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'Tingi' economy sees rise of self-service laundromats

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Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/10/06/insidequicklean.jpg"/><figcaption>A busy afternoon for a laundromat facility in Maginhawa St., Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - Washing machines whirred and a detergent smell perfumed a small portion of a sleeping neighborhood as call center agents coming from graveyard shifts queued for their turn at a self-service laundromat.Customers at Quicklean&#x27;s Maginhawa Street branch would rather pay per visit instead of invest on their own washing machines, illustrating the Filipino &quot;tingi&quot; or retail culture that feeds sari-sari stores and other small businesses.Using reloadable tap-and-go cards similar to the one used in MRT and LRT trains, customers can wash and dry their clothes for as low as P17.50 per kilo, cheaper than a can of soda. Full automatic household washers cost around P20,000.Abby Ferry, a student and first-time mother, had been coming to Quicklean since her washing machine conked out a few months ago and she has no plans to replace it.&quot;Mas mabilis talaga... Nagpapalaba ako before sa laundry shops nearby kaso nakukuha ko after 2 days,&quot; Ferry told ABS-CBN News.(It&#x27;s faster. I used to have my laundry done in other shops but it takes 2 days before I can pick it up.)<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/10/06/tapcard.jpg"/><figcaption>Just 2 years ago, Quicklean began to move on from the coin-operated payment system into reloadable tap cards, which works similarly to the Beep cards in the MRT and LRT. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>It was a slow burn for Quicklean before it found a target market in busy millennials and professionals like Ferry. One of its first branches was located in neighborhoods serviced by laundry women or &quot;labandera.&quot;&quot;We started the experiment and slowly for the first 3 years, we grew to 6 branches... There was a lot of trial and errors also. After that, we knew what works what doesn&#x27;t. Now we have 60 branches,&quot; said Quicklean president Martin Veerayah.Millennials, especially, &quot;want it their way and they want it fast,&quot; Veerayah told ABS-CBN News. &quot;I think this fits the bill for the current generation... Here they have an option.&quot;Veerayah, who started as a supplier of US-made washers and dryers, said few believed his venture would succeed when it started in 2011.&quot;Sabi nila, Filipinos are lazy, they won&#x27;t like self-service,&quot; he said.(They said, Filipinos are lazy and won&#x27;t like self-service.)<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/10/06/wash.jpg"/><figcaption>Wash-O-Matic, operating in Panay Avenue, offers light to heavy washes in big and small machines, depending on the customer&#x27;s load. Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>In another Quezon City suburb, off-duty professionals and students also make a bee line at Wash-O-Matic for their laundry chores, including Ella Parada.&quot;Hindi siya nakakadagdag ng pagod. Parang relax lang ang paglalaba. Less stress din,&quot; Parada told ABS-CBN News.(It&#x27;s not tiring. It makes doing the laundry seem relaxing. Less stress too.)Wash-O-Matic attendant Armida Conde said clients squeeze in other activities like eating or doing school assignments while waiting.At Quicklean, Veerayah installed free wi-fi so customers can get some work done online or update their social media feeds.&quot;I&#x27;ve seen couples coming in, or nagliligawan. I&#x27;ve seen nagtu-tutor or those doing their home works. I&#x27;ve seen mga titas, they do bible studies,&quot; he said.(I&#x27;ve seen couples coming in, some just enjoying each other&#x27;s company. I&#x27;ve seen tutors, doing homework. I&#x27;ve seen titas. They do bible studies.)&quot;It&#x27;s a community-building thing,&quot; he said.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/10/06/22291709_1584426938288938_903158372_n.jpg"/><figcaption>A Quicklean customer enjoys his &quot;me&quot; time while waiting for his laundry. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>

Washing machines whirred and a detergent smell perfumed a small portion of a sleeping neighborhood as call center agents coming from graveyard shifts queued for their turn at a self-service laundromat.

Washing machines whirred and a detergent smell perfumed a small portion of a sleeping neighborhood as call center agents coming from graveyard shifts queued for their turn at a self-service laundromat.

'Tingi' economy sees rise of self-service laundromats

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'Tingi' economy sees rise of self-service laundromats

Patrick Quintos,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 06, 2017 10:08 AM PHT

|

Updated Oct 11, 2017 11:11 AM PHT

Read More:

economy

tingi

retail

laundromat

Quicklean

call center

entrepreneur

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