Vacuum Selection Part II:
The Right Vac for the Right Site
By Drew Dressler

Modern combo vacs feature brightly-lit, colorful domes and attractive decals that will help increase your location’s visibility.

In Part I of this article, we considered the roles demographics and vacuum placement play in the selection of vacuum equipment. This month, in Part II, we will discuss several features you’ll want to take into account when making your vacuum purchase decision. Finally, we will talk about merchandising, keeping in mind that the idea behind today’s vacuums is to offer additional services that will generate more income per vend than the original, traditional vacuum.

FEATURES

Optional features available with your vacuum selection include third-motor options, multi-function timers, bill validators, and cashless-payment acceptance.

Third Motor Option and the New “Turbo Vac”Third motor options also help generate more income. On a traditional vac, the increased power from the third motor adds perceived value. Some operators have been known to raise their price on their vacs with third motors, or reduce the total running time but not raise the vend price. More power translates into more efficient cleaning. A recent innovation in vacuum service is the turbo vac. This design allows the customer to choose between two motors and a more powerful, turbo-charged, three-motor service. The turbo vac is controlled by a multi-function timer that allows the customer to select between two-motor service at a predetermined vend time or three-motor service at a reduced vend time for the same price. The customer will not only hear the extra motor activate, but will also feel the increased power.

Customers have the option of choosing a more powerful vacuum for those “tough jobs.”

This combo vac accepts coins and bills.

Multi-Function Timers
Today, a significant feature of most combo vacuums is the multi-function timer. The digital display timer is capable of individually controlling each of the various vending cycles for price and time, from two seconds to eight minutes. The digital display timer features a loop, which automatically recalculates the time remaining and accumulates one to 15 coins, displaying the appropriate time remaining based on the service selected. A last-minute alert informs the customer that time is expiring and to insert more money if additional time is desired. The multi-function timer is field programmable and scrolls messages that communicate with the customer.

Bill Validators & Cashless Payment Acceptance
Most new vacuums today — whether traditional or combination — include a bill validator. Modern car washes are charging $1 for four minutes and the capability to accept the dollar bill ensures higher vac sales. Accepting dollar bills and credit cards is the highest form of convenience available. On combo vacs, bill validators are essential. Having the ability to add dollars and keep the timer going equates to more income per vend. It is not unusual for a customer to spend $5 on a credit or debit card for the combo vac service compared to $1 or 75 cents per vend for the traditional vac service. The more choices the combination vac offers, the greater potential for income.

MERCHANDISING

Modern combo vacs feature brightly-lit, colorful domes and attractive decals that will help increase your location’s visibility and help merchandise your car wash. Attractive color schemes and designs are available which will complement your building and enhance your location. Animated LED messages or point-of-sale messages can help promote your vac services and enhance your customer’s total car wash experience. Other vac benefits include the multi-bag system for better filtration, second clean-out doors for easier bag care, maintenance-free air compressors and, of course, all-welded, stainless steel construction. Many vacs feature vault and vac-it-up capability for even higher security.

When it comes to vac selection, each operator has different needs, wants and desires. That’s why manufacturers offer so many different kinds of vacuums today. But what if you are a more discriminating buyer concerned about getting a good deal on the latest design? That’s fine — just try to avoid putting price ahead of features and quality on your priority list. Car wash industry web sites and forums and car care magazines are dedicated to educating the car wash operator on the latest products, technology, and competitive pricing — and can simplify the process, helping you decide which vac is right for your wash. Purchase the vacs that please you the most, with the services and options that give you the greatest opportunity to build revenue at your wash.

Drew Dressler, who has 14 years of experience in the car wash industry, is director of marketing and customer service for D & S Car Wash Equipment Co., a High Ridge, MO-based company that has been designing and building vacuums since 1972. You can visit
D & S on the web at www.dscarwash.com.