Tried El Car Wash for the first time today. Overall, a good value and experience. But my experience did have a few minor quibbles.
First, the good stuff.
Prices seem reasonable and service was friendly and fast. Not sure of the fellow's name who got me started, but he was from Titusville and very nice. Got lined up and through the wash entrance with help from the attendant in no time. The post-wash amenities are where El is kicking butt against its competitors. Yes, you get the standard "free vacuum." But how about free compressed air blower, free towels, free window cleaner sprayer, free fragrance sprayer, and free interior cleaner sprayer?!?! Oh, and also free floor mat cleaner--including for carpeted mats. The monthly membership seems like a good value, if you remember to go at least a few times per month (something I'm not the best at doing). The post-wash experience here can't be beaten (at least so far).
Now, the not-so-stellar stuff.
I paid for the top wash and I have no idea how the attendant knew to dial that in versus the lowest cost or mid-tier washes, which makes me believe I got the same wash that everyone else got. Was it the Top? Mid? Basic? Don't know. There was no communication after paying, other than the attendant holding a little sign to signal me forward and then to set my car in neutral. No one checked my receipt. Nothing written on the windshield. Couldn't see much happening during the wash to indicate I was getting all of the wash components due to the speed and windshield coverage. Oh well. Maybe they were giving everyone top washes--regardless of payment--since it's Christmas Eve.
Trip through was really fast. Perhaps too fast? Why? Because it didn't really clean the car that well. I had to use one of those free towels in an attempt to finish scraping off little spots here and there. Too many spots to get it all by hand. My car was really dirty, so perhaps a few more trips through would get a deeper clean without too much follow-up elbow grease (this is where that monthly membership would come in handy).
Also, no real military discount, other than upselling a slightly reduced monthly membership. That's a bummer, because other local places provide a 10% military discount--even if you only wash once.
Finally--and this bears mentioning--the water is really stinky, so I guess they're using well water? Don't know. But just be advised that it smells a little like some of the local Florida neighborhoods after the groundwater-fed sprinkler systems have been on a while.
In conclusion, I will probably join the membership club, because it's a good value, especially if you use it regularly. No place is perfect. I will be back because it's convenient, reasonable, fast, and those darn amenities can't be beaten! Overall, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, but I can't enter that here on Yelp, so El gets a 4. read more