“I have zero experience, I’m not mechanically inclined...”
How to choose Equipment Brand
Brand is important. However, the relationship with your distributor (the one who represents and sells that particular brand) is even more important than the brand you eventually pick. That personal relationship should make up your mind as to the brand you go with. Over the years, you are going to be dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment from that distributor. If you have a good relationship and you come to the table with a no nonsense attitude, they will be the ones pointing you to your next potential take-over stores because they know that you will partner with them when choosing your new line. Honestly, when it c omes to washers and dryers; they can’t build a better mousetrap. You can’t go wrong with most brand names, but the key is sticking to one brand.
The reason for this, your maintenance people, your own staff, your own attendants...; if you have 15 different types of washers and dryers in your store, everybody, (including your customers) is confused by that. Perhaps they like to use the same machine every time they walk in, but inevitably it will be in use by another customer, so they will be forced to use another machine. But if that other machine is an entirely different make and model... The knobs are different, the language is different, it simply makes tha
Look at Southwest Airlines’ business model. The founder, Herb Kelleher is a genius. All of the airplanes are the same make. Do you want to memorize 15 different maintenance manuals? (That’s a rhetorical question).
New vs. Old
Of course, you want to have all new machines, when feasible. There is much psychology to the laundry business. If customers walk in and see all new machines, they are excited. Remember in grade school, If you had a new desk or a new textbook? It wasn’t yours, you didn’t get to take it home, but it gave you a great feeling. For the first few weeks it was yours, and it was sparkling NEW. You get that ownership mentality. The customers coming to your store, they have that same mentality. They think exactly the same way.
Used equipment when properly maintained can make you just as much money as the brand new, OR EVEN MORE. New equipment is nice, but it c omes with a price. With a store full of used, humming machines you don’t c arry any debt service! No monthly bill. A smart owner may go so far as to take those old tan colored machines out and put five-year old white equipment in and watch the customers go crazy! A great example is a mat I took over in Glendale , Arizona
Think of Hertz rental car. They sell their rental fleet after certain mileage is reached. There are two schools of thought on this as a consumer. The first, “I beat the h3LL outa’ my rental car, I wouldn’t want to buy one.” Well, Hertz has professionals on staff who’s sole purpose is to maintain those vehicles. Checking the tire pressure daily, checking the oil constantly. I don’t know about you, but I don’t c hange my oil in my cars as often as I should.
As a rule, stay away from equipment that is five-years old or older. Keep in mind this equipment is designed to run 24 hours a day; 7 days a week. Some real maintenance issues can begin to come into play after five years. Most equipment has a warrantee for exactly that; five years.
Equipment Warranty.
What about that warranty? Yes, just like a car or house, industrial Laundry equipment is warranted for a number of years, and extended warranties are available. Even used equipment (if purchased from a distributor) is warranted. Let’s not forget, you can negotiate anything you want, if you are educated, and know what to ask for. So get out there and ask. I’ve seen as much as 9 or 10 years on brand new equipment.
These warranties are for parts, not labor, and NOT diagnosis. Let’s face it, changing a belt is easy. Knowing that the washer is not spinning because the belt is broken... not as easy.
Every major distributor of washers and dryers in this country offer free seminars where they discuss maintenance with you. They will take the time to guide you through the simple steps it takes to keep your investment in primo condition. Especially if you are financing a full store from them. They will send out one of their techs to sit with you for hours, even days to go over all of the maintenance so you can handle it yourself. Trust me, it is not difficult. All of the parts are plug and play.
Watch this video, it shows exactly what I mean, click it!
Here is the huge difference between owning a Laundromat and fixing your residential washer... You have a working model to look at right next to the one that is sputtering and smoking. You can look at the equipment right next to the offending washer and compare and contrast and figure out the problem without a degree in aerospace design. As for hiring someone to take care of maintenance; Once you have enough stores under your belt you can now justify having a full time repairman. But, I like the term “maintenance man” instead. Let him know that he is capable of maintaining your air conditioning units, taking out the trash, and even some building maintenance. Let him know up front that you need a little more done for his pay. You expect excellence. This equipment doesn’t break down that often, therefore if you want to put somebody on salary, make sure you are getting your money’s worth.
Have I talked you out of owning these little money generating gems yet?
