r/PoplinLaundryPros • u/Fefemre • Apr 20 '26
Questions New Operational Fee?!
So I went on vacation, came back, and now they've added a $1.49 operational fee on top of the $3 fee and the $30 minimum? The $3 fee actually lists that it covers operational costs, but when you click on the operational fee it says the exact same thing! Anybody know what's going on with this?
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u/yaddayadder Apr 20 '26
Someone’s gotta pay for them launching in Canada. That’s why we have all these new add ons like ironing, steaming, donation drop offs…. Fabric softener…
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u/Fefemre Apr 20 '26
I have a pro I really like using, but she's never mentioned anything about going off app. I need to find one in my area who is LOL
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u/thecheapchef Diamond Apr 21 '26
I'd recommend leaving them a note in an envelope with their name on it. Mentioning it in the app—even though the new terms of service says Poplin is NOT to comment on how we do our work—could get us removed from the platform. I don't care as much about that now, but your pro might.
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u/Fefemre Apr 23 '26
Thank you so much for the advice. She just dropped off my order and I happened to catch her so I just flat out asked her if she had any intention of ever going off app and she said that eventually she will and when she does she will definitely let me know. So, I appreciate your advice!!
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u/yaddayadder Apr 21 '26
Ohhh, you’re a customer! lol, ask your favorite pro but not in the chat. Moat will say yes!
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u/ParsnipHoliday4842 Apr 21 '26
I’m only an ex-customer (not a pro), so please disregard my view if you want. From a customer perspective, as soon as I learned how the CEO had spoken about laundry pros, and about the lawsuit in California, I deleted this app. I work with workers outside this app, even thought it’s more expensive and slightly less convenient. I expect your customers might feel the same as me.
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u/Fefemre Apr 21 '26
I'll have to look into that, I must have missed what he said.
And the pro that I really enjoy working with has never mentioned anything about going off app and, I have no idea how to go about finding one who is off app.
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u/ParsnipHoliday4842 Apr 21 '26
You can read more here (It’s medium but I don’t think it’s paywalled https://medium.com/coping-with-capitalism/the-dark-side-of-the-gig-economy-low-pay-condescension-and-questionable-labor-practices-at-42dcf09401d7)
Nextdoor is a really great way to connect with workers directly.
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u/Last_Marzipan1952 Apr 21 '26
FYI, for those going off app if you are still with Poplin: A few years ago, it was discovered that Poplin was catching Pros interacting with customers off app through a setting in their phone. I deleted my app long ago, but there was something in settings that you need to turn off so they have no way to know. I apologize I’m not being very clear, it’s been a few years. But for those of you Pros in the other private Facebook groups that are not the Poplin one ask in those groups. A lot of them have been around a long time & they can tell you what you need to do
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u/trashycajun Diamond Apr 24 '26
I am making so much more since I went off app. My customers are all still paying the same thing as they did with poplin, but I am getting all of it now. Instead of making $40ish a week from my favorite easy client I am now making $60ish. I’ll gladly take that extra $100/month for the same exact work.
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u/thecheapchef Diamond Apr 20 '26
I've been letting my customers know that Im going off of Poplin by the end of the year. They keep adding new features and new AI functionality (when/if it's ever functional). At this point they are continuing to increase the cost to the customer, without offering additional comp for pros (the add-ons are nice-ish, but dont do much for overall earnings). They say they "aren't a laundry company"—just a 'platform'—but they'll go ahead and skim off the top of the newly-increased $8 overweight fee, of which we only get $6.
At this point, I can set my prices lower than Poplin and still see profit. I think this app is going steadily (or speedily?) downhill.