Vending machines at a car wash can be a great revenue stream for business owners!
Vending units are an excellent profit point for automatic car wash and self-serve car wash businesses alike. These car wash vending machines don’t need a constant operator – they merely need to be maintained, cleaned, and restocked regularly. Car wash vending supplies can vary widely, from snacks and sodas, to accessories and cleaning products. As different products are tried out, the manager or owner can wish to swap out some products in favor of those that are more popular and profitable. As a car wash owner, there is plenty to consider when you decide what to stock in your vending machines.
Vending Products Customers Want
Start by considering what you want to offer, and what price tolerance you think there is at your location. At Kleen-Rite, we recommend every vending machine business carry at least some Little Trees Air Fresheners, Armor All and Simoniz Vending Wipes, and Blue Magic Glass Wipes as the basic choices. These products have been constant top-sellers for or customers for years! There is a wide range of options for vending machine products. For example, you can sell towels, chamois leather, air fresheners, and car polish. Those are just the basic offerings – there are plenty more that we offer! As you talk to your customers, you can get a better idea of the items they want to see in your vending machines. This will help you refine your choices, and change your strategy to maximize profit.
Setting the Right Prices in Car Wash Vending Machines
Setting the right pricing is important as well. Too cheap, and you won’t be making enough to justify the operational costs. On the other hand, if priced too high, your customers won’t bother. Every product has a sweet spot. We suggest starting out at a price point that will make 75-100% profit, rounded to the nearest $0.25 and adjusting from there. If you’re buying a particular unit in bulk at $0.55-0.60 per unit, like the Armor All Protectant Sponge, we recommend selling it at $1.00, or roughly 80% profit. You can then adjust as demand dictates. If you find it sells out fast, raise your price to $1.25 and see how it goes from there!
What Type of Vending Machine to Use – and Where to Put It?
The vending machine you use is dependent on the products you want to sell, and the type of wash you have. For example, if you run a full-service wash with a waiting room, you’ll want to put those vending machines in front of the customers. We recommend a floor standing machine in a lobby or at the end of the tunnel walkway. If you run a self-serve or IBA, you’ll want the vending machines in a common-sense, easily accessible location. In this case, wall-mounted or in-wall vending units at a central location for your bays will be the better choice.
Credit Card Swipers and Change Machines
As credit card usage becomes more prevalent, you’ll need to adapt your vending set-up to follow course. While plenty of customers are happy to continue with cash payment, more and more are shifting to using credit cards as part of their daily life. You need to make sure to be in position to take advantage of this! Credit card swipers are readily available on new vending machines, and older machines can be retrofitted to utilize these units. On the other hand, if you choose to sell snacks and drinks or other low-priced items, you will need to be able to give your customers the ability to get change. A coin changer is a great option for giving your customers a little added convenience.
In conclusion, having car wash vending machines with the right selection, at the right price, is a no-brainer for the car wash owner looking to increase their profits! At Kleen-Rite, we’ll help you make the right choice for your wash. Just give us a call today – or start shopping right now!
