Do you or did you ever belong to the CLA ? [Archive] - Coinwash The key to a successful Laundromat Business.

JeffLange

10-13-2002, 11:04 AM

They are useless and their insurance rates are high.

posted 11-05-2002

I'll take it a step further. The person or persons incharge of the changes should be fired. They have not conducted basic market research to determine what us users want. In private industry they would be long gone. It is a disgrace how our organization is wasting our money by taking actions and spending money without getting member input to determine our wants and needs.

I get a bill for my CLA dues about 4 months before they are due. Sometimes I pay it, other times I wait till closer till the real due date. Mine are due at the end of the month, and when I was doing bills today the phone rang - it was the CLA. They wanted to let me know my membership was expiring at the end of the month, and if I would pay by credit card on the phone before 5pm today they would give me two free video tapes (retail value $19.99/ea they claim). So, by waiting I got more for my money - plus points on my credit card they are not to smart.

brucefla

10-19-2002, 04:50 PM

I have been thinking of becoming a member, but the cost seems WAY too high!

I was on the board of directors of the HWBTA (home wine and beer trade assoc), where the dues were 50/year per retail location and 250/year for wholesalers/manufacturers. We had approx. 250 retailers and 30 distributors....

All in all it was a sham organization IMO.... The executive officer was paid 18k a year and logged all types of expenses including memory for her PC, ISP charges (which she used for her own business), postage, etc. etc etc.....

Doesn't over 200.00/year seem high?

I would like to see their books and salaries of the BOD members..... All I got as Us Wholesaler at large, was free admission to the annual conference and a free room.

cesar

05-14-2003, 10:26 AM

Soaps,
What other coin-op magazines are out there?

tulsausageoff

02-05-2007, 07:10 AM

What about another option:
"would try membership but coinwash is just so good" as I would probably be in this category, assuming I had the $200, which at the moment I don't!
Geoff

bodman

02-09-2007, 11:43 AM

Hi, by being a member and attending meetings,( local and national ) you will mingle with other owners and the ideas exchanged are valuable. If you gain 1 new idea and implement it a cost of 220 is cheap. If you join and do nothing you will get nothing, In florida the negotiated propane price saved .40 a unit or $500.00 off my november bill alone. I ask did being a member cost me 220 or save me a BUNCH of money. THINK ABOUT IT>

anonymous

02-09-2007, 11:52 AM

CLA is a great value! When NJ recently looked to implement sales tax on coin laundries the CLA spent a large quantity of money on a lobbiest and monitoring to be sure that this did not get written into the code. You tell me what 7% of your gross revenue is worth, I am fairly certain it would be more than $220 :)

hnmaddox

02-09-2007, 12:25 PM

It did nothing for me in the long run I live in NC and use to use their Insurance but found better deals from else where.
I find more information from this board and members here on Coinwash.

I spent a quarter of the money here for information.

In the begin the CLA was helpful but not now.
I'm not bashing them but they servered their purpose and I don't see them as a help anymore.
I do thank them but Coinwash has done more for me in the long run. I'm a lurker on their board

Thank you- both of you

BUBBA

02-09-2007, 07:32 PM

I got a quote for their insurance one time, and it was so much higher than what I was paying locally. There is no local or state association in this area, so there is no interaction with other members. Can't justify the cost, dues seems high for what you get. I used to get the Journal, but I think they only send to members of CLA now. Of course maybe there are other benefits that I am not aware of.

daddy4ever

02-10-2007, 09:38 PM

I am more than happy with COINWASH.COM. I have looked at CLA a time or two but no thanks CLA.

Anonymous

02-15-2007, 02:20 PM

The ClA is fine if you live near a large city. We were members for a few years and quit because we never use there services. I do post on there board sometimes

hnmaddox

02-16-2007, 10:44 PM

I tend to agreed with these guys.
I used them for a few years then they served no purpose really at first it seem like the thing to do but latter I was out on my own.

One again no offense but I out grew them

They are useless and their insurance rates are high.

They are useless and their insurance rates are high.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kirby,Howard
posted 11-05-2002

I'll take it a step further. The person or persons incharge of the changes should be fired. They have not conducted basic market research to determine what us users want. In private industry they would be long gone. It is a disgrace how our organization is wasting our money by taking actions and spending money without getting member input to determine our wants and needs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kirby,Howard
I get a bill for my CLA dues about 4 months before they are due. Sometimes I pay it, other times I wait till closer till the real due date. Mine are due at the end of the month, and when I was doing bills today the phone rang - it was the CLA. They wanted to let me know my membership was expiring at the end of the month, and if I would pay by credit card on the phone before 5pm today they would give me two free video tapes (retail value $19.99/ea they claim). So, by waiting I got more for my money - plus points on my credit card they are not to smart.

