[Rich42]

Inflation has been raging beyond the typical norms for the last three years. It is significantly affecting virtually all Americans. While businesses need to increase prices to cover legitimate rising costs, too many are just taking advantage of the upward spiral in prices to gouge the consumer. I encountered the epitome of this trend in The Villages yesterday. I have patronized the “Village Car Wash” in the La Plaza Grande shopping center in Spanish Springs for over 10 years. Admittedly I had not been there in quite some time with covid and all, and the last time I was there was a couple of years ago. At that time the price of the cheapest basic car wash (they call it Bronze) was $14.95. Of interest, also note the prices of the various levels of service were prominently posted when you entered their property. To just digress for a moment, I pass their location several times a week and had been noticing the normal long waiting line of cars—regardless of time of year or time of day—has been absent. The place has always appeared to be a gold mine! Well, not so for the last few months. I don’t know exactly when they raised their prices, but the basic Bronze wash (again the cheapest option) was $34! I only found this out when I went inside to pay because their prices were no longer publicly posted. That is an increase from the relatively recent price of 127%!!! No way have their costs gone up anywhere near that. I now understand why there are no longer any lines of people waiting to get their cars washed, and I will certainly no longer be a customer. That is pure greed that should not be supported by the community.

[Keefelane66]

I wash my own cars about 20 minutes total haven’t been to a car wash in years.

[Stu from NYC]

When enough people shop elsewhere the owners will get the message or go out of business.

A car wash is a luxury not a necessity

[JohnN]

$34 !!! Whoa! I'll just have my wife continue to wash it! (just joking, I wash it)

[justjim]

Like you I had “sticker shock” at the Village Car wash too after in line with about 10 cars. The “gouge” didn’t seem to hurt their business but I won’t be back at $34 price even if they do an excellent job. Inflation has leveled off some. It hurts those on fixed incomes the most.

[MrFlorida]

The rainy season will wash my car...never paid for a car wash.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rich42

Inflation has been raging beyond the typical norms for the last three years. It is significantly affecting virtually all Americans. While businesses need to increase prices to cover legitimate rising costs, too many are just taking advantage of the upward spiral in prices to gouge the consumer. I encountered the epitome of this trend in The Villages yesterday. I have patronized the “Village Car Wash” in the La Plaza Grande shopping center in Spanish Springs for over 10 years. Admittedly I had not been there in quite some time with covid and all, and the last time I was there was a couple of years ago. At that time the price of the cheapest basic car wash (they call it Bronze) was $14.95. Of interest, also note the prices of the various levels of service were prominently posted when you entered their property. To just digress for a moment, I pass their location several times a week and had been noticing the normal long waiting line of cars—regardless of time of year or time of day—has been absent. The place has always appeared to be a gold mine! Well, not so for the last few months. I don’t know exactly when they raised their prices, but the basic Bronze wash (again the cheapest option) was $34! I only found this out when I went inside to pay because their prices were no longer publicly posted. That is an increase from the relatively recent price of 127%!!! No way have their costs gone up anywhere near that. I now understand why there are no longer any lines of people waiting to get their cars washed, and I will certainly no longer be a customer. That is pure greed that should not be supported by the community.

In 10 years I hosed and washed my car maybe 8 times. Most time spray bottle and towel get road spray film off. BUT, I don’t have to go someplace every day or even week in it.

[Carla B]

Oh, wow, $34!! My husband will just keep using a basic class wash: putting the cars out when it rains, followed by a quick wipe.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by justjim

Like you I had “sticker shock” at the Village Car wash too after in line with about 10 cars. The “gouge” didn’t seem to hurt their business but I won’t be back at $34 price even if they do an excellent job. Inflation has leveled off some. It hurts those on fixed incomes the most.

“ Inflation has leveled off” but it level off high and never goes back or down some.

[Philipd411]

Originally Posted by Rich42

Inflation has been raging beyond the typical norms for the last three years. It is significantly affecting virtually all Americans. While businesses need to increase prices to cover legitimate rising costs, too many are just taking advantage of the upward spiral in prices to gouge the consumer. I encountered the epitome of this trend in The Villages yesterday. I have patronized the “Village Car Wash” in the La Plaza Grande shopping center in Spanish Springs for over 10 years. Admittedly I had not been there in quite some time with covid and all, and the last time I was there was a couple of years ago. At that time the price of the cheapest basic car wash (they call it Bronze) was $14.95. Of interest, also note the prices of the various levels of service were prominently posted when you entered their property. To just digress for a moment, I pass their location several times a week and had been noticing the normal long waiting line of cars—regardless of time of year or time of day—has been absent. The place has always appeared to be a gold mine! Well, not so for the last few months. I don’t know exactly when they raised their prices, but the basic Bronze wash (again the cheapest option) was $34! I only found this out when I went inside to pay because their prices were no longer publicly posted. That is an increase from the relatively recent price of 127%!!! No way have their costs gone up anywhere near that. I now understand why there are no longer any lines of people waiting to get their cars washed, and I will certainly no longer be a customer. That is pure greed that should not be supported by the community.

So why did they just become greedy? According to your train of thought, they could have raised their prices years ago to $34 and been greedy back then. Their cost has gone up, less people are shopping there. It not greed but business.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by JohnN

$34 !!! Whoa! I'll just have my wife continue to wash it! (just joking, I wash it)

My wife let's me know when she wants the car washed. Once I'm done, she says, "since you've just earned $34, you can take me to lunch!". Lucky me. A clean car, @$60 per hour rate of income, a little exercise, a meal out and a happy wife. Life ain't so bad.

[Normal]

I carried our groceries the other day from Public’s in one hand in one plastic bag. The bill was 97 dollars. I jokingly told my wife I never thought I could single handedly carry a hundred bucks worth of groceries like that. Kind of scary when you think about it.

[Stu from NYC]

As John Maynard Keynes (father of Keynesian economics) said prices are sticky downward.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

The rainy season will wash my car...never paid for a car wash.

Been there - done that. For some reason a lot less love bugs now.

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by Rich42

the basic Bronze wash (again the cheapest option) was $34! That is an increase from the relatively recent price of 127%!!! No way have their costs gone up anywhere near that. That is pure greed that should not be supported by the community.

In 2009, the minimum wage was $7.25. Effective Sept 2022 it was $11.00, on the way to $15.00 in a few years. That's a 110% increase.

When payroll increases, payroll taxes (FICA) also increase, workers comp insurance increases. I expect health insurance costs have increased.

Property taxes have increased. I believe the cost of water and supplies has also gone up.

A lot has happened in the four or more years since you have been there. I do not attribute the price increase to greed. I attribute it to a poorly managed economy.

This is the same reason why there are fewer ambassadors on the golf courses and fewer workers at the fast food places.

No, I do not think it is greed.