SOQUEL, Calif.  — Jeremy Lezin, the president of Cruz Car Wash, said that the Point of Sale system his wash uses is an important part of its success. “We live by our POS system,” he said. “It drives everything that we do, from monitoring labor to making decisions on products, services and pricing.”

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Loyalty programs are a great way for washes to increase business, and Cruz Car Wash has integrated its POS systems into the programs. “Customers love pulling up and pointing to their bar code," he said. The POS includes a VIP system, which keeps track of the number of washes a customer has, and awards a free wash service when applicable.

The machine also allows the wash to provide a human touch with customer service. “The computer tells us the customer’s first name so we can greet them cordially,” said Lezin.

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To learn more about POS systems, Lezin recommends visiting carwashes that use them to figure out what other wash owners are doing right. He also said reading the manual is always important with carwash equipment.

Cruz put in the POS system 11 years ago, and has been adding “more bells and whistles every year." Lezin said that all washes should have a POS system. “If you don’t have one, you’re losing out,” he said. “It’s an amazing system, and I can’t imagine working without one.”