Increase in Vend

[rpeters]

I am in a pickle also, besides utility prices rising The town i am located in Easton PA is raised my water 20% in June added a Mechanical devices Tax of $25 per machine per year and is sticking me with another water increase the 1st of Feruary. i am at this 16 months and thought a mat was a good investment. I have replaced some equiptment with new more efficient front loaders (14 gallons per load)to replace the tops (36 gallons per load)to no avail. to top it off i have three mats within a ten block radius, they own thier bulildings and can keep thier prices lower due to this. i lease at $1200/mo. At laest they will own the building after lower profits. i don't know wether to raise $.50 now and be done or grdually at $.25 now and $.25 in a few months. i am at $1.75 tops, $2.00 fronts, $4.25 35lb and 7min for $.25 dry time
the new equiptment will ease the pain a little but i don't want to loose most of my customers

[brucehwalker]

Price for profit! If you can't make a profit, then why have a laundromat? Unless you are a 501c3 non-profit raise your vend prices.

[neal]

You seem to be getting good vend prices already and have very low rent . Why are the profits so low is it because of too many laundromats in the area or other reasons.

[DuboisLaundry]

increase 15cents now and again in a few months.

cut an article out of the paper or the notice from the water bill about high gas prices and increased water costs and put together a flyer and hand it out to anyone who asks.

I would say post it in the mat, but some customers who would not otherwise notice the increase will see it and start shopping around with so many other mats so close. maybe drop off an anonymous copy in the suggestion box or under the office door at the competing mats. This has to hurt them too, maybe not enough to push them into losing money, but definately less profitable.

[fishmanz]

You seem to be comanding good vends already. Try offering to buy out one or more competitors. They seem to be the problem. Too much compitition.

[fatboy]

You don't make mention of turns per day. Do you calculate that for each machine?

My tops are 1.50 and I'd like to push them to 1.75. I think I will.