Benefits of Jumbo-Sized Washers
Let's all agree that the larger washing machines are being pushed by distributors and the factories. Part of this push is that the highest profits come from the sale of their larger models; their lowest from their smaller machines. Laundromat owners need to consider if a 110-LB or 130-LB washer is needed in the typical Laundromat. (unless you wash hot-air balloons). A sixty pound or eighty-pound washer is probably large enough for most customers in a self-serve or wash/dry/fold Laundromat. Some owners who have 100-LB and 130-LB washers use them for their Wash/Dry/Fold business. To these owners they are using them for wash/dry/fold and pickup and delivery customers with a need for high capacity washing needs. They are appealing to certain customers ignoring the elevated expensive to purchase, additional electrical considerations and access concerns; a two-ton 130-LB washer must have a method of rear service access, which can take up a lot of space. There is no question that a 100-LB or 130-LB washers are certainly initial attention grabbers even in self-service only locations, but many owners know they do not have universal appeal. Many customers prefer to sort their clothes by color and cycle selections. Some owners see the income produced from these washers as significant but fail to acknowledge that the limited numbers installed are likely to appear as if they are generating more income than 80-LB washers because of their fewer numbers and higher prices filling up the coin boxes.
The downside is these jumbo washers are often marketed at a discounted in price so that a 20-LB washer is vended at $3.00, a 100-LB washer should be vended at $15.00. Owners who elect to discount the jumbo washers are reducing their income by the pounds of laundry they are washing. Our business is based on producing income from the pounds of laundry we process each day, not on the number of customers. If the demand exists for super large load customers, maybe they are worth the price, but maybe these expensive washers should only be placed in Laundromats where demand has been established.
One issue I seldom see addressed when considering a super-size washer installation is the potential liability issues related to their size. Because of their interior size and large doors at least one equipment manufacturer determined them too risky to sell for Laundromats. They are seen as an attractive nuisance by some in the industry and require ongoing observation of their use by staff to prevent them being used as a playground. Anyone who has owned these jumbo washers has likely seen their attraction to youngsters to crawl inside them. There have been lawsuits involving owner and manufacturer liability on injuries resulting from individuals being inside these washers when they are activated. I suggest this means they may not be suitable for partially or unattended Laundromats. Fully attended Laundromat staff should be trained to ensure that crawling inside or playing inside these washers is not to be allowed.
There are multiple reasons to add these large washers to your Laundromat and an equal number of reasons to exclude them from using them. IT’s up to you to carefully they ultimate value these washers will bring to your business.
Note: Please comment on your opinion on this matter so everyone can see both sides of this option. Please also let me know if you find my commentary on features, benefits and advice I offer in my posts on Laundromats in general. I could spend more time watching television. Thank you.