Nightmare 101

[Kitty]

I found this from a potential member, life for them needs a little uplift, hopefully we can find some....:)

THis is their story,

I am posting this as a word of warning to potential laundromat owners as well as to anyone else interested in listening because I have had SO MANY problems. Please be sure you develop a relationship with your distributors before you decide to do business with them. We learned this the hard way. Your distributor is supposed to know the most about the business and help you out... especially during the first year of business, with any problems with your new equipment, etc. Our distributors left town before our laundromat was even completely finished being built... now I have been having some problems with a couple of my machines, and I have no one to turn to without having to pay for their advice! As if trying to advertise, build my business and run a successful wash-dry-fold business weren't enough to keep me busy! I just cannot stand unprofessional, incompetent people that do not take their jobs seriously. There were a ton of warning signs during the initial building of our mat, but by then it was too late... we were stuck. They ordered too many machines, which didn't fit, put one aisle so close together, our customers would not have been able to walk down it... just make sure you double-check the layout of your store as well as the mix of machines (our distributor did not take into account the fact that we would not have enough dryers to accomodate the poundage of our washing machines) before signing any papers. I hope no one has the misfortune to work with the individuals I have in mind... and PLEASE, please make sure you check out your distributors and their work (educate yourself on the industry first) before taking anyone's word for iT! Just trying to vent and prevent anyone from the headaches we have been through in the past year! Thanks for listening... and good luck researching!

[Kitty]

I hope the investor that wrote this scenario will enlighten us on the ordeal. As we know the distributor may be a great cause of inefficiencies so can the potential owner that has no idea or clue what the industry requires. Id like to hear the whole story of all of this.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Kitty
I just cannot stand unprofessional, incompetent people that do not take their jobs seriously. There were a ton of warning signs during the initial building of our mat, but by then it was too late... we were stuck. They ordered too many machines, which didn't fit, put one aisle so close together, our customers would not have been able to walk down it

Kitty, this operator is an idiot.... who doesn't check their plans or invoices..... well then again whats an extra machine or two at 4 or 5 thousand a piece it's not like real money.

Your kind heart and sympathies are best placed elsewhere.

[pete f]

I kind of agree the Sean, these people go to seminars and learn how to get rich in the mat biz, then are disheartned when they find out it is not so easy. Sure, the distrib is going to build a perfect store and hold your hand and wait your beckon and call for a year. Get real. Ask Dunae or Mark or Gary how much time they spent on thier new stores, you don't here them complaning. I moved a store 2 years ago, I spent months inside the building just drawing layouts on the floor. I was there every day durring buildout, dealing with one problem, or another that crept up. I went over blue prints 100 times and still missed something. I was the one to pick out machines. How does my distributor know my market? They would only guess. The letter writer did not do enough homework before they got started, and certainly found out it is a hands on business from the very start of the idea.

[Anonymous]

Another sucker bites the dust. They got what they deserved.

[Gary C]

It is VERY tough to start a Laundromat as it is with any business. Pete is right many months of planing and then many months of work to get it going. Unfortanatly many people don't relize that in the business world it is buyer beware. The goverment does not do much in the line of regulation on that side of the fence. Unlike to consumer side where they have their nose in almost every thing. Some people get into biz. thinking they are being watched over. Not so.

Gary

[BWJR]

This is just one on a long list of people getting it handed to them because of a dishonest and incompetent Distributor. Eventually they go out of business, but not until they leave a long trail of blood behind them.

BWJR

[Anonymous]

That may be a good place to look for hardly used cheap equipment.

[detlaundry]

I thought you just show up each night and collect the $$$ :).....


Advice for anyone going to seminars:
"IF it seems too good to be true........" There is actually work involved.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by detlaundry
I thought you just show up each night and collect the $$$ :).....


Well yeah I do..... but I also do count the machines that is up until I hit 10 then I have to take off my shoes....

9 new neptunes on the bill - 9 on the floor
3 new tops on the bill - 3 on the floor
8 new stacks on the bill - 8 on the floor

OK.... maybe it is rocket science

[Kitty]

It seems no one has any sympathy for those who do not do their homework! I really cannot believe that people are easily misled? I simply wish I could get some of these money men who invest in a thought and not a reality......they could be investing in me, now that would be a no brainer! :) I lack in funds, not confidence

[NJ Jon]

Kitty -

Here's your chance - offer your years of experience to both potential new buyers, and lenders, as a professional laundry consultant.

If a business goes belly up, the new owner is going to lose, and I bet that the lender takes a hit as well. You experience could save both a bunch of headaches, and keep you in the laundry business without having to spend all your time folding someone elses cloth's. I bet if you established your credentials with a lender, he'd probably also front you the money for your own place down the line.

As for everyone who had harsh words for someone who has just learned a very expensive lessson, we won't keep new people around if we trash them the way this person was trashed. How about we lighten up a bit on the negative comments, and make them more constructive?


NJ Jon

[Gary C]

I have to say for the most part we where not trashing them, just not giving much sympathy. It's hard to have a lot of sympathy for someone that dose not do a LOT of homework before they go into a new venture. Educated competition is usually good competition. Uneducated ones are horiable. Low under market pricing for the most part and bad service.

Gary

[CharlieS]

As much as I hate to say it, I tend to agree with the consensus.

There are many, many people waiting to separate you from your money. I spent over two years preparing to purchase my first laundromat. I attended all of the CLA seminars and spent as much time as possible talking with other operators. Twice, I participated in CLA design workshops. I got great ideas and also a good handle on design issues, not from CLA, but from the other operators who were working with me at my table.

Yes, I still got surprised by some issues. My distributor (CLean USA) went bankrupt and stuck me for about $2K. I've never had an outside maintenance person work on my machines.

Rocket science, no. That's easier. Those guys don't have their own money on the line.

Charlie

[pete f]

Kitty posted this thread FROM another board (CLA) If the person who actually wrote this posted it here I think our comments may have been more towards what now needs to be done to get out of the mess, with a few what were you thinking thrown in..now get real.. I thought Kitty was looking for our general thoughts and comments on this, now she has them.