changing equipment mix

[Anonymous]

I have 4 superload-II machines and 1 ipso 35 lb'er I'm thinking of getting rid of, replacing with new or lightly used machines. What would you recommend given my mix:

12 tops, $1.50
2 SC25 (25-pound speedqueen, $2.75)
3 SC27 (27-pound speedqueen, $3.00)

I was thinking of the following options:

5 SC40 (40-pound speedqueen) at $4.50

or

2 50-pound (suggestions?) at $???
2 SC40 at $4.50

or

2 SC25
3 SC40

or

3 SC25
2 SC40

Customers like the old superload-IIs, but I'm thinking I could use some larger capacity machines like 40's or 50's.

Any opinions? Is a 40 a practical largest-size to have, or should I get one larger machine?

- John

[amartlock]

I have a poor mix for the mat I took over several months ago. I have 20 tops, 14-25#ers and 8-35#ers. Based on the usage I've noted so far, I'd like to add two more 35#ers and 1 or 2 50#ers while getting rid of 6 tops and 4 25#ers.

If this helps you in your decisions, an ideal mix for me would be:

14 tops
10 25#ers
10 35#ers
2 50#ers

[Kitty]

John,

Whats your clientelle like? We had the most usage out of the 35-40 lb machine then the 50lb machine. I would think that you may want to reduce your tops as well and add more fronts to that space. We successfully did that conversion several years back and I think it was needed. By adding more fronts you add a higher revenue producer, more volume and higher efficient machine although they are going to be a bigger hit to your pocket book I think it will be a better purchase if you can make it work and works for your market. What does your competitors offer?

[Anonymous]

My clientelle is a mix of renters and homeowners, probably with a nod towards the homeowners. I'm not in a high-rental lower-income area.

I'm thinking if I had some 40's I could market towards spring/fall comforter cleaning, try to bring in more townhouse / home owner market that might not even know I exist.

My competitor across town (that I'm raising prices with!) has 2 40's as his largest machine, 6 or 8 superload-II's, and 14 tops.

Another competitor has continental-girbau 40's that look huge, but it is in a seedier area that my folks probably wouldn't migrate to.

Do you see a substantial difference (customer perception wise) between a 40 and a 50? If I had a 50 I could advertise 'largest washer in town', but I don't know that it's worth it.

As far as taking out some tops, yeah I could probably do that too although my space is kinda tight, it might seem too cramped.

Decisions, decisions.

- John

[srhaz]

For me, a good choice - and budget wise;
I would keep the super 20's and the Ipso 35
and get rid of two Tops and put in a 40#
If it is accepted well, then later dump the two 25's for a 50#
( a customer choice from 20# to 27# seems fine, why have 25#)


You will have a full low end choice, Tops and 20's
and then a selction of 27's, 35, 40 and 50 - choices your competition does not have. You have what he has and more - so why wouldn't his customers come to you.

If a customer comes in with 3 o r 4 loads, he will want several tops/20's or just only one big one.

[Maywood2]

My competitor across town (that I'm raising prices with!) has 2 40's as his largest machine, 6 or 8 superload-II's, and 14 tops.
Another competitor has continental-girbau 40's that look huge, but it is in a seedier area that my folks probably wouldn't migrate to.
...
If I had a 50 I could advertise 'largest washer in town', but I don't know that it's worth it.

Just to point out, if you also had some 40-lb'ers, it would still be honest to say "largest washers in town". (Or at least "none bigger!")

Of course, if they decide to advertise the same thing, it would look like someone was lying, but if you snag some customers from the ad first, or if they don't respond...

I'd probably go with at least one 50.

[Anonymous]

Runch----go big man! Get at least two large machines.....50 or 60 pounders. I have 60's and many customers come in for them only and you will see the same when the word gets out. Go with 60's and price accordingly. Forget the 40's.....you will see more revenue from these since they will be used by the customer who comes in for only one comforter or by those with several. They will also get used by the occasional customer who just walks in dumps in that machine because it looks like the load will fit....even though they could have used a much smaller machine. YOu will also see much use from those who don't sort and just want to dump all of their laundry into 1 or 2 machines. I saw a young lady come in last week and fully load my 2 60's then she loaded 3 30's and then 1 18 pounder. She also selected an extra rinse and extra hot cycle on EACH machine. She said she does that every week.....god I love it!

Super size these machines and you will be happy in the long run!

[Anonymous]

Also...price the 60's at least at $6.25 based on your other pricing.

[Anonymous]

Burley,

What is your brand of choice for a 60, just out of curiosity? For what it's worth I don't have 3-phase power.

- John

[PeterH]

Bag the Ipso and get a 50#. You state that the Supermates get good business. Unless they are acting up, keep them. But if you can get 2 50#'s do that. I have found that when you only have one, you have people waiting in line or people that come and see the machine is busy and leave. No! Stay! Spend your money here! Even if that means bagging a couple tops.

