Prospect, KY Hand Wash and Detailing Service Finds Growing Niches Serving Auto Lessees and Private Sellers

    PROSPECT, KY, May 11, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Since the economy turned soft, Wyman Marshall has noticed a change in the customers he serves at River City Splash, a Prospect Kentucky hand wash and auto detailing service.

"Over the last three months, we've seen many more people coming to us with lease vehicles and with cars that they are preparing to sell," said Marshall. "We've always had our share of clients who like to drive a car that is spotless or can afford to have us baby their rides, but now 30 to 40 percent of our clients are coming to us to save on the costs of repairing a leased car or make money by properly prepping a car they own for sale," said Marshall. Marshall insists these percentages are roughly twice what they were several months ago.

"Many people don't realize how much it costs to turn in a lease vehicle with even minor damage," said River City Splash owner Wyman Marshall. "With Mercedes-Benz, for instance, any ding, dent or scratch larger than a credit card must be repaired before the car can be turned back. "When we compare a body shop's typical estimate to what we charge to recondition a leased vehicle like a two- or three-year-old Mercedes, we are usually about half of what the other shop wants," said Marshall.

The other trend in the marketplace that Marshall has noticed over the last few months is an increase in the number of private sellers using his services. "Dealers are paying good money for clean used cars, but we still have seen an increase in private sellers who are opting not to trade and get a little more by selling their car themselves. "Private sellers are prepping their cars just like a dealer would to get the most money they can," said Marshall.

Even those who opt to trade in are more likely to invest in a detailing package to get more for the car. "A number of my customers have told me that they were offered more money for their vehicles from CarMax after we have given the cars a hand wash and detail," said Marshall. "It's probably the easiest way to increase your car's sale price."

"Many of our full-detail customers like the results so much that they decide to keep their vehicles," said Marshall. Norma Hanley of Prospect took her mother's low-mileage Pontiac Grand Prix to Wyman at River City Splash because it needed work to return the interior and exterior to ready-to-sell shape. "We wanted Wyman to get it ready to sell, but, when we got the car back, it looked new, so we decided to keep it," said Hanley.

"We are the only 100% full service hand car wash in the Kentuckiana area," said Marshall. "Hand-washing is the best way to make sure your car gets sparkling clean, without the damage that mechanical car washes can cause. We are also the only member of the IDA (International Detailing Association) in the state, and we are members of the ICA (International Car Wash Association)."

River City Splash Hand Car Wash is a premium-quality service, located at 13160 Highway 42 W., Prospect, KY, 40059. Located on Hwy 42 in the Hunters Ridge Shopping Center just inside Oldham County. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 10am until 6:30pm; Saturday 9am until 6:30pm; closed Sunday. For more information, call 502-708-2400 or visit http://www.rivercitysplash.com.

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