• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Can we talk about how hopelessly outdated laundry machines are?

johnjohn320

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
I'm talking about public, coin-op laundry machines. Every facility I visit, whether in my apartment complex, a laundromat, or whatever, is all the same. The machines are not only coin-operated only, but they're quarter-operated only! It's 2011, what gives? Every other machine in the world (vending machines, parking meters, etc) has gotten with the times. Many of them you can even swipe debit/credit cards. They certainly take paper money and other coinage. Why do I still have to go to the bank to get rolls of quarters to clean my clothes?
 
Hi, I'm a laundry mat owner. This is my business. I make money by providing a service. Now the machines I have provide that service and customers seem to be happy to pay me for that service. I bought the machines a long time ago and they have been fully depreciated so their cost to me is zero other than some maintenance.

A customer once gave me the bright idea of buying all new equipment. I ran the numbers and his idea was terrible, his idea. I would be out of business within 6 months from the added capital and associated depreciation and operational expense of the new machines so I kicked him square in the nuts and told him good day.
 
Because you only have suck-arse laundry mats in your area. The one I go to has a machine that you either load money, or your CC into, and it gives you a prepaid card which you can recharge or toss when you're done. Pop your card into washer/dryer, press button... done.
 
spidey07 said:
Hi, I'm a laundry mat owner. This is my business. I make money by providing a service. Now the machines I have provide that service and customers seem to be happy to pay me for that service. I bought the machines a long time ago and they have been fully depreciated so their cost to me is zero other than some maintenance.

A customer once gave me the bright idea of buying all new equipment. I ran the numbers and his idea was terrible, his idea. I would be out of business within 6 months from the added capital and associated depreciation and operational expense of the new machines so I kicked him square in the nuts and told him good day.
Click to expand...

this
 
theplaidfad said:
Because you only have suck-arse laundry mats in your area. The one I go to has a machine that you either load money, or your CC into, and it gives you a prepaid card which you can recharge or toss when you're done. Pop your card into washer/dryer, press button... done.
Click to expand...

This.

I do like my old apartments coin op though as they were so cheap. $1 wash and 75 cent dry. The machines using prepaid card will undoubtedly charge more. I guess it's a trade-off to some extent, but I like having a way to spend my daily loose pocket change (the quarters anyway).
 
When I reflect upon all the things that sucked about being poor, having to use laundry mats rises to the top.
 
At the college I attended, they rigged old machines to work off the ID cards they gave you; was kind of nice but I imagine even that wouldn't be worth it from a running a business standpoint..
 
lxskllr said:
I never minded. You get to meet some interesting people, and I like funky old buildings.
Click to expand...
Smokers, god damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat. God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean. That and the lady who held her little boy up so he could pee in the trash can even though there was a functional bathroom twenty feet away.
 
IronWing said:
Smokers, god damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat. God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean. That and the lady who held her little boy up so he could pee in the trash can even though there was a functional bathroom twenty feet away.
Click to expand...

😱
 
He's probably just waiting for that old tank to break down before he replaces it, and it just never happens so he's getting better return from that old pile than he would if he replaced it. I'd say that is the correct move unless we're talking about one of those fancy overpriced apartment buildings with super high rent.
 
IronWing said:
Smokers, god damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat. God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean. That and the lady who held her little boy up so he could pee in the trash can even though there was a functional bathroom twenty feet away.
Click to expand...

See? That's interesting! :^D
 
you dont need to replace your laundry machines with ones that take credit cards.

replace your bill changer

AC2207.jpg
 
Smokers, god damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat.
God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean.
God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean and smoke.
God damn smokers smoking in the laundry mat where I am trying to get my clothes clean and smoke. I need oxygen where I smoke god dammit.
 
It cost money to replace mechanical coin operated slider to electronics debit cards, and not only that the bank charge a fees for the usage.
 
I'm more interested in knowing when NFC will take over so I can just wave my phone in front of stuff to make a purchase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top