Automatic business

My autos are really slowing down. I can see the trend. The higher the gas gets, the slower my business gets. I just saw on the evening national news that Wal-Mart had its worse April in 23 years. Lookout, this may be a loooong summer.

Have any Exterior Express washes opened in your area?

No new one's but the one that is nearest to me is dead also. My selfserv is lined up today

Funny, when I began dreaming about my car wash about 7 years ago, I thought it would quickly surpass my detailing business in terms of income. I've been open about a year and 3 months, and I'm glad to have built a good reputation for full service detailing! My car wash is definitely building its customer base, and while it does and gas prices are tightening up everybody's budgets, detailing plugs right along seemingly predictably busy, booked out a month in advance.

I guess that's why additional profit centers are a good idea and will probably go in even more new and existing washes. Detailing is a tough business, but if you can build a good rep and keep quality high, you can charge a high price point for services.

I believe your absolutely right Dave. Reputation is a lot in any business.

We've been doing great since the first of the year, but all of the sudden in the past seven days it's like somebody slammed on the brakes. In addition to rising fuel costs, our area has just entered a stage 2 drought alert. Nothing mandatory yet, but the water works is publicly requesting that people refrain from washing their cars.

I might be in for a long Summer too!

BTW Greg, how are you doing since your operation?

I'm OK, OT. I'm not nearly as bad as I thought I would be. It still hurts a little to swallow and my neck is a little stiff. I have to pretend to be hurting so that my wife still has sympathy for me. I can't lift anything over 5lbs for three weeks, then 20 lb restriction for another three. It's gonna give me a good time to catch up on some paperwork that is long overdue for organization. If the washes have to be slow, now is a good time as any.

Thanks for asking

nice shelby cobra... is it a clone... or a real 66'?

Hang in there Greg. Our thoughts are with you. Anytime you mess with the neck its serious. I'll give you a call later today. My daughter graduates today! Last one home.

Doug: it's a clone, but still very nice.

Oldtimer: Congratulations! You must be very proud of her.

Greg: get well soon.

Lets wash some cars! I'm doin a few today.