Boxer

02-21-2007, 01:51 PM

Is this the Howard Schoenberger who in the Journal oh the shame and the hypocrisy.. Shame on you and them maybe they should do some catch up on this site.

Originally Posted by kirby,Howard
posted 11-05-2002

I'll take it a step further. The person or persons incharge of the changes should be fired. They have not conducted basic market research to determine what us users want. In private industry they would be long gone. It is a disgrace how our organization is wasting our money by taking actions and spending money without getting member input to determine our wants and needs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kirby,Howard
I get a bill for my CLA dues about 4 months before they are due. Sometimes I pay it, other times I wait till closer till the real due date. Mine are due at the end of the month, and when I was doing bills today the phone rang - it was the CLA. They wanted to let me know my membership was expiring at the end of the month, and if I would pay by credit card on the phone before 5pm today they would give me two free video tapes (retail value $19.99/ea they claim). So, by waiting I got more for my money - plus points on my credit card they are not to smart.

anonymous

02-22-2007, 06:27 PM

Only a complete moron would take a post from 4 or 5 years ago, and use it out of context, to try to take a swipe at a person rather than the topic that is being addressed.

hnmaddox

02-22-2007, 10:50 PM

Only a complete moron would take a post from 4 or 5 years ago, and use it out of context, to try to take a swipe at a person rather than the topic that is being addressed.

Thou Dost Protest Too Much

I like the CLA but this guy is a bad example for them to portray.
Cleancloths this guy is dirty. Why stand behind a Moron.
This guy Howard is on the other board and if you see some of the comments he said you will understand.

He seems very augmentative all the time.

Anyway I did really don't care for the article.

Where do there MEMBERSHIP fees go to?

They served their purpose for 1 year then they became unless

Just my two cents

Kitty

03-18-2007, 11:17 PM

Thou Dost Protest Too Much

I like the CLA but this guy is a bad example for them to portray.
Cleancloths this guy is dirty. Why stand behind a Moron.
This guy Howard is on the other board and if you see some of the comments he said you will understand.

He seems very augmentative all the time.

Anyway I did really don't care for the article Is this where there MEMBERSHIP fees go to?
They served their purpose for 1 year then they became unless

Just my two cents

When I saw the insert to the association article in the past month I hope others found it to be as disturbing to them as I did, or maybe found it just annoying as it did me.

Can opinions change so drastically? Will people have opinions that change according to who someone may want to impress? Will there be people who cannot see manipulation?

Take this drastic change of opinion, do you find it to be a credible article? Did you find it to be good marketing material? There is no credibility on either side of the article knowing what the author had previously written, nor with the publication knowing this particle text of the past had been read by the publication years past prior to putting this person and the article into print.

pete f

08-23-2007, 08:05 PM

When I saw the insert to the association article in the past month I hope others found it to be as disturbing to them as I did, or maybe found it just annoying as it did me.

Can opinions change so drastically? Will people have opinions that change according to who someone may want to impress? Will there be people who cannot see manipulation?

Take this drastic change of opinion, do you find it to be a credible article? Did you find it to be good marketing material? There is no credibility on either side of the article knowing what the author had previously written, nor with the publication knowing this particle text of the past had been read by the publication years past prior to putting this person and the article into print.

I had an interview with CLA, and has been published. They did not pay me for the interview, so that is not where dues go. Like any article on print, read and take what you want from it. Nobody is the final word, except Kitty.

mjwalsh

08-25-2007, 09:26 PM

Let not kid ourselves, there are political forces out there that can change the dynamics of local, state, & federal laws & public opinion. If there are problems with the CLA we should still work to be united with them on key issues. From personal experience, I know that it is much better to have the credibility of an overall more stable cohesive association outlining reasons to offset set some movement that can seriously affect our industry in specific ways. To walk away from issues such as our ability such as to at least assist our employees with health insurance & keep our rates affordable to our most needy customers points not ideally to that river in Africa again----you know which one "De---Nile?"!

Boxer

08-25-2007, 11:45 PM

I had an interview with CLA, and has been published. They did not pay me for the interview, so that is not where dues go. Like any article on print, read and take what you want from it. Nobody is the final word, except Kitty.

Great interview thought you would get more coverage on it on the CLA board.
But not to be.
Pete every time you speak I listen I might disagree on some of your views but your knowledge is vast.

Why don't you post it here where it would appreciated.

Anyway the CLA is fine as long as you no it's run by distributors and it one big sale.
Nothing wrong with that as long a the new guy who wants to conquer the laundromat world with a new idea. Knows it

So the CLA distributors sells him or her a bill of goods.
Seen it happen many times.

I was once a die hard CLA member until my distributor saw no more good use in me and open his store down the street from me.

