Competition grips Car Wash points in Bamenda

High level of competition has gripped car wash points in the city of Bamenda.

Both local and modern car wash points in the city are competing among themselves, as each and everyone wants to be the best in its equipment and services rendered, so as to satisfy their clients and attract others. This explains why some put in very long hours of work.

Clovet Ubangoh, owner of Clo-Clo’s Icon Car Wash Point at Veterinary junction, Bamenda says he works round the clock and makes sure he cleans customers’ cars thoroughly in order for them to remain faithful to his wash point; he uses water, omo, brushes, savon and towels to clean taxes at FCFA 500 and private cars at FCFA1000.

Clovet who is just 2 weeks in the business says, he washes a minimum of 5cars daily and his customers are always very satisfied after the service is rendered. “Although I face difficulties in paying exorbitant water and electricity bills, and fungi infection due to constant touch of water, I am satisfied with the take home package”.

Talking to The Post, the manager of Smart Car washing complex, Rosette Lukong said, it took them time to make their wash point up to standard. “After choosing the site which was like a valley, we had to fill it up with ground getting it closed to the road, compact it to be strong and laminate with cement”.

She says they tiled the place to make it look attractive to customers and also setup an office, a refreshment centre for client, a packing room and a rest room.

“The business is a year old and very lucrative. We have covered 1/5 of construction cost and we hope to complete it after 3years”. She explained.

Rosette went further to say that they realise FCFA25,000 to FCFA 45,000 on car wash each day; adding that they have a total of six workers with four paid on weekly bases and two on a monthly bases.

The wash point has a number of challenges like fluctuation in electricity supply and they lack a stand-by generator. Another challenge is that of indecision by the workers who are mostly young boys. They go away when ever they are paid and only come back after some days.

“Though Sonac Street has a lot of water problems in Bamenda, we are lucky to be using water from a bore hole”. She explained.

Cedric Fon, a worker with Smart Car wash on his part says he is satisfied with the job now but may quit in the future if a better opportunity pops-up.

“The problem with this work is that I develop fungi infection both on my hands and legs. I equally develop cracks on my hands because of the omo in the water I touch always’. As remedy, he says he applies Vaseline and put much glyceline in his rubbing oil.

Cedric added that, he washes a minimum of six cars a day and receives a salary of FCFA 15,000.

Both car owners and bike riders look for the best wash points to wash their cars. Barrister Ferdinand Chesami, a car owner admits that, “when I want total cleaning I go to the modern car wash at Ayaba Street Bamenda.

But when I want just normal cleaning, I go to the local one at City Chemist Round About Bamenda.

Edison Fru, a student and bike rider in Bamenda says he washes his bike at any convenient washing point and pays FCFA 500.