Want to open a tanning salon -- need help? - Page 2 - tanTALK

BronzeBiz · 11-10-2003, 09:37 PM

I am opening my Tanning Center in December. I found the leasing programs were a very high interest rate. Your personal bank can usually do leases at a much lower rate, but you can't save money by paying off early. A business loan is the best way, however you will have to have a formal business plan and a friendly banker:) I purchased 8 ProSun beds at the show in Nashville. I feel like they will serve me well. I plan to add 12 more beds/stand ups/ spray tan units next year. If the ProSun's don't live up to my expectations, then they won't get more business.

soapking · 11-11-2003, 04:01 AM

I would have never considered ETS..They have re-vamped the beds..and they are nice. The Sunscape is the best VHR in the industry..I would say, better than than the Sungate, and I am a AUVL/Mueler user. The Solaris and up, are the only improved beds..the lower line is trash. They now offer the best HP beds, the Velocity, by Whitesun..pure Italian design..BUT..note, with the new Euro looks, come the new Euro prices. ETS beds are not 'cheap' in price. The HPs are 30k..the Sunscape, 29k..the others in the high teens.

jkonturas · 11-13-2003, 06:03 PM

Tan-talizing, You are gonna get every different opinion out there on this site.
The key word is OPINION !! Every salon owner is gonna say that their equipment is the best, that is the way it is. Here is my advice- RESEARCH!! Then when your done researching, research again !!! Whatever your competition has is NOT what you want. Get something different, do what your local salons are NOT doing.
Get different beds, carry different lotions, and form a new view on tanning.
There are not too many people that talk about Heartland Tan, they carry the Ovation line of beds, SunDazzler stand-up's. These are what I chose, and let me tell you, THEY ROCK !!! American made, the tan you get is noticably better, easy maintainence, steel built and tough, long-lasting, wide- (which nost beds are not) etc... Also, their VHR beds are some of the best in the business.
Their prices are fair, and they have great customer service. Let me give it to you like this, Tan America equipment is awesome, but it is expensive. Heartland Tan equipment is virtually the exact same, and is 2/3 's the price. Heartland builds to order, meaning you order your beds and pay for them, and Heartland starts building your beds Custom for you. If you could buy a BMW for $50,000 or you could buy the same exact car, and call it something else for $37,000 which one would you buy? I'm not saying that they are imitation, I am just saying that if the equipment is the same but cheaper, your gonna buy it. I am rambling, so I will shut up now, But like I said everyone has their own "opnion" in here, so just do your homework and you'll be fine.

playitagainenterprises · 11-13-2003, 11:03 PM

Some are oppinion and some are fact!! I agree with doing your homework and when it is done GO for the extra credit. I am not really looking to bash any company so I will not list any names in a public forum. I would just like to say that if you plan on keeping these beds for a while then make sure the company will back them up for the years to come. I sell used tanning beds for a living this is my job and my life. Therfore I often typically have older beds. I have ran across three manufactors this year that I will never buy thier beds again regardless of the price or profit involved.
My most recent experience.
I lost a leg to a 1997 model tanning bed thru shipping this past month. When I called the manufacture to order another one they told me this bed was to old that they have not had parts for this bed for a long time. They could not even refer me to anyone. This unit had 1100 hours of use on it and was in prestine condition. Fortunatly for me I have found a metal shop that will make and mold me a new leg. I almost lost this one becuase the company believes that a 6 year old bed is to old. That is thier own bed that they have said that about. I was pretty hot at thier statement and for someone like me in a used market it does not work when a company does not back up thier product.
Anyways~~~~
I will ramble forever when I get started thats why I much rather just listen.
So yes just do your homework,
and ask all these oppinions to further explain I have noticed they have no problem with it.

I personally do not like to lease or fianance ANYTHING, that just me

As far as franchising the best ideas are unique ones.

DIXIE ~~ I love the Puretan statement and for the record Puretan still provides for parts for any bed they have ever made, maybe its becuase no one ever needs them (HEHE, LOL)!!!!!!! Now that is backing.

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: playitagainenterprises on 2003-11-13 23:04 ]

soapking · 11-14-2003, 04:06 AM

Oh..He forgot to tell you..Playit again is a Puretan dealer..another Roger protege'

g-doe · 11-14-2003, 02:24 PM

i feel funny saying this but soapking is right about a franchise. i am a franchise owner, the only thing i want to leave you with is, and i think all would agree is that advertising is an important part of success. the ability to be all over the usa is awesome (t.v., radio, print, and on and on)recognition counts for a lot. advertising very exspensive. good luck and hopfully nobody shoot me for being a franny

mouthybrat · 11-14-2003, 02:30 PM

Heck, g-doe, we won't shot ya! You do make a good point about advertising, but to be honest with you, the best advertisment ever is a customer with a good tan in the winter and everyone asking "HEY, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GREAT TAN!"

Word of mouth, honey! All the advertising bucks in the world can not say it any better than that!

TanningEmporium · 11-14-2003, 03:00 PM

TANT...you will be better off going with the ERGO/Sundash beds, they are located in Greensboro,,if something goes wrong with the beds, they are less than 40 minutes away and come fix em'.
Where in raleigh are you? Have you checked out the salons around you...you have alot of upscale salons in your area...I would go and ask opinions of them...I hear Cabana Tans has a few places...What and why and how long have you been thinking about doing this..How about your capital...??There are alot of things to consider.
Yes we do have to have classroom certification and regs, but that is the least of your worries, that is the small stuff...check your market...look into finding a location. IF you have questions I am more than willing to meet with you and tell you what I had to face...and my research before opening I am only 45 minutes from you, feel free to call me anytime.

