I live in Santa Monica, where Tesla is building a first of it’s kind supercharger station with bathrooms among other amenities.
I had an idea several months ago to start offering waterless mobile Tesla washes at various supercharger stations. I tested the waterless wash/wax on my 2022 M3 Performance with astonishing results (I am a perfectionist). In addition I’m very tech savvy and somewhat of a Tesla expert, I know the ins and outs of the cars along with all of the features, shortcuts and everything that changes with every update. I would even be offering in person tutorials to Tesla customers among a plethora of other services including wheel touchup, scratch fill/repair, tire pressure check with nitrogen fill up (not air), headlight restoration, and à la carte services such as basic window washes. I’m also offering customers complementary pH alkaline waters and windshield washer fluid top offs. I’ve done a lot of research to find the best products to use on Tesla exteriors/interiors and additionally I’ll be using my $650 Dyson hand vac which by far does the best and fastest car vacuuming job I’ve ever seen.
Yesterday I went to the new Santa Monica supercharging station to take customer surveys and offered free vacuums, waters and windshield fluid top offs in exchange for feedback. I even answered a lot of questions that some Tesla owners have had for years during the ownership of their cars. Needless to say I got all positive feedback and every Tesla owner I talked to were super stoked about the services I plan on offering.
HOWEVER, I was eventually approached by a non-Tesla Owner who was wondering what I was doing there. When I explained to him I was taking surveys for the business I’m starting, the guy got kind of upset and explained to me that it is HIS business and HIS territory is that particular Tesla station. He claims to be licensed and said he called the main Tesla phone number and easily got in contact with a Tesla representative who gave him permission to conduct his services on that property which he said Tesla was the sole owner of (therefore not needing permission from Tesla in addition to a leasing property owner). However something seemed off about the guy and his claims. I just called the LA County property assessment office and it turns out Tesla DOES NOT own the property and they are indeed leasing it (turns out the property owner is a former business associate of one of my best friends). Ntm I find it hard to believe he was able to call Tesla and easily find the right person to speak to in order to get permission to conduct his business at the location. Being an actual Tesla owner myself, I know it’s almost impossible to get a hold of anyone by calling the Tesla phone number for even the most basic things.
Before offering any of my services at a given supercharging location, I want to make sure I cross my t’s and dot my i’s. I will be getting licensed, insured, bonded in addition to getting a car washing permit from the city of Santa Monica.
What I’m trying to figure out is who would be the proper entity to talk to in order to get permission to conduct my services; should I be talking to Tesla, the leasing property owner or both? Or should I just go about business until if and when someone from property management says something to me?
Additionally should I call this other mobile washing guy out on his BS? He didn’t have any business cards or a company logo on his Honda pick up truck that he had parked at the supercharger station and wanted cash for payment, so I’m doubting he’s even licensed. I found it comical when he tried to discourage me by saying it takes AT LEAST three months of comprehensive training programs to learn how to properly wash a car haha. However when I washed my own Tesla in front of him as I was supercharging, he applauded the amazing job I did and offered me a job for $20 an hour lol. When I declined he proceeded to offer to bring me on as a partner, I declined that offer as well. I believe what I’m offering is top quality service to my fellow Tesla owners and I want to stick to those values.
Any thoughts, feedback, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! Additionally, how many of you be interested in my services if they were available at your local supercharger?
P.S. I’ve attached a YouTube Timelapse of the wash I did, unfortunately I didn’t have time to get all the door jams and am waiting to receive the wheel cleaner and brushes. Will post an update in the near future!
Waterless Tesla Wash Video
I had an idea several months ago to start offering waterless mobile Tesla washes at various supercharger stations. I tested the waterless wash/wax on my 2022 M3 Performance with astonishing results (I am a perfectionist). In addition I’m very tech savvy and somewhat of a Tesla expert, I know the ins and outs of the cars along with all of the features, shortcuts and everything that changes with every update. I would even be offering in person tutorials to Tesla customers among a plethora of other services including wheel touchup, scratch fill/repair, tire pressure check with nitrogen fill up (not air), headlight restoration, and à la carte services such as basic window washes. I’m also offering customers complementary pH alkaline waters and windshield washer fluid top offs. I’ve done a lot of research to find the best products to use on Tesla exteriors/interiors and additionally I’ll be using my $650 Dyson hand vac which by far does the best and fastest car vacuuming job I’ve ever seen.
Yesterday I went to the new Santa Monica supercharging station to take customer surveys and offered free vacuums, waters and windshield fluid top offs in exchange for feedback. I even answered a lot of questions that some Tesla owners have had for years during the ownership of their cars. Needless to say I got all positive feedback and every Tesla owner I talked to were super stoked about the services I plan on offering.
HOWEVER, I was eventually approached by a non-Tesla Owner who was wondering what I was doing there. When I explained to him I was taking surveys for the business I’m starting, the guy got kind of upset and explained to me that it is HIS business and HIS territory is that particular Tesla station. He claims to be licensed and said he called the main Tesla phone number and easily got in contact with a Tesla representative who gave him permission to conduct his services on that property which he said Tesla was the sole owner of (therefore not needing permission from Tesla in addition to a leasing property owner). However something seemed off about the guy and his claims. I just called the LA County property assessment office and it turns out Tesla DOES NOT own the property and they are indeed leasing it (turns out the property owner is a former business associate of one of my best friends). Ntm I find it hard to believe he was able to call Tesla and easily find the right person to speak to in order to get permission to conduct his business at the location. Being an actual Tesla owner myself, I know it’s almost impossible to get a hold of anyone by calling the Tesla phone number for even the most basic things.
Before offering any of my services at a given supercharging location, I want to make sure I cross my t’s and dot my i’s. I will be getting licensed, insured, bonded in addition to getting a car washing permit from the city of Santa Monica.
What I’m trying to figure out is who would be the proper entity to talk to in order to get permission to conduct my services; should I be talking to Tesla, the leasing property owner or both? Or should I just go about business until if and when someone from property management says something to me?
Additionally should I call this other mobile washing guy out on his BS? He didn’t have any business cards or a company logo on his Honda pick up truck that he had parked at the supercharger station and wanted cash for payment, so I’m doubting he’s even licensed. I found it comical when he tried to discourage me by saying it takes AT LEAST three months of comprehensive training programs to learn how to properly wash a car haha. However when I washed my own Tesla in front of him as I was supercharging, he applauded the amazing job I did and offered me a job for $20 an hour lol. When I declined he proceeded to offer to bring me on as a partner, I declined that offer as well. I believe what I’m offering is top quality service to my fellow Tesla owners and I want to stick to those values.
Any thoughts, feedback, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! Additionally, how many of you be interested in my services if they were available at your local supercharger?
P.S. I’ve attached a YouTube Timelapse of the wash I did, unfortunately I didn’t have time to get all the door jams and am waiting to receive the wheel cleaner and brushes. Will post an update in the near future!
Waterless Tesla Wash Video