Tips for the Winter Car Wash Rush

When the weather starts to cool down, you know it will not be long before rain, sleet, ice, and snow will soon arrive. While people tend to stay home when the weather is bad, the moment it lets up, they are out on the roads and hitting the car wash in the winter to remove salt and sand.Therefore, you need to be ready for the winter car wash rush. Otherwise, you could find yourself understaffed, understocked, and unable to meet demand.

Tip #1: Stock up now on winter items you can sell at your car wash.

Do not wait until the last minute to order wiper blades, snow brushes, ice scrapers, and lock de-icers. Instead, stock up nowto ensure you get the best product selections and can get everything you need. Another popular wintertime item you may want to stock is all-weather floor mats.

Tip #2: Verify your heating equipment is working correctly.

Most car washers have heaters in their tunnels or bays. They also use heaters to keep the water from freezing. Take the time to perform maintenance and ensure the heaters work. Then, should you need service, it will be easier to schedule it now instead of in the middle of winter.

Tip #3: Keep up on your wash equipment maintenance and repairs.

The last thing you want to do is to have to turn customers away on one of your busier days because your wash equipment breaks down. Do not skip your maintenance and repairs by ensuring it is completed regularly.

Tip #4: Hire additional staff if needed.

It never hurts to hire seasonal employees to have proper staffing for those busy days at your car wash in the winter. Doing so now gives you plenty of time to train them rather than trying to find employees later when you are super busy.

Tip #5: Stock up on wintertime items to keep your wash clear.

You will want snow shovels, brooms, salt, de-icer, and other products to keep wash bays and tunnels clear of snow and ice. You will also want to keep the area around your car wash, including the entrances and exits, free of snow and ice. You could have your employees take care of the snow shoveling, get a plow for your truck or SUV, or hire a plowing service.

Tip #6: Get in on the holiday sales to grow your car wash.

The holiday season is the busiest shopping time of the year. So why should you miss out on this opportunity? There are plenty of winter season car wash marketing strategies you can use to increase your sales, build customer loyalty, and keep your wash busy, such as:
Monthly wash subscriptions for winter car wash packages. You offer an introductory rate for your wash subscriptions during the winter months and give customers the option to choose which wash package they want.

Sell gift cards loaded with winter car wash packages. Another great marketing strategy is to sell gift cards preloaded with a set number of car wash packages.

Offer special promotions on select items, wash packages, gift cards, and subscriptions. For example, you could advertise air fresheners where they are buy-one-get-one-free. Or you could give a free wash for every $25 in wash packages loaded on a gift card. Another option you could offer is sign up for a three-month wash subscription and get a month free.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the holiday shopping season to increase your winter car wash sales.

To find everything you need for your car wash in the winter, feel free to explore our online store. We offer wholesale pricing at Superior Car Wash Supply on car wash supplies, accessories, vending items, car wash parts, and more. Contact us at 800-554-9274 today.