HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR YOUR CAR WASH VENDING MACHINES
Whether you currently have vending machines at your car wash or you are looking to expand your business by adding new vending equipment, you need to make sure to choose the best products for your machines. Having the right mix of car wash vending supplies ensures your car wash customers can find exactly what they need when they want it most.Before we discuss what products you should stock in your vending machines, it is equally important to understand how vending machines can benefit your car wash business. In addition, you need to be thinking about how you can attract customers to your machines.
SHOULD YOU HAVE A VENDING MACHINE AT YOUR CAR WASH?
Yes! If you own a self-service car wash, a vending machine can be one of your best “employees.” Here are just a few reasons why.
VENDING MACHINES ENCOURAGE IMPULSE PURCHASES
One of the main benefits of having vending machines stocked with car wash materials and other items is that they entice people to make impulse buys. They might be thinking about how they need a new car air freshener, or they’re thirsty after all the work. Vending machines are the perfect way to meet their needs.
VENDING MACHINES WORK 24/7
You wouldn’t want to miss out on opportunities to upsell your customers various vending items. If you are looking for a reliable “employee” who can sell car wash materials to your customers 24/7, even on holidays and weekends, you need vending machines. With self-service car washes, it is not uncommon to get people stopping by at all hours of the day.
MAXIMUM CONVENIENCE
Customers can get what they want, whenever they want it, without having to find staff or be “sold to.” It keeps self-service truly self-service!
GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS PAYMENT OPTIONS
The key to selling items out of your vending machines is accepting a variety of payment methods. You could accept cash, add debit and credit card readers, or enable smartphone payment features.
The thing to remember is that millennials and younger people rarely carry cash these days. They either pay with a credit or debit card or use their smartphone wallet to pay. Not offering different payment options will hurt your vending sales.
PLACE VENDING MACHINES IN THE BEST LOCATIONS
The location of vending equipment is equally important. There is a common misconception that vending machines must be next to bill changers. With electronic payment options, this is no longer the case. You could have machines in several key locations at your car wash.
For example, you could have one machine in a secure location by your vacuum sweepers. You could have another machine in the middle section of your car wash bays. You could then have a machine on each exterior wall of the car wash bay building. By placing machines in different areas, your customers won’t have to go far to buy the car wash materials they want.
WHICH TYPES OF VENDING MACHINES ARE BEST FOR MY CAR WASH?
Another consideration is to pick the right types of vending machines for your car wash. There are the traditional single, three-, and five-column vending machines. These types of vending machines normally feature a single product like different scents of car fresheners or Armor All products like tire shine.TRADITIONAL
Traditional machines are easy to secure to the walls of your car wash. They can be placed in car wash bays or on the exterior walls. The only drawback with these machines is that most do not accept credit, debit, and smartphone payments, so you would also need a bill changer and an ATM at your car wash so customers can pay cash for the items they want.
NON-REFRIGERATED MULTIPLE-ROW
Another type of car wash vending machine you could use is a non-refrigerated multiple-row vending machine. There are five to six rows that each have three or five columns for products. With this type of vending machine, you could feature a wider range of car wash materials, hand car wash equipment, and even non-perishable snacks.
REFRIGERATED
A variation of the non-refrigerated multiple-row vending machine is a refrigerated machine. A refrigerated machine is perfect for keeping soft drinks and bottles of water nice and cold for your customers. You can also sell car wash supplies out of the same machine, such as microfiber cloths, sponges, tire shine wipes, and so on. The coolness of the unit won’t affect the quality of the car wash supplies.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MACHINE FOR YOUR CAR WASH VENDING SUPPLIES
When selecting a machine, consider which one would allow you to offer the best mix of products for your customers. Don’t forget to take into account how and where you can secure the machine.
For example, with the larger vending machines, you can secure the backs of the machines to a wall or place them in a secure housing structure, so the front of the machine is accessible by your customers.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR VENDING MACHINES?
