My Building

So. I live in this really crazy building where half the people have been there since the 70s and are aging hippie artists. We have a listserv where anyone can email all the residents with their complaints. I love the listserv, and I find it endlessly entertaining. Even after the 20th email of the day. By popular demand I give you today's listserv special:

Dear Members,

As you may know, (or not know) our commercial washers cost about $2,500.00 each. We have been having trouble with the machines malfunctioning and have had to call service repairmen to come and diagnose and fix the malfunction.I was present when one of the servicemen was working on the washers (which cost the co-op money) and I inquired as to why this malfunction occurred.He stated the following:Overloading was one contributor.Washing rubberized bath mats was the other; with great emphasis. I reported this to the board.. XXX, then president, did some research and found it to be true. Rubberized bath mats in washers causes an extreme uneven distribution of weight in the spin cycle, hence throwing off or even breaking the mechanism that controls the balance in the spin cycle and shutting down the washer. XXX took the time to make signs communicating the proper way to use the washers and posted them above the washers.In addition, the board has spent much time discussing what to do with the malfunctioning washers and almost came to the point of buying new washers. That could have cost the co-op around $10,000.00.Money that we all would have had to pay.

Today while doing my laundry, I discovered three (3) bath mats and a toilet seat cover in a dryer. The dryer was on high and that could have been a fire hazard.Yes............it's true............I took the bath mats and I have them.So.................if you want them back, (because I certainly don't) please send me an email and I will give them to you. If you email me personally, I will sent your name out [to all the residents].Please remember that our washers and dryers are communal and should be treated with respect. Unless of course, you plan to buy the co-op new washers and dryers.

Please DO NOT wash you bath mats in our washing machines.
Very Sincerely, XXX

And the response:

All,

During my year on the board I continuously argued to have all those washers replaced to no avail. I suggest the membership provide the board a consensus of opinion and to act if the consensus is to replace the machines.

We have washers that are out of warranty and past there useful life span. They were designed to wash larger loads than "household" washers, including small rugs, bath mats, and up to queen sized bed quilts. They were designed to be filled with laundry and water levels adjusted to the weight of the load. That's what "front loading is all about". They have an outside cylinder around the interior drum filled with a liquid that balances loads (the swishing sound you hear when you turn the drum to make sure you get all your socks out). The only problem with bath mats is those that are already deteriorating otherwise they were designed to handle that. They reason they can't handle those tasks anymore is simply do to 7 years of wear.

We need to replace those washers so that we have commercial heavy duty washers, up to date and capable of serving the demands of a XX unit building.

Why we insist on letting worn out machines govern our lives is beyond me. And to the extent that our esteemed President is actually confiscating another member's property. I'd like to see that authority somewhere in the bylaws.

XXX

Confiscated bath mats! I have even better examples, and when I find them I will post.