LuckyStella
05-10-2005, 06:03 PM
I've been running my father's mat for a little over a year now--he passed suddenly last April--and, since the loan was almost paid off, I figured no harm in letting it pay for itself to the end, and then deciding what to do.
Well, after a year I have numbers, know that it pays for itself, machinery breaks down very little, I have a good repair person (used to work for MacGrays before going into business for himself) for things hubby and I can't fix for ourselves, and it makes a little money. Not enough to get filthy rich on, but enough to keep someone in healthy pocket change.
Here's some info:
It's a small mat--10 MAH14's, 4 Maytag TL's, 1 Wascomat triple, and 8 Huebsch Loadstar II (III?) dryers. Not a lot of equipment, but it's a small community. And it's all paid for.
It's on a well system. I think that may be a problem for some... We have a water collection system to combat any well problems. It's not complicated, but it sure ain't pretty. There's also a water filter system and chlorinator that I really haven't been able to figure out. The Ionics guy just shook his head when he took a look.
Utility costs are fairly cheap as the heat runs on a timer and the lights on motion sensors. The furnace and hot water heater are oil fired.
We've recently painted the inside of the store, and plan to do some refurbishing to the outside, for curb appeal. The place is on a fairly good sized lot with lawn, picnic table, and landscaping. And it's across the road from a car wash--so guess where a lot of our quarters go...
We have a video system--I stuck with the vcr rather than switching to DVR as I didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't keeping the place.
Anyway, what else can I do to spruce the place up and make it marketable to potential buyers. And where do I look for potential buyers?
Thanks all for your help. I've spent the last year reading your advice to newbies, and have gained a lot of knowledge 'bout the business from you all.
Well, after a year I have numbers, know that it pays for itself, machinery breaks down very little, I have a good repair person (used to work for MacGrays before going into business for himself) for things hubby and I can't fix for ourselves, and it makes a little money. Not enough to get filthy rich on, but enough to keep someone in healthy pocket change.
Here's some info:
It's a small mat--10 MAH14's, 4 Maytag TL's, 1 Wascomat triple, and 8 Huebsch Loadstar II (III?) dryers. Not a lot of equipment, but it's a small community. And it's all paid for.
It's on a well system. I think that may be a problem for some... We have a water collection system to combat any well problems. It's not complicated, but it sure ain't pretty. There's also a water filter system and chlorinator that I really haven't been able to figure out. The Ionics guy just shook his head when he took a look.
Utility costs are fairly cheap as the heat runs on a timer and the lights on motion sensors. The furnace and hot water heater are oil fired.
We've recently painted the inside of the store, and plan to do some refurbishing to the outside, for curb appeal. The place is on a fairly good sized lot with lawn, picnic table, and landscaping. And it's across the road from a car wash--so guess where a lot of our quarters go...
We have a video system--I stuck with the vcr rather than switching to DVR as I didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't keeping the place.
Anyway, what else can I do to spruce the place up and make it marketable to potential buyers. And where do I look for potential buyers?
Thanks all for your help. I've spent the last year reading your advice to newbies, and have gained a lot of knowledge 'bout the business from you all.