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11-11-2003, 04:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
soapking Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Mar 7 2003 Posts: 489 Rep Power: 0	I would have never considered ETS..They have re-vamped the beds..and they are nice. The Sunscape is the best VHR in the industry..I would say, better than than the Sungate, and I am a AUVL/Mueler user. The Solaris and up, are the only improved beds..the lower line is trash. They now offer the best HP beds, the Velocity, by Whitesun..pure Italian design..BUT..note, with the new Euro looks, come the new Euro prices. ETS beds are not 'cheap' in price. The HPs are 30k..the Sunscape, 29k..the others in the high teens.

11-13-2003, 06:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
jkonturas Join Date: Aug 27 2003 Location: Rhode Island Age: 47 Posts: 854 Rep Power: 21	Tan-talizing, You are gonna get every different opinion out there on this site. The key word is OPINION !! Every salon owner is gonna say that their equipment is the best, that is the way it is. Here is my advice- RESEARCH!! Then when your done researching, research again !!! Whatever your competition has is NOT what you want. Get something different, do what your local salons are NOT doing. Get different beds, carry different lotions, and form a new view on tanning. There are not too many people that talk about Heartland Tan, they carry the Ovation line of beds, SunDazzler stand-up's. These are what I chose, and let me tell you, THEY ROCK !!! American made, the tan you get is noticably better, easy maintainence, steel built and tough, long-lasting, wide- (which nost beds are not) etc... Also, their VHR beds are some of the best in the business. Their prices are fair, and they have great customer service. Let me give it to you like this, Tan America equipment is awesome, but it is expensive. Heartland Tan equipment is virtually the exact same, and is 2/3 's the price. Heartland builds to order, meaning you order your beds and pay for them, and Heartland starts building your beds Custom for you. If you could buy a BMW for $50,000 or you could buy the same exact car, and call it something else for $37,000 which one would you buy? I'm not saying that they are imitation, I am just saying that if the equipment is the same but cheaper, your gonna buy it. I am rambling, so I will shut up now, But like I said everyone has their own "opnion" in here, so just do your homework and you'll be fine.

11-13-2003, 11:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
playitagainenterprises Join Date: May 31 2003 Posts: 996 Rep Power: 21	Some are oppinion and some are fact!! I agree with doing your homework and when it is done GO for the extra credit. I am not really looking to bash any company so I will not list any names in a public forum. I would just like to say that if you plan on keeping these beds for a while then make sure the company will back them up for the years to come. I sell used tanning beds for a living this is my job and my life. Therfore I often typically have older beds. I have ran across three manufactors this year that I will never buy thier beds again regardless of the price or profit involved. My most recent experience. I lost a leg to a 1997 model tanning bed thru shipping this past month. When I called the manufacture to order another one they told me this bed was to old that they have not had parts for this bed for a long time. They could not even refer me to anyone. This unit had 1100 hours of use on it and was in prestine condition. Fortunatly for me I have found a metal shop that will make and mold me a new leg. I almost lost this one becuase the company believes that a 6 year old bed is to old. That is thier own bed that they have said that about. I was pretty hot at thier statement and for someone like me in a used market it does not work when a company does not back up thier product. Anyways~~~~ I will ramble forever when I get started thats why I much rather just listen. So yes just do your homework, and ask all these oppinions to further explain I have noticed they have no problem with it. I personally do not like to lease or fianance ANYTHING, that just me As far as franchising the best ideas are unique ones. DIXIE ~~ I love the Puretan statement and for the record Puretan still provides for parts for any bed they have ever made, maybe its becuase no one ever needs them (HEHE, LOL)!!!!!!! Now that is backing. _________________ [ This Message was edited by: playitagainenterprises on 2003-11-13 23:04 ]

11-14-2003, 04:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
soapking Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Mar 7 2003 Posts: 489 Rep Power: 0	Oh..He forgot to tell you..Playit again is a Puretan dealer..another Roger protege'

11-14-2003, 02:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
g-doe Join Date: Oct 10 2003 Location: orlando Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	i feel funny saying this but soapking is right about a franchise. i am a franchise owner, the only thing i want to leave you with is, and i think all would agree is that advertising is an important part of success. the ability to be all over the usa is awesome (t.v., radio, print, and on and on)recognition counts for a lot. advertising very exspensive. good luck and hopfully nobody shoot me for being a franny

11-14-2003, 02:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
mouthybrat Join Date: Nov 9 2003 Posts: 589 Rep Power: 21	Heck, g-doe, we won't shot ya! You do make a good point about advertising, but to be honest with you, the best advertisment ever is a customer with a good tan in the winter and everyone asking "HEY, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GREAT TAN!" Word of mouth, honey! All the advertising bucks in the world can not say it any better than that!

11-14-2003, 03:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
TanningEmporium Join Date: Jul 15 2003 Location: 213 Skyland Shp Ctr Posts: 2,613 Rep Power: 22	TANT...you will be better off going with the ERGO/Sundash beds, they are located in Greensboro,,if something goes wrong with the beds, they are less than 40 minutes away and come fix em'. Where in raleigh are you? Have you checked out the salons around you...you have alot of upscale salons in your area...I would go and ask opinions of them...I hear Cabana Tans has a few places...What and why and how long have you been thinking about doing this..How about your capital...??There are alot of things to consider. Yes we do have to have classroom certification and regs, but that is the least of your worries, that is the small stuff...check your market...look into finding a location. IF you have questions I am more than willing to meet with you and tell you what I had to face...and my research before opening I am only 45 minutes from you, feel free to call me anytime.

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