A good equipment mix ??????

[ThePoetSuede]

Thanks for all of your previous comments.
I am currently looking into opening a new Mat in the NY area. I am convinced that ADC dryers are the way to go and I am currently looking into Huebsch/Speed Queen or Dexter washers (Any comments on these?). I am considering installing a Mag strip card system as the benefits seem to cover the cost. Do these brands sound like I am in the right direction? I called on Wascomat, but their washers seem more expensive than most and I am not sure I can cover the cost. Any response would be appreciated.

[petefritz]

There are many brands, for many people. I would be out-voted by an opposite brand, IE, Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge
It seems most machines have problems particular to that make/model. Read up on all the laundry boards, you will see.
I can only sat some machines are not that good for unattended mats.
I would be concerned partly with who is going to back up the sale. Warranty work, parts shipping, etc, are issues to be addressed now.

One concern I have is your comment >>but their washers seem more expensive than most and I am not sure I can cover the cost.<< You are talking a thousand difference between machines, maybe if that, and on an average size store, maybe 5k -8k more for a wasco than a ?. If that appears it will break you you should rethink this business. I am not saying spend extra for Wasco, but a small amount in the overall picture, if this is a concern, than you may not be financially ready to enter this business.

[ThePoetSuede]

Your right in many ways. I have looked on this bulletin board for advice at many levels and I have begun to tell which equipment seems best. My next step is to go to a few mats and try the actual equipment for ease of use. My post wasn't necessarily to pick the Mercedes of washers per say but simply to get more insight, every bit helps. Regarding the Wascomat comment, when I contacted them I was told to do construction/installation alone would be about $150,0000 for 2500 sq ft space. So far this cost seems high. We didn't even get to the equipment portion. So again I was looking for some guidance. Ex: Can anyone actually say that they have been ripped off from a particular distributor? If they have I would like to be aware of it. I thank you for your imput, it helps to keep me on my toes.

[petefritz]

Price depends on where you are putting a mat. If you are building ground up some of the costs would be less, becuase you have to build anyway. If you are converting existing space the buildout is very expensive. I figure around $100 a sq ft at least, so a 2500 Sq Ft store would cost around $250,000 all set up with machines. I have seen much more, and less, spent, but it is a ballpark number. If they said 150k plus machines, that may be on the high side, but unless you do much of the work yourself, it is just the way it is. Gas work, washers pads, machine installation, electric, plumbing, bulkhead and hot water heaters, signage, extra a/c units, tile floors, ADA bathrooms, etc, it all adds up. I think this is a big reason why the return on bigger brand new mats is so lousy, or at least from what I have heard. There are some that do well, but they seem far and few between.