National Clothesline

A great idea was revealed to me a few conventions ago. You ever know what you’ll see or what you will learn just by going to these very important events.

There was a prospect for buying a new drycleaning unit. I agreed I would stop by his plant and review the physical location and general condition. After all was agreed upon and we got down to price, the question came up of how he was going to pay for it.

He wanted financing. That should be no problem, but he had no money down or collateral to offer for a loan. He owned no home, but he assured me he had no problem.

“Just look at my rack of clothes!” he said.

A little inspection showed many large and small orders, some six months old or older.

“So what?” he said. “They will all come in some day and all the work has been done. That is my collateral!”

It took several minutes to explain to him that he doesn’t own those garments, only for the service that was performed on them for which he is entitled payment when they are called for. But when?

Meanwhile has has to play father and mother without storage fees (nothing had been pre-arranged).

Again — when?

Here’s where the idea that he got from a convention came into play.

He carefully reviewed his process and decided to put in a modest price increase. Next, he approached each customer and offered a 10-percent real discount if they paid cash in advance. Or they could simply offer their credit card when leaving the order. That way, the order is waiting, paid for and ready to go when the customers called.

Doing this even offers an opportunity to promote routes by saying, “For no extra charge we will deliver the order at your convenience. It’s all our pleasure!”

I can assure you, those drycleaners that have tried this have empty racks simply because “work that is paid for is called for.”

It seems everyone I know has at least a few credit cards, so there is no problem in getting a customer to give one for their cleaning. It’s just another way of conducting business. Plus it makes life easier and faster with less handling of cash as well.

Imagine an increase in cash flow and no more dead work on the racks! Eventually there could be a decrease in insurance and liability, plus a cleaner looking rack without crushed garments that require re-pressing or touch ups.

Everyone needs a “do-over.” This one comes at no expense and with many benefits, including more space, an improved appearance and more efficient working conditions.

As you witness the better cash flow, you’ll wonder “Why didn’t I do this years ago?”

Maybe this convention will be the one that motivates you to change your business.