amenities in poorer demographic locations?

[Maywood2]

Hi. I did a review of my soon-to-be-competition this week, and I was surprised to notice that most of them do not provide the "amenities" that I was planning to add.
Examples: (all stores unattended)
--only one had a tiny little TV playing; the others had nothing -- no TV, not even a radio playing.
--only one had a snack machine or a soda machine
--none had any videogame machines to pass the time

Most just had seating and folding, a changer, and the washers/dryers, and that's about it.

The town is on the poorer side (demographics below). In an unattended store in a poorer location, is theft or vandalism the reason for such bare-bones? Or is it just not expected/appreciated/wanted? Anyone with insight into this, would love to hear your take on it.

Thanks!
John

demographics:
Pennsylvania
68% white, 23% black
22% no high school diploma; 44% high school diploma
Income:
21% income less than $15K
18% $15-25K
17% $25-35K
14% $35-50K
4% unemployed + another 33% "not in labor force" (!)
22% no vehicles

[DuboisLaundry]

if its clean, well lit, and the equipment works
thats the only ammenities needed when your customers can barely afford to do laundry

in a different market, where people have extra money to blow on unrelated stuff, video games, sodas, snacks, tv, etc might be nice

I actually have a mix of customer income levels, all the way from a 3 or 4 dollar tip on a 15 lb WDF to the other end of the spectrum, where they take a dirty load back to the car because they won't have enough to finish both loads.

[pete f]

does not cost much to run a radio, but you must select the proper station, ie, adult music. Soda, soap, snack and old video game all add up. If a "tough" spot then extra locks will help keep out the thieves.

[Maywood2]

Hi Pete. When you say "Soda, soap, snack and old video game all add up", you're talking about the additional income, right?

I wonder how much usage those things get from lower-income people. I suspect it could probably be a fair amount. (Having seen big-screen TV's in their apartments even when they can't pay their rent, and knowing that it's impossible to rent an apartment in this area if it's not wired for cable TV, and seeing people use the corner ATM to take $20 out, paying a $2.50 surcharge. It makes me think that they're not sensitive to some things, hopefully vending included.

Chuck -- with your mix of clientele, do you offer snacks, games, etc? What's your experience with the lower-income folks using them?

Thanks!
John

[Laundry_king]

Don’t fool your self I had a horse ride for a quarter which cranked out much money.
I also had an old 1950 or so penny scale which accepted a pennies nickels dimes quarters
You name it they put the coins in.
Soda machines with 65 cents a can which cost me 27 cents a can (I own an old coke machine which cost me $150.00). I had old donkey Cong Ms PAC man.
They ate it up oh yes I put in a 32 inch TV and a snack machine to boot

Oh yes it’s more money and time consuming but that is the job

with your mix of clientele, do you offer snacks, games, etc? What's your experience with the lower-income folks using them?

I really don't see a lot of WHITE collar in my store
They spend it you give it.

[pete f]

People that use your mat will buy soap, soda, snacks, some will use the payphone to call a cab to pick them up or gab to friends while waiting on landry. A few will play games, some will vacum out the car. One of my best soda/snack machines is in the mat with the lowest per capita income in the city. I don't gouge, I charge reasonable prices for the stuff. I don't have a game there yet, trying to figure out room for one. At another mat I may pull out a single dryer and put a game in it's place later on when it cools down. As said, if you can put money in it somone will.
You should consider two coin changers or one changer with double acceptors and hoppers!!!

[DuboisLaundry]

I have snacks and sodas and usually leave a radio on.
The local senior center drops off old magazines when they are done with them: I have hundreds and lots of people enjoy looking through them

There are games next door at the convenience store and I'm trying to get them to put up a sign to that effect.

who uses my snacks & soda?
late night drunks when nothing else is open ( after 9 pm ) ,
otherwise generally the middle of the market.
a few at either end bring their own snacks and beverages
the convenience store next door has more variety, but charges more, so some go there.
the lowest disposable income do nothing ( just laundry)