Mike's Express Car Wash on National Road needs "tweaking"

I am a big fan of washing my car and when I can pay the same amount as I can when I do it by hand I expect to get a great job done. I've been using Top Dog Car Wash since it has opened and I love it. When I heard Mike's was coming to town I was excited like a kid in a candy store, I have always stopped in at the MIke's at Southport Exit on 65 and been happy with their service. While they do a great job, they are lacking on some important details I have come to enjoy at Top Dog Car Wash. 

I spoke with one of the Top Dog employees one day and asked if they were concerned about business since Mike's was coming to town. He said no not at all - we have visited Mike's to compare our service with their service and we have found that Mike's doesn't focus on the car prior to the wash. We use a brush and hose on every car before they enter our bays, to get the dirt and bugs off. Mike's only uses a high pressure hose on the windows and a brief spray to get the car wet before it hits the brushes.

Since they don't use brush like Top Dog it leaves dirt behind, mainly the bugs... 

Today I decided to use the FREE wash I received in the Sunday paper a couple weeks back. I had high hopes when I was getting ready to go through, but after talking with Top Dog months before Mike's opened I kept thinking and watching for the signs described earlier. Before I made it to Mikes I checked out my front bumper to see just what was on there, it was normal guts and wings from my bug killing spree. As I pulled up to the bay, the guy used the hose and sprayed my car and windows, I went through the bay and out the other side to the FREE vacuums awaiting my use. 

I step out of my car to vacuum it, and walked around the front to inspect my bumper - all the bugs were still there.

I hopped back in my car and drove right back and explained the car didn't get clean. The attendant said, well that isn't good, we need to send your though again. As I pull up to the bay again, a secret message was written on the windshield that wasn't during the first wash. This time the guy guarding the bay used a brush and focused the hose on the front, why didn't they do this the first time? I go through again, and while some bugs were removed, others remained where he didn't use the brush. 

This may seem like a silly thing to complain about, but at Top Dog I have never had to make a repeat trip through the bay. I also noticed the bay doesn't feel as long as Top Dog's car wash. One thing that I have noticed is Top Dog has picked up the monthly fee for unlimited car washing, I wonder if they picked this up after Mike's opened up since they offer the same service. 

Overall experience is this, while I love Mike's I will not be visiting their establishment when I can go to Top Dog's owned locally and get a more detailed service. 

Top Dog Car Wash is located 699 Creekview Dr, Columbus, IN 47201

Mike's Car wash is located on National Road next too to Aldi's

Sparkle Car wash - to be closed soon... :(

Comments (4 posted)

Brick Layer 16/08/2012 21:00:42

Secret message must have said, use some elbow grease and the brush on it. Too bad they're out of elbow grease.

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Dave Beaudoin 19/08/2012 19:08:33

I do agree new Car washes that open have alot of tweaking to do. But at the same time they need to know who they are competing against.Top Dog Car wash will accept all Mikes coupons!! So by all means try them and then come to us too clean your car correctly.

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Ram 2500 21/08/2012 00:33:00

I hope Top Dog doesn't fall to Mike's. They both do great work at a fair price. Mike's in Greenwood, Southport, and Castleton have washed both my Jeep and my Dodge truck before. Top Dog has been my place since I'm in Columbus, but when I go up north I always try to use a Mike's. Went to Mike's 2 weeks ago and they refused to wash my Jeep, tires too wide. Went home and got the truck and it has a smaller tire, but they stick out of the fenders a bit, no farther than the mirror pirches once they are folded in. Said truck was too wide. Two weeks prior to this I was in Gwood and purchased a book of washes anticipating the opening of Mike's here in Columbus. Went thru the Gwood location getting the Jeep washed at that time. Then come to the Columbus one and get denied... Top Dog has no problems with my big tires and wide truck. Sure hope they can stay around.. if not it looks like I'm back to bucket and wash mitt. LOL....

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