Things that drive you crazy...

[Super Clean]

What things do your customers do that drive you crazy?

I can list putting in the coins with all the force and might and speed they can muster and then they wonder why they don't drop right.

What are yours?

[epic02]

The stubborn ones. When you try to give them advice and there way is the only way. I had a customer put only Downy in the machine as if it was soap. When I said something she said thats the way she's been doing it and thats the way she's going to keep doing it.

[BCW]

They close the washer doors and leave the dryer doors open. They throw garbage on the floor or wherever they finish with it.

Tom

[Howard]

I just love the ones that pour bleach into the softener compartment after the water stops running so that it ruins the next customers' clothing.

[Super Clean]

I've had all those as well, well maybe not the Downy, I have had ppl wash with a disinfectant called Detrol but then add no detergent. Not sure how they expect the dirt to be washed away but damnit, it will be germ free.

[pressandclean]

It really gets me when someone comes in and uses one toploader, then tries to tell me how much money I must be making in the laundry business. :mad:

[James2011]

after washing his laundry, he complained that his clothes were not cleaned!
I checked machine and looked good and no problem with washer, I explained him that maybe he didn't put detergents either on-time or nothing....
he insisted that he put detergent and continued complain that washer machine was wrong....

[Adamski]

Guys,

A couple of years ago, I was running some Special Event Pricing on my dryers. One day, my 30 lb dryers would give an extra 2 minutes per quarter and another day, my 35 lb dryers would give an extra 2 minutes per quarter. Well, one day, when my 30 lb dryers were giving the extra 2 minutes, a customer complained that I only had six 30 lb dryers and they were all being used so she couldn't take advantage of the discount. I told her that she could wait until some emptied out if she wanted to.

I don't remember what she chose to do that day but I do remember what I did about 2 days later. I stopped the discounts on all my dryers. The only reason I stopped the discounts at that time was because of that woman's complaint. I suppose the lesson for her was - Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I still like to do Special Event Pricing once in a while. These days, I have a lot of both washers and dryers that are Special Event capable. I never discount all of my equipment at one time though; I like to do one group one day and a different group another day.

[Brett]

It makes me crazy (not far to go) when people take 20 minutes to get their laundry in 7 or 8 machines and then start them all at the same time. ARGGGGGGGGG

[SonomaJoe]

Screws left in clothes!!!!!!!!!!

[Self_Suds_WV]

We have a full time attendant and every machine is cleaned with pine-sol after every customer - since DAY 1.

I hate it when customers come in and want to use two scoops of detergent in a top loader. I explain it is not necessary AND it will result in suds left in their clothes.

The washer runs, and they go to remove their clothes - WHOW - SUDS GALORE - and they come up to me and say - I want a refund - there are still suds in my clothes your washer malfunctioned - 32 minutes after I explained to them what was going to happen.

I kindly point to the sign over each top loader: "One Half Cup of detergent in top loaders will get your clothes nice and clean - any more will result in oversudsing - we will not issue refunds"

They complain that the washers at other laundromats don't have this problem.

I invite them to wash again without any soap so the suds can be removed. Amazingly at least half want to add soap the second time through - WHAt??

John

[STOUT]

Toilets not flushed.



Oh by the way it is not hot, dry Southwest Utah right now. It is cold, wet, wind blowing Southern Utah right now.

[BCW]

We have a full time attendant and every machine is cleaned with pine-sol after every customer - since DAY 1.

I hate it when customers come in and want to use two scoops of detergent in a top loader. I explain it is not necessary AND it will result in suds left in their clothes.

The washer runs, and they go to remove their clothes - WHOW - SUDS GALORE - and they come up to me and say - I want a refund - there are still suds in my clothes your washer malfunctioned - 32 minutes after I explained to them what was going to happen.

I kindly point to the sign over each top loader: "One Half Cup of detergent in top loaders will get your clothes nice and clean - any more will result in oversudsing - we will not issue refunds"

They complain that the washers at other laundromats don't have this problem.

I invite them to wash again without any soap so the suds can be removed. Amazingly at least half want to add soap the second time through - WHAt??

John

John, The ones that demand a refund know what they did wrong. I have no sympathy for the know-it-alls. Especially if they were warned previously. Instead, I encourage liquid fabric softener in every load. Most are very appreciative to learn of this treatment to eliminate the excess soap.

Tom

[bo]

Maybe its just a Georgia thing but about once every six months some brain surgeon takes a dump in a top loader.

[Super Clean]

People always telling me I have deep pockets and can afford this or that, or my $100,000 upgrade in equipment this year is pocket change for me.


