bathroom door locks

[gla44]

do the bathroom door locks that require a quarter really work? do they decrease homeless traffic?

[Monarch]

Not being "out in the world" as you are, I cannot offer numbers or facts. I can tell you that we have been selling the behoozis out of them, to Laundromats, Service Stations, Restaurants, quick food places etc. I have small chains in each of those markets that try one and then come back for many more units. So they must be doing something for somebody. I know that some have had issues with people getting PO'd that they no longer get a free hole to hide in. and then they try to vandalize the door, or the lock. But those are relatively rare. Maybe 1 out of a hundred. Call me if you wish more info.
Tell them you saw there company's name on Coinwash.com and to support this board and to become a Sponsor.
Norman

[GOKEY]

We Have Had A Coin Lock On Our Public Bathroom For Over A Year And It Has Really Cut Down Bathroom Traffic And Vandalism. We Are, However, An Attended Laundromat Which Makes A Difference I Am Sure. We Did Have Homeless Traffic - They Paid The Quarter. We've Had People Use Our Restroom - Paying - Rather Than Use The Local Grocery Store Bathroom Which Is Not As Clean.

[pete f]

I have them at two mats, and it cut down the traffic. Some homeless would pay the 25 cent and then stay in for an hour, some all nite. People seem to understand and do not mind putting in 25 cent if the bathroom is nice and clean. At the card store that lock needs a card to unlock, at one store I put a lock that you have to press buttons, a combination. They have to call me for the code. It works also. At the coin metered ones I post a sign saying I will send anyone who calls a supply of tokens, nobody ever has, I also state becuase of steet people I have to have the unit.

[ilovemydoggy]

Hi. I work a lot with the Homeless. Some are mentally ill and really have nowhere to go. I know it's a real dilemma. More kindness and understanding is needed. I shudder to think what would happen to any of us if we were stricken with mental illness. Some of these people only get $600 per month to pay for rent, food, etc. (I love in NJ, near New York City, can you imagine managing on that??) I purchased one of them a sleeping bag the other night. She was sleeping on the street in 20 degrees. Everyone religion I know espouses kindness to the poor and desperate, I think. But it's not easy -- it hurts to be compassionate, on many levels. ~ Nancy

[DuboisLaundry]

Hi. I work a lot with the Homeless. Some are mentally ill and really have nowhere to go. I know it's a real dilemma. More kindness and understanding is needed. I shudder to think what would happen to any of us if we were stricken with mental illness. Some of these people only get $600 per month to pay for rent, food, etc. (I love in NJ, near New York City, can you imagine managing on that??) I purchased one of them a sleeping bag the other night. She was sleeping on the street in 20 degrees. Everyone religion I know espouses kindness to the poor and desperate, I think. But it's not easy -- it hurts to be compassionate, on many levels. ~ Nancy

so donate to a church that offers bathrooms for bums, instead of providing one in your mat. I know I sound hard on bums and acknowledge that many did not choose this lifestyle. we are running a business, let others with training in social services run the shelters (and please donate to shelters and churches, the are on a very tight budget) consider it an investment in keeping your mat clean and making customers feel safe.

sorry to change the subject : If your neighborhood warrants it get a bathroom lock!

[pete f]

Hi. I work a lot with the Homeless. Some are mentally ill and really have nowhere to go. I know it's a real dilemma. More kindness and understanding is needed. I shudder to think what would happen to any of us if we were stricken with mental illness. Some of these people only get $600 per month to pay for rent, food, etc. (I love in NJ, near New York City, can you imagine managing on that??) I purchased one of them a sleeping bag the other night. She was sleeping on the street in 20 degrees. Everyone religion I know espouses kindness to the poor and desperate, I think. But it's not easy -- it hurts to be compassionate, on many levels. ~ Nancy

There probably are a few who are really needy. I still kick them all out. There is a place for any of them to go for help, a meal, and shelter. Most don't allow drinking or smoking, so fewer takers. I recommend letting the professionals deal with these homeless, your kind act may very well come back in a big way to harm you and your business. Donate to Red cross or some other agency when you feel that way.

[Mungo Spike]

The sign on our bathroom door says OFFICE.

Our customers know that they just need to get the key for the "office" at the counter, but people off the street just leave after wandering around the laundromat looking for a 'bathroom.'

Some people who are not customers ask at the counter if they can use the bathroom. I tell them that it's not a public rest room, that it's only for customers. They inevitably say that they ARE customers, so I ask them to show me their laundry card ... they often don't even know what I'm talking about ... they leave.

