Whats wrong with this picture

[epic02]

Can you spot what's wrong with this picture?

[epic02]

It's hard to see, but it's on the right side at the end.

[James2011]

Can you spot what's wrong with this picture?

someone took that picture which shows only partial portion of mat.

[epic02]

I was trying to get both mats in the same shot. Oops just gave it away. Heres from the other angle

[Sudds]

I saw both mats in the first pic.

From what I saw the older mat closest to us in the pic appears to have more vehicles (i.e. business) parked in front of it compared to the newer mat or the mat with the new sign.

I also see that the signs are in spanish and english indicative of the fact that these mats are located somewhere with a heavy hispanic concentration East Los, Bell Gardens, El Monte or something like that.

So tell us where are these mats and are any of them yours?

[James2011]

as someone said, it looks like the first one is smaller size than the second one, and the second one mimic the sign of first one, this S.C located in heavy Latino/Asian(Korean) loal community.
You store is first one? first one is doing more biz than second one...
or, first one and second one same owner, and the second one is under construction, and after finish, first one close and second one open....
not much information here, it's just guessing game, huh

[Jefflange]

I know whats wrong. We live in America and we have to put signs in Spanish and English. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

[Sudds]

I know whats wrong. We live in America and we have to put signs in Spanish and English. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

You probably already did.

What you say is true but do you realize that business owners (oursleves included) share the blame in that? We do so in an effort to get the business. Target, Walmart, car dealerships, fast food chains do it.

And just so you know, I don't have signs in Spanish and English at my mats but I can speak both languages and a little German to boot so... I talk and interact with my customers in whatever language makes them most comfortable. Life is good.

[Howard]

I know whats wrong. We live in America and we have to put signs in Spanish and English. I hope I didn't offend anyone.


What is wrong is the stupid liberal democrats in congress refused in the 1980's to make English the official language of the country. Almost every other country in the world has an official language.

[James2011]

What is wrong is the stupid liberal democrats in congress refused in the 1980's to make English the official language of the country. Almost every other country in the world has an official language.

English is not an official language??

[epic02]

I dont own either of these mats, There located in the San Fernando Valley. With a huge hispanic population. (Whats wrong with catering to your target demographics whether it Spanish, English, or any other language?) I came across this a while back when one of them was for sale. Not knowing I went into the wrong one. When I looked at the price I couldn't believe how cheap they were selling it for and thought something was not right. So I checked the address and realized I was in the wrong location. Then I notice there was another mat a few store fronts over. They Practically share the same parking lot. This place was so run down and neglected. It has sense been bought and remolded. I cant believe the nerve of some of these owners putting laundries on top of each other.

[surfflite]

It's called assimilation. And real legal immigrants who really want to be an American really need to learn & speak English. It's part of the legal immigration process to be an American. Of course if your intent is to just "visit" American temporarily to bilk as much cash & free services as you can before you get caught that's different.

[epic02]

This thread is getting way off topic...

[surfflite]

Ok, back on topic, so what moron would build a mat 100 feet from a mat? I'll tell you, someone who has not assimilated to America.

[Adamski]

Kenny,

I caught on to the fact that there are two laundromats within the picture. Upon close scrutiny, it appeared that both were open and operating too although one had more cars parked in front than the other had.

My first thought was why would the guy who built the second laundromat build it unless he thought that he could either run the first one out of business or buy the first one out and close it. If that's the case, I guess he was wrong on both counts.

My second thought was that they both appear to lack enough good parking for the size of the store fronts ... especially with those other businesses in between the two laundromats.

My third thought was I'm glad my laundromat is not located in such a cut-throat market.

[MrMachine]

Kenny,

I caught on to the fact that there are two laundromats within the picture. Upon close scrutiny, it appeared that both were open and operating too although one had more cars parked in front than the other had.

My first thought was why would the guy who built the second laundromat build it unless he thought that he could either run the first one out of business or buy the first one out and close it. If that's the case, I guess he was wrong on both counts.

My second thought was that they both appear to lack enough good parking for the size of the store fronts ... especially with those other businesses in between the two laundromats.

My third thought was I'm glad my laundromat is not located in such a cut-throat market.

Larry,

Did you ever notice that a lot of newbies that come into this business without doing their homework? Some have no business experience what so ever. Maybe they inherited some money and they always wanted to open a Laundromat. I've seen this time and time again in the New York market.

So what do these newbies do? They find a machine distributor (usually in the business listings of the NY Times) and they put blind faith in what that distributor says. There is one distributor I know in particular who is VERY unethical. When they ask the distributor why should we build my new store right next to this existing laundromat, the distributor says..." don't worry about it...you have a brand new store and you will blow them away." Of course when the store is built, the old store drops their prices, a price war ensues, and NOBODY makes any money! I am amazed at how newbies will drop down 4-5 hundred thousand dollars or more and put complete trust in a stranger!