Here are some of the top sellers for vending machines at self-service car washes:
1. LITTLE TREES AIR FRESHENERS
When it comes to air freshener vending machine options, it’s no surprise that the bestselling products are Little Trees car fresheners. It’s a good idea to have at least one single five-column vending machine (or one row of a large machine) filled with Little Trees car air fresheners in different scents. Black Ice and Vanillaroma tend to be top choices!
2. CAR WASH TOWELS AND OTHER DETAILING TOOLS
Another thing to consider for auto car wash vending supplies is what’s needed to actually wash and detail cars at your car wash. Your hand car wash equipment is probably set up to take care of washing the car, but there are other optional tools a customer could use to take their results to the next level.
Some customers may need car wash towels to help get off difficult dirt, mud, or tar. After they get done washing and rinsing the car, they may want to dry it, too. Kleen-Rite’s disposable towels and Big Boss Microfiber reusable towels are excellent choices.
3. ARMOR ALL PRODUCTS
Armor All products are widely known and loved, and they’re always top-selling vending supplies at self-service car washes. Tire shine, tire foam, original protectant, and glass wipes are all popular Armor All items. Another top item is “wax and dry” liquid wax in spray bottles.
4. LARGER CAR DETAILING SUPPLIES
If you stock microfiber cloths, you could use one row of your vending machine to sell larger bottles of car detailing supplies in addition to wipes. Some of your customers might have two or more cars, so selling larger sizes of car wash supplies could be all that is needed to entice them to buy from your vending machine.
5. SNACKS AND BEVERAGES
Peckish or thirsty customers will appreciate a convenient option! Your customers may also have kids they bring along, so being able to have access to snacks and drinks can benefit mom and dad while they wash and vacuum the car. Parents could also use the snacks and drinks as a reward if the kids help wash and detail the car.
6. NEW AND SEASONAL ITEMS
Save a few spaces to try out new products with your customers. Offering interior products like car garbage bags and cell phone accessories in vending machines makes it easy for customers to have everything they need on the go.
Seasonal items also do well at various times of the year. For example, in the winter, lock de-icer, heavy-duty floor mats, wiper blades, and snow brushes can be top-selling items. In the summer, stock insect remover for buggy windshields or sunscreen for customers who spend time outdoors cleaning their cars.
CAR WASH VENDING MACHINE SELLING TIPS
While you might have some contact with your customers and can direct them to your vending machines, you cannot be at your car wash 24/7.It is important to make your customers aware of your vending machines and products by using these tips:
Promote Your Machines: The easiest way to let customers know you have vending equipment onsite is by hanging up posters in car wash bays and by your vacuums. Make sure the signs stand out, feature a few of your top-selling items, and tell customers where the machine is located.
Start Small When Trying Out New Products: When trying out new products, only order a small quantity of items. This way, if they are not a hit with your customers, you won’t have wasted a lot of money.
Clear Out Slow-Moving Products: If you have items that are not selling, have a clearance sale. Make sure to hang up signs in car wash bays and near vacuums to let customers know what items are on sale.
Tap Into Social Media: If you recently upgraded or added vending machines at your car wash, announce it on social media. You could let customers know some of the top items you are selling, the location of the machines, and other details. Don’t forget to announce new products too!
Upgrade Payment Options: If you still have cash-only machines, consider upgrading to credit, debit, and smartphone payment options. Once you do, announce the upgrade on social media, as well as hang up posters around your car wash.
Sell Vending Items Online: If you want to expand your car wash vending sales, take them online. You could add an e-commerce section to your existing car wash website, where customers can order their favorite items from your online vending store. You could ship to their home or meet them at a scheduled time at your car wash to deliver their purchases.
Keep Vending Equipment Looking Great: Customers will be hesitant to buy items out of vending machines that look rundown. Make sure to keep your machines looking great.
At Superior Car Wash Supply, we offer a variety of auto detailing equipment, hand car wash accessories, car washing materials, and vending supplies wholesale, saving you money on what you need most. Shop our online storetoday or call Superior Car Wash Supply at 800-554-9274 for further assistance.