Originally Posted by peach

We tend to speak in generalizations which doesn't really help people much. Trying to be all things to all people in my opinion is a recipe for disaster. Your average entrepreneur will never be able to compete with a big box franchise operation straight up.

I buy good serviceable equipment in the 8-10 old range, and I do not obsess about HP and other expensive units that require gobs of HVAC and power. I keep my costs low; therefore I can price myself below big box competitors and still keep a decent profit margin. I have clean but not luxurious facilities. That has been a formula for success for me for 21 years now. I compete successfully with some of the biggest names in the tanning franchise business.