Seeing The Light: Debate

[couvsuds]

Originally Posted by Adamski

Nick,

The CLA is after me to write another article for Planet Laundry magazine. I wonder how many here might find it interesting to read about my particular laundromat experiences spread out over the past 43 years. Any feedback on this idea is much appreciated. Thanks.

I'd read that story. I would particularly be interested in challenges that aren't apparent. Everyone in the business knows it's tough maintaining machines, or that help is hard to find. But surely in 43 years, you've found a few challenges far off the radar that can help make or break the business.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by couvsuds

I'd read that story. I would particularly be interested in challenges that aren't apparent. Everyone in the business knows it's tough maintaining machines, or that help is hard to find. But surely in 43 years, you've found a few challenges far off the radar that can help make or break the business.

Nick,

Well, yes. Actually I was thinking about a decade by decade arrangement that would touch on topics like the Nixon Price Controls, borrowing money at the 16 - 18 percent range and operating during years of high inflation.

[bo]

Howard,
We are in total agreement that a store should pay FMV rent rates. I take the majority of my income as rent, as rents are not subject to social security with holdings. Which means that owner occupied real estate reduces the risk involved in laundrymat investing.

[ldm]

Originally Posted by Adamski

Nick,

Well, yes. Actually I was thinking about a decade by decade arrangement that would touch on topics like the Nixon Price Controls, borrowing money at the 16 - 18 percent range and operating during years of high inflation.

Larry: I would like to read that story. Heck, I would like to be able to remember what happened in the 70's...it's a blur of hard work and hard parties. Les

[Howard]

Larry, I would be very interested in recalling how price controls worked - perhaps you could post that here. If you raised your washer price or dropped you dryer time did the Feds immediately show up in your store. Sound like such a thing could only work for big companies.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by Howard

Larry, I would be very interested in recalling how price controls worked - perhaps you could post that here. If you raised your washer price or dropped you dryer time did the Feds immediately show up in your store. Sound like such a thing could only work for big companies.

Howard,

Oh it worked alright. Anyone could turn you in if you raised your price.

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Adamski

Howard,

Oh it worked alright. Anyone could turn you in if you raised your price.

Larry please give us a history lesson, this is very scary.


Turned you in to who? I did not know the Federal government had any authority to control the prices of anything that does not cross a state line, isn't that what the whole interstate commerce clause is all about. Since laundry is not a regulated business (like phones, cable tv, etc...) I don't think even state or local authorities can limit what you charge. What was the authority for this (other than POTUS says so) and how could it be enforced, by whom and at what cost. Very scary stuff. Sort of like the current POTUS trying to do things that are not allowed by the Constitution.

[mmurra]

Larry - I would love to see the same type of story the the magazine usually runs, instead of the eye candy offered by big new stores operated by newbies, it shows you in your store, with you decades long perspective. THAT is what I long to see in the magazine; wisdom from operators in the trenches for years, satisfying customers and fighting the fight, in the arena. Give 'em hell Larry! Mark

[chslaundry]

can you imagine all the government contracting opportunities for them? woman owned + small business. in my state, last i checked, it was close to a 12% premium. could make money just subbing out to Aramark or cintas.

[laundryboy2]

FDR made it illegal for American citizens to own or posess gold in 1933. He did this by declaring that a nation emergency existed and required that all gold was to be delivered to a Federal Reserve Bank before May 1, 1933.

This was an Executive Order. Congress did nothing!