Payment systems compatible with different equipment manufacturers?

[silver56]

This question might be better in some ther area but it's very basic so figured I'd post here.

Is it possible to settle on a card payment system and then deploy that system across all washers and dryers regardless of the manufacturer? Meaning, suppose I buy a 'mat that needs new equipment, can I buy a mix of different brands (say Huebsch hardmounts, Horizon softmounts, ADC stack dryers) and tie them all together on one payment system or does each equipment manufacturer have their own proprietary system?

Thanks!

[Howard]

Originally Posted by silver56

This question might be better in some ther area but it's very basic so figured I'd post here.

Is it possible to settle on a card payment system and then deploy that system across all washers and dryers regardless of the manufacturer? Meaning, suppose I buy a 'mat that needs new equipment, can I buy a mix of different brands (say Huebsch hardmounts, Horizon softmounts, ADC stack dryers) and tie them all together on one payment system or does each equipment manufacturer have their own proprietary system?

Thanks!

Generally yes, but check with the equipment manufacturer. If its older equipment that uses coins to just close a contact momentarily for a start then yes, but if there are multi-payment options and a proprietary computer interface then the answer is not straight forward. Check first to be safe.

[zoomnbyu]

Originally Posted by silver56

This question might be better in some ther area but it's very basic so figured I'd post here.

Is it possible to settle on a card payment system and then deploy that system across all washers and dryers regardless of the manufacturer? Meaning, suppose I buy a 'mat that needs new equipment, can I buy a mix of different brands (say Huebsch hardmounts, Horizon softmounts, ADC stack dryers) and tie them all together on one payment system or does each equipment manufacturer have their own proprietary system?

Thanks!

If I understand the question correctly, Yes. The payment systems whether value add card or credit card have different card acceptors for different brands. You can purchase a mix and match setup provided the selected system has an acceptor for your brand/age of equipment. The networking PC in the back or the value add box doesn't care about the machine brand so much as the brand of acceptors or cards respectively that it's ported to. I believe this is also true on the new Standard and similar pay stations. Out of curiosity if you do this would you go value add card or credit card? Just wondering about others preference.

[silver56]

Originally Posted by zoomnbyu

Out of curiosity if you do this would you go value add card or credit card? Just wondering about others preference.

For me - and take this from a prospective buyer, not current owner - I'd be looking at a value add card and not credit cards. I've read all the articles about credit/debit card acceptance and how it could be the wave of the future but I see it as giving away economics in the form of interchange and other fees. Plus, I'd think with a value added card you could do a lot more in terms of running promotions and analyzing customer behavior.

I'm just thinking in terms of if/when I do buy and renovate a 'mat, I might want to make it a value-add card shop and mix/match various brands of equipment. What I wouldn't want to do is balkanize the card process where the card can be used on hardmounts but not on the dryers. Obviously, if I were to renovate with all-new equipment from the same brand I'd be able to keep everything consistent in terms of card acceptance, I'm just wondering if I can do that with a mix of brands.

[laundryboy2]

Having a store of like aged, brand, and controls will benefit you and your customers. Keep your washers similar will reduce training and confusion. "why should I use this triple loader instead of that one?"

Dryers should be similar also, but can be from different manufacturer.

For you, a single brand/equipment series makes maintenance easier. Parts stocking easier, also.

[silver56]

Originally Posted by laundryboy2

For you, a single brand/equipment series makes maintenance easier. Parts stocking easier, also.

Good point! And probably more leverage for help from the distributor if he sold all the equipment.