Pros 
Cons Kiwi Car Spa: A Rough Ride for Your Ride?
Kiwi Car Spa, located on North Road in Waikiwi, Invercargill, currently holds a low rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars. While some initial impressions suggest the equipment itself (Karcher) functions well, a significantly large portion of recent customer feedback paints a picture of frustration, high prices, and operational issues. Operating seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the extended opening hours offer convenience, but it certainly hasn't translated to customer satisfaction judging by the overwhelmingly negative reviews. It's clear a disconnect exists between potential and reality when it comes to this car wash.
Price Point Problems & Value Concerns
Pricing seems to be a major sticking point for many patrons of Kiwi Car Spa. Several reviewers express considerable dismay over what they perceive as exorbitant costs for the services offered. Here's a breakdown of the mentioned costs, alongside the customer's perception:
| Service Type | Price (NZD) | Customer Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Wash | $1.50 / 30 seconds | "Extremely overpriced" – feeling of poor value for money. |
| Best Auto Wash | $21 | "Outrageous" - seen as significantly too expensive for the experience. |
“$21 for the best auto wash? Outrageous.” – A common sentiment echoed by multiple users. This suggests a substantial price discrepancy compared to perceived cleanliness and overall service quality.
The absence of clearly displayed information outlining what each price tier provides further exacerbates the issue. Customers are left unsure of what they’re paying for and feel misled when the results fall short of expectations. The lack of clarity makes it difficult to justify the steep costs, leading to dissatisfaction and reinforcing the low rating.
Hose Headaches and Operational Hiccups
Beyond pricing, the mechanical aspects of the car wash process have been a constant source of complaint. These issues significantly detract from the intended convenience of a self-service car wash:
- Tangling & Hitting Cars: A recurring theme across numerous reviews is the difficulty in managing the hoses. Customers report spending excessive time untangling them and preventing them from impacting their vehicles. This negates the supposed ‘convenience’ of a self-wash.
- Equipment Malfunctions: Multiple users detailed experiences with malfunctioning equipment. One customer reported a machine stopping prematurely after only one pass, resulting in a wasted payment. Another experienced prolonged brush spinning before a fault occurred.
- Mat Cleaner Controversy: The mat cleaner, instead of cleansing, appears to have made mats considerably muddier, leaving customers disappointed with the outcome.
- Payment System Issues: Incorrect charging is another frustration, with customers stating they were not given the correct amount of wash time for their payment.
- Lack of Contact: Users felt stranded with issues when they had none to contact for help
Advice: Easy Clean or Elsewhere?
The consensus among those who have recently used Kiwi Car Spa is overwhelmingly negative. There’s a prevailing recommendation to avoid the establishment entirely, with many suggesting Easy Clean on Ettrick Street as a preferable alternative.
"Just go to easy clean on Ettrick street don’t waste ya time here." – A recurring suggestion highlighting Easy Clean’s perceived superiority.
The criticisms, ranging from pricing and equipment failures to hose management and lack of clarity, point to significant operational and service delivery challenges. Without substantial improvements in pricing transparency, equipment maintenance, and hose management, Kiwi Car Spa is unlikely to improve its current low rating and will continue to deter potential customers in the Invercargill area. The absence of a readily available contact number to report issues further amplifies the negative experience.