Thread Number: 79245
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Vintage appliance business model |
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Post# 1031803 , Reply# 1   5/4/2019 at 17:06 (1,812 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)   |   | |
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Since you're not getting any other feedback, I'll offer mine...
I think both ideas sound cool, especially if you paired it with like a vintage arcade or the like... but running these sites are going to be frustratingly problematic in practice. If you run a vintage laundromat, you get to manage all of the "fun" problems such as: * Machines of wildly different capacities, and the customer's expectations when the "small" machines in most modern laundromats are triple-load size and can accommodate bedding and bulky items * Customers monopolizing banks of machines with small loads (per-machine coin-op nicely solves this, as it costs more to be a machine hog.. but charging a per-pound fee at the door does not) * The per-model quirks of vintage machines. (Who is going to empty the lint filter on a Maytag Halo-of-Heat dryer? Or how many people are going to put detergent in the fabric softener cup on the washer, and complain when their clothes didn't wash properly?) * Damaged clothing complaints as a result of overloading. (Some people may have never used a top-loader before, and if paying per-load, will cram clothes in until the lid barely shuts. Likewise, some vintage dryers become a hazard if packed solid...) Price-wise, I think you would want (need) to charge a bit more than a typical laundromat, so that it becomes a "destination" (paired with your food/drink/entertainment option) instead of just a facility. I'm looking at the clientele of my local laundromats, and offering them the option of alcohol while they waited would probably not be the best idea. :D The try-before-you-buy option sounds good too, but the problem is that if you price competitively, your machines would always be occupied by general laundromat users who have no intention to buy, and just wanted to use the "nice new machine" for their laundry. I'm sure you could figure out how to make it work, and buying customers would appreciate it, but the business method might take some thinking. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just thinking of some of the pitfalls you might need to consider... |
Post# 1031806 , Reply# 2   5/4/2019 at 17:33 (1,812 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)   |   | |
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Now, on the flip side, I *DO* think there is room to grow your parts business.
The answer is to add more vintage parts to your catalog, specifically the parts you think are low-value and that nobody wants. Take some eBay search results for example. Let's say we need some Maytag parts for the center-dial era(s). * How many large-tub turquoise agitators? Zero. * How many washer knob/dial/skirts are there? Two. (Yes, just 2, for all years / all models) * How many pitman transmissions? Zero. * How many control panels? One. The same story applies for most any machine part you search for, other than the motors. People have these vintage machines, which were sold for *decades* in incredible numbers, and they are SOL if $10 worth of parts are NLA, because no appliance shop believes those small parts are salable or worth their time when they scrap old machines. Please please please sell more of these parts. If the small inventory isn't worth your time, sell them as lots or grab bags. I'd love to have some failed timers to take apart. I'd also buy bags of nuts/bolts/screws to replace my rusted hardware. Same with wiring harnesses, knobs and handles, button assemblies, used door seals, used lint filters, used thermostats, etc, etc, etc. Just toss it together as a box of "A308 Washer Parts" or "DE608 Dryer Parts" if you have to... or "Defective Washer Parts for Rebuilding". There's a market for that stuff, as hardly anyone else is selling it. |
Post# 1031807 , Reply# 3   5/4/2019 at 18:20 (1,811 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)   |   | |
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Post# 1031851 , Reply# 5   5/5/2019 at 06:23 (1,811 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 1031853 , Reply# 6   5/5/2019 at 07:36 (1,811 days old) by chetlaham (United States)   |   | |
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