Partially unattended????

[DaveLevenson]

Originally Posted by mjwalsh

... It seems like kind of a shame that "government sector" jobs are increasing with stimulus taxpayer &/or with inflated fiat money ... while more worthwhile small business "private sector" jobs are decreasing!

The President has told us that "the private sector is doing just fine now". I'm not sure what private sector he's looking at (perhaps GM, no that's now public sector I think?). I was tempted to snap a few photos of local strip malls with 1/3 to 1/2 of the stores empty and showing For Rent signs, but I'm not sure where to send them.

[surfflite]

This last Saturday, I went to the mat and converted it to partially attended. Lots of new signage, a newsletter on the BB explaining the changes. Had a "team meeting" and 2 of the 3 took it quite well. The verdict isn't in yet on the 3rd. We'll see. So today is my 1st unattended day at the mat. We have been open for about 4 hours so far, looks like I've had 10-12 customers in based on video monitoring....................................and my phone hasn't rang yet. knock on wood LOL

It is a nice sight to see the mat taking in some money that doesn't immediately get absorbed into an attendants paycheck.

[BMWHD3060]

Originally Posted by surfflite

This last Saturday, I went to the mat and converted it to partially attended. Lots of new signage, a newsletter on the BB explaining the changes. Had a "team meeting" and 2 of the 3 took it quite well. The verdict isn't in yet on the 3rd. We'll see. So today is my 1st unattended day at the mat. We have been open for about 4 hours so far, looks like I've had 10-12 customers in based on video monitoring....................................and my phone hasn't rang yet. knock on wood LOL

It is a nice sight to see the mat taking in some money that doesn't immediately get absorbed into an attendants paycheck.

Hope it all works out well for you.

[dbrown2508]

Kerry:

I've been 24/7 with 11 hours unattended since I bought the place (2 1/2 years ago). And I do not post a number for people to call if they have issues.

The occasional time, we will get a note underneath the door to the locked and alarmed wash and fold area, or a voice mail on the office phone. We usually take the customers' word if they say they had an issue with a washer or dryer, or lost $5 in the change machine.

As long as you are pretty stable about attended vs unattended times, I think your customers adjust. I find there are customers that want to come in when its attended, and some that don't.

I do leave my washroom open 24/7 - which ends up being a mess a few times per year for my staff to clean up. And yes - I get a few people wandering in to use the washroom, and a few nights per year I get homeless people. However making sure they get noticed (I end up most days at the mat before 7am) and kicked out scares them away before night #2.

So far, I've had toilet paper stolen, a $5 broom and a few water bowls. But othing that would convince me to either shut the doors early or make more of the hours attended. And being able to open unattended helps with things like statutory holidays.

[ldm]

Originally Posted by surfflite

I am at a critical point in this ownership, I feel I'm on the brink of failure but want to give it 1 last effort to turn the place around. I have NO control over utilities cost, rent/CAM etc....the only thing I can cut is payroll.

FYI, I have had the mat for sale now since Jan 1st. I have had 12-14 potential buyers interested. That interest fades fast once they sign the non-disclosure agreement and see the financials. I have never heard a word from any of them after sending them the financials. I'm asking $125K, paid $140K in '08 and would take $62K to make this problem go away. But so far, no one has even made an offer....not even a low-ball offer (which i would probably take)

IMO: I would not give up on the rent issue, not paying the LL for a few months (put the money away to pay if you come to terms) can be an effective way to get his undivided attention and convince him you are in dire straits.

IMO: You are doing yourself a disservice by asking double what you would take to make this problem go away. Get back in touch with the prospective buyers and let them know your bottom line, and immediately adjust your sales price on your for sale ads. Advertising twice what you would take is not reflective of a last ditch effort. Keep in mind, if someone simply took the operation over for free, you would save the $62K in a small handful of years.

I know there was some talk about flushing this investment, and I don't know where that went with your discussions at the professional team level, but if you have not thouroughly investigated this avenue, please do.

A few thoughts: I might consider advising:

1. Stop paying rent: Get in touch with the LLD (nothing in writing until you feel you have a decent deal in line unless you have a legal rep) and tell him you have lowered the sales price and ask him to take over your business. If he has a kid or ?? looking to buy a job, maybe he would consider the numbers you present. Ask for a new lease term at an adjusted price...you have the income and expense figures to back up your request.

2. Lose all your attendants except ONE, and hire her 40 hrs over the best times to be attended for each day of the week. Push teaching your customers the card end of the process and advertise on your signs as such.

As always, I hope you find an acceptable solution. Les

[canon]

Bad advice to stop paying rent. Most commercial leases, you lose all rights when you default. Even after one month. They can lock the doors! I have done this to tenets before.

[ldm]

Originally Posted by canon

Bad advice to stop paying rent. Most commercial leases, you lose all rights when you default. Even after one month. They can lock the doors! I have done this to tenets before.

In this situation, I am going to go ahead with that advice despite the lease, as I don't imagine the lease has any particular caustic set aside terms (as in mostly boiler plate terms), and if it did, in this last ditch situation, I am not sure it matters. I have residential and commercial Suites under management, and have had to deal with Tenant's (as we all do from time to time) that are in default, and in this economy, I am making every effort to maintain the customer base...especially on a few larger restaurants. Even in a better market, I attempt to come to reasonable terms with decent tenant's who are marketing and managing properly but are otherwise in a cashflow crunch. It's hard advice, but in this situation, and considering all the various threads on this particular store, I am hanging with the recommendation. Les