WASHER SIZE MIX

[gregdenv]

Can too many different size washers to choose from hurt your business? ie, ROI
Would not having 30# washers cause cust. to use 40# instead (increase revenue)or do they tend to overfill a 20#.(decrease revenue) or use 2-20# (increase revenue)
Would regular 75# cust use them less if a 55# was avaliable.(decrease revenue)
When is MORE not a good thing?

Anyone care to respond?

[Adamski]

Greg,

My laundromat has gone from 3 sizes of washers (10, 18 & 35 lb) to 5 sizes of washers (10, 20 30, 40 & 80 lb) over the past 6 years. I think it's okay to offer more sizes of washers as long as your laundromat is large enough to offer at least 4 washers of each of the smaller sizes and at least 2 washers of each of the larger sizes. I don't think it's a good idea to have one 30 lb washer, two 40 lb washers, three 20 lb washers, three Neptunes and three top loaders. In other words, a small laundromat with maybe 10 - 16 washers should offer no more than 3 sizes with 2 to 5 washers of each size. Each size should be grouped with other washers of that size so that a customer will have easy access to all the washers of the size that she chooses to use.

Some customers like to mix it up by using a couple of washers of one size and maybe one smaller washer. Ideally, a customer would get her main size washers on one side of the aisle and then just move to the other side of the aisle or bulkhead to get that one smaller washer.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[neal]

I think if I have toploaders I wouldent buy any 20# machines Maybe some 30,40,60,80 And I would use 2 size of dryers 30,50 stacks

[Adamski]

Hi Neal,

The reason I have both toploaders and 20 lb Huebsch hardmount washers is because I'm in the process of phasing out my toploaders. I expect to switch 3 toploaders for 3 new 20 lb hardmounts by 2011 and then phase out the last 7 toploaders for 20 lb hardmounts by 2013.

By June or July of this year, I expect to have all my toploaders priced identical to my 20 lb hardmount pricing.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[neal]

I agree with that idea. But its hard to get some of the old die hards off the toploaders no matter the price you charge

[otaat]

I was at the Sudsy warehouse in Southern California and one distributor claimed the sale of commercial top loaders were going to be banned by 2011? Has anyone heard anything similar?

[Run262]

My understanding is the DOE will begin reviewing possible new standards in the next year or two, but any new legislation regarding MEF and WF on commercial toploads (and homestyle frontloads) wouldn't take effect until 2013.
I don't think the government can legislate the obsolescence of a product. So my hunch is they'll still be around for some time.

[gregdenv]

I guess I stated it wrong. Let's try it again.
If a laundromat provides every size washer, 10,20,30,40,50,75 or 80, etc. will his revenue be different than only providing every other one. When confronted with the choice, do customers size up or down?
My experience is, they "most" of the time will size up, or use two machines thus increasing revenue. I do not offer a 30# or 50# and have never had a customer ask about one so, my question is not will it hurt business but can it actually change the revenue of a store?
I opened my store with plans for expanding in future but don't want to put in 30# washers if it is going to lower my 40# turns and the same for the 50# lowering my 75# turns.

[Adamski]

Greg,

Given a few choices in washer size, customers will choose what they want to use. For example: customer A might choose two 20 lb washers whereas customer B might choose one 40 lb washer. Given a lot of choices in washer size, customers will still choose what they want to use.

Instead of trying to analyze how washer choice might affect your revenue stream; try spending some time analyzing how you might best serve your customers' needs. Accomplish that and the rewards will come.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[gregdenv]

Larry,
My customer's "needs" are more machines avaliable. I've got the floor space for this was in the plans. I'm just not sure if I should add more 40# or introduce some 30#. Like I said, no one has ever asked for a 30# machine and I trying to decide which way to go. The revenue was a bi-product thought for discussion only. Thanks for your response and any futher thoughts you may have would be welcome.

[Adamski]

Greg,

I thought you were asking a theoretical question but you're actually referring to your particular laundromat. In that case, tell us how many of each size washer you currently have installed and what are their vend prices. Knowing that will make it a whole lot easier to advise you.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[capitolcity]

Just analyse the turns each machine gets and review the traffic during peak hours...

Are there machines that are completely underutilized? Are there machines that are close or at max utilization during peak hours?

Every mat operator should know exactly what each of his/her machines does on any given time period, and then desitions like this are relativly straight forward.

If no one uses the 30s or they are under-utilized, don't add more. If people are waiting for 20s or 40s add a few more of each.

[BCW]

Gregdenv, Try thinking outside the box. The reason your customers haven't asked for bigger machines is that they probably don't know that there are bigger ones. I believe that to balance your mix of equipment you would be well served by installing some 50-55lb. and 75-80lb. machines. The response should be incredible once they get over the shock factor. Good luck.

Tom

[gregdenv]

Larry,

Here are my current machines and prices.

(4)-75# $8.25
(8)-40# $5.00 to $5.75
(20)-20# $2.25 to $3.00

I'm averaging about equal amount of turns each weekly. A "little" less on the 20#.

[Adamski]

[ QUOTE ]
(4)-75# $8.25
(8)-40# $5.00 to $5.75
(20)-20# $2.25 to $3.00

I'm averaging about equal amount of turns each weekly. A "little" less on the 20#.

[/ QUOTE ]

Greg,

So you have 32 washers and room for a few more. First, if your average tpds over a 7 day period is 5 or fewer; you should probably do nothing. If your 40 and 75 lb washers are doing more than 5 tpds, you have a few options.

1. Increase the vend price which should eliminate a few customers while providing increased profit per turn.
2. Decrease the cycle time by reducing it to 2 rinses which will provide a faster turn-over and less waiting.
3. Install more washers. Your place appears big enough to add a 4th size of washer to your mix. If you decide to add more washers, be careful that you don't throw your whole laundromat "off balance" by having too few parking spaces or too few dryers or too narrow aisles.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif