10 Car Wash Vending Products You Must Stock in Your Car Wash Vending Machines
As a car wash owner and operator, you know your customers rely on you to help keep their cars looking great all year round. Whether you operate a full-service wash where you wash the cars for your customers or a self-serve wash where your customers wash their own cars, you will want to stock car wash vending products in vending machines or in your lobby/waiting area.There are endless types of products you could fill your vending machines with, but you need to make sure the items are things which will actually sell. You know the products in the vending machines are often impulse buys and help to increase your profit margins.
1. Little Trees Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are a must-have vending machine item. They come in several different scents. Vanilla, Strawberry, New Car, and Black Ice are all very popular. You may need to experiment a little to determine which scents are top sellers in your area.
2. ArmorAll Tire Foam
After your customers’ vehicles are washed and cleaned, they will want to ensure their tires shine. This is one of the few brands that offer a vending machine tire foam in 4-ounce cans.3. Car Cleaning Towels
This category of items includes paper, cloth, and microfiber towels you can stock in your vending machines. These are often top sellers at self-serve car washes since your customers will need a way to dry their cars, as well as apply any cleaners, protectants, or other car care products.4. ArmorAll Protectant
This is another great product to stock in your vending machines that comes in a 4-ounce spray bottle. The protectanthelps clean and shine interior surfaces. It is a great addition to feature, especially if you are also stocking car wash towels.5. ArmorAll Protectant Sponges
This ArmorAll product is great to stock for your customers who don’t want to carry around a bottle of protectant and towels. It is a single-use item, as the sponge contains the ArmorAll protectant. Your customers just wipe it over the surfaces to apply it. If you are not sure whether you customers would more likely buy bottles or sponges, stock a small quality of both and see which sells better.6. Just for Leather Conditioner Towels
Any of your customers’ vehicles that have leather or vinyl interiors will benefit from these wipes to restore, preserve, and moisturize the interior. These ready-to-use towelettes are the perfect way to ensure that leather and vinyl surfaces and clean, shiny, and protected.7. Wet Towels
Wet towels are great to stock because they clean windows and can remove streaks, smears, dust, and dirt without needing additional products like bottles of glass cleaners. They are safe for all finishes and surface, making them a versatile choice for all of your customers.8. ArmorAll Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner
This ArmorAll product comes in a 4-ounce spray bottle. It helps your customers get that “just detailed” look inside their vehicles. It helps clean and lift away dirt, grime, and debris without harming interior surfaces.
9. Sprayway Glass Cleaner, 4oz
There is nothing more annoying than products that leave streaks. This product prevents running, dripping, and streaking. It can be used on glass, mirrors, windshields, and with its refreshing scent, it’s the perfect item to stock!10. Refresh Vent Sticks, 100 piece pack
Air fresheners are an important part of car maintenance; nothing is worse than a badly-smelling car. With a plethora of available scents, Refresh Vent Sticks are easily inserted and require no maintenance. These are a great alternative to the classic hanging air fresheners. It is important to provide a variety of options for your customers!Seasonal Car Wash Lobby Products
Aside from the normal car wash materials you stock in your Lobby, there are some seasonal items you will also want to feature at different times throughout the year. Featuring these items can be a great way to increase your sales.Fall and Winter Car Wash Products
As days become shorter and temperatures drop, fall can bring sleet and snow showers. As winter rolls around, snow and ice are common in many places. You will want to make a little room for a few different products, including:- Ice Scrapers: Your customers will appreciate being able to get ice scrapers from your car wash location.
- Snow Brushers: Another winter essential, snow brushers can be a top seller throughout the winter months.
- Lock De-Icer: It does not hurt to stock this item, as car locks can freeze and your customers will need someplace where they can buy de-icer.
- All-Weather Floor Mats: Help your customers protect the carpeting in their vehicles and keep snow, water, dirt, and other debris from ruining the carpeting.
- Snow Shovels: If you have a full-service wash, with room available in your lobby/waiting area, you could also sell snow shovels.
Spring and Summer Car Wash Products
During those seasons when days are longer, you might want to stock different types of sunshades to help your customers keep their cars cooler. Sunshades also help to protect the interior of the vehicle from fading.Another great spring and summer product to stock is sunglasses. You can find fashion sunglasses for both men and women to sell at your car wash.
The springtime typically means more rain showers. This is also a good time of the year to remind your customers to change their wiper blades by offering an assortment of various sizes for sale at your car wash.
Types of Car Wash Vending Machines
There are two general types of car wash vending machines you could have at your car wash. The first is the drop-style machine that is well-suited for smaller vending items. These machines do have a limit on the number of items you can stock inside.The second type of vending machine is the spiral-style machine, which is similar to a candy and potato chip vending machine. Some models can feature different sizes of spirals so you can stock a wider range of car wash vending machine supplies and products.
Regardless of which type of vending machines you use at your car wash, you will want to make sure to market your products. If you have the drop-style vending machines, you will want to get stickers or decals to place on the outside of the machine. This way, your customers will know exactly what is in each machine slot.
The spiral-type machines typically have a clear front, so your customers will be able to easily see which items are for sale. However, you may still want to use stickers or decals on some of your top sellers to help draw attention to the machines.
Why You Need a Good Mix of Car Wash Vending Products
If you are not familiar with which items will work best for your car wash, it is a good idea to offer a mix of products. Initially, you may want to start with smaller quantities of products, in case something does not sell as well as you anticipated.Additionally, it can be a great idea to sell companion products, so your customers will make multiple purchases. For example, if you stock ArmorAll spray bottles, you will want to make sure to also stock car cleaning towels. Doing so not only increases your sales, but also makes it easier for your customers to apply products to their vehicles. After all, if you only stock spray bottles but no towels, your customers will not be as enticed to buy the spray bottle products.
For all of your car wash vending machine supplies and products, please feel free to explore our online store or contact Superior Car Wash Supply directly by calling 800-554-9274 to speak with a representative today!