What's new

What to Put On Letter board

bigleo48

Active member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
1,887
Reaction score
0
Points
36
All,

I have a three line letter board on my pylon sign facing the street. I usually have something to put up there that is either car wash or community related. But not much is going on and so I'm at a loss as to what to put up this month. Perhaps just something like "Your non-profit group need exposure...call us to use this sign"

Any better ideas?

Big
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
5,848
Reaction score
1,341
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
'is your car so dirty it's scary? wash today'

your car called. she said she needs a bath today.

veterans wash free on veterans day

don't ignore a sandy floor; our vacs really suck!

hot water. high pressure. fruity scents. we give you MORE.
 

Bubbles Galore

Active member
Joined
Apr 11, 2008
Messages
2,115
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Michigan
I try to do a lot of local and self promotion using ours. I try to drive people to our facebook and twitter accounts. We just gave away an ipod touch for one of our contests and I had that up on the sign. I have found that if I can lure them in with the free stuff, the quality and customer service keeps them coming back.
 

Chiefs

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
256
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness
A Clean Car Runs Better
We Take Pride In Your Ride

Our Car Wash Is Calgon For Your Car

When It Rains It Stains - Wash It Off Today

Spend Your Dollar Here - While Its Still Worth Something

Euros Accepted Here!

America After Obama R.I.P
 

briteauto

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
326
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Did a little birdie make your car dirty? Wash it here!
 

termn8tr

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
107
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Windsor,Ontario, CANADA
we can't make the sun shine, but we will make your car shine.

the way the weather has been lately, you think it is being run by the gov't.

eat fish, make some cow happy!!!
 

Red Baron

Active member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
1,162
Reaction score
3
Points
36
Location
Idalou, texas (near Lubbock)
On 9/11 last month I put: Let's Roll

Others I've done:

* Caution, shiny cars entering highway.
* Right turn, Clyde. Our Air Shamee works great on motorcycles.
* I hate waking up to find my co-pilot asleep.
* Credit cards accepted in all bays.
* Ready, set, wash. Go Wildcats!
* Cleanliness is next to Godliness, the car wash is next to the fitness center.
* Guys, girls like shiny trucks.
 

bigleo48

Active member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
1,887
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Great stuff guys! I may use all of them at one point or another!

Big
 

wisheewashee

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
119
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Signs

If you have Touch free:

"No Brushes...no scratches"

If you have friction competitors:

"Damage your car wash up the street...Touch free Here"

Halloween:

"Make your car look Boooootiful"

Generic:

"All credit accepted"
"Great suckin vacuums!" (this got a big response)
 

JustClean

Active member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
845
Reaction score
99
Points
28
Location
all over the place
If you have Touch free:

"No Brushes...no scratches"
If you have friction competitors:
"Damage your car wash up the street...Touch free Here"
I don't like this kind of advertising. We shouldn't be fighting within the industry. Or do you like: "More than just the water hose up the street...at least our car wash gets your car clean!"

And yes....we do have a brush machine and will get a touchless soon (for other reasons).
 

mac

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
3,558
Reaction score
790
Points
113
My favorite: "Gravity - It's not just a good idea, it's the law."
 

Chiefs

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
256
Reaction score
0
Points
16
That's a good way to annoy just about any level headed person driving by. Sign messages to are only effective if it makes them, smile, or makes them think about the positiive effects of using your car wash. A negative and accusatory message about competitors says nothing abiout your wash or the benefits of washing with you.

Also, payback can be a bitch. If I were your competitor, I'd hammer away at the fact your touchfree only gets vehicles kind of clean. But when you want your car really clean? Who do you want to spend your precious car care dollars with? One who claims to be a carwash but can't get cars clean or one that does, both gentkly and safely.

This message hits people with a claim they can actually evaluate on its merits. When I spend $10 at ______ Car Wash, does my car come clean? If majority of your customers say, "Hey, he's right, my car doesn't come out as clean at the touchfree automatic as it does at the tunnel down the street." You are going to be in trouble.

There's enough negativity in the world. People don't need it when they go a car wash. Compete on your merits and stay positive at all times. In the words of my father, "You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar."
 

wisheewashee

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
119
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Negativity has worked in politics for years.

Is the sign negative? You bet. However the competitor should have thought of that before building a car wash 4 blocks down the street. That is the BIGGEST attack within the car wash industry.
 

I.B. Washincars

Car Washer Emeritus
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
4,219
Reaction score
1,041
Points
113
Location
SW Indiana melon fields.
Whenever I am shopping for whatever, it's a huge put-off to me when the merchant bashes his competitor. It makes me more likely to shop with the competitor. Justify it any way you want, but use your negative advertizing at your own peril.
 

rph9168

Carwashguy
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
2,663
Reaction score
10
Points
38
Location
Atlanta
A message like that just puts a negative idea in the customer's mind about car washing. It will make them more aware of the possible problems using an automatic and will come back to bite you in the a$$ when they closely examine the results they get from your wash. Negativity may work in politics because we all know it is a dirty game but not in car washing. Cheap shots are an easy way out. If you are upset about the proximity of the new wash why not take a look at what you are doing to see what you can do to do a better job and offer stiffer competition.
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
5,848
Reaction score
1,341
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
Let me share an experience I had with signs recently:

I went into a nightclub where I know the owner and managers. They are struggling. They are new. They are above Dunkin D's.

Sign #1 I hated: "Support xyz nightclub, NOT DD's. We sell coffee"

Sign #2 I hated:" We can no longer afford to give away free water. Water is $1.50 and refills are free."

Here's what these signs say to customers: We're struggling here. Your convenience and enjoyment are 2nd; our profit is 1st. You should feel guilty about buying drinks anywhere but here. We're cheapskates.

I offered my advice to my friends. The signs remain unchanged.:confused:

For pete's sake: Keep it POSITIVE. :eek: There are plenty of ways to tout your services w/out bashing others or relying on negative tactics. Who the F cares if negativity is successful in politics??? Shut down or sell your carwash and run for office then.

I'll go even further and say that it's lazy and a copout to use negativity in any ads whatsoever. It takes more brains and chutzpah to create catchy, fun, enjoyable and informative ads. I dare you to try, you negative sign makers!!!:eek:
 

pitzerwm

Active member
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
3,693
Reaction score
10
Points
36
Location
Tri-Cities, WA
I almost never put anything on my reader board about car washing. I put funny one liners, people would tell me that they drove out of the way to see what I had up that week.

One time I put up "Who says that a man is just a vibrator with a wallet.

Needless to say, it didn't last all week.
 
Top