Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me an idea of what “successful” means in regards to Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream?
Sure can! Our average revenue over the past five years is $101,084.00/year. Not a bad deal for a $105 Express Key set (that you get to use or donate for a $100 tax deduction).
Why are you giving away your businesses like this?
We are close to retiring. We have had the businesses for sale the traditional way and due to many factors of the economy it hasn’t sold. We had an idea, researched the legal feasibility and designed the Express Key Promotion. It also promotes increased car washing for better car care.
Is it a raffle?
No. A raffle is when you purchase a chance to win something, and if you don’t win there is nothing to show for the money you spent. With this promotion, whether you win or lose, you still have $100 worth of wash time to use or donate for a tax deduction.
What is the difference between a raffle and the Express Key Promotion?
The purchase of an Express Key set for $105 gives you $100 worth of car washing time plus the added bonus of entering the drawing. By contrast, a traditional raffle only gives you a chance to win something, and nothing in exchange for your money if you are not the winner.
What is the Express Key?
It is a plastic key with a computer chip in it that works like a debit card when you wash your car at the Vanity Car Wash. It takes the place of using real money.
How does the Express Key Work?
There is a special place on the coin acceptors in each self-serve bay, the vacuum and touch-less automatic where you insert the key and make your selection. Time is automatic subtracted from the key.
What is the advantage of buying an Express Key?
It is convenient–whenever you need to wash your car, you don’t have to worry about having cash.
When you purchase a $100 Express Key set, you receive 2 keys, each loaded with $50.00 of washing time, so two people in your household can each have a key.
During this promotion, you receive the added bonus with your purchase of having your name entered into a drawing to win the Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream, including the property, free and clear. Second prize is a Mercedes Benz E Series.
How can I buy a key?
There are two ways;
- Stop in and make a direct purchase at the Vanity Car Wash for $105
- Purchase using PayPal online at by clicking on an “I Want To Win My Own Business” button from any page on this site for $110 (extra $5.00 is for shipping and handling).
How many Express Keys are you selling?
A total of only 6,000 keys will be sold for this promotion.
How do I know this is not a scam?
All money received from the key sales is held in an Escrow account in a local bank in Hillsdale, Michigan. This promotion is within the parameters of
MCL 750.372. For a detailed explanation of the promotion rules, click here
How can you afford to give the Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream away like this?
Realistically we are not giving it away. We have created a WIN-WIN dream come true. By selling 6,000 Express Keys, adequate revenue will be generated for us as the owners, and whoever is the winner will receive a huge windfall with no mortgage. The second winner will receive a Mercedes Benz E Series with no car payments.
Is the Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream in operation?
Yes. The car wash is operational 24/7 year-round, and the ice cream store is open seasonally from March to September.
How long will it take to sell all of the Express Keys?
I wish I had a precise date to share, but since we are the first (to our knowledge) to pioneer a promotion like this, our intention is to end the promotion and set a date for the drawing after 6,000 keys have been sold.
Will the drawing date be announced ahead of the drawing?
Yes. An email will be sent to everyone who provided a working email address, it will be posted on the Vanity Car Wash marquis, and it will be announced here on this website. (Subscribe to the RSS feed to be certain you don’t miss it!)
What is the process if all of the Express Keys aren’t sold?
If for any reason the promotion is discontinued, customers will be notified and receive a refund of the unused portion of their Express Key per the rules here.
If I give away my set of Express Keys, will my name still be in the drawing?
Yes. Your name and contact information is on a single card that goes into the drawing, not the actual keys.
If I don’t live close enough to the Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream to use my Express Keys, can someone else use them?
Yes. You can give them to someone you know, or donate them to a local non-profit for volunteer drivers to receive free car washes.
If I donate my Express Keys set, is it tax deductable?
We have provided a list of 3 non-profit organizations in Hillsdale, MI that qualify for tax deductable donations. If you select one of them to send your Express Keys to, along with a self-addressed envelope, they will mail you a receipt for your donation for the “face value” amount of $100.00.
What if I win, but I don’t want to keep the businesses and property?
You can consider auctioning everything for a very quick windfall.
What is the value of the businesses and property?
The Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream businesses cost $430,000 to build. With the fluctuating real estate values, the winner should have it appraised to assess true value at the time of the title transfer. It is recommended the winner consult with their tax and legal professionals.
Is there a limit on the number of Express Key sets a person may purchase?
No. As long as there are keys available, there is no limit.
Who will draw the winners?
It will be someone who has no affiliation with Vanity Car Wash, Inc., or the current owners, and has not directly or indirectly purchased an Express Key set.
What if I have additional questions?
You may contact us by email at VanityCarWash[at]gmail[dot]com or speak to us directly at 517-206-8816.
How long does it take to receive my Express Key set if I order it online?
Your keys will be mailed by U.S. Mail (USPS) within two (2) business days of your completed PayPal order.
Vanity Car Wash & Ice Cream
214 South Broad Street
Hillsdale, MI 49242
517-206-8816