To me, quarters are worth their weight in gold.

June 3, 2008 6:42 PM

Laundromat in Ann Arbor, MI or surrounding area that accepts credit cards?

The bank screwed up and didn't send the PIN when I got a new ATM card. I live nowhere near a branch for my bank. It'll be 3-5 days before the envelope containing my PIN (which I ordered tonight) arrives. I am cashless until then. And all my clothes are dirty. They're loaded in my car and ready to go to the laundromat, but unless there's a place more technologically advanced than Mr. Stadium around here somewhere, I won't be able to use the washers and dryers. So does any body know of a laundromat in Ann Arbor (or even the surrounding towns- I'm willing to drive, I think) that accepts payment by credit card? Please help. I'm out of underwear.

posted by PhatLobley to grab bag (15 comments total)

I'm out of underwear.

If you can't locate a laundromat to meet your needs, maybe you could use your credit card to buy a new package of underwear at a nearby store? That'll at least get you by. Good luck!
posted by amyms at 7:05 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Go to a grocery store, buy something small like a candy bar, and get cashback on your credit card purchase? Most of the grocery stores around where I live, and other stores like Target, will let you get $20 or more cash.
posted by indyz at 7:18 PM on June 3, 2008

Indyz--while I am a huge proponent of the cash-back-to-avoid-ATM-fee scheme, I don't believe this will work if the OP doesn't know her PIN. As far as I know, you can only do cash back on debit (not credit card) purchases, and debits require your PIN.
posted by Jemstar at 7:26 PM on June 3, 2008

- Wash your underwear in the sink. Really, it ain't hard.
- Wait, if you have a car, can't you drive to the nearest branch? Googlemaps is your friend.


- If you are really, truly unable to resolve this issue by Thursday ... heck. I'll meet you downtown and give you quarters. Why not? You get your laundry, and I will get the best story about meeting a complete stranger from the internet ever. "Oh, no, we didn't know each other, but you see, he needed to do his laundry..."

Or we could have a spontaneous Ann Arbor Mefite mini-meetup. Come on, guys!
posted by bettafish at 7:30 PM on June 3, 2008

Btw, on reread - I absolutely didn't mean to make your dilemma sound so trivial in my first two suggestions. Sorry about that! I do hope you can solve this, via sneaky Mefi meetup for quarter transfer or otherwise.
posted by bettafish at 7:33 PM on June 3, 2008

bettafish, my dilemma is way trivial in the grand scheme of things. Didn't mean to sound all dramatic. The nearest branch of my bank (USBank) is in, like, Cincinnati. Unfortunately I don't have the time for that kind of commute. I'm in for the meetup- I'll start a tab at Connor's- on my credit card!- or elsewhere to pay you back for the quarters.
posted by PhatLobley at 7:46 PM on June 3, 2008

Why, I just happen to be in Ann Arbor till Thursday evening. I'll gladly throw in a few bucks for your laundry.
posted by Loto at 7:47 PM on June 3, 2008

There are two Hick's cleaners. I would expect them to take credit cards, since they do dryclean stuff as well as laundry.
posted by proj08 at 8:07 PM on June 3, 2008

hey, I can pitch in some cash too! Mini meetup wednesday after work?
posted by ulotrichous at 8:14 PM on June 3, 2008

I can't do Wednesday, ulotrichous, I have a doctor's appointment, and then dinner with friends of the family. :/ (for for the doctor part, not the dinner part.)
posted by bettafish at 8:22 PM on June 3, 2008

I won't be available Thursday until sometime after 9:30, which, for you 9-5 folks might be a little late. Wednesday I have the day off, so any time works.
posted by PhatLobley at 8:53 PM on June 3, 2008

Well, I can certainly bow out, but count me in to any sequels.
posted by bettafish at 9:51 PM on June 3, 2008

Can I paypal a quarter to the laundry fund? Alas, too far distant to make the meet-up.

(back on topic -- if you find a "wash & fold" service, they may not take credit cards, but will usually take a cheque).
posted by devbrain at 9:58 PM on June 3, 2008

I am not in Ann Arbor but I just love the direction this thread has taken. What about using a Wash-N-Fold service that launders your clothes for you? Surely they'd take a credit card.
posted by kate blank at 5:36 AM on June 4, 2008

I can grab a roll of quarters from work today or tomorrow and you could paypal me for them or get me a six-pack of Oberon. Or just owesies until you get your PIN. I get done at 6 and live downtown.
posted by samph at 12:49 PM on June 4, 2008