Repairing Equiptment: How difficult is it to learn?

[Palmyra Jim]

On a scale of 1-10...I am probably a 4.5 when it comes to mechanical aptitude. I have physically built a house and completed simple maintenance on my cars: kept an old Volkswagen running for several years using manuals.

The current owner is willing to stick around and teach me much of the business and we will have to work out a warranty and support contract as part of the offer. I also understand that most of the machines are modular and trouble shooting often is moving modules from working machines to non-working machines.

How long can I expect to develop the understanding and skills to complete most of the repairs on my own? Am I foolish to believe that all machines have a basic layout that I can learn by tinkering with non-working machines (currently stored for parts) and learn the trouble shooting techniques.

I have been reading through the support forum and know I will definitely be signing up as a premium member the day I decide to purchase the current operation.

Current skills:
running pipe for gas and water
running electrical wires and connections to breaker boxes
basic plumbing
stronger at framing, putting up walls and surface appearance
Counting Coins (*S*)
I have changed out components on hot water heaters for home use.

Lacking:
basic knowledge of washer and dryer components (although currently devouring materials as I go through this process)
Commercial water heaters
trouble shooting knowledge
I will have to learn how to use the voltage tester that I have!
Regular maintenance tasks of the washers and dryers

There may be more skills that I have and many I do not that I can not think to mention. At 54 years old, I am still excited about learning and getting my hands dirty.

Jim

[rmathome]

Sounds to me like you are underestimating yourself. From what you say, I would say you are not a 4.5 in mechanical aptitude. More like an 8.5

I have similar skills - I have never contracted out fro any work done to my house and it has been extensive. Plumbing, electric, carpentry, you name it.

Few people I know do anything in these areas.

You mention: running pipe, changing parts on water heaters, running wires to the breaker box, etc.

Your average homeowner doesnt go anywhere near this kind of work and knows little about it - in my opinion.

I think your ahead of a big chunk of people out there in this area.

[TLR]

It should be very easy for you.
The hard part is finding "hands on" training - on site - when you have a current problem. It is easy to learn and diagnose. 80% of the problems are re-occurring - and once you have learned to diagnose and fix that problem - you wil recognize it the next time.
If owner will train you - (which will be tough cause he will want to get his money and be done with it )- unless he has machines going down all the time - that is a bonus.
For the first year - I paid a manufacturer to come in my mat and service machines with me standing over his shoulder asking questions and going thru diagnosis. That was expensive - but I had no other choice. Since then - I have gone to the manufacturer's service school - but they only have them once a year - maybe twice.

TLR

[Palmyra Jim]

I just finished a 4 hour meeting with the owner who is staying in town and is considering holding paper for 1/2 the purchase price of two locations. He has grandchildren and family in the area so is not going anywhere. He has agreed to work out availability to teach me the troubleshooting and repairs....between the feedback and today's meeting things are looking pretty good....

Jim

[pete f]

Jim, I think you are fine, maybe to qualified. When I bought my first mat I was very worried like you, and had much experience like you. I had mentioned this to my mother and she said " don;t worry dryers are made by dummies" I have no idea where she got this, but it made me confident, and she was right. Dryers are easy to fix, and washers are easy to. After you get the place, just post questions here. We all like to talk shop and repairs.

[Silent Roo]

Think of it like this,

Wash machines do three things,

They Fill
They Spin
They Dump

Dryers do two

They heat
they turn.

That is all there is too it!

There are a limited number of thing it can be. If you can tell me where the machine hangs up in the cycle I can generally tell you what it is. I would guess you can too. Or will be able to in a couple of months. The electrical tester is important and necessary, however generally you can assume that if X is happening it is probably y and even with out the tester you are right 90% of the time.

The mix of the equipment you have listed is basic and with a phone, distributer, the current owner and this board, we should be able to talk you through many and most issues..

[Palmyra Jim]

I am meeting with the owner tomorrow to hammer out the details and then off to the attorneys for them to complicate and protect me....

Your encouragement is heartening. I hope to spend more time working on the business developing services and revenues than on machines....but will take everything as it comes; a day at a time.

Jim

[fishmanz]

It was a pleasure talking with you yesterday Jim. Your going to do fine. :)

[Palmyra Jim]

The seller reviewed a few simple repairs for dryers. We went through a Wascomat and a Maytag top loader. You are right....the fill..they spin...and they drain... I know I will be challenged and it does appear I am up to the challenge.

Jim

[VicG]

Jim

Hi, I am a Newbie to the Laundromat business. We purchased our store in March 2007.
There are 23 Wascomat Gen4 machines and 28 Huebsh stack dryers.