[fishmanz]

Hi. I work a lot with the Homeless. Some are mentally ill and really have nowhere to go. I know it's a real dilemma. More kindness and understanding is needed. I shudder to think what would happen to any of us if we were stricken with mental illness. Some of these people only get $600 per month to pay for rent, food, etc. (I love in NJ, near New York City, can you imagine managing on that??) I purchased one of them a sleeping bag the other night. She was sleeping on the street in 20 degrees. Everyone religion I know espouses kindness to the poor and desperate, I think. But it's not easy -- it hurts to be compassionate, on many levels. ~ Nancy

I'll give them a donut but they can't sleep in my bathroom.

[pete f]

I'll give them a donut but they can't sleep in my bathroom.

you are to kind, you know feeding them makes them come back and beg for more?

[Cranky Bait]

After a party on a Saturday night I stopped at my laundromat to check things out and I noticed the bathroom door was closed and when I opened it I found a guy sleeping on the toilet. It scared the $h!t out of me. Especially when the sleeper did not want to be bothered. I made it out safely and waited for the police to haul the guy out. The guy vomitted all over my bathroom before he left as a thank you for waking him up.

[pete f]

After a party on a Saturday night I stopped at my laundromat to check things out and I noticed the bathroom door was closed and when I opened it I found a guy sleeping on the toilet. It scared the $h!t out of me. Especially when the sleeper did not want to be bothered. I made it out safely and waited for the police to haul the guy out. The guy vomitted all over my bathroom before he left as a thank you for waking him up.


makes that Monarch lock look cheap now! I had a guy ( I assume) urinate all over the toilet paper roll sometime today in a non-locked bathroom. Guess it is a sick trick by a homeless, not sure. I have a meter bathroom at this store also, so people have a choice. Many choose wisely.

[Anonymous]

Were all in business and want to make a profit in out mats. I dont like giveing stuff away for free when we are trying to make money but a coin lock on the bathroom seems like a bad way to make money. I would rather have a key behind the counter and let good customers use the bathroom for free. Non customers and kids without parents cannot use the bathroom anytime. A coin lock or chargeing people seems like a way to piss off good customers. It would me !

[pete f]

Were all in business and want to make a profit in out mats. I dont like giveing stuff away for free when we are trying to make money but a coin lock on the bathroom seems like a bad way to make money. I would rather have a key behind the counter and let good customers use the bathroom for free. Non customers and kids without parents cannot use the bathroom anytime. A coin lock or chargeing people seems like a way to piss off good customers. It would me !

When you are attended of course you have that control you mention. Most mats around me are not, so customers know the drill. Most are quite happy to spend a quarter to have a nice clean bathroom to use, and woman have thanked me becuase they felt more secure with no homeless hanging around. This is a solution if you have the problem, it may not work everywhere. At one mat I have 2 bathrooms, one has the lock the other is free.The one with the lock always has TP, towels and is super clean. The other one we try to keep up with, this is the one the guy peed all over the tp rolls. You can guess which one the woman choose. The one they don't have to hoover over. Of course when we are there we give out tokens, even have let some passer-by people use the facility. I know less than 90% of the people use the batroom, it may be closer to 98%, so not to many really get pissed off.

[Anonymous]

When you are attended of course you have that control you mention. Most mats around me are not, so customers know the drill. Most are quite happy to spend a quarter to have a nice clean bathroom to use, and woman have thanked me becuase they felt more secure with no homeless hanging around. This is a solution if you have the problem, it may not work everywhere. At one mat I have 2 bathrooms, one has the lock the other is free.The one with the lock always has TP, towels and is super clean. The other one we try to keep up with, this is the one the guy peed all over the tp rolls. You can guess which one the woman choose. The one they don't have to hoover over. Of course when we are there we give out tokens, even have let some passer-by people use the facility. I know less than 90% of the people use the batroom, it may be closer to 98%, so not to many really get pissed off.


Just because they pay a quarter to use the bathroom does not mean they are not homeless or just pigs and will make a mess. It just means they have a quarter in there pocket. We have a few bums that use our phone and would also pay to use the bathroom if we would let them. Well glad it works for you.

[kbc747]

We have a washroom, and no one is allowed to use it period. They walk across the street to the Taco Time or next door to the food store. Been this way for 30 years and have wondered if I should consider a change but after reading the thread here think I will just continue on without. And yes even good people will wizz in the back alley when everything is closed.

[Anonymous]

My unattended mat had an open bathroom for twenty years before I purchased last year. I locked it for two months to send the general public elsewhere(including the liquor store customers who were sent my way). Reopened the restroom with a monarch coin lock and I couldn't be happier. I upgraded the restroom and customers are generally happier because it is cleaner now and keeps out the undesirables. Plus I make $15-$20 a week.