At the Express Exterior —
The Case for Freestanding Units
By Tiffany Huffman

There are two major issues to consider when deciding between freestanding vacuums or a central vacuum system: cost and revenue.

COST

How much does the equipment cost? Freestanding vacuums will set an operator back a small fraction of the cost compared to purchasing and installing a central vacuum system, not to mention the cost of maintenance and electricity. There are additional permits needed for installing central vacuum systems that can cause delays in construction, which could add to the cost of a project.

With regard to electricity costs, 12 freestanding vacuums, for example, could offer savings running into several thousand dollars a year over a 12-drop central vacuum system. Less energy consumption also means a more environmentally friendly operation. Because of higher operating costs it will take longer for the central vacuum system to pay for itself.

REVENUE

If you have a problem with a freestanding vacuum — it may, for example, be out of order — customers have the choice of any of the other vacuums on the site, assuring continued revenue generation. If a central vacuum system shuts down, the entire vacuum aspect of the business comes to a halt.

While “free vacuums with wash purchase” helps to entice customers, there is no room for add-on purchases with a central vacuum system. On a freestanding vacuum several payment methods can be accepted such as tokens, coins, bills, and credit cards. These additional payment methods can drastically increase revenues by allowing customers to not only add more time, but also purchase extra services. Customers can be given a token for one free cycle, and once that has expired, they have the choice to purchase additional time. “Unlimited time” cycles can create waste and cause traffic jams. Customers who actually pay for additional time are less likely to linger at the vacuums.

OTHER

While cost and revenue are the most obvious issues to consider when choosing between freestanding vacuums and a central vacuum system, there are other factors worth mentioning. Freestanding vacuums can be an attractive addition to a car wash. Brightly colored domes and flashy decals can help lure potential customers onto the wash site. Combination vacuums that offer services such as auto fragrance and carpet cleaning can help increase revenues and drive profits at a location. More choices for customers mean greater opportunities to create repeat business.

Tiffany Huffman deals with marketing and customer service at Pine Bluff, AR-based Fragra-Matics Manufacturing Co. Inc. You can visit the company on the web at www.fragramatics.com.