Need help

[zoom]

I'am a new member and I do not have a store yet,but I'am planning to have one in the coming years;therefore, I want to start a location research. My question is: How can I pay a visit to my neighbor-hood laundromat for my study without giving the impression the owners that I might be a competitor. Should I call them and tell then what I want to do? How can I even get some advise from them. Any answer will be welcome and appreciated.
Thank you.
Zoom .
E-mail stacyby@prodigy.net

[ndennis]

Hi Zoom

Several of us have been very critical of some aspects of the CLA and the Journal. You have joined the CLA because you percieve that you can get value. Here is the chance that you have been waiting for. There is a wealth of info available on this web site
If you have any areas that you are not sure about ring the CLA make you request known and you will get nearly all the answers that you need, plus extra support. What answers you dont get ask on the board "and ye shall get thy answer".

The 10 most important suggestions that I can make is;

1. Position

2 to 10 see above.


There are some very knowledgeable operators out there. Much more successfull than little old I. These guys also give their time and expertise FREELY. I know that some of the info that I have got when I was building my new mat was extremely helpfull


Neil

[William_Reinecke]

You should have determined by now that the biggest problem in this business is oversaturation of the market. If you want to open a new store, then find a market that is not currently served (good luck!). If you want to make money, buy an existing store. If you want to go broke, get a distributor to sell you a bunch of new equipment, pay some impact fees, sign a high rent lease, and put your house on the line for the note.

[SecretarytoBraveDave]

One successful mat does not mean another is warranted. BE a customer, but look and see? Are people waiting, is the store over crowded at peak times? If the answers are yes, then maybe there is room for competition, but remember one thing! There are only so many laundromat customers per area, town, county. If you percieve a well run mat with adequate services, don't invest in a portion of the market share!

Go be a customer and count heads, view the store and the owners business practices. If the mat owner takes no pride in his store, well you may have an area that warrants a mat. You may be able to provide better service and take his market share. No sympathy for those owners who don't care to provide great services for those less fortunate. But, if you find an area that has a store or stores that are well maintained and serve the community population, then seek somewhere else, or don't do it at all.

[Howard]

Why not just go in with some laundry to wash - i.e. BE a customer. While you are doing your wash, look around, talk to other customers, and perhaps talk to the staff.

[Howard]

Be warned, just because a mat is busy and people are standing waiting for equipment at 5pm on a Sunday does not mean it is busy always, or even making much money. Many distributors say that if you see this the area is ripe for another mat. Well it might be, or you may end up with two mats that are now both going to loose money. There is only so much dirty clothing out there.