An Interesting Week Shaping Up....

[Anonymous]

The commercial laundry which is about 3/4 from me had a fire early Monday morning. Spa sheets left in dryers I believe.

Alot of his work (along with his employees) is coming here. 1/2 of my machines are running non-stop. Yesterday he bought $340 in quarters from me, and today we're up to $370. My big challenge is keeping them from overrunning the entire laundry, but we've moved some tables and chairs to pretty much give them their run of one end of my mat. Things seem to be working out so far.

I have to admire the commercial owner. He reacted very quickly, and as far as I can tell, based on the volumes I see, he's keeping his business moving despite the hardship.

He's talking a week to two at this point, which should make it a good month. I believe he operates on Saturdays.....it may break his heart when I tell him he can't use my place on the weekend. I'll propose staying open for him at night, but can't risk alienating my regulars.

[William]

Give him a key and let him open up in the early morning for you and close it down at night!

[KJD]

You have the right idea, do not risk alienating a customer.

I do work with some commercial customers when they have problems or are overun with work and if you don't keep a careful eye on them they can overrun a mat and tick customers off.

I went through the daytime thing and now only allow commercial work in after 9pm until 7am, infact a couple of the commercial guys have keys to my mat to use at night.

I once was told buy a guy "we will put more quarters into your machines than your customers will"
My response was BUT if you tick off one of my good customers like a lady that does her clothes and her daughters clothes @ $30 per week @ 52 weeks per year X 16 years she has been coming to this mat, this is a $ 25,000.00 customer.

While the short term income is REAL nice you have to look at the larger picture.

Unless you have alot of extra room in your mat I would try to work out a night time schedule.

[Fishtown]

JimG, you now see first hand how commercial work can be done out of a laundromat. Why don't you try to develope your own commercial laundry accounts? More than 50% of my revenue is from commercial accounts. Commercial laundry in laundromats is one of the best ways to increase your profits.
Andy

[TLR]

What type of commercial washer is he? restoration, linen service, ? Did you solicit his business before this crisis - or did he just know you were down the street? I would like do increase my commercial business - any information of what works best - and which commercial businesses are the best to approach would be helpful

[Anonymous]

Andy-

I believe it was you're name that was given to me by the CLA, as more or less an "expert" in the commercial laundry field, and we spoke about 1 year ago. I appreciated very much the information you shared with me then, and believe me, I've been trying to build the commercial side of my business since then and have seen first-hand how it adds to profits. I did almost 5,000 lbs./mo. in commercial business in 2004, and am trying to keep growing it.

TLR-

This guy is a commercial linen service. Services the hospitality, lodging and medical industries. I didn't solicit his business, but his sudden disaster and my possession of nearby washers forced him into my arms. My experience with commercial is that a listing in the yellow pages is a must for those looking for laundry service, along with your proactive mailer to targeted companies in your area. I also use the Yellow Pages to develop my mailing list, and include medical offices, chiropractors, day spas and massage therapists, resort condominium complexes, etc. The guy in my mat now is a competitor, so I wouldn't normally bother soliciting his business. Good luck!

[pete f]

Given the guy is in need big time, and you can help him out, so to speak, i would suggest give him a key and let him process at night. He is a neighbor business man, so probably not there to rip you off, you help him out, and get extra biz.