Business is Down

[mark2842]

I'm just wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same. We bought this store in March and it was going so so and then in the last two weeks it just dropped. We came in and painted and cleaned and fixed all the machines. But a week and half ago we forked out for two new signs $2800.00) and thought maybe that would bring more customers but, it seemed like there are less now. just wondering what we are doing wrong. The store is located in Tucker Ga and we had a pretty good Hispanic customer base but, now they are slowly disappearing. Thanks for letting me vent and any suggestions is appreciated..
Mark

[William]

I don't know if you are doing anything wrong, but I doubt it. Times are tough. People are wearing their clothes longer between washes. As you point out, you customer base is moving away. So I think you have your answer and it is not that you are doing anything wrong.

[bodman]

Summer is here one of my mats drops 22% every time. Plus if you have a large hispanic population construction is down so they are moving.

One of my buddies have seen 4 to 5K decrease this year.

[Amex]

It could be the ICE raids.

[CENTEX]

Here in Texas the slow down in summer is dramatic every year. Been in business for 15 years and it slows down 15-20% every year. The slow down started a couple of weeks ago, the day school got out and the heat started. It always goes back up a week before school starts and the first time it cools off. Hope that trend continues this year.

[Rich]

I get the same summer slow down. About 15%. June is like flipping a switch, then about the first week in Sept the switch gets flipped back. But I can't complain business has be very good this year so far. I just bought a second mat, that one does not seem to have the normal summer slow down. But its close to a state park and we get alot of campers that make-up for normal summer slow down most mats get here.

[mark2842]

Thanks to every one's reply. Was wondering what we were doing wrong. Being new to the laundry business didn't expect it to drop that fast. Anyway thanks again.
Mark

[Suds King]

Sure the economy sucks right now and people are not washing at mats like they used to here in florida, down 20% on the average. people are sticking there clothes in two washers were they used to use 3 washers. plus they have discovered the old clothes line saves money too.
I really can't explain it, i have been in the business for 21 years and i have never seem a drop like this, oh i have seen the usual summer drop but nothing like this. as stated before the economy is changing the way people do there laundry.
Hold on to your arsses here boys it's going to get worse before it gets better. especially with rising commodity prices like Nat gas, propane and electricity. it is going to impact our bottom line.

Suds King

[pete f]

I am used to the summer slowdown as well, but in recent weeks I see people taking wet clothes home, to put on a line, they tell me, to save onn dry costs. Can you imagime what they will do when we get to 50 cents for 7 mins?. I almost thank them for doing that, as dryers are running about cost right now. I see more families showing up in one car, so if you get the leader, you get the rest. Keep the mats clean and inviting, hopefully they will return when they can afford it. I am not expecting to make much money over the next 6 months, but am not cheaping out the customers either, I am keeping the a/c cool amd toilet paper supplied.. Can you imagime owning an airline right now? Or a home builder? You have to look at someone elses' bigger problems to appreciate your small ones..

[PFM]

It's summer. It's hot, t-shirts are thinner than woollens and take up less space in the washer. You think you have a down-turn, go and speak to your local dry-cleaner!

The only way round it is to have your shops in a summer tourist area where local population is boosted to compensate.

[pete f]

A recent article on the local paper stated the strip club owners are off 25% or more,
just today the gambling stocks get crushed again to multi year lows, seems Vegas gambling income is way down, now I get an email from the airlines asking for support to curtial speculation in energy markets. While I feel for the strippers, and the gambling halls, the latter everyone should take interest in
pete
http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/

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