I had never worked on a washer or dryer in my life, but I ended up firing my mechanic in May and have fixed\solved all Wascomat issues since then.

I learned from the Internet, manuals, tech support people, and just my own troubleshooting knowledge. Took a good 3 months to learn the machines.

They are not really that hard, and this forum is a great help.
Today for example, I had 4 Wascomats down, fixed all isues in 3 hours and now all my machines are running. Previously, I would have to wait for my mechanic, who would only come on Fridays.

Vic

[Palmyra Jim]

Vic,
Good to hear. I bet you increased you profits considerably with that also!!!

The seller is planning on disappearing for three months come January but will be available by phone. I have started working with him now (even before closing) to learn the mechanics. I should be well ready when he heads off to sunny weather on his first extended vacation in 30 years.

I am signing up to the Premium Member as soon as the deal gets closer to closing.
Jim

[Kitty]

Jim,

I loved the Laundromat biz and I am a girl, OOPs I think now that I am over 40 I should say woman... I learned bunches, from a third generation owner. I kept tons of machines going in three mats for almost ten years..of course I did not venture much into the electrical or the guts, but I certainly could change out many parts and I trouble shot many problems for the machines.

Although it will take a newbie 15 times longer than the seasoned laundromat man or woman your gratification of owning your own business will be sweet and with time and effort I am sure the rewards will be great!

Good luck to you.

Kitty

[Palmyra Jim]

Kitty,
I am not sure what you mean by the electrics since everything is pretty modular from what I have seen. It looks like the hardest part will be troubleshooting where the electrical charge has stopped, or which sensor isn't working. Ken has given me some hands on experience with machines we have fixed.

In the past I have let my fear of not knowing get in the way of seeing the simplicity of it all. Not this time! Between Coinwash, the previous owner and customer support, I am looking forward to getting on top of this before the owner heads out for his month vacation /trip in February.

Jim

[Kitty]

Now until February, you have plenty of time to learn the basic, long term training will be daily. Although, no one wants machines down don't sweat the small stuff. You have the guys here, remember your manufacturer your distributer and be sure to trust your instincts.

Lots of times the customers will tell tales and there is nothing at all wrong with the machines at times although there are complaints so keep this in mind when trouble shooting... remember smile and grin and nod your head and look busy and come back to the machine later when in front of customers...

Great luck to you!

Kitty

[Palmyra Jim]

Tomorrow we sign the purchase offers and off to the bank with my business plan.

Hopefully in four weeks I will be knee deep in the daily management!

Jim

[Kitty]

Just out of curiosity Jim how long did it take you to write your business plan? Since this is a purchase what type of demo study did you do on the competitive market. Who is your competition? Do you mind sharing your plan?

Kitty

[Palmyra Jim]

Kitty,
I do not see a reason not to share it...especially since the bank shared a plan with me to use as a model to clear M&Ts loan process easily.

The two stores are in small towns and there is only the 1 store in the smaller of the two towns. The business plan was written for a store in a small city that has one other laundromat in a very isolated area and is the only place in town for dry clean drop off.

I did not really do a study other than the statistics from a few books and demographics from the Realtor. Since the business has been successfully running for 20 years with the competition and showing a consistent income, it was a matter of explaining why.

Send me your email address and I would be glad to share it with you or anyone else looking for funding.

Jim

[Kitty]

The question of sharing was not for me per se, but for others reading.

I understand that your store has been in operation for 20+ years, there is the track record and history and trends of the market you entering however not that this issue will effect you, but many times when there is ownership changes there will be change that may effect revenue, such as the owners had been the employees doing the wdf?

Will you be upgrading or has this store been updated recently? How many TPD and weekly sales above the current owners gross sales will you need to break even to meet your expeneses?

Kitty

[Palmyra Jim]

I would be glad to share it with anyone as a sample. Is there a place to store it. Once I become a premium member do I get document storage permissions?

Not sure what TPD is?

At this time the employees are working 4 hrs a day per store and I will be taking that over. The break even point is immediate even with the additional debt service. I count myself lucky on this one and am grateful for being able to start up without the break even woes...

I will be working to add wdf and dry clean drop off in the next 6 months after sprucing up the stores. I have my work ahead of me for sure.
Jim

[Kitty]

Please tell me you know the term turn per day is and what revelence that is to your revenue and how important this is to your ROI.

Kitty

[Palmyra Jim]

Thanks...and yes the relevance is apparent.
Jim

[Coinwash]

I would be glad to share it with anyone as a sample. Is there a place to store it. Once I become a premium member do I get document storage permissions?



I don't understand what you mean. We have 1000's of stored documents.

Looking forward for you becoming a premium member.

It also shows that you support us too.

Thanks,

Jonathan


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