Experience w/ Wash Tub? (Spring, Alamo: how much, purchase, law)

[FamilyTexas]

I just went today for the first time with my new car (we got a free 1 year membership w/ purchase of a new Toyota). The experience was AWFUL! They didn't vacuum the car, whoever was in the car-washing windows? stepped all over the seats and left black marks on the seats and floors, the radio station was switched to rock and turned all the way up, they didn't clean the back of the car well at all, I could go on. It was awful! Is this pretty common?

I'm bummed because we're so particular with our car, it's NEW, and I thought this would be a great benefit. Now I'm not sure I want to ever take it back. I also tipped (before seeing the car). Ugh!

Is this normal? My husband will be taking the car in tonight to show the manager/owner.

Also, how much to yout tip? Ugh. I wish we never took the car in.

[millie61]

Have taken my car there 3 times and every time have had to ask them to do it again - so don't go there now !! the one on Blanco Road

[SanAntoQT]

Originally Posted by FamilyTexas

I just went today for the first time with my new car (we got a free 1 year membership w/ purchase of a new Toyota). The experience was AWFUL! They didn't vacuum the car, whoever was in the car-washing windows? stepped all over the seats and left black marks on the seats and floors, the radio station was switched to rock and turned all the way up, they didn't clean the back of the car well at all, I could go on. It was awful! Is this pretty common?

I took my car in to the Wash Tub all the time. There were times when my windows weren't done to my satisfaction or they missed putting armor-all on the tires, but I always gave my car the once over before tipping. However, I never experienced any of what you did. I'd be furious, too!

Also, how much to yout tip? Ugh. I wish we never took the car in.

Once I was satisfied with the work, I'd usually tip $5.

[StanStelle]

I've been taking my cars to the one on 1604 in Stone Oak for years and have never experienced this. They are very service oriented which is why I keep going back. At this location, the supervisor tends to hang around the drying/detailing area observing the crew members and this person is the one who calls you when your car is ready. If you have any feedback he'll quickly go find someone to get it addressed.
I have noticed that only about 1/2 of the people tend to tip. I used to tip $3 back when the person working on your car would be the one to notify you that its ready. I've been tipping infrequently for about a year since this location added a supervisor and you no longer get a chance to interact with the person doing all the work. I'm just not sure the supervisor will distribute all those tips.

[TXtrkgrl]

Don't ever leave change in your vehicle either. It will be gone

[winst0n]

my experience there is consistent!! ... consistently bad to satisfactory...
never outstanding... (the one in blanco/1604)

[FamilyTexas]

Maybe I'll try the one on Stone Oak/1604. We're in Alamo Ranch and this was the Wash Tub on Potrano. We were there early and there were plenty of employees sitting around, I thought everything would be fine.

Thanks for pointing out change, etc. I didn't think of that. I'll send my husband from now on and have him stay with the car or we'll wash it at home. I was so excited that we'd have a year of clean car w/out much on our part.

We tipped $4., I wasn't sure what was typical. From now on no tip until we check things out.

[Primo]

I have to rate them very bad too. I went there for about 5 years and they only reason they did a good job, is because I tipped the same person $5 everytime and I always requested them. It is hard to get a good cleaning there, because all the towels they use are so dirty...and that causes swirl marks.
Then one time...when they were vacumming they accidently rolled my window completely down and ran my new $70K car through the wash with the window completely down. It was an accident, but after the fact...they didn't seem to care, they didn't offer to do anything for me...absolutely nothing. I even talked with their people at their headquarters and they didn't care either.

I never went back there again. I now wash my own cars and do a much better job than they every did.

[GoTexan]

Originally Posted by Primo

I have to rate them very bad too. I went there for about 5 years and they only reason they did a good job, is because I tipped the same person $5 everytime and I always requested them. It is hard to get a good cleaning there, because all the towels they use are so dirty...and that causes swirl marks.
Then one time...when they were vacumming they accidently rolled my window completely down and ran my new $70K car through the wash with the window completely down. It was an accident, but after the fact...they didn't seem to care, they didn't offer to do anything for me...absolutely nothing. I even talked with their people at their headquarters and they didn't care either.

I never went back there again. I now wash my own cars and do a much better job than they every did.

OMGosh! That's a horrible story!

I go to the Wash Tub in Leon Springs and service is great. Especially when some of the local 'celebrities' are also there gettting there cars serviced. Very interesting to watch.

I agree if you want something done right, best you do it youself. But we all know how easy it is to pay someone and get your car cleaned in 20 min.

A few times I've had some missed spots, but have them fix those areas before I leave, no harm done.

I really don't have high standards and always use the coupon!

[iowagirl1977]

my sister in law had a membership and always took her big SUV and all the kids. she is an EXTREMELY picky person and INSISTS on good service, so they know better than to mess with her...but on one incident she had to call the cops because someone stole her daughters IPOD out of the truck. it was put away in the back of the seat, but they nabbed it. found it at a pawn shop eventually, don't know what happened to the kid.