The Different Types of Car Wash Vending Machines
As a car wash owner, there are different ways you can increase your potential revenues and earnings. Aside from car washes and vacuum cleaners, one popular and widely used method is installing various types of car wash vending machines.
Vending machines are a great way to give your customers various options, from car-care-related products and air fresheners to snacks and drinks and car accessories. Providing access to high-quality choices and keeping your machines well-stocked will help you grow your business and increase your revenues.
Some of the more common types of vending machines you could install at your car wash include:
Air Freshener Vending Machines
Did you know that air fresheners are the number one product sold at car washes? People want to choose from a variety of scents to make their vehicles smell great. You can invest in a machine just for air fresheners to give your customers access to the top-selling scents like Little Trees Black Ice or New Car scents.
Car Care Vending Machines
Another type of vending machine that is a must-have at your car wash is one that sells popular car care items. Car care items are those products your customers can use to detail their vehicles after it is washed.
For example, you would want to stock Armour All tire shiners, cleaning wipes, car polishes, and other such products in your car care machine. Microfiber towels are another great car care product to stock if you want to increase your profits.
For instance, you could stock spray bottle versions of car care products and microfiber towels. Your customer will need to purchase a towel to use the spray-on car care products. For convenience, though, you will want to still offer a selection of wipes in your car care vending machine.
Snack Vending Machines
Snack vending machines provide your customers access to snacks, chips, candy, soft drinks, and water they can enjoy while washing and detailing their vehicles. Even if you have a full-service car wash operation, you will still want a snack vending machine on site.
Customers will get snacks and drinks while they wait for their vehicles to be washed and detailed. Not to mention, your employees will have access to snacks and drinks when they take scheduled breaks and have forgotten to bring food and drinks with them.
Car Accessories Vending Machines
Car accessory vending machines are used to stock a range of products that people need at different times of the year. For instance, you could stock ice scrapers and snow brushes in the winter. In the summer, sunshades would be a great seller.
Other types of items like windshield wiper blade replacements, car floor mats, smartphone chargers, and so on are great to keep stocked year-round.
What Benefits Do Car Wash Vending Machines Bring to Your Car Wash?
Whether you have one or multiple car wash vending machines at your car wash, they provide your business with several benefits, as follows:
- Provides an Additional Way to Earn Revenues – An effective way to increase your sales without raising your car wash prices is to rely on sales from your vending machines.
- Are a Non-Stop Earner – Vending machines work 24/7, even when you are not at your car wash. If you place vending machines outdoors, make sure they are in well-lit locations and secured to your building.
- Entices Customers to Make Impulse Purchases – When customers see soft drinks, snacks, air fresheners, or other items that can make washing and detailing their vehicles easier, they are more likely to purchase at that moment.
- Low Overhead Costs – Vending machines have low overhead costs since you don't have to pay them to sell the products you stock inside them. Your only cost is the cost of goods inside and the electricity for them to operate.
- Easy to Manage and Maintain – Most vending machines require little maintenance once they are installed, other than keeping them stocked. You will also want to keep them clean so people can easily see what items are on the various shelves inside the machine if you have a clear front. Otherwise, you just need to make sure that stickers on the exterior are replaced when they start to wear and fade.
Investing in Vending Machines: Which Ones Are Best for Your Car Wash?
The types of car wash vending machines you should invest in for your car wash depend on the type of car wash business you operate and whether you are onsite or have staff available to sell items to your customers.
For example, at self-serve car washes, you want a mix of machines to sell a wide variety of car care products, car accessories, and snacks and beverages. You will want at least one of each machine or a “mega” vending machine with multiple shelves that you can stock with all of your products, accessories, snacks, and beverages.
On the other hand, if you have a full-service car wash, you will, at the minimum, want a snack and beverage vending machine. If you have an indoor waiting area with space to sell car care products and accessories and a cashier, then you may not need the other types of machines. A “mega” vending machine can be perfect for full-service car washes.
As you can see, there are several different types of car wash vending machines that can help increase your car wash revenues and provide you and your customers with added convenience and benefits.
For help selecting the right car wash vending machines to invest in, and to find car care products and car accessories at wholesale prices to stock your machines, please feel free to browse our online inventories or contact Superior Car Wash at 800-554-9274 today!