Coin Laundry Payment Options

In July, we shared with you the proprietary method of accepting payment at self-service Laundromats offered by a company we like doing business with, ESD.  While there are advantages to going this route, there are also a few draw backs.  For owners, the equipment is quite expensive.  For customers, they don’t like that the cards are only good at that one particular location, which many times leads to leaving cash on the card.  They also don’t like that the cards themselves are expensive.

But think about our society.  Very few folks carry cash now, especially those under 30 – and many times those are the folks that utilize self-service Laundromats.  These days, Laundromats don’t have to choose which payment system they want to install.  Tri-State Laundry Equipment can now install coin-operated equipment and add on a system that allows customers to pay with coins, a credit card, a debit card, or a proprietary card.  Plus, Card Concepts Inc., another company we often partner with, offers a smart phone app that gives customers the ability to create an account, add value, and even check machine availability.

Today there are so many options.  And just like with the proprietary method, these systems allow owners to track sales and customize reporting.  Plus the equipment itself isn’t nearly as costly, so the upfront investment won’t be so steep.  There will, however, be card processing fees to consider.  Those fees vary depending on the system manufacturer as many times they partner with specific processing companies.

Lots of options to consider – options that will set your business apart from the competition.  If you are thinking of updating your current setup or if you are in the market to open a new facility, please contact us.  We will be glad to help you sift through all the information and figure out what’s best for your facility and community.  

Payment Options – ESD Smart Cards

During my college years, I regularly visited the Laundromat.  Back then, the method of payment was quarters, and I carried a baggie full on each visit.  That isn’t the case today.  Self Service Laundry facilities are changing with the times, and now customers have a number of payment methods available to them.  

One popular method is ESD’s SmartCard System. Here’s what you need for this system: the cards, card slides, value transfer machines, and software.  Below is a simplified version of how it all works:

 

The Cards – This is what the customer uses as their method of payment.  They simply load a dollar amount onto the card, and then they can start doing laundry.  Cards can be plain white or be customized.

Card Slides – This piece of equipment is mounted on a washer or dryer and is adaptable to most equipment brands.  It checks the balance on the inserted card and will then send a signal to the machine to start if funds are available.  Then it deducts the price from the card’s balance.

Value Transfer Machines – The VTM allows the customer to add money to the card with cash or a debit or credit card.

Software – Allows the owner to maintain or adjust pricing, adjust wash and dry cycle times, run specials, run various reports, and change the language the system uses.  

If you have any questions about self-service laundry payment options, contact Tri-State laundry Equipment Co. at 866-882-5218.  We are here to help.