Client Case Study
How Autowash Maintenance Lost Five Years and Found Their Way Back
A story about trust, transparency, and what happens when processors operate in the dark. Industry: Sales, Service, Installation & Cleaning Solutions. Client since 2013.
5 bpsCurrent rate over interchange
125 bpsRate while away (peak)
257%Cost increase in 19 months
1/20thOf what they were paying
We didn’t cancel because the service was bad, or the fees were too high. We just didn’t see the value anymore everything was fine, our fees were low and had never changed. So we thought, what are we paying for? We were wrong. We will never do that again.
Ron Campagna Jr. · Autowash Maintenance Corp.
2013 The First Audit
Good On Paper. Not In Reality.
When Autowash Maintenance first came to weAudit.com, their processing statement looked reasonable at first glance 25 basis points and 10¢ per transaction. Most merchants would have called that a win and moved on.
But weAudit doesn’t read the surface. We read the infrastructure beneath it. What we found was $1,500 per year in interchange errors quietly draining their account pushing their true effective cost to .35 basis points over pure interchange.
After our first audit and direct intervention, we restructured their pricing to just .07 basis points + 10¢ per transaction bringing their all-in cost to only 9 basis points. For five years, everything ran exactly as it should.
The Full Journey
13 Years. One Costly Detour.
2013 First AuditweAudit Finds the Hidden Drain
Stated: 25 bps + 10¢. Actual cost: .35 bps over interchange. Restructured to .07 bps + 10¢. Total drops to 9 basis points. Monitoring begins.
~2018 DepartureConfidence Without Cause
After five years of clean rates, Autowash tried another provider. Rates looked good. Fees hadn’t visibly changed. The decision made sense on paper.
Feb 2020 19 Months LaterThe Hidden Fees Surface
50 bps stated + 47 bps hidden padding + 15¢ Amex + processor keeping rebates. Annual losses: $7,000+. Effective rate: 125 bps a 257% increase in under two years.
2020 The ReturnRe-Audit. Restructure. Relief.
Full re-audit. All hidden fees identified. Rate restructured to 5 basis points over pure interchange one-twentieth of what they had been paying.
Today OngoingStability, Trust, Transparency
Fees continuously monitored, verified, and optimized every month. Every dollar saved is confirmed to still be saved. That’s the weAudit difference.
The Numbers
What the Statements Actually Showed
Three snapshots across Autowash’s history. The contrast doesn’t lie.
2013 Before Audit.35 bps
Effective rate over interchange
$1,500/yr in hidden errors
$1,500/yr in hidden errors
2020 While Away125 bps
Hidden padding + Amex surcharges + unreturned rebates
$7,000+/yr in losses
$7,000+/yr in losses
2020+ Back With weAudit5 bps
Over pure interchange
One-twentieth of their away rate
One-twentieth of their away rate
| Phase | Stated Rate | Hidden Fees | True Effective Rate | Annual Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 (Pre-Audit) | 25 bps + 10¢ | ~$1,500/yr errors | .35 bps | ~$1,500 |
| 2013–2018 (With weAudit) | .07 bps + 10¢ | None monitored monthly | 9 bps total | $0 |
| 2018–2020 (Away) | 50 bps stated | +47 bps padding, rebates kept | 125 bps | $7,000+ |
| 2020–Present | 5 bps over interchange | None monitored monthly | 5 bps | $0 |
About Autowash Maintenance Corporation
Since our incorporation in 1971, Autowash Maintenance Corporation has grown to become the largest supplier of car wash equipment and parts in the Northeast United States. With over 600 car washes in six states, we have built unmatched expertise in the car wash industry.
Our family-owned business was built on three core ambitions:
01Providing the highest quality car wash equipment, supplies, and products at competitive rates.
02Providing an efficient and cost-effective delivery system.
03Offering stellar customer service while helping clients grow in the car wash industry.
Senior technicians are factory trained with 20–30+ years of experience. Autowash guides clients through development, construction, and maintenance of their wash from the ground up.