Is it worth using a kiosk-enabled laundromat compared to coin-only? - Australia Social Bookmarking Website

Some laundromat owners swear by coin-only machines: simple, predictable, and familiar. Others argue that kiosk-enabled systems are the future, cutting headaches and boosting convenience. The truth sits somewhere in between—each option has trade-offs in cost, customer experience, and long-term growth. Here’s a breakdown.

What’s the difference between a kiosk laundromat and coin-only?

Feature	Kiosk-Enabled Laundromat	Coin-Only Laundromat
Payment methods	Cards, mobile apps, cash notes, coins	Coins only
Customer appeal	Appeals to younger, cashless customers	Favours older or traditional users
Revenue tracking	Digital reporting and insights	Manual coin collection, limited data
Maintenance	Higher upfront install, less manual labour	Low install cost, but coin jams & collection required
Security	Reduces theft risk, fewer cash collections	Cash-heavy, higher theft and vandalism risk
Marketing	Enables loyalty programs, promotions	No built-in marketing tools

Do kiosks really attract more customers?

Yes—especially in suburbs and cities where cash use is declining. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, cash payments dropped from 69% in 2007 to just 13% in 2022, and the trend continues downward. That means laundromats that only accept coins may start losing younger customers who don’t carry change.

On the flip side, in rural areas or among older demographics, coin-only machines still see strong use. Behavioural economics shows us that default bias matters—people stick with what’s easiest. For some, that’s tapping a phone; for others, it’s dropping in a $2 coin.

What about costs?

Installing a laundromat kiosk system involves:

Hardware & installation fees (varies from $5k–$15k depending on size)
Transaction fees (typically 1–3% per card payment)
Software or service subscription costs

Coin-only machines avoid these, but they carry hidden costs:

Staff time for coin collection and banking
Lost revenue from “no change” walk-offs
Higher risk of vandalism or theft

Over the long term, many owners find kiosks pay for themselves through efficiency and broader customer reach.

Which option is easier to manage?

Kiosks centralise everything—owners can log in from their phone, see machine usage, adjust prices, and spot problems early. That’s authority and efficiency in action. By contrast, coin-only models require more manual labour, and reporting is almost non-existent beyond counting coins.

Are customers more loyal to kiosks?

With kiosks, laundromats can introduce:

Loyalty discounts
App-based rewards
SMS alerts when machines are free

These small nudges tap into Cialdini’s commitment and consistency principle—once customers sign up, they’re more likely to return. Coin-only models can’t replicate this stickiness.

The Australian perspective

Think about it like this: in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, where even the corner café has a tap-and-go minimum, a coin-only laundromat feels dated. But in regional Queensland, where small towns still use cash at the bakery, kiosks may look over-engineered. The right choice often depends on the postcode and the people you serve.

FAQ

Do kiosks completely replace coins?
Not always. Many kiosk systems are hybrid—taking both coins and cashless payments to cover all customer types.

What happens if the kiosk goes down?
Most providers offer remote monitoring and quick support. Some owners keep a couple of coin-only machines as backup.

Are kiosks worth it for small laundromats?
Yes, if your area is moving cashless. For a single-store in a cash-heavy community, coin-only may still make sense.

At the end of the day, coin-only laundromats keep things simple but may struggle to attract future customers. Kiosk-enabled laundromats bring more flexibility, less manual work, and stronger long-term positioning. For anyone weighing up installation costs, this guide on laundromat kiosk costs gives a useful breakdown.

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