Some Simple Tips for: Learning Machine Repair and Upkeep

Courtesy of the Coin Laundry News

LaundryWizard 30 DAYS of FREE ADVERTISING Click HERE

Perhaps too many laundry operators depend on outside service technicians to come in when things go wrong mechanically. Qualified and properly trained service technicians are one of the most important parts of our industry. The good ones always seem to be busy, and so there could be down time due to their not being able to come right away in response to your needs.

Machines being down creates an economic loss for the laundry. Most of the break downs in machine performance actually require minor adjustments, that should be able to be repaired by almost anybody. You just need to know how to do it.

There is an old adage that applies to almost all business people, including coin and card operated laundry owners: “Knowledge is power.” It rings especially true when we refer to laundry folks knowing how to repair their laundry machines when they malfunction. It will save money.

One older veteran of the industry makes it a point to be with his technicians when they are in the laundry for repairs. He watches, asks questions and sees exactly what they do. That is for the next time the same thing occurs he can try to do the repairs himself. And it works, because his repair costs have dropped almost every year he has run his laundry.

Another operator purchased an existing laundry, and got a good price because the place was in a sad state of repair. It was dirty, and over half the machines weren’t working. He contacted a repairman and had him come in for two days of continuos effort. He closed and did clean up on the days the repairs were proceeding. He paid only one trip charge, plus the technicians motel bill, and figured he’d saved a lot of money.

Because his laundry was located in a distant suburb, and repair techs are hard to get in such an area, he took every advantage of them being there to study what they did and how they did it. He stayed with them every minute they were there. Now he does his own repair work except for the major jobs. His laundry is now clean and all of the washers and dryers work well. He is making money where the previous owner had to sell because he wasn’t able to keep his machines in operation and not interested in learning.

Most card or coin operated laundries when they are built feature particular brands of washers and dryers. Some will have two or three brands. They are built by distributors or laundry developers, nearly all of whom offer classes on service repair. These school offerings are pretty well advertised and promoted because they usually coincide with equipment sales efforts. Of course they want to sell equipment but the training usually is really good.

The technicians doing the training know the various problems each brand of washer or dryer they market may have. They will show trainees how to correct these problems easily and efficiently. Knowing how quickly things can be done gives laundry owners the confidence to do it themselves or the knowledge that they won’t be taken if they hire the job out. That is an edge that benefits any laundry owner that takes advantage of it.

Distributors and factories spend thousands of dollars each year to offer the training, and it is smart operators who will take advantage. Some have an opportunity to attend service seminars while their facility is being built. Then as new operators they are ahead of the game.

Some factories offer training schools done at a factory location. While these are primarily for service technicians, they usually welcome attendance by individual operators.

Having service knowledge can give owners of laundries a marked edge in business, even if they have no interest in doing their operation’s repair work personally. When you are familiar with the work done, you enjoy the respect of the technicians who do it for you. You can also be assured that you won’t be over charged. Going to service classes pays off many times for those who do, usually by saving them money. And that’s the goal, make money by saving it.