Nearly all comforters should fit in your 27# machine or in the Supermates. 40#'s are a good size for those customer who say "are you sure it will fit?"

[Anonymous]

Alright how's this for a thought. I have 2 stacks on this same wall that get almost NO useage, and give me lots of grief. So I've got 2 stacks, an oddball ipso, and my 4 super-II's. How about if I replace all that with:

1 50 or 75 pound dryer
3 35-pound machines @$4
3 50-pound machines @$6.25

My rationale:

1. I've increased revenue across that wall (ignoring dry) from $15 per turn to $30.75 per turn
2. Three new 50-pounders - impressive to customers, lots of capacity. Can really advertise for bedding business
3. My final mix seems reasonable, w/o too much overlap:

3 50lb, $6.25
3 35lb, $4
5 (25 or 27)lb, $2.75 or $3
12 tops $1.50

Any thoughts? Do I need the big-ass dryer or is that a waste? Does having just 1 of them even make sense?

My store is a hodge-podge of sorts, an entire wall of new stuff would really look nice, bring the place up a notch. I don't want to just run this place into the ground and have to dump it for nothing down the road.

I could break-even on financing with < 2 turns across that wall, which I would think would be doable with a bit of advertising.

Way too many thoughts going through my head to sleep,

John

Oh yeah and lastly the 50's would sit at the end of the wall, which is right in line of sight when walking in the door. The old super-II customers will head right for them. If they're shocked at $6.25, they can slide down and get a new machine for only $4. What a bargain, they think.

[Anonymous]

Scratch that, gotta go with 2 50's or 2 35's, I had my measurements wrong.

[Anonymous]

Runch---I have Huebsch 60 pounder washers. My dryers are 50 pounders. This doesn't sound like an ideal match but they work together just fine. Anything that can fit in the washers will fit in the dryers. I know some purists out there will say that this is a bad set-up and will extend drying time but it works.

One large dryer for 3 large washers doesn't sound like a good fit.....but if it works for your layout then that is what you need to do I guess.

Also, what about getting 2 washers that are over 50 pounds? I say that because I think it is better to have a bigger jump in size from your 35 pounders. Going from 35 to 50 is only 15 but going from 35 to 60 is 25.....much bigger and justifies the jump in pricing. Just a thought.

[Khach]

Burley,

What do you charge for the EXTRA wash and EXTRA rise on the 60's? I am installing new Huebsch 60's and not sure what to set for the price of the EXTRA cycles.

Thanks,

Runch----go big man! Get at least two large machines.....50 or 60 pounders. I have 60's and many customers come in for them only and you will see the same when the word gets out. Go with 60's and price accordingly. Forget the 40's.....you will see more revenue from these since they will be used by the customer who comes in for only one comforter or by those with several. They will also get used by the occasional customer who just walks in dumps in that machine because it looks like the load will fit....even though they could have used a much smaller machine. YOu will also see much use from those who don't sort and just want to dump all of their laundry into 1 or 2 machines. I saw a young lady come in last week and fully load my 2 60's then she loaded 3 30's and then 1 18 pounder. She also selected an extra rinse and extra hot cycle on EACH machine. She said she does that every week.....god I love it!

Super size these machines and you will be happy in the long run!

[Kitty]

John,

I'd think every mat should have at least needs a few 50's can't imagine any without a few 35's. Your addition sounds good but I'd be wanting more...you can go deeper with the same mix if you have the room can you add more machines? You should if you can.

Kitty

[Anonymous]

I'm entertaining the thought of replacing some tops with a couple of 50's....or I could put 1 50 at the end of my bulkhead, but I'd lose some folding space.

My mat is pretty small so loosing tables doesn't sound like a great option - although the plus would be it is a pure addition to revenue (not taking anything out), and I could see what the useage is before I think of adding another.

My folding tables are back-to-back 2x4 tables (4x4 total), with no shelves. I'm thinking of making up a custom table like 4x6, with a big shelf, so I could have people folding on 3 sides instead of 2. Then losing some tables wouldn't hurt as much if I put in a 50 on the end.

But, I have 11 6-panel oak doors in my garage waiting to be finished and hung, so that table is gonna wait a while :(

Have to get my doors sprayed before the wonderful midwest winter weather is upon me. Ugh!

- John

[Anonymous]

Burley,

What do you charge for the EXTRA wash and EXTRA rise on the 60's? I am installing new Huebsch 60's and not sure what to set for the price of the EXTRA cycles.

Thanks,

Just an extra quarter.

[Anonymous]

Were makeing an offer on a mat that has

32- toploaders
4-35# frontloaders
3-50# frontloaders


We will replace 16 of the toploaders with some 25# and 40# frontloaders and add some more stack dryers and double the folding space. I think it will really help the business.