Coin Machine Use

[Pat_Hinkle]

We notice a small amount of traffic that comes into our store to get change. Some, we know, are using this money to go back to their apartment buildings and use the landry services there. What are your feelings about sharing your coin changing machine with people who are not your laundromat customers? Do you think you create more hostility and possible problems by letting them know that this machine is for patrons of the laundromat only?

[BKROSS]

When we opened our fully-attended 'mat, a change machine was not even considered--no wallspace and no outside banking. If people are upset, well that's too bad. The thought of my going to the bank every other day to support OTHER businesses is nonsensical! The same concept for our restroom---only for our card-carrying customers PERIOD!

[kern]

I agree with BKROSS. You might try to put up a sign saying the change machines are for laundromat customers only. But signs usually don't have much effect. We have a couple of stores in the area that use to hit us for $20 to $50 a day. I laid into the owners, nicely of course, and told them that they had to get their own quarters from their own bank. I softened the blow by offering to let them change up to $10 on an emergency basis. So far it seems to have worked. I guess it all depends on how good a talker you are.

[Trab]

I am fortunate enough to have a customer base that brings in their own coins often enough that I do not worry about non-customers coming in and getting change. They do so more often than I would like though. And yes, I do have a sign that says the coins are for laundry customers only.

However, when I am in the store and I see this happening, I say “excuse me”, I tell them who I am, and explain to them that they have already made the trip over here, you may as well bring your laundry with you. I have a nice clean facility, and all of my equipment works. I also try to break down the cost to benefit factor. The apartment laundries are a quarter less than what I charge for a comparable machine. I explain the benefit of putting more cloths into the my larger machines to save money. I explain that my dryers are more efficient and will dry the cloths faster. I explain that the facility is safe and they can be done with their loads faster here than at the apartment facility.

Has this worked? A little. I liken the customers choice to do their cloths at my facility or at their apartment facility to me buying gasoline. If it is .01$ cheaper a block up, I go a block up. Aren’t we humans funny?

Trab

[Jim_F]

I have been wrestling with this dilemma for a long time. One of my stores gets hit in waves, sometimes hundreds of dollars in a weeks time. I watch the people take their change and stuff their pockets like a squirrel and look around at my customers and walk out. I have tried to stop people by pointing the big label on the changer saying it is for customers only. I have actually gotten people extremely angry with me. Usually they will say they will never come back there again. To which I laugh since they obviously weren't coming there to do laundry, so what was I losing. One guy screamed at me with the F word. I told him to get his skinny ass out the door before I called the cops. I have a very small hole in the wall laundry near mine and I've actually caught some people taking my change to go over there. I will not tolerate supporting someone else in the laundry business.

I've looked at tokens, but that carries with it other downsides. Someone suggested putting up a sign that there are tokens mixed in with the quarters and they are only available for use in this laundromat. There really are no tokens in there and they figure it out after a while. I've started to have some fun with it. When I see someone coming to raid the changer, I will unplug the changer from my office and watch their reaction when nothing happens. They get pissed off and usually don't return. One other thing I've thought of is to unplug as the bill is being inserted, but before the change comes out. Then tell them the refund will have to come out by check after you audit the machine.

[rgrimes]

Awesome idea!

[Gary_Crosby]

I look at this a an Opportunity to sell my service. Sooner or later they will be washing comforters etc. and if they are use to comming in for change hopefully they will return with their stuff to wash. I will however tell another business in there for change that I am not a bank Like Trab I too have extra at the end of the week anyway.

Gary