The $3.00 Car Wash

I know for all of you loyal fans out there you have been waiting on the edge of your seat for another post. :) Not really, but it has been a pretty crazy few months here at Corvirtus.

So the other day, yesterday in fact, I took a lunch break, doesn't really happen that often so I decided I would take advantage of this rare occasion and go and wash my car. Here in Colorado Springs there are car washes everywhere, most of them being owned by gas stations or you have the self service ones. However there is one really nice drive through car wash here in the Springs that I love. The kind where you stay in your car and it does all the work. The problem is it is a good 20 minute drive to get there. I know crazy, but this car wash is so nice they do such a nice job, and it's only $3.00, so for me it was worth the drive. I have been going to this car wash since we moved here a year ago. On my way to this car wash I often pass another one but it is always more expensive. I always avoid this one and go to the car wash across town. However, yesterday that all changed. As I was sitting at a stop light I looked up and noticed I had stopped across the street from this other more expensive car wash. But wait a second, what does that sign say?!! $3.00 car wash AND free vacuum. I had to jump on this so I changed lanes went over there and got in line. I couldn't believe it, a car wash that's closer and the same price as the one across town, not to mention, FREE vacuum!! This was a gold mind for me, as I tend to wash my car quite often ( I know it's a sickness really).

As I am sitting there waiting in line, notice I said waiting in line there were a good 6-7 cars in front of me and another 3-4 behind me, I saw a man standing at the machine where you swipe your card and pick your wash. I couldn't figure out if the machine was broken or what, but the more I watched the more I noticed he was assisting the customers with their payments. It was my turn, I had to figure out who owned this place and tell him what a great idea he had. As the guy welcomed me he began to tell me the difference between the $3.00 car wash and the $5.00 car wash. With the $3.00 car wash you get your basic wash and you only get 3 of the 7 dryers blowing on your car, he tells me. The $5.00 car wash you get the undercarriage washed, a pressure wash on your wheels and tires, and a nice scrub to them as well. Side note: One of my weaknesses is tires and wheels ( it's sad) I need them clean. I had to go with with the $5.00 car wash. Our conversation continued and I asked who owned this car wash, he preceded to raise his hand and smile. I told him how I was on my way to the other car wash and saw his and couldn't pass it up especially because it was closer. He thanked me, swiped my card, we said goodbye and I pulled forward.

As I pulled forward it hit me, GENIUS!! This guy just totally sold me! He lured me in with the $3.00 car wash, explained the pros and cons of each one and let me decide. I bit and the rest is history. Side note #2: He runs a full service lube center as well. So you can get your oil changed and car washed for a fraction of the price of any dealership in town. He also had the option of a full service wash and detail. As I drove through the wash I kept thinking about what a great idea this man had and how well he was executing it. I pulled next to the vacuums and vacuumed my car, even though it really didn't need it, but I had to take advantage of it, free vacuums remember!

The point of the story is what ever you take away from it. There are so many good lessons that can be taken from this. Here are a few of mine:

Be different
Be unique
Location, location, location
The importance of creating customer loyalty

The list could go on. What about you? What did you take away from this experience?