Question about Speed Queen Netmaster

[Mel]

Anyone have any praise or complaints about this system? I am currently shopping for new top loaders and considering this system as one to purchase. Any input us appreciated.

Thanks!

[Duane]

With the higher costs of utilities, why not go with a high efficiency front loader like the Maytag Neptune? Same space, larger load, with big savings on utilities. And a 5 year parts warranty.

[alexx5000]

I think the Netmaster system is great. No one out there has anything close as far as the electronics go. If you are just buying tops I would not buy it though, if you were planning to replace the entire store at some point then it would be ok. The best part of this system is the ability to network all the machines in the store together, into a central PC. It gives the ability to monitor the system from away too. I guess I'm a little partial since I sell the system, but I have owned many other brands in some stores that I had.

Personally, I would not invest in a lot of tops, but it depends on your locale. I would go with a soft mount 18lb, but I know from owning stores of my own that the Neptune is not a great machine. They are terrible to be exact and way over priced, but its just my opinion.

[Duane]

I have 30 of the Neptunes and love them. The first models, as with most new models, had their issues, but Maytag has been refining them and working out the kinks. I have the MAH20 model.

5 year parts warranty.
50% larger capacity than a top loader.
Customers love the extra large door opening.
High spin extracts that reduce drying times and dryer bottle necks.
Easily programmed to suit your environment.
Capability to do the super wash extended cycle for an extra quarter.
My mat has the CCI card system and the whole store is networked.

Last year I had 17% utilities of gross. All thanks to the Neptune.

[Jefflange]

A neptune may be fine in certain mats. I would not put them in a urban setting where they would get alot of abuse. In a rural or college town they be fine.

[Kleen]

I've been shoping around for a while for machines and doing some research in SpeedQueen and the NetMaster system and it calls my attention. Would you mind to give some idea about the price of the system in a "per machine" basis ?

Thx.

[actionmedia]

I am also looking to puchese Speed Queens.
I am thinking also to buy top loads. My potential clients (sudents) have no need of large washers. I belive I don't need washer with more than 12 lb.
Comparing 12 lb. frontlod SQ with 12 lb. topload SQ, the topload seems better: is cheeper, less energy, less wather.
So I would go with toplod for my store.
About netmaster, I heard good things about it but never try it. I'm thinking buing it too.
Also I would go with Card Mate system. Can do better marketing with it.
This is my opinion after month of research but I am not an expert.

[PeterH]

I think NetMaster works in the entire SQ line, not just the tops.

Actionmedia: Doublecheck your figures. Front loaders (commercial hardmounts) use less water and energy than tops, are easier to repair, last longer and are more reliable than tops. And when dealing with students who will tend to "cram and go", a more robust machine would be a good move. How about them SQ Horizons?

[actionmedia]

Thanks for your advice:

This is the information I got from my distributor:

1. Speed Queen Top Load Washers - 1950 $ each
• Model SWT211WN3020
• Capacity Dry weight: 5.5 Kg
• Energy Consumption: 0.8 Kwh per cycle
• Water usage: 120 lt per cycle
• Cycle time 35 minutes

2. Speed Queen Front Load Washers - 3150 $ each
• Model SWFX61WN3020
• Capacity Dry weight: 5.5 Kg
• Energy Consumption: 1.0 Kwh per cycle
• Water usage: 135 lt per cycle
• Cycle Time 35 minutes

According to that I have no doubt tops are better. Enyone have other info? Is the distributor trying to cheat me?

IPSO and Electrolux fronts are about the same price with SQ tops but have about 50 min. cycle. I am looking for fast washers and dryers.

If enyone have some info of the same kind and can share it please do so.

Teodor

[PeterH]

Maybe we are looking at different specs. I cannot find the SWFX model on the SQ website. I think this model is the 20# hardmount, but I'm not sure. The frontload Horizons are SWR961/963.

No way (at least in the USA where we have to do everything fast) is there a coin-op washer that has a 50 minute cycle. No way. Maybe on a home-style coin-op dryer, but not a washer.

Any coin-op washer that looks like a home washer is basically a home washer with a coin slide. They just don't last in a commercial application as well as the true commercial machines. If top load washer are what you feel you need, have at it. But you will be dealing with a lot more repairs and down time.

Are the prices you have in US Dollars? They seem steep to me...

[alexx5000]

ActionMedia,

You must be in Europe? Since all your numbers are metric. The prices you list are terribly high, but maybe this is so in Europe. The SWT is a top load and the SWFX61 is a Horizon front load. They should not have the same dry weight capacity. The Horizon will use far less water that the tops. Depending on the controls you should be able to set the cycle lengths on the Speed Queen units via the computer. Are you dealing with a high exchange rate where you are?

[actionmedia]

Yes, I am in Europe.
The prices I got them in Euro, like 1650 Euro for top and 2650 for front. I converted them in $ at 1.18 exchange rate.
If you tell me this prices are high what kind of prices do you have?
SQ don't have a factory in Europe. IPSO and Electrolux do. May be this is the reason SQ is more expensive. But like I said I am looking for quality and speed.

[alexx5000]

Tops are $650.00-$850.00 depending on electronics and the Horizon is $1250.00-1375.00, depending on electronics. Then add shipping. I assume there would have to be some electrical modifications depending on your electrical requirements.

E-mail me at alexx5000@hotmail.com and I may be able to assist you.

[StoneColdKiller]

I would never buy another top loader for my laundry and I must be out of touch with pricing, but I can't imagine a SQ top to be worth more than 600.00 and would expect a dealer to try to get 800.00 or more.
Wasted money in any case.

[alexx5000]

So what's your point?

[brucehwalker]

I have a Netmaster networked card store and love it.

Positives:
1. With the card you have one place to collect money
2. If you are buliding a new store, or even refurbishing, why build a coin store just like everyone else? Give them a reason to come a check out your store.
3. You can easily run time of day specials
4. You can set up different site codes to offer discounts to students, seniors, whoever.


Negatives
1. The attendants must be there to help each new customer.
2. The cards cost $3.00 each... easy card is much cheeper
3. I have a hard time getting warranty on cards.

[alexx5000]

If you are talking the easy card as in mag stripe cards, they are certainly cheaper. The difference is that the equipment to set up a mag stripe card store is much more expensive than for the smart card store (as in cost of card readers and card dispensers).

So either more money for the cards or more money for the buildout.

[Duane]

I priced out both systems (smart card and mag stripe) for my store. After the savings of my first batch of 4000 mag stripe over smart cards I was even.

That is just 16 months into operation.

If I do 5000 mag cards a year at a cost of $2,500, that would be $15,000 of smart cards. After 2.5 years the savings of mag cards over smart cards pays for my whole mag stripe card system.

[kellyjo134]

Hi Duane,
my husband and I are buying a laundromat with 4-year old maytag neptunes. 20 of the neptune 18 lbs.; 4 of the 30 lb. and 3 of the 50 lb. Trying to figure out water analysis -- broker gave me the bill and for 2 months and water/sewer was 1,690. Do you know if there is a way to figure out if the numbers make sense by just having this info or do I have to find out what his gallons used is. perplexed & confused:

[Duane]

KellyJo,

Send me an e-mail and I can go into detail on what you will need to help figure out your income.

Thanks,

Duane.

[hecdav1]

I hope you do not have the need to buy any parts for the neptunes all maytag parts are very very expensive just for this reason I would never buy maytag again EVER