new owner wondering about Grand Opening

[DanD]

Hi,I just opened my doors 2 weeks ago and the business is slow coming in.We have a brand new laundromat from ground up and full-time attendents.I'm in a very good area but also have competition from a new store across the street and another nice laundromat about 1 1/2 miles away.My question is:Should I offer half price washes for a month to get people in my doors?Any other suggesstions would also be helpful.

[SecretarytoBraveDave]

Dan,

If you built from the ground up, I am sure you knew your competition and their strengths and weaknesses before you decided on such a costly venture. You have to tell us the reasons you entered this market and what your advantage over the current competition might be? Are you a presence in the store, or is the store manned by attendants only? What type of management does your competition have?

[millenniumplus]

I think it would be impossible for anyone to suggest something to increase business and get the reuslts
you want without knowing about your area. WHat I will say is give it more time (than a few weeks!).
Be sure to treat the customers that do come in like "gold" (eg.: make it a positive experience) because
word of mouth is worth it's weight in gold. All I can suggest is try several things. We did half off on
certain washers certain days of the week to free drying every Wednesday (oouch!). That was
several years ago and we believe all of the above worked. We still have existing customers asking for that
deal today and new customers coming in every week asking about those deals thy heard about from a
friend. Build it and they will come - they just never come as fast as we'd like them to, yes. It's okay to look
at your numbers daily or weekly but this can drive one crazy. You should be set up to give yourself some
finanical space to deal with the ups and downs. Good luck with your Grand Opening!

[RWSmith]

I think the best "Grand Opening" I have seen or heard of involved free wash. The free wash lasted for 10 days and included 2 weekends.
Everyone and their brother will visit you and they will tell their friends.
You will not keep all of them as customers. However, when they are tired of your competitor or their washer breaks they will remember you.
Instead of a slow build up of revenue free washes will help you maximize your revenue quickly.
Good-Luck