Paying $1 to use public bathrooms is good. Paying 25¢ is bad.
This is what crossed my mind as i waited in line for lunch yesterday. (How else would i spend 10 minutes of boredom?)I was in a Chipotle/McDonalds combo place here in DC, and I noticed there was only one bathroom. ONE bathroom, per sex, to share between hundreds of guests!
I then thought about how to limit it's use during the rush hour eating times, and the idea of charging for it popped into my head.
If you have to actually PAY to use it, how many people would drop out? If any? I then flashbacked to a restaurant I once visited in Korea (aww yeahhh, me a traveling man), and I remembered I had to pay once to use them! I can't recall the actual amount, but I wanna say it was around 25-35 cents in US dollars.
The problem here wasn't so much that i had to pay to use it though, it was that i didn't have any change on me!!! can you imagine? Standing in an empty row of 10+ toilets and having to go soooooo badly! Believe me, it sucked.
This is why I'd rather see toilets charging $1.00 over 25¢ - the odds you'll have a $1 bill are much higher in my opinion. Not many people have pockets full of quarters, unless perhaps later in the day after you've had a chance to purchase things. But in the morning? Good luck...
So how many people would NOT pay to play a rousing game of toilet? i'd guess around 40%. here's my take on it:
40% would either skip it because it's a rip off, or because they were out of change/dollars.
30% would cough it up because they REALLY have to go...esp. after eating and drinking.
20% would give in because they really don't care, and they're too lazy to go elsewhere.
10% would give in because they're not near work or home, and thus don't have anywhere else to go.
If i were a business man, this is exactly how I'd pitch it too. Just think how clean and empty the bathrooms would be! That alone is a perk. Now, throw in all that money from 60% of the people paying, and you got yourself an extra stream of income! (that's a free business tip for you American Airlines)
Lucky for us, I don't see toilets costing anything soon. And since i don't plan on being a business man in the near future, we're all safe ;) But hey, it was an interesting way to pass the time!
Labels: cockamamy indeed
posted by J. Money at
8:34 AM
17 Comments:
Actually, I saw something on the news once about them having pay-per-use toilets in NYC. I think they were still testing the program, but it was kinda cool...it was all automated and you had about 15 minutes to do your thing. After that the door opens on its own (after a 1 or 2 minute warning, of course)! Plus, it was self-cleaning.
They had paid toilets in England when I was over there a few years back. Not in the restaurants or anything, but they were similar to what ql girl described in that they were all automated (looked like silver port-a-potties out in the streets), and then you'd put in your 50p and could do your business. The self-cleaning afterwards was definitely cool too!
I wouldn't pay a dollar for it, though. Definitely 50 cents max. Then again, I do carry change in my purse, so that's easier for me!
Similar Idea, but just as annoying! In NYC they have these munimeter things. They are ALL over the city, they took over parking meters.
But when they installed them all over Manhattan - they didn't put a Credit Card insert or a dollar insert. So everytime I go to the City I have to run around the streets like an idiot looking for someone to give me 8 quarters!
I've seen pay toilets too. I can't remember where it was though. I'm pretty sure it was in the US. You had to pay to open the door. It was busy at the time and people would just hold the door open for the next person, so no one was really paying anyways.
I never carry cash of any kind... so the potty would have to take credit cards if I was going to be able to use it. Swipe and wipe if you will...
Interesting idea. While on a camping trip we stopped at the most disgusting rest stop ever. I'd pay a little to go if I know it was going to be cleaner.
I had to pay during my trip to France. The door opens after 15 minutes, so I was so nervous that I wouldn't be done....so it took me about 15 seconds! :)
Public toilets you have to pay for are pretty prevalent in Europe. Generally they are more clean, which can really be a godsend at times!!
so i think that your idea is reasonable, however, let's get with the times. you should be able to swipe your cc or debit card for it too, there shouldn't be discretion based on what type of payments you typicall make.
my only objection to your article is that typically, especially in a place you go to for lunch (fast food etc.) you have already made a purchase, therefore you should have change to use the bathroom.
better yet, why not just bathsize your order. you could pay in advance for one trip to the bathroom, for just an additional suttle charge of say, however much you want, then you wouldn't need the change etc. all told, the only draw back is the us regulation that all partrons are entitled to use of a public facility. furthermore, generally the cost of your food takes into consideration operating costs.
Interesting.
As a change finder, I would prefer it to be $0.25.
But then I would have a dilemma on my hands depending on where the coin was! :-)
I say $1. If I really had to "go", I'd pay $1, and that would keep those that really didn't have to "go" away. And if that guaranteed the restroom to be clean, I say it's worth it! Obviously, this is why I'm always broke:)
Bathsize your order - i love it! I agree, being able to swipe and wipe is totally the way to go here ;)
Anyone wanna start a side business? haha...
Didn't you have these a long time ago at the big stores? I remember having to pay 10 cents to use the bathroom at Sears and at our version of Walmart at the time. And yes, people would just hold the door open for others if there was a line.
I have seen it in France too... I don't mind paying when I really have to go.
Love the graphic!
I was glad to pay 50 cents in Turkey to use the bus station bathrooms. They were SO clean - stocked with everything - no smells or anything.
But then again, maybe i'm just weird about bathrooms. I actually like the toilets that are in the ground! I've seen these in Asia. This way, at least I don't have to touch a toilet seat. These toilet seat covers are a joke!
Hmm... this reminds me of a poem...
Here I sit broken hearted
Paid a dime but only f@rted
LOl!
I think if they put pay toilets where I live people would vandalize them in horribly disgusting ways.
They had them in the Czech Republic and Germany when I was there a couple years ago. It was 50cent Euro or the equivalent in Czech korunas. It hadn't even dawned on me when we made our first stop. I had hit the bank and had all kinds of euros and korunas in bills, but nary a coin to be had.
They charged at the McDonalds washroom in downtown Prague (which actually was located in another building) They charged for ketchup packets too though.
The best was at a truck stop on the Autobahn when I found I had only a $2 Euro coin. The lady holding the coin tray would not give change so I gave a free..........tinkle to three other ladies in my group. Good times. lol
Oops! These don't always work out as planned...
Seattle's experience
the ebay listings
OMG that link is AWESOME Shanny!!! haha....i need to get my hands on one of those things.
thx for hollering!
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