Drive Thru Car Wash

[Franco]

Hi, Congrats, that wasn't a stupid question at all and I'm sure some others learned something from this post just like myself .

Thanks

[der Geist]

Let's not forget how many of these places recycle their water as well. I stopped at a self serve wash in NM and for the kife of me could not get the black Benz clean. There was a lot of crap in that water, even the rinse was not 100% fresh.

[achillian]

This is an old thread, but I have to leave a comment after todays experience. I work in Novato, CA and I work a lot. Which in the winter time, when the sun goes down at 5 p.m. , makes it very difficult to wash the boxster during the week. So if I'm busy on the weekends, it does not stay as clean as it should.

Today I decided I would let someone else wash my car (big mistake). There's a handwash next to where I work but they use a track system. I drove over there anyway (big mistake #2) and they told me their track system doesn't damage wheels. I even showed them my perfect wheels before the car went in for a wash. Anyway, car came out, and big suprise...scratched wheels!

They told me the scratches were already there. I am having the wheels fixed then heading back to this carwash place to have them pay it. They don't know it yet, but they are paying one way or the other.

Moral of story: as has been said before, never, ever use a carwash with a track.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by achillian

they told me their track system doesn't damage wheels. I even showed them my perfect wheels before the car went in for a wash. Anyway, car came out, and big suprise...scratched wheels!

What else do you expect the 18 year old minimum wage employee to say?

"Sir, please don't use our excellent auto wash as it will mar your perfect Porsche wheels. Thanks, have a nice day and don't ever come back."

[achillian]

Point taken. However, the guy who welcomes you in, is the 50 year old owner of the carwash!

I made a call to find out how much it would be to get my wheels fixed, and I was quoted at 175 bucks. I then stopped back at the carwash to ask the owner to cover the cost. He told me the best he could do would be to give me a credit for $175 worth of car washes.

I thought about it for a second: carwash scratches the wheels on my car, I pay to have wheels fixed, owner reimburses me with more car washes. Does this make any since?

I feel like this guy is an "18 year old minimum wage employee". Anyway, Its my own fault, I shouldn't have taken the risk, but I hate when my poor boxster is dirty.

[rick3000]

A credit is complete bull, they need to pay to repair your wheels. They lied to you and messed up your car. I would advice you to force them to agree to pay the repair before you have it done. If you repair it then send them the bill, they can more easily deny you reimbursement. I had American Tire destroy one of my hubs and they were really nice about paying to replace it.

[achillian]

I would agree with having them agree to pay up front. The problem is that the owner still denies that his car wash track could have caused the damage, and claims that he must not have seen the scratches before the car went in. Its an unfortunate situation.