He new my payments my bills and my life history never the less this was years back and there out of business.

Thank you Coinwash

Suds King

08-27-2007, 04:52 PM

I'm not a distributor, just an owner and every time i go to a CLA event I come away with a piece of information or an idea that makes me more money. weather it be vend pricing, gas savings, better signage or contacts with store owners it is all a good thing. Folks who say it's expensive are just in the business part time or they don't take the business seriously. Brian wallace(president of the CLA) is a greast speaker, i have been in the laundry business 20 years and every time i attend one of there semiars i learn something new or am reminded of something i forgot, and should be doing again for the greater good of my stores.
CLA keeps you on you on top of your game, and In business you need to be there, if not, your just another guy at the back of the pack!

Suds King

Boxer

08-30-2007, 08:34 PM

Suds King

08-30-2007, 09:54 PM

i always like to get a rise out of people, especialy ones who are in an industry full of part timers. Go and read the other statistics, for how many people are in the industry part time, the numbers speak for them self's.
But seriously, if more people paid attention to vend prices, utilities and dirtributors, the industry would be far more richer than it is today. how many laundrymats do you really see that are run well and profiting? not as many as there should be.
CLA keeps people sharp and in touch with market trends, products and pricing.
but most people don't belong to the CLA which is good for guys like me, that way I can walk right over my competition with superior knowledge of the industry and coin laundry trends. (knowledge is king)

Suds King

pete f

08-30-2007, 09:58 PM

OK you can take you nose out for a breather and but some money here big guy.

If it's not a lot of money then match the big guys here who shelled out $500.00

I love it when guys or Gals like you use up all the refesh air.

Sorry Jonathan But I'm not part time nor do I suck up.

Back of the pack LOL

So folks this guy is saying if you don't belong to the cla you don't take the business seriously.

Look at the POLL

What a monkey

I know suds king personally, and I can say he not a monkey, in fact that was quite uncalled for, we could all learn a great deal from him if he shares a few tips. You would be so lucky as to sit with him at a table at a CLA event and chat while having dinner. He does not blow smoke and does not flaunt it, you would never know, except his name preceeds him in these parts. Most people have problems running three or four stores, myself included, imagine running 25-30 and developing ones on the side.. As with any business, you always want to be in the know and on top of the game, as put, so belonging to CLA, coinwash and any other org to gain info above the comp is just common business sense. Let's not get into CLA bad/coinwash good bashing, it is just plain stupid. Both have thier very postive points for the owner who wants all there is to know. Around here we share info in vandlism, string attempts, and other things that affect us, does your comp down the street call you when some thing happen? Welcome to professional laundromat owners of Tampa Bay, FL. Our "Monkey" leads the pack..

Suds King

08-30-2007, 10:04 PM

thanks pete, I was getting beat up there, just try'in to share my thoughts with everyone on coin wash.

Suds king

Sunflower

08-30-2007, 10:16 PM

"Let's not get into CLA bad/coinwash good bashing, it is just plain stupid. Both have thier very postive points for the owner who wants all there is to know."

Pete, Thank you for that.

Boxer

08-31-2007, 12:50 AM

Pete I see your point but tell your friend to kick in here too.
30 mats surly he can show his green here and not call the ones here who are not believers in the cla

If you not a cla member your a
guy at the back of the pack -or saying if you don't belong to the cla you don't take the business seriously.

Pete that's CRAP! That like saying if you own a car you must have AAA
I once was a cla member it turned in to sour grapes why because the owners of the distributors ran the the association.

Look at the poll it speaks for its self.

Oh yes Suds King welcome to the open board of Coinwash.

pete f

08-31-2007, 05:21 PM

Pete I see your point but tell your friend to kick in here too.
30 mats surly he can show his green here and not call the ones here who are not believers in the cla

Pete that's CRAP! That like saying if you own a car you must have AAA
I once was a cla member it turned in to sour grapes why because the owners of the distributors ran the the association.

Look at the poll it speaks for its self.

Oh yes Suds King welcome to the open board of Coinwash.

Let's get over this, What is going on in your area that may be of interest to other owners around you? Wait, you have no area listed. Where are your stores? Comments from Chicago may not do much for owners from Islip, Ny, but all comments are welcome and viewed as information.

Suds King

09-01-2007, 11:03 AM

i have been rageing on about CLA, but i should also be talking about Coin wash.com, This forum is very good, to promote ideas, repair questions and trends. Coinwash has it's benifts and so does the CLA, not that the two compete, i believe the exact opposite, I think the two compliment each other, one offers a venue to discuss issues from the comfort of your own home and the other a venue to be schooled and to meet other laundry owners face to face. there are many other benifits to each but i'm keeping this short.
Cheers to Coinwash.com

Suds King

Boxer

09-30-2007, 11:17 AM