Good Mix of Equipment

[katie_did]

What is a good mix of equipment for a 1300 sq. foot store? I have been proposed 8 tops, 8 25#, 3 40#, 2 50# and 22 dryers. I am the only store in town. The next biggest town has a very old bigger store. I observed people using mostly tops. It has no 50's and 3 40's. I am going in on a Saturday to see what people are using.

[Duane]

It may be a little struggle, but I would eliminate the tops (or leave a couple) and put in high efficiency front loaders such as the Neptune. This will increase your wash capacity, give you the ability to raise prices, but yet reduce your utility costs. Utility costs are only going to rise so doing it now will help you greatly in the future.


Should have at least one 50# and a couple of 35# so people can do comforters and blankets.

10 stack dryers (20 pockets) if you have Neptunes, 11 or 12 stacks if you have top loaders.

It is difficult to estimate a mix for someone since demographics vary from store to store. I have mostly students and my Neptunes get 8-9 TPD, but my 50# is lucky to get 2 TPD. The trend is toward large machines.

I would put in:

1 50#
4 35#
16 Neptunes
10 stack dryers


Your observation of customers will be the best determination on the right equipment mix.

[petefritz]

what is your customer base?

Lots of big iron is nice if you have the customers to use them. My smaller machines get lots of turns, the bigger ones do well also.

[katie_did]

Customer base is 23% renter. Income is 50k and lower. Not the best demographics I've seen. I'm counting on the several trailer park areas that are near and also apartment complexes. I'm not sure if I really need 2 50#. I don't like to put in so many top loaders, but I'm not dealing with an area with large families.

[petefritz]

here is an idea. You can plan for big machines, but put smaller ones in.

5 tops, 6 neptune ( or some softmount HE) I would still put in 2 or 4 18# hard mount, 3 25's 3 35's. 1 50 If you find you need more big stuff, you can pull tops ( 2 for 1) or softmounts. Just plan the layout for possible swaps. For dryers add up total capacity, then devide by 25, that will give you an idea of the number of pockets needed. Remember, soda, candy, game machines make good money too.

[Burley]

I agree with Duane----eliminate the tops loaders and get with the times. These machines are more efficient and do a better job for the customer. Also, less headaches for you down the road. I like Duanes mix except I would take out two of the 18# tops and add another 50 pounder. As Duane said, the trend is towards larger machines.

What is the population base of this town??

[petefritz]

the trend may be towards larger machines, but that is a dealer driven idea. As for getting rid of tops, especially in an area where the demo points to home users as customers, think "New Coke" of the 80's. It did not work. People like to use washers they know how to use. Keeping a few tops around is a big money making event. Kind of stupid to not offer them when your profit level is about 85% !!
It is not what you like, it is what your customer likes..

[Burley]

Katie----take a walk through a Best Buy store and you will see that many of the new washers being sold are front loading. In a few years the top loaders will go the same direction as the 8-track tape of the 70's. Then people will be going into your store looking at old, out of date equipment.

If you are the only L-mat in town, people will use front loaders if that is all you offer and then they will be happy with the experience.....and tell their friends. I don't know why some people are afraid of front loaders. This isn't rocket science......with either machine you place close in machine, close door, add soap, select cycle, then add money.

Good luck with your business! As you can see, there is no one answer and you will get a variety of opinions here......but our intention is to help you with problems that we have all faced.

Final thought on the large machines......if you are in a small town or rural location, the large machines may help you generate revenue from non-renters. You may get more people with coveralls, hunting gear, etc. Also, home owners with entry rugs.

Pete----New Coke? It wasn't a better product----that was the problem----and that product was diven by marketing-----not consumer demand.

[petefritz]

>>>Pete----New Coke? It wasn't a better product----that was the problem----and that product was diven by marketing-----not consumer demand<<

what did I miss?

[blueridgemat]

I just opened my mat in January '03. I put in 12 Neptunes and 10 30lb Huebsch machines. We are attended 80 percent of the time so these work good. We compete with another mat that has 30 year old equipment. We got all the customers that want better equip and want the clean environment that we provide. They still have some business and all there equip. is paid for. We use less water than they do and we are doing more business! The top loader is a dinosaur, so go with the front loaders. The door gaskets and inerta switches are the only problems that I have had with the Neptunes. I am watching repairman on these repairs so I can do these repairs myself in the future. Good luck!