7A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Car Wash / Detailing

I would like to try to set up a car wash in a garage where I already work part time as a valet parking attendant.  My customers would be people who valet their cars in the morning for work in a 9 story building.  These are professionals from lawyers to Realtors, business owners and even people working in the call centers.   Since they are leaving their cars for at least 5 hours, I believe they would not mind going home with a fresh, clean car.  Not many people have time to do it themselves or they may not like having it done in the drive-thru washes.  This may be a great alternative for those since , they are not having to travel elsewhere but already at work.

Patrick- Patrick is in his early 30's and owns two businesses in the building.  He is constantly working even on nights and weekends and doesn't own a home or even have space to wash his own building.  The apartments he is at just has a garage.  He would be more than willing to pay to keep his BMW cleaned inside and out and would be fantastic as he could keep it the garage.  He even advised that he could bring his other vehicle in on a different occasion just to have them both clean.

Samantha-  She is in her late 20's and doesn't care much for her car.  She says she lives in a home with her brother and usually makes him wash it for her for free.  However, sometimes he takes weeks to wash it after she asks.  She did also state that since it's already at work, on a good week for her; she wouldn't mind having a regular interior/exterior wash.

Juan- Mid 50's and just got a new car.  He is trying to protect the paint on his car and he must go to the drive-thru washes.  He usually vacuums it himself and cleans the inside himself as well.  I informed him that the drive-thru washes after some time can actually damage the paint and he said he would be wiling to pay someone to hand wash the exterior.  If he likes it , would potentially also be a repeat customer only for the exterior since he does enjoy cleaning the inside of the vehicle himself.  He also lives in an apartment where he cannot wash his own,  and gets frustrated that he has to park outside.  Sometimes it rains or he gets bird droppings on car right after getting his car washed.

Noel-  Mid 60's and has an older car.  He doesn't wash his car as it is old and beat down. (his words)  He wouldn't pay anyone to wash it because he doesn't need the extra expense and does not make too much money as it is.  He says if he had the money he would help me out but for now the best way he can help me out is to refer more people, he is the janitor in the building and has relationships with others as well in the offices.

Rebecca- Mid 20's and drives a Mustang.  She is a car enthusiast who works long hours at the office.  She likes washing her own car and even works on her own car so says most likely she wouldn't want to us the service.  However, some weekends she must also work and it would be very helpful for her to get the car waxed since she goes to many car meets and events.  Although she doesn't earn much at her job it would also depend highly on the cost of the service she receives. 

I didn't know that so many people lived in apartment building which don't allow self washing or don't provide water to do it.  I was also amazed at how many people said they would definitely use the service if it was available and so convenient for them.