bathroom coin op tested already

[pete f]

I just got done putting in my new bathroom door coin mech and a young dude comes walking in with a beer in hand heading straight for the bathroom. He gets to the door, see the lock, and the sign about Customers get a token from attendant, others pay .25. He mutters some obsentity or so and turns around and walks out. Probably peed on the side of the building. There was a woman doing laundry, I said to her, that is why I put the lock on, and do you need any tokens? She did not want any, but semed happy with my new door lock. The look on that guys face was worth what is cost for the door mech. I get at least 10 people a day off the street running in to use the rest room, I hope to recoup my investment within 6 months. I will keep you all posted.

[Howard]

Pete,
I had one of those once upon a time. I put it in for the same reason you did.
The only problem I ever had was that the occassional bum with a quarter would figure that he had the right to shower, shave, and etc. since he paid for it. I never had a complaint from a customer (and I didn't give away tokens since I was unattended).
I "made" about $25.00 a month!

[Fred50]

A nice little side benefit of a card system is that you can use a card reader for door access to the can so that only customers or those willing to put the minimum of $1 on the card can use it.

[Howard]

I agree. A card system for the restroom is a decided advantage. Almost wish I had one.

[lang]

Pete,

Where do you buy the lock and what is the price? I am looking to have one for my laundromat. I just hate non-customer walking straight to restroom and create mess.

[SudsMan]

I suggest you investigate if such a lock is legal in your state, county, town, etc.

[Gary C]

easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission, I say go for it if the city objects deal with it then.

Gary

[Lar Hylobates]

The lock is "Universal" and is sold by Monarch Coin for $300.00

I had one on my bath door when I bought my mat, but bought a new one as the old one was worn. They have not changed the design much other than to have a bigger coin box. There are a few options as far as swing and thickness of door. The mechanism actually gave me a hard time for the first 6 months, I was terribly disappointed. I had taken the thing apart weekly making adjustments, etc.

One day I took it REALLY apart and found a loose screw deep in it. Since then the thing works like a champ. Hardly ever a problem. I make $2.50 - $3.00 per day and have the door open mostly when the attendants are there. I keep the bathroom LOCKED in the morning...it does not open until 8:00 AM when the attendant arrives. I have a nice sign indicating this and the coin lock is set not to accept any coins so noone can lose any money. This has been quite effective in ridding the bath of the swines.


Stonecold rides again

[pete f]

HL got that right, www.monarchcoin.com is the place to get them.
I saved about 25 grand by just buying the door lock and not the card system for a door lock. Is it leagal? Actually, in my county, no. A laundromat that does not have any employees must have open bathrooms for the mass of people walking by, while the C-store next to me that has a deli, serves food and drink, does not need to provide such a facility. I have a sign that says get a token from the attendent. The mat is attendend from 9pm to 10 pm every day. The law part kept me from doing this years ago, but after just 1 day I wish I did it years ago. I would not put one in my other mats, maybe..but if you have a public bathroom problem this is the only way you can solve it. I believe the woman customers will be happy, as many had told me they were gald when I locked the bathroom and put Out of order signs on it in the past when I had problems.

[Fred50]

Pete,

I wasn't suggesting getting a card system for the door access, but it's just another little benny!

[Beverly]

Another reason why I chose the card system in our store. I don't want ANY derelicts using my facilities (bathroom or equipment).
When the creeps come in, I just wave my card and say, 'Sorry (ha,ha), the bathroom is only for the customers who have the card." Thus far we have NO graffiti and I'd be willing to bet we have one of the cleanest and most attractive restrooms in Los Angeles!!!

[pete f]

Don;t you hate those news stories about some intersting thing and you never know what happened later on?

Ok, it has been about 2 weeks since my last confession.. wait, wrong room.

after installing the door lock, I hung out at the mat and gave out a handfuls of tokens here and there. I talked with customers, told them why I did it, and offered some tokens or told them they could call me anytime, leave a note, tell me how much they had put in the bathroom lockbox and I would send them cash. Nobody has yet called or left a note for that, and about 90% did not even want tokens. I did recieve a call from a woman just a few days after the install, she told me she spent $40 a week, and was pissed off, and the dryer did not dry all her stuff for 1.25 also. I explained I would refund her any money, and as for the dryers most are new and have not had trouble, and agreed her 1.25 should have dried her load. Not sure if she has come back or ever left. I decided Sat, Sun and Mon are the busiest days and leave the bathroom "unlocked" so I did not have to give out more tokens, which I ran out of anyway. I am trying to buy some off an ebay seller for .05 ea. So far I am still in business and last week was one of the best ever, remember I have dodo head with the new place across the street. So the bathroom lock does not seem to make me lose any business as far as I can tell, and it is nice and clean and smells ok also. What more could you want.
Verdict; $300 well spent

[Lar Hylobates]

amen

[Follow]

well..well...I was getting many non laundrymat costumer to use my restroom, I was sick of to see those people come in mess up my restroom..
i follow one of them and ask why is he coming to my store use my restroom( my restroom is not a nice one yet- not remodel yet.)
He told me that next door C. store send him here..man..I was mad..
C. store telling all those his and non shoping costumer to use my restroom..
I told C. store owner that DO NOT SEND ANYMORE PEOPLE...
lets see what will happen..

[pete f]

I had already been thru those steps.

Buy a bath door lock and screw the c-store guy. He will look like a jerk becuse he won't let anyone use his restroom, you will look not as bad becuase they can use yours if they pay.

I have already got my $300 worth in just the last few weeks not having the aggrivation anymore... you know what it costs for a heart attack now adays?

You still got to pick up the c-stores' customers trash cig packs and loser lotto tix though. But knowing thier customers can't use your bathroom somehow make it easier to do now.

God I hate being next to a C-store!!