I used to come here for a car wash long ago (I think it had another owner at the time) for my car wash. And at that time it was amazing and service oriented and no problems. I had also been (many years ago) to the Terrible Herbst CarWash and Garage on S. Pecos and Warm Springs, also with no problems, so I drove in.
I was on a schedule so thought to quickly get a car wash on my way to other Destin that day.
I drove up and realized that now it was all automated via staying in your car. I paid for a quick wash, which was about about $10.00 and grabbed the receipt.
When I drove around to enter the car wash, I realized there was no one to guide me in.
On top of that I was having an issue where my car wouldn't go into neutral. I thought someone would eventually come out, but nobody did even after honking my horn. So I got out and knocked on the door . Nobody answered.
I thought to hit the red button as I reasoned that would alert someone inside, but that turned the whole car wash off.
Then I went around to the other side of where there was another door and I banged on that and called but nobody came out as well. By that time, I was completely frustrated and I was behind schedule.
So I pulled around to the side parking near the front and went in to talk to someone to help me with my dilemma. As I was walking in, I realized the machine had given me the wrong ticket it was for about $17.00. I explained to the blond haired gentleman at the register what had happened and my frustration and requested to just get a refund as I needed to get on my way.
But he didn't believe me and asked, "How do I know you even paid for it"?
I asked him to check the cameras and he could easily see that I had been there and paid for things.
I was about to go to my car to get my Cell Phone to look at my purchase and show it to him, but then he just quickly threw a receipt in my direction, and said, "Well I don't know what happened, but here's a receipt for another car wash".
I let him know I didn't want another car wash. I just needed to leave. He said he couldn't do that. I asked him if I might speak to the manager. He said that he was the only one working there and had no authority.
By this time, I was completely frustrated, grabbed the ticket and left.
The next day, I thought that I would just get the carwash taken care of, but when I looked at the ticket, it was only good for that one day that I had been at Terrible's. So now I was out the approximate $10 purchase, and I really didn't want to go through another frustrating encounter.
So I went to another carwash at #WOW on Maryland Parkway just north of Silverado Ranch Rd. and had the perfect service, a perfect car wash, and no problems.
Needless to say, I will not be going back to the Terrible's CarWash on Maryland Parkway near the 215. I would have rated this place "No Stars" but had to give it at least 1 in order to leave a post.
You asked how to improve this place?
1) Actually have an attendant or someone who responds when there are hiccups.
2) Post a sign BEFORE someone enters the carwash that no attendant will be there to help so that as a client I can make the decision to not use the service.
3) Have a more service oriented person, with authority to make decisions, on staff if your manager isn't available.
4) Train your staff better. I don't like to be called a lier when I am telling the truth and was even going to show you my receipt on my cell phone before I was "dismissed" with a so-called "free"carwash. If I was lying, I would have told you that the $17 receipt was mine, instead of telling you I paid less!
5) Have a camera at the point of entry to the carwash, and in the carwash, in case there are problems, that are relayed to the cashier or someone who can react in realtime. This may be an #OSHA safety violation, but I am not sure, so check that please, as someone could get hurt and your staff wouldn't even be aware until too late, and that opens up a bigger can of worms. read more