Somebody go check out those laundro-bars in Greensboro and Wilmington and report in pl0x. I am very curious about them. I have a cousin in Asheboro but...kinda flaky.

7/24/2012 9:44:11 PM

pl0x
wtf

7/24/2012 9:48:02 PM

pl0x=please also http://taxweb.co.guilford.nc.us/PublicWebAccess/BillSearchResults.aspx here is the tax infor for that Suds and Duds place in Greensboro. It's tax value is only $150,000? How do I interpret that? Is that just for the business? does that include the land and building?

7/24/2012 10:20:52 PM

can laundromats run on gray-water in North Carolina?

7/25/2012 10:09:37 AM

Given the fact you seem to know nothing about laundromats I don't see why you are picking this business venture.

7/25/2012 11:15:55 AM

Suds and Duds used to be the shit back before the downtown revitalization. Now it's just creepy locals that go there, as well as all the other bars on Walker

I used to go to the Walker bars back in the late 90's, and I don't think I ever saw anyone actually doing laundry at Suds and Duds

[Edited on July 25, 2012 at 11:21 AM. Reason : a]

7/25/2012 11:18:47 AM

I am mostly interested in doing a laundromat because all of it's complexity is up-front. getting the permits, building, ordering and installing the machines, site selection. Once it's up and running, it's pretty easy to manage and I don't have to be there. Pretty much the entire thing can be run remotely.

Also. It's a turn-key business that can be sold to some Chinese people for zillions of Renminbi.

wash, rinse, repeat.

7/25/2012 11:32:09 AM

I considered investing in some Laser Car Washes for the same reason you are considering a laundromat. It seemed like the initial start-up would be the most difficult part, then it would pretty much take care of itself. The more research I did, the more I didn't want to do it. Coin-op businesses are not as easy as they seem. Shit breaks down all the damn time, plus you have to deal with vandalism and theft. Not worth it imo, especially if you have $100k to invest. With that kind of scratch on hand, you can start up a more reputable business.

7/25/2012 11:41:46 AM

Reminds me of the Dr. Money bit in King of the Hill when they buy a car wash

00:01:07 Congratulations, future millionaire.
00:01:12 Before we begin, I must ask you to lower your blinds and pull your curtains, so that only you can benefit from Dr. Money's wealth secrets.
00:01:20 Tell me, what would you rather do: work hard all your life for peanuts, or get rich by doing this?
00:01:28 Owning a turnkey operation.
00:01:31 What is a turnkey operation, Dr. Money?
00:01:34 I'm glad you asked, Amber.
00:01:35 A turnkey operation is a business that runs itself while you just reap the rewards for doing absolutely nothing!
00:01:43 GIRL: Dr. Money, do you think I could own a turnkey operation?
00:01:48 Absolutely, Rio.
00:01:50 This is America.
00:01:50 All you have to do is leverage your home, car or other assets into a no-money down loan.

7/25/2012 12:00:23 PM

Those laundromats that get vandalized are always unstaffed 24hr places. They're run by non-specialists that use the support other businesses like camp grounds or condos.

As far as breakdowns, that is caused by shitty old equipment and poor maintenance.

I am planning to have my place staffed by carefully selected Chinese people. People that have family here in China that I can do guanxi with. (that's good ole boy system to you) I plan to have them listed as owners somehow so they don't fall under employment laws. They won't let anything bad happen to the place and they will keep it spotless.

Maintenance, insurance, supplies, everything else will be subcontracted.

7/25/2012 4:16:18 PM

What is up with your obsession with Chinese people?

7/25/2012 4:26:37 PM

It all started with a girlfriend way back at State. Before that, I was into Redheads. And that was from all the Irish girls i used to mess with in the summers up in Delaware at the beach when I was a kid.

7/25/2012 5:05:47 PM

Staffing the place 24hrs is going to drastically cut into your profits, even if you only pay minimum wage. Consider how much it would cost on average for 1 person to do their laundry. I haven't done my laundry at a laundromat since college so I can't speak to the cost, but I can't imagine it costing any more than $10 to wash/dry a week's worth of laundry. So figure it would take 20 customers a day just to cover your payroll. Factor in the fact that you will already be in debt from the start-up costs, + the enormous electric bill, and I just can't see this being a profitable business model.

[Edited on July 26, 2012 at 8:53 AM. Reason : a]

7/26/2012 8:51:38 AM

^ at least you helped make a case for the alternative energy

7/26/2012 9:43:46 AM

Good point, I forgot that he plans to run it with solar energy. Which, of course, will add a ton to the start-up costs

7/26/2012 11:09:18 AM

labor cost killed with my "ownership shared with unemployable spouse-visa types plan"

utility cost killed with solar paid 4 by the government

start-up cost killed by me being rich

nagger cost killed by insurance and being staffed at all times + closed circuit cameras on the intarwebs staffed by inexpensive security in China (2000rmb per month=less than 300usd a month)

machine cost killed by my personally buying the equipment here in China and overseeing it's delivery to a sealed Connex box.


Water utility bill could go up because redneck North Carolina is about to experience rolling shortages due to lack of infrastructure. that isn't a problem for me, it's a boon. as water prices go up, it will make the efficiency of my machines more greater than the old home shits people haveing.

7/26/2012 5:11:08 PM

good luck to ye

7/26/2012 5:52:20 PM

Quote :

"start-up cost killed by me being rich"

If you are rich, then why bother with the hassle of starting a business?

7/26/2012 9:35:36 PM

see business is how the rich get richer

7/26/2012 10:07:32 PM