Higher vend charge on new Machines?

[Anonymous]

Hi -

Anyone tried charging a higher vend on their newer machines? I've ordered some replacements and was thinking about charging .15 - .20 more on new tops, while keeping the rate the same on the older ones.

I have no rational other than trying to recoup my investment sooner. I've seen some folks mention charging less for cold water only machines, I really wasn't thinking about that. I'm replacing a whole row of machines and thought I could charge a premium on the new ones. Perhaps I should just wait a few weeks and raise prices a dime across the board?

What do you think?

[shad]

I have put slightly higher vend price on new machines and then after 3-6 months increased the price on the older machines. No complaints (Yet)

[Anonymous]

When I first bought my store the old owner had a crazy pricing scheme like that, but only in reverse. She had mostly single dryers and a few Huebsch stacks. The customers hated the stacks as they claimed they did not get as hot as the old SQ singles. So she vended the SQ's at 8 minutes for a quarter and the Huebsch at 10 min for a quarter - yet people still very rarely used the Huesbschs, only when nothing else was available.

[pete f]

Hi -

Anyone tried charging a higher vend on their newer machines? I've ordered some replacements and was thinking about charging .15 - .20 more on new tops, while keeping the rate the same on the older ones.

I have no rational other than trying to recoup my investment sooner. I've seen some folks mention charging less for cold water only machines, I really wasn't thinking about that. I'm replacing a whole row of machines and thought I could charge a premium on the new ones. Perhaps I should just wait a few weeks and raise prices a dime across the board?

What do you think?

I have normaly chargd more when putting in new machines, but have not been in a situation where only "some" where replaced of a like type. I would raise them all a little. Figure the new ones will get used more, most people will feel like they are getting something for the increase

[laundryboy]

I'm in the process of taking over a store that has three banks of 10 Top Loaders, in addition to 25 various sized front loaders.

Current pricing:
.75 for one bank
1.00 for the next
1.25 for the last

It is close to a college. Theory: oldest machines are the cheapest. Owner figured he would get them in with cheap washers and when the bank was full people would use the next higher. Maybe something to it, but I never saw THAT much TL business at one time.

After take over - plan to replace one bank with horizon/aurora and price the rest of the TL's at 1.25

[ajay]

I purposely just replaced 3 existing tops with new/used tops. I'm charging .25 more for them. People can see they are newer - so no complaints.

I believe you're on a card system, when you say "raising .10". I don't believe you'll have any complaints on that but for keeping more money in your pocket, I would still charge more for the new machines anyway. New machines warrant higher prices.

Depending on your clientelle, turns, equipment mix, I would think about getting front load machines instead of getting tops. Not only you'll get more money but you'll also save on your utility bill(i.e. soft mount Horizons).


ajay

[dzender]

I'd raise the prices on the OLD machines - they're the least efficient and costing the most to operate!

[Anonymous]

I'd raise the prices on the OLD machines - they're the least efficient and costing the most to operate!

Your point is counter-intuitive but certainly logical. From a customer's perspective though charging more for an older machine doesn't make a lot of sense.

At the end of the day your just working to raise your average $$$ per turn. I increased both the old and new vend price. When folks need a TL machine, they typically end up using the ones that are most conveniently located for them....not new vs. old.

Have a great day.