There is an intersection near one of my stores where there were 2 laundromats across the street from each other, but they were owned by the same guy. I've known him for years and he said that he had his area "locked up". Well, guess what, a Korean church decided to build a big 24hr store at the SAME intersection!! We're talking THREE stores at the same location!! I guess they figured they would run him out, but this guy was tough, rich, and well established. They had a price war for 6 years!! Unbelieveably low prices, and they hurt my store as well since I was not far away enough from them at 6 blocks away. My customers then felt I was "ripping them off" even though I had lowered my prices too, but not enough in their eyes. Finally, the big Korean store closed down, but not after hundreds of thousands of dollars of losses all around. Prices have since rebounded.

It's the old Law of Supply and Demand which is inescapable....if the supply of washing machines goes up, the prices will inevitably drop and vice versa.
If the demand of washing machines goes up, then so do prices, and again vice versa.

[Adamski]

...It's the old Law of Supply and Demand which is inescapable....if the supply of washing machines goes up, the prices will inevitably drop and vice versa. If the demand of washing machines goes up, then so do prices, and again vice versa.

Paul,

Over Supply:
Here in my market, we have a lot of top loaders for several reasons. First, since top loaders were quite popular in the old days, laundromats tended to install quite a few of them. Second, a 5,000 sf laundromat was built about 30 years ago with a lot of top loaders. Third, even as recently as 5 years ago, a new laundromat was built from the ground up and included some top loaders. As a result, there ae way too many top loaders within my market.

Reducing the supply:
I've been gradually trying to correct this problem by reducing the top loaders within my own store. It originally was built with 50 top loaders. When I bought the place in 1985, it still had 45 top loaders. By 1986, I had it down to 19 top loaders. In 2008, I reduced the number to 10 top loaders with accomodations for the eventual elimination of those as well. Unfortunately, only a few of my competitors have taken steps to reduce the number of top loaders in their stores.

Attempting to increase the demand:
As a result, the vend price on local top loaders ranges from $1.25 to $2.25 to $3.00. The stores with the most top loaders have the lowest top load price in an attempt to increase demand. I decided a long time ago that I'm not going to compete with all those $1.25 top loaders in those Charity (ultra low priced) laundromats. I'll provide top loaders as long as they work well and look good but when they're worn out - I'm not buying any more. In the meantime, I charge the same $3.00 for my top loaders as I charge for my double loaders. That increases demand on my more efficient double loaders and decreases demand on my much less efficient top loaders.

[MrMachine]

Paul,

Over Supply:
Here in my market, we have a lot of top loaders for several reasons. First, since top loaders were quite popular in the old days, laundromats tended to install quite a few of them. Second, a 5,000 sf laundromat was built about 30 years ago with a lot of top loaders. Third, even as recently as 5 years ago, a new laundromat was built from the ground up and included some top loaders. As a result, there ae way too many top loaders within my market.

Reducing the supply:
I've been gradually trying to correct this problem by reducing the top loaders within my own store. It originally was built with 50 top loaders. When I bought the place in 1985, it still had 45 top loaders. By 1986, I had it down to 19 top loaders. In 2008, I reduced the number to 10 top loaders with accomodations for the eventual elimination of those as well. Unfortunately, only a few of my competitors have taken steps to reduce the number of top loaders in their stores.

Attempting to increase the demand:
As a result, the vend price on local top loaders ranges from $1.25 to $2.25 to $3.00. The stores with the most top loaders have the lowest top load price in an attempt to increase demand. I decided a long time ago that I'm not going to compete with all those $1.25 top loaders in those Charity (ultra low priced) laundromats. I'll provide top loaders as long as they work well and look good but when they're worn out - I'm not buying any more. In the meantime, I charge the same $3.00 for my top loaders as I charge for my double loaders. That increases demand on my more efficient double loaders and decreases demand on my much less efficient top loaders.


Larry,

Here in my market, there are very few stores if any, that have top loaders anymore. I still keep 2 top loaders in each of my stores for any customers whose home machines break so that they are able to find something familiar. They also come in handy for any real grungy dropoffs that we may want to soak in bleach for an hour or two.
The appliance stores seem to be selling a lot of front loaders now for home use though.

I had a store back in the early 80's that was almost all top loaders at the time, but that was because it had narrow isles (the classic "bowling alley" store, lol) and front loaders caused too much congestion in most areas of the store. Water was cheap back then, but I sold the store anyhow because it was in a shopping center owned by Leona Helmsley....a horrible experience for me and I was so glad to get away from her. Not that I ever met her, but her whole organization was so arrogant.