AIBU to think that you should collect your laundry on time?

[CompletelyPotts]

My washing machine broke this week so I've had to use a washing machine at a local supermarket .

The machine was in use and only had 5 minutes to go so I waited. 40 minutes later they still hadn't arrived to collect their washing. There was a queue building up as it's busy and there was still no sign of them. Someone else who returned to use the dryer told me that the person loads the machine, goes to their work and doesn't return until the end of their shift. 5 minutes or so is fine but beyond ten is taking the piss.

AIBU to think that you should be there on time to collect your washing and that it's not ok to disappear for hours, knowing that people are waiting?

And yes I do have bigger problems but this is really bugging me today.

I'd never leave my laundry unattended in a laundromat;I'd be worried it might be pinched.

That's another good reason to be on time.

Washing machines at a supermarket? I've never seen this!

Is it a really urban area, or where there are lots of small flats?

It's suburban and there are a few flats but it's mostly houses. There's another oitdoor laundry at a garage 5 minutes away from the other here, but I think they're relatively few and far between

I wouldn’t leave the washing machine alone. I’d worry about my stuff getting nicked. I’ve only ever used a laundrette once and we waited around.

I’ve never seen machines at a supermarket. Amazing time saver. Do the wash, do the shopping. Fab.

Same laundry 'chain', mines at a petrol station

I have used laundrettes at times over the years & communal
Washing machines when working in ski resorts.

In the ski resort it was compulsory to leave your basket or bag for life in front of the machine and as soon as it stopped it was fair game to be emptied into your bag!

Public laundrette, I'd empty it after 5 minutes. I can shrug in many languages 🤣🤣

I used to use laundrettes and the normal etiquette there seemed to be to take stuff out and pile it up. I wouldn't have waited - who knows how long someone else would be?

Trytowin20. That wasn't your fault though. That was a genuine error and at least you apologised. Unlike the cheeky fucker today who was planning on doing a whole shift before returning.

Public laundrette, I'd empty it after 5 minutes. I can shrug in many languages 🤣🤣

Lol. I love this.

I do wish that you could book slots for them. Useful as they are, it's a bit of a pain going up there to see if the machine is free or not and having to wait or go away and return if not.

Anyway, my machine will hopefully be fixed next week so fingers crossed that I won't have to use them again.

Thank you all for your thoughts.

@TheSpottedZebra

Washing machines at a supermarket? I've never seen this!

Is it a really urban area, or where there are lots of small flats?

They're all over the place these days. We have them in a small supermarket car park and 2 local petrol stations. Not a particularly urban area nor are there very many small flats.

I wonder if using launderettes over every house having a washing machine is better or worse for the environment ?

Theres a few near me too
A couple at petrol stations and other in random places. None at the supermarkets though

Communal washers at Uni would have seen washing dumped on a surface after 30 minutes.

I did not know about washing machines at supermarkets, I need to find my nearest one and see if they have machines big enough for duvets. Is there a company name I can search?

www.revolution-laundry.com/our-locations/

We had launderettes on site at halls of residence at university, and the minute the machine stopped, the person waiting for it would unload the washing that was in it so that they could use the machine if the person wasn’t there to do it themselves. Absolutely standard practice to find a load of wet washing piled up on a bench inside the launderette. And there would be nothing anyone could say in reply - be there to take your own washing out if you do t want someone to do it for you!

You waited 40 minutes??

I did not know about washing machines at supermarkets, I need to find my nearest one and see if they have machines big enough for duvets. Is there a company name I can search?

www.revolution-laundry.com/our-locations/ You can find the machines here. Disclaimer: There might be other companies that have machines too but in my area at least. It's just this company.

X post

You waited 40 minutes??

Yes, because I'm an idiot but I won't be doing that again.

5 minutes is long enough, i would have taken it out and put it in a trolley, if it was still in the trolley when i came back it would be dumped on the ground so i could get my pound back for the trolley.

@LowlandLucky

5 minutes is long enough, i would have taken it out and put it in a trolley, if it was still in the trolley when i came back it would be dumped on the ground so i could get my pound back for the trolley.

Pretty much this, tbh. I think hogging them is so rude!!

This looks like they're outside in a car park! What if someone pinches your washing?! Or just takes it out and dumps it on the floor if your late and stuck in traffic?! Oh the anxiety is too much!

*you're

It seems expensive and risky.

Oh I've seen these in petrol stations didnt realise they were so popular. Debating chucking my duvet in on way past tomorrow.

This looks like they're outside in a car park! What if someone pinches your washing?! Or just takes it out and dumps it on the floor if your late and stuck in traffic?! Oh the anxiety is too much!

They're fairly quick, well 43 minutes at 40 for me so you just have to time it for getting back, which isn't too difficult as the machine tells you how long it takes. I just set an alarm on my phone. Just don't go too far and you should be fine.

That said I can't wait to get my own machine working again.