I’ve written about food delivery services for downtown Austin residents, including some areas outside of downtown before, proclaiming my undying appreciation for the convenience they bring. Downtown Austin Blog has also written of our support of Uber, and most Uber drivers I’ve talked to say the majority of their business is in downtown & central Austin. Convenience services have been propelled into our lives within the past couple of years. Unlike some startups from the early 2000s, these players seem to have entered a convenience economy, with consumers willing to consistently spend the extra money.
Below are a handful of services that you might not have heard of, but I wanted to highlight for the convenience seeking, time-crunched DAB reader (more after the jump):
Massage.com
It’s exactly what you think it is. You go to the site, search for services by zip code / date, and then book and pay (including tip). A massage therapist comes to your condo, gives you a massage, then leave! No money is exchanged, and you don’t ever have to leave the comfort of your own home.
I’ve used this service, and found it to be pretty great. I had a wonderfully competent massage therapist come right to my door, set up the massage table, and give me a great massage. Then, she left after she was done. It was very streamlined. Some recommendations when using a service like this:
- Make sure your dog can handle you having this service in your home (see below, Fidelio Dog Works), or can be out of the condo. There is nothing less relaxing than a big dog trying to jump on the table or a small dog yapping throughout the session.
- Make sure to have room for a massage table to be set up (5ft x 8ft)
- Set up your home to be as “spa” like as possible. Make sure the space is relatively clean, light a candle, put on some relaxing music on Pandora…
Washcyclelaundry.com
This service is relatively new in Austin (it was born in West Phillie, just like the Fresh Prince!). Order laundry pick up online and provide credit card info. A signature orange tricycle will pick up your laundry, weight it and email you the cost of the order, wash and fold, then deliver back to you in a bright yellow reusable bag.
Downtown Austin condos with shared laundry facilities (Posada del Ray, Cambridge Towers, The Westgage, and The Penthouse – I’m talking to you!) may be among the perfect consumers for this specific service. I personally use them for large bedding that won’t really fit in my normal / compact washer and dryer (I’m sure many condo dwellers with compact laundry facilities in their home can relate!) – and I find it to be totally worth it. My comforter costs $20 bucks with door to door delivery.
Currently, Wash Cycle Laundry services the following Central Austin neighborhoods: downtown Austin, UT, East Austin, Hancock, Clarksville, Rosedale, Old Enfield, Hyde Park.
FidelioDogs.com
Yappy puppy? Dealing with house-training woes? Or, do you just want to teach your dog the “bang, bang – you’re dead!” trick (which is what we did!)?
Fidelio Dog Works is the place to call, at least in our estimation.
The real heart of this training is that it’s done in your home, as opposed to an off-site facility. Not only is this convenient, it’s also reportedly MUCH better for your dog, as not only should distractions be more limited (there’s not 20 other barking dogs to play with), but dogs are more likely to remember training that occurs in the location where they live and spend their time (they associate the behavior with the place, sometimes).
Jude and I booked three sessions with Steve at Fidelio a couple years’ back when Blog was young and it was a great FOUNDATION for him.
We couldn’t have been more pleased with the investment of having Fidelio come to our home to help our little one!