Coin vs Card Operated Commercial Washer and Dryer
We all love coin laundry machines, right? In the laundry business, coin-operated laundry machines have been the standard for over 70 years. But what if we told you there was another way?
Fairly recently, commercial washers and dryers that are card operated are taking the industry by storm. Card-operated commercial washers and dryers are changing how we do business and providing a number of advantages over traditional coin laundry machines.
With coin shortages and the expansion in technology, the time has never been better to dump your laundry coin machine and make the switch.
You won’t be alone. As MarketWatch explains, “About 56% of laundromats that serve the public take quarters as the only form of payment. And 89% take quarters as some form of payment, with cards, loyalty programs or mobile payments as an alternative, according to the trade group.”
Why convert from coin-operated washers to card payments?
Switching to card-operated laundry equipment, or to a system that allows both cards and coins, can do a few things for your business.
Payment transparency
With a card-operated system, you no longer have to rely on a route operator to collect, count, and report your revenues. With a card system, you will see your payment history as payments come in, and can adjust your planning accordingly.
Easier bookkeeping
The right card payment system allows your business to utilize automated bookkeeping software to track and report your revenues. Unlike coin laundry machines, you don’t have to way for a route operator’s report. You don’t have to trust the route operator to be up-front and accurate. And you don’t have to stand in line at the bank with bags of quarters.
The best card laundry applications allow you to view a range of financial reports, manage the entire laundry room machine by machine, or even issue refunds for sudden out-of-order situations right from the software.
Quicker availability of funds
Like we said above, you no longer have to wait for your route operator or banker to finish processing your quarters to get access to your money! Your payments will be available as soon as they are processed by the credit card system.
Better Customer Service
Card-operated washer and dryer technology often comes with access to additional functions such as downtime notifications so that you can handle maintenance quickly. Some vendors, like SelfOp Laundry, offer solutions like mobile payment apps or laundry trackers that can improve your customer experience.
As Creditcards.com explains, “Cards also make it easier to pay for larger-capacity washers. When you’re feeding quarters to an XL appliance that will do the equivalent of four, five, or six loads, you are going to be weighted down with a lot of quarters as you head into the laundry. Swiping or inserting your credit card is a lot simpler.”
How do you use a card-operated washing machine?
From the customer end, using a card-operated commercial washer or dryer is just as simple as using coins–in fact, it’s easier! No more digging through the sofa or running to the bank for quarters. Instead, you can swipe or tap your credit or debit card in a reader right on the laundry machine.
How to convert a coin-operated washer to card payments?
Changing your multi-family laundry room or laundromat from coin laundry machines to card-operated is easier than ever. In some cases, a service provider can convert your existing machines. In other cases, it may be time to upgrade some or all of your existing equipment. This may be a great time to explore some of the benefits of self-ownership, too!
You may even consider a mix of payment options in your facility. As we’ve said before on our blog, “For many operators, it makes the most sense to utilize a combination of laundry payment systems in their facility. Why wouldn’t you want to allow your users to give you money in whatever way (or ways) they prefer? Combining payment options will give you the data you need to track your revenue, and will keep your users happy.”
If you are ready to make the change, SelfOp Laundry is here with the equipment you need to convert your coin-operated washer to cards. We can provide the technology and the guidance to make sure that you are positioned to grow into the future.