Thursday, January 15, 2009

At The Car Wash ...

Sometimes I think I work in the wrong industry. I probably could be making a heck of a lot more money with a whole lot less stress if I was doing something else besides advertising. Something that doesn't really require much thinking. And just what job am I talking about? Why, a car wash business, what else.

Practically the whole first half of the day, my boss and me were rushing around like crazy trying to sort out a project that went haywire during production. And it wasn't easy trying to get the mess in order. I think both of us probably have a few million more white hairs to show for the effort.

After sorting out the mess and taking a short break at one of the restaurants, my boss decided to have his car washed before heading back to the office. So we took a drive to one of the petrol stations that had this independent car wash business, the usual kind where a group of people start a small car wash business. A simple and really easy business to run.

So there we were watching them wash his car and while waiting we both noticed that there were at least about 10 cars that were in various states of being washed, wiped dry and being vacuumed. And during our washing turn, a few more kept turning up. That got us both thinking. How much money do these car wash people make a day just to wash cars? Like I said, a simple and stress free job.

Not to belittle their work but how hard can washing a car be? Spray on some car shampoo, rub down the car, hose the shampoo off and then dry and vacuum the car and charge around the region of RM10-RM12 a car. It doesn't take more than 15 minutes, 20 max to get the car washed, dried and vacuumed.

No stressed involved at all. No nasty clients screaming at you, no deadlines to rush and no headaches whatsoever. All that's required is a high pressure hose, some shampoo and a vacuum. A little bit of hard work and you're done. And you probably could earn quite a decent sum of money in the process.

Like I said earlier, in the time we were there there was at least 10-12 cars already there. Charge a minimum of RM 10 a car, an average of 30 cars a day totaling to RM300 a day, multiply that by 30 days a month which roughly comes up to RM9,000.00! And I'm just basing that on a very low average of cars a day. I think they get more than 30 car on most days.

Yeah, yeah, I know I've got to factor in the water bill, the cost of shampoo and splitting the profits among the many of them but hey, it still is a pretty decent sum. And you also get a good work out from all the hard work you're doing, no need for any Leptorexin diet pills or anything to stay fit.

Come to think of it, maybe I am in the wrong line after all!
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18 comments:

  1. I used to wash my car every week when I first got it. But since I live in a dusty place. Trust me, you can't get it clean everyday *sigh. I want my car to shine *sigh. Oh well, so yeah, I'll send it for car wash even it hurts my eye to see those dust after *sigh again.

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  2. Maslight - Same here. But these days I get too lazy to wash it. That's why people send their cars outside for washing. I'll bet you can earn a lot if you open a car wash :D

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  3. I can't count how many times (okay, I probably could, I just can't remember each and every person who did. :D) someone's said that they should open a car wash. Maybe it IS a money maker! Tell me when you do, and how it goes. :D

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  4. yeah let us know when you start a car wash business; we go support you! :-D

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  5. The car wash thingy crossed my mind too, I explored it in India, the land of dust, but unfortunately didn't have the motivation to push the idea forward...

    I can see it now Nick, "Blogger Carwash Enterprise". :-)

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  6. I used to think the same way whenever I send my car to the car wash. Through simple calculations, it really seems like a lucrative business. It probably is!

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  7. you definitely should...n open a small coffee place beside with free wi-fi service and reading materials to ease customers boredom while they wait. new evolution in carwash service :D

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  8. Morning Nick! I came via my comment box at MPG! Can see la ur last post, see I'm here! So when u gonna switch? He he!! :):):)

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  9. The car wash where i always send my car has a boss who drive that brand new BMW..(not sure how many series)! so go figure how much he earns in a month..~

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  10. Haizum - LOL! I know what you mean. I'll let you know how much money I make when I eventually open one ...

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  11. Monica - Cool, at least I know I got some confirmed business already ... hehehe ...

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  12. Gallivanter - Blogger Carwash Enterprise ... I Like the sound of that. And just for that I'll give you a discount :D

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  13. BT - I really did the math and I guess if you were hardworking enough, it just might make you rich. Well, unless of course it rained every day ... LOL!

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  14. Samantha - Now, that is a great idea. A wash and blog kinda shop ... hehehe ... I just might try that out one day when I'm fed up with the advertising industry :D

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  15. Marzie - Then I guess I must have been my silly old self and done something wrong ... hehehe ... I'll definitely look into it more :D

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  16. Kadus Mama - See, I knew it was profitable business! I think I'll start one next week ... hehehe ...

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  17. Maybe you should open a car wash cum cafe business - you know people resting in your cafe while your workers wash their cars. If you ever start one, do let me know cos I'll be one of your loyal customers! Provided you don't charge a premium for it! haha! : )

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  18. Foongpc - For you my friend, I give discount la ... hehehe ... But seriously, that really is a good idea you know :D

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