrigued with the mobile wash/detailing. While the deterrent of having to travel to the client is substantial, the initial capital is much smaller. Carwash site is estimated between $1-3.5 million while mobile operations are estimated between $20-50,000...comparatively I could have 50-70 mobile operations. ROI seems to be greater on a mobile operation as well. My questions to everyone here are:
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing?
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation?
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium?
I've paid for several mobile carwashes through different companies in different states, but most are unprofessional and look like a guy just decided to buy a power washer, soap, and towels and start washing cars...I would operate the complete opposite. New vans, professional employees, top products, huge importance on quality control etc. Thanks in advance for any input!
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing?
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation?
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium?
I've paid for several mobile carwashes through different companies in different states, but most are unprofessional and look like a guy just decided to buy a power washer, soap, and towels and start washing cars...I would operate the complete opposite. New vans, professional employees, top products, huge importance on quality control etc. Thanks in advance for any input!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 191
SLS AMG
This is a tough one. A mobile armada of detailers would be hard to manage. You would need someone you could really count on to watch the $ flow. If they go out and up-sell jobs they will pocket the cash somehow. Easier to dissolve however.... Start with 3 trucks, don't over spend on fancy stuff and see how it grows. You won't get hurt too bad if, it blows up. I use these guys... http://www.ecoluxurydetail.com/#about-eco-luxury-detail
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eco-luxury-detail-newport-beach
Just to give you some ideas...
To answer your questions...
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing? Love when they come to me!
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation? Well uniformed with some type of verifiable training (Meguires at least has some classes out here.)
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium? Yes... actually 20% based on my time not sitting and waiting
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eco-luxury-detail-newport-beach
Just to give you some ideas...
To answer your questions...
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing? Love when they come to me!
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation? Well uniformed with some type of verifiable training (Meguires at least has some classes out here.)
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium? Yes... actually 20% based on my time not sitting and waiting
Last edited by NewportSLS; Apr 6, 2015 at 04:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 16
G63, SLS AMG, Shelby GT350
This is a tough one. A mobile armada of detailers would be hard to manage. You would need someone you could really count on to watch the $ flow. If they go out and up-sell jobs they will pocket the cash somehow. Easier to dissolve however.... Start with 3 trucks, don't over spend on fancy stuff and see how it grows. You won't get hurt too bad if, it blows up. I use these guys... http://www.ecoluxurydetail.com/#about-eco-luxury-detail http://www.yelp.com/biz/eco-luxury-detail-newport-beach Just to give you some ideas... To answer your questions... -what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing? Love when they come to me! -what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation? Well uniformed with some type of verifiable training (Meguires at least has some classes out here.) -is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium? Yes... actually 20% based on my time not sitting and waiting
Thank you for the answers. I would most definitely have my employees go through a rigorous training program by the top companies in the industry as well as my own standards. Quality control is my biggest concern as everyone knows a bad carwash can ruin your day which is why I want to be very involved with consumer reviews. I know most people on this forum would be willing to pay a huge premium for this convenience...being able to afford an SLS, I'm assuming your time is big $$$$....but I'm assuming the average consumer would be willing to pay up to a 10% premium.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 16
G63, SLS AMG, Shelby GT350
Bump. Any other inputs? Just looking for basic answers to the following:
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing?
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation?
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium?
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing?
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation?
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
SLS AMG
-what are your thoughts on mobile carwashes/detailing? Convenient and works perfectly unless they're busy and can't make it on time, i would just go to any other place and walk in. I wouldn't detail my car with anyone or anywhere unless they have some proof of results and can perform paint correction.
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation? Good products thats something for sure, but not all of them have good products for our cars with sensitive leather. Paying attention to the details is really rare, wiping the water left overs of the trunk, under the hood, and stuff like that
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium? Yea I would pay that extra for them to come over and not going through the hassle of how to go and come back from where i live to where the shop at
-what do you like to see in a carwash/mobile operation? Good products thats something for sure, but not all of them have good products for our cars with sensitive leather. Paying attention to the details is really rare, wiping the water left overs of the trunk, under the hood, and stuff like that
-is the convenience of a mobile wash worth a 5-10% premium? Yea I would pay that extra for them to come over and not going through the hassle of how to go and come back from where i live to where the shop at