I had a customer in yesterday, we place face cloth sized cloth's on the machines if ppl spill or want to wipe their bottles. We just recently re-introduced it. A somewhat regular customer comes in, says "what are these for?" I said to wipe the machine if you spill. He says "so you want us to do your job now too..."

[Adamski]

Jeff,

We actually discourage our customers from wiping washers. We've found that when customers wipe up spilled detergent or fabric softener, they often leave a residue that looks really bad when it dries on stainless steel. My attendants are always on the lookout for spills and drips and they are trained to use specific methods to bring back the shine.

My attendants do less than one Drop Off Laundry per day so they spend most of their time working with the self serve customers.

[bo]

Almost forgot, my favorite homeless customers who decide to end their homeless experience by living in my laundry and the do nothing police who think that is a good decision.

[James2011]

stout drives me crazy!!!

[surfflite]

Customers who claim "that machine stole money off my card and it didn't start!" And the look on their faces when I ask them for their card so I can run an audit on it at the computer. Then the look on their face when I show them the printout showing them that they are a ball faced liar. I love modern technology. :)

[Super Clean]

Larry, we constantly wipe down our machines as well, it makes the customer feel as if they are helping out. Biggest advantage though is the customer can wipe off their detergent bottles without having to use the paper towel...saves the environment ;)

[Bluestreak]

Almost forgot, my favorite homeless customers who decide to end their homeless experience by living in my laundry and the do nothing police who think that is a good decision.

Two weeks ago, the local deputies actually BROUGHT a homeless guy to my mat because he was out on the highway, hitchhiking at 1AM.

Well, my live-in caretaker gave him a shower and told me he'd be gone next day. I come back three days later to find the guy hadn't left yet. He had a whole cart of homeless-guy crap sitting in my mat and had been sleeping there for 4 days. My caretaker didn't have the heart to throw him out.

Needless to say, both the local law enforcement and my caretaker got an earful on that day.

[Adamski]

Guys,

About 20 years ago ... I picked up a kid who was hitch-hiking along the highway. I was on my way home and I knew that a major blizzard was scheduled to arrive in a couple of hours. The open road was no place for a 16 year old (estimated age) kid to be that day. Anyway, he said he was headed up to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan which led me to believe he was running away.

I dropped him off on the highway which was 2 blocks from my house and told him that if he changed his mind about hitch-hiking that night; he could walk to my house and start out again in the morning. It wasn't long and he showed up at my door. During that evening, I convinced him that his best option was to go back home. The next day, I flew him back to his home-town airport in my plane. He went back home and the following Christmas, I got a card from him thanking me for the advice and assistance. He's probably the only hitch-hiker that ever ended up getting a ride in a plane.

[BCW]

Larry, That's a great story. That's the kind of thing we are all meant to do here. Good work!

Tom

[STOUT]

Kind of reminds me of the movie " The Blind Side".
Great movie.

[Adamski]

Kind of reminds me of the movie " The Blind Side".
Great movie.

Deward,

Yes, I guess it was like a very condensed version of The Blind Side.

Actually, I didn't do much. I just presented an option that was a lot more comfortable than what Mother Nature was offering that particular evening. He thought, "Should I stand here on the side of US-31 in the cold and dark with this blowing snow stinging my face while I wait for someone to pick me up or should I walk over to Larry's house where it's nice and warm?" Really, it was a no-brainer. He was a good kid who just needed some time to think about what he was doing with his life.

By the following morning, the storm had passed and he really enjoyed the 45 minute plane ride back home. He even got to listen to all the air traffic control chatter coming through his headset. Wouldn't it be funny if today he is an airline pilot?

[Sudds]

Guys,

About 20 years ago ... I picked up a kid who was hitch-hiking along the highway. I was on my way home and I knew that a major blizzard was scheduled to arrive in a couple of hours. The open road was no place for a 16 year old (estimated age) kid to be that day. Anyway, he said he was headed up to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan which led me to believe he was running away.

I dropped him off on the highway which was 2 blocks from my house and told him that if he changed his mind about hitch-hiking that night; he could walk to my house and start out again in the morning. It wasn't long and he showed up at my door. During that evening, I convinced him that his best option was to go back home. The next day, I flew him back to his home-town airport in my plane. He went back home and the following Christmas, I got a card from him thanking me for the advice and assistance. He's probably the only hitch-hiker that ever ended up getting a ride in a plane.

Wow! I am totally and completely impressed. Kudos to you for altering this young person's outcome. I am sure the biggest payback was in receiving and reading that card.

It is said good things happen to good people. Enjoy the fruits of your acts of kindness. Really hammers it home my friend.

[Brett]

Nice to hear a story with a happy ending. All you see on the nightly news is the worst of humanity. Thanks Larry.