Car wash soap prices

[(901)]

Originally Posted by hammondc

AG like Autogeek? Gimme some examples. I stay as far away from Wally world as possible, but MAY go in if I am tempted.

Auto Glym

Max is probally trying to figure out how to get his foot in the door

[JohnHenry]

Originally Posted by (901)

Wallyworld has gone nuts

There selling AG products now

$35 tubs of wax right next to $6 TW. $7 applicator pads next to .99 cent pads. $15 QD next to $5 QD .......

I'm not quite sure what to think of there marketing strategy. I think they are trying to compete more with Target. I dunno

Either way, I'm willing to bet $100 it will fail before the Summer is over



Any takers.......

My thought exactly!

I stop by three different WalMarts in my area, mainly to see how the AutoGlym line is moving (and to catch it at a stupid cheap price on the day WM gets tired of wasting the shelf space.)

Each of the three stores has two AG wax kits and one display box (12?) of the fancy finger-groove applicators. It does not appear that a single AutoGlym product has sold in these three locations.

[Bunky]

I would like to know more about the dynamics of the OTC market and how vendors get their products on the shelves at the parts stores, Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. Every spring we see product lines disappear and new ones reappear. Turtle Wax always has some promotion (like taking what essentially appears to be liquid cleaner wax and calling it liquid clay). There is also some "black" paint option (either colored wax or some glaze). Tire shines to be prolific....

Meguiars seems to be gaining shelf space at the expense of others and have multiple products selling for over $15.

I had heard that some vendors PAY to get their products on the shelves.

[Mr. Clean]

Originally Posted by JohnHenry

Come on, guys! Quit the nickel and diming.

You can go top drawer for very little money. Unless you truly have a high volume, $25 car wash business, why not spring for the best?

...
If I spend $10 on materials, including < 75 cents per wash, good line of polishes, glazes and waxes, and pro-rated pad wear, I consider it a good investment, showing the customer some premium products that they can't buy at Target. For a regular customer, I'll leave a premium microfiber towel and a small sample of Leather Stuff, Trim Restorer, etc, once in a while. Keep in mind, this is someone that I hope to gross $1,000 from over the course of a year.

I hope that I haven't offended anyone, but you guys talk like you're buying for commercial purposes. If so, charge an extra buck if you have to, but spring for the good stuff!

Don't see anyone here taking offense because someone actually disagreed. Hope not cause I'm gonna disagee with you a bit.

The impetus for my post was it seemed that the price of Meguiar's GC, in particular, had increased by @ 50%. The DG's price increase wasn't as significant, but it was an increase. Looking at a $3 or $4 increase isn't exactly eye popping, it's the percentage of the increase that got my attention.

JMO, but Meg's GC and DG's wash soap are hardly bargain basement brands. AM's wash n wax soap isn't bad either, but I don't use those that often. And when it comes to paying premiums for things like wash soap and APCs doesn't mean you're getting double the performance. Like some of the others, I also like the local availability option.

I have no one that asks what products I used on their vehicles, though I know those types are out there. I do appreciate your approach with giving the extra tangibile reminders of your service. I have handed out the occasional MF towel, as well. IMO, the very best "gimme" I came up with was handing out small keychain LED lights. I found several hundred for a deal. Everyone really likes those and they are always right there everytime they pick up their keys and everyone likes having a bright light available when needed.

[Mr. Clean]

Originally Posted by Bunky

I would like to know more about the dynamics of the OTC market and how vendors get their products on the shelves at the parts stores, Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. Every spring we see product lines disappear and new ones reappear. Turtle Wax always has some promotion (like taking what essentially appears to be liquid cleaner wax and calling it liquid clay). There is also some "black" paint option (either colored wax or some glaze). Tire shines to be prolific....

Meguiars seems to be gaining shelf space at the expense of others and have multiple products selling for over $15.

I had heard that some vendors PAY to get their products on the shelves.

Actually in our local WM's Meguiar's shelf presence isn't anywhere near dominant.

As for shelf space, I have a similar understanding, though I don't know just how exactly. It is especially noticeable in grocery stores, where it is not just about linear shelf space, but placement as well. Eye level vs bottom shelf. I think Forrest (Mother's) as spoken to this subject before. Maybe he can post again. I'm also interested in seeing if Mother's is having similar price increases on their wash soap.