Disclaimer Signage & Wording

Hey Guys,

I'm painting the wash this month and taking down signage. I'm going to redo some signage and was wondering your thoughts on wording of things. I have one sign of disclaimer and a more detailed version on my actual wash ticket the service advisor hands to the customer. Any suggestions would be helpful. I take the attitude, right or wrong that I'd rather get it in writing up front as a fall back position at worst if I have to get into it with a customer. I rarely need to do so and customers rarely read the thing. I've changed my disclaimer on my tickety several times. I'm interested in your thoughts.

Sign: PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

* Articles/Valuables left in car
* Water damage from windows not rolled-up
* Windshield crack expansion due to existing nicks, chips, or cracks.
* Alarm Lock-outs
* Loose equipment or trim.
* Broken Antennas
* Bug of stone deflectors
* Damage or spotting of custom wheels or tires
* Lowered or Modified vehicles
* Chrome, Mirrors And Altered Parts on vehicle
* Roof Racks or Loose License Plates

My disclaimer on my ticket reads:

NOTICE: Customer Assumes Responsibility For:

* Antennas not removed or lowered by you. (Please Note: Automatic antennas remaining in the "up" position have a tendency to break in a car wash. "Fixed" antennas, which are loose in their housing or rusted out, can also break.) * Loose parts or trim that come off upon contact with car wash cleaining equipment. * The interior of the vehicle resulting from water entering through an opening not fully secured by you. * Vehciles with less than 5" of clearance underneath or more than 82" in height. Vehciles altered from factory consturcion, including custom wheel/tire spotting or damage, bug deflectors and the like. * Side mirrors, antennas , or other exterior parts whre the manufacturer has been notified of a weakness in design by the Int. Car Wash Assocation. * Locked vehciles due to auto-locking devices and alarm systems. * Widshield crack expansion or "runs." * Valuables left in the car.

** No car will be released withou a claim check and receipt. Any claims for damage or unsatisfactory service must be made prior to exiting the premises!

I forgot one more sign...

STOP

Did you remember:

* Remove all valuables
* Close Windows and Sunroof
* Lower/Remove Antennas
*Disengage Alarm & Auto-lock
* Leave Your Keys

Don't foget that those items you listed can also cause damage to other areas when they are broken off in the car wash.

Hi: Im from Mexico, I have added to my disclaimer-( besides all above you wrotr)
OUR PROCESS IS TOTALLY SAFE HOWEVER WE DO NOT KNOW THE REAL STATUS OF YOUR VEHICLE SO WE ARE NOT
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CAR PAINT.
regards
Renato

Mine's not perfect but simple

My signs are simple too. I try to cover everything but my rule of thumb mainly is if I think I did it. If I think I did then I pay for it. If I am not convinced I did then I don't pay - simple as that. It also depends on the customer. A regular customer and it costs me $25 - then no problem.
I've heard that too much on the disclaimer sign is not good, then of course
not many customers read the sign anyway. I've also heard that once I take the car in my tunnel, then any damage caused is my fault. Lastly, it depends on the local magistrate. In 22 years, I have never been taken to court. Customers are normally reasonable people. I let them wet my leg or blow off, then I explain how the equipment works in the tunnel and then I ask them how they think it happened - because if I don't know, then I need them to enlighten me. It normally goes away after this.
No one ever wins an argument with Mr. Customer. I aways give a disgruntled customer some free washes. In any argument with a customer - you have to let him get up.

Joe
www.crowncarwashinc.com

Joe is right on the money, negitive signs do not pay, keep one sign with disclaimers as small as possible at your entrance. Review you cameras if there is a problem. One owner said to me, "When he gets a call, he tells them to meet him at the carwash and he will review the cameras, many do not show up." As a 40 year retailer with a major clothing store, We determined it took $20,000 in advertising to make a customer, so Joe's easy $25 payout is awesome. Listen to him. Free car washes are outstanding. Do not base your entire operation on one bad complaint. Take care of you great customers. Look at it as a form of marketing, not something bad.

Raymond

Don't forget...

"Turn off Automatic Wipers" (rain sensing wipers)

More and more new cars have these and its a real problem, they tend to get quite mangled if they are on while in the wash...especially if you have a top brush!