river_brat

So, I was off on Saturday, went out early to do some errands, and the mall had not yet open. So being bored and New Years eve, I go into a tanning salon a city over from mine. I walk in, and the lady behind the desk did not even stop reading her magazine. I ask about what their prices are. Rather than showin me, she tells me we have 20 min, 15 min and a high pressure booth. So now my interest is peaked, I ask can you show me your beds. Oh...ok she says, so she shows me the HP bed. OMG. It was a sunvision 44 with 3 HP facials. I ask her again, this is a HP bed? She replied YES!.. I laughed turned around and walked out. So I go to another salon that I tanned at while going to High school, beautiful salon, I have to say. I get in the girl is there vaccuming away, has no clue that i am standing there for about 5 minutes until I go to her and say hello. She asks if I have been there before I said yes a long trime ago. I ask about her beds, same thing she just goes we have 20 min, 10 min and the orbit. No tour no NOTHING. So i always love the orbit decide to buy a session, I didnt have any lotion with me so I start lookiung to buy a sample. The girl points the crappy lotions in a basket these are only $3. I told her yeah but they are crap. She smiles. So she then right off the bat goes you want the 12? From being sick and not tanning I ask her when was the last time you changed the lamps, SHE HAD NO CLUE. So I took the 12. :) She goes your all set....I ask her what room am I gonig to, she then just goes 9 and starts going on about her business. I get in the room, I grab the bed cleaner and the towel and recleaned the bed. The bed looked better after, they never cleaned the top canopy lotion build up on the side, and the bulbs had an insane amount of dirt yes dirt not dust built up. It sucks this salon is beautiful from outside appearances, but man oh man they are misssing the mark. My session ended, I go to leave girl sees me doesnt even doesnt say a word, good bye, happy new, NOTHING.

The $23 I spent, really made me realize I am doing something right, and even though from time to time my staff fusterates me they still however take care of my clients and are 100% better than what I saw in 2 salons in little under 30 minutes.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but man, some people have not a friggen clue!

clubtan1

Always good to see for yourself what others are doing. Sometimes you find good ideas that you never thought of too.

river_brat

Agreed club, I have learned a lot from visiting other salons, but this time I just got a greater appreciation for my staff and the way we do things. :)

ChristineE

Doesn't that just motivate you even more to be better?! :) Seriously, every time I encounter a salon like this near me I get giddy because I know how much better my salon is :) I can tell you guys feel the same

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No longer a ban virgin. I feel so dirty.

SandiGirl

At least you know to scope things out properly. The old worn out salon right behind us is for sale and I know who intends on buying it but he doesn't know I know. He came in yesterday and said "Can I do a drop in?". Yep. He didn't ask a thing and I didn't offer. I wanted him to have to ask. I did tell him what the different beds were but didn't show him. And then off he went. What was the point?

OASIS BEACH

We "secret shop" area salons all of the time. It really "freaks" new customers out when we "know" about these salons. We never say anything "