This question has been asked of me recently:  Should I offer 3 wash packages at my automatic wash or 4?

The majority of the automatic car washes servicing the market are primarily run by petroleum companies here in Canada.  Furthermore, if they are not owned by petroleum, they are often associated with a gas bar that is branded.  That gives the operator of the car wash motivation to maintain consistency with the brand and offer a similar package to their customers.

With that being said, the majority of the washes are typically offering 3 wash packages (ie. Basic, Mid Level, High End).  From what I understand in my dealings with operators in the industry, about 50% of the wash packages sold are the High End packages. 

The essence of the question is:  Can you draw a greater market share by attracting customers with a lower priced Basic package that simply offers bare-bones functions?

The technology exists to easily justify 4 distinct packages.  Once attracting the customer onto the site or into the store, can you up sell to the higher packages?  Can you still be profitable if you are not able to up sell and you end up washing a majority of your Basic package?  Can you still satisfactorily wash a car with your bare-bones package?

I would tend to lean toward offering more package options.  I believe that people like to have a choice.  I also believe that people are attracted to low prices.  So why not advertise a bare-bones Basic package at a low price to bring them onto your property?  Then give them the choice to purchase those "Feel-Good", "Value-Added" options included in the up sell packages.