75-80 lb. washers

[Anonymous]

Has anyone noticed distributors and various publications (the Journal in particular) are pushing mega-machines? I don't see many people using these, since they usually need to divide their laundry for various reasons. The rationale for this pitch is "revenue per square foot", and also customers who want to wash large comforters,etc. I don"t buy it. What do you think?

[David]

You have to know your customer base.

When I bought my mat and starting watching customers, I noticed that several times a week, customers would stuff 2) 30lb, 2) 18lb, and several toploads. So I bought a 50lb washer and it's been a big hit. And I haven't seen a loss in revenue in the other washers. But I don't think a 75lb would fit my customer base at all.

Distributors don't care how much a machine gets used, they only want the sale. If they see a trend in large machine sales, then they start saying, "Everyone is buying big machines nowdays."

It's called marketing.

[anonymous]

In one location I have installed one 80# washer that is used very frequently. As was said below, you 'll have to make a judgement on your customers needs.

[PeterH]

I went from 4 35# machines to 5 30#, 2 40# and 2 55#. Turns are down, but revenue is way up. You just can't tell people that they can use a 30# washer for a comforter when they think bigger is better.

I think 75-80# washers definitely have a place, but like David said, you need to know your customers and what's going on in your store. I'd love to put in a Continental 75#, just because they look so cool, and I know that I'd get at least a turn a day from it. But watching my customers and how people use the washers, my 2 55#'s more than cover the need.

The other thing is that you really need at least 1 dryer to match. Customers kinda get shell shocked when they realize that their big 55# load will not all fit in a 30# dryer -- or even in a 50# dryer! You start to hear the gumbling when they have to spread it out into 2-4 separate dryers.

[anonymous]

50# should be big enough in most layndromat.
75#washer is too expensive to buy and repair.75,80#'s washer have a lot bearing problem because people under load the machines.
Do you know how many bueautiful stores in front conver of the Journal went out of business ?
I know a few,Journal make their money by selling ad.

[Anonymous]

Can you give us some details how underloading a machine can hurt the bearings. This seems anti-intuitive.

[PeterH]

If the load doesn't balance, the stress on the tub shaft and bearing can cause premature failure. The machine is hardmounted, the stress has to go somewhere. Luckily, most machines self-balance well, and we are dealing with a commercial grade machine that is supposed to last.

[Jim F.]

I just finished an equipment upgrade at one of my stores. I put in an 80lb washer and two 80lb dryers. There seemed to be a period of adjustment for my customers. Now I have them waiting for the big dryers and I have them priced at half the time of my regular dryers.

The same was true with the washer, although they were a little slower on that. Now I'm doing at least 5 turns per day on the washer and it seems to be increasing. I'm getting people in who are coming to me just for that machine. The money I make every month off that machine pays my who payment on all of the new equipment. It was definitely the smartest move I could have made.

It is different for everyone, this may not work for you. But it seems customers are wanting bigger and bigger machine and they are willing to pay for it. Even if I need a new bearing job in five years, I'll do that, when I consider the washer will have paid for itself twice over in just the first year alone.

[anonymous]

I spoke to SNK bearing's enginer in clean 99,some servicemen and some dealer about 75 # or larger washer.
Most of them told me under load is the problem for the larger washer instead of overload.I have a 75# Wascomat washer because it was almost free,as soon as the bearing or motor dead,
I will replace with 50#.