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You're entering a market segment characterized by minimal validated demand, which means you'll need to take extra steps to make sure your expensive car wash concept resonates. A car wash charging $170 per wash with a $2500 rent falls into this category. With only one similar product found, our confidence is low, suggesting this is a niche or unproven idea. This low number indicates significant risk. It's imperative to validate your assumptions thoroughly before committing substantial resources, given the price point which is far above the average car wash.

Recommendations

1. Before committing to the $2500 rent, engage with potential customers in high-net-worth communities or luxury car enthusiast groups. Gauge their willingness to pay $170 for a car wash by highlighting the premium aspects of your service, as it's a hefty investment and it needs to be validated first.
2. Offer a 'manual' version of your high-end car wash to a few potential customers (perhaps their house), detailing and providing the same level of service at a lower cost. Use this as a test bed to refine your process, identify bottlenecks, and gather testimonials, then measure how much this costs you in reality.
3. Create a compelling explainer video showcasing the unique value proposition of your $170 car wash. Highlight what justifies the high price point – is it the products used, the meticulous detailing, the eco-friendliness, or exclusive add-ons? See how many people watch it fully, as an engagement metric.
4. To gauge genuine interest, ask potential customers for a small, refundable deposit to join a 'priority waiting list' for your car wash. This provides a tangible measure of demand and filters out casual interest, and you can then use these people to pilot test your product.
5. If you struggle to find even five individuals willing to put down a deposit or express strong interest within three weeks, take a step back and re-evaluate your value proposition and target market. The high price point requires a very specific customer willing to pay for convenience and premium services. This doesn't mean the idea is necessarily bad, but perhaps the price needs to be adjusted.
6. Consider offering different packages, like a monthly subscription, to amortize the price. People might be more receptive to paying $500 per month (=$125/wash) as opposed to $170 per wash, especially since the monthly cost can be cancelled at any time.

Questions

1. What specific aspects of your car wash justify the $170 price point, and how can you effectively communicate this value to your target audience to attract a reliable amount of demand?
2. Given the high fixed cost of $2500 rent, what is your break-even point in terms of car washes per month, and what strategies will you employ to consistently reach that number?
3. What are the key differentiators that will set your car wash apart from existing high-end detailing services in your area, and how will you protect your brand from direct competition once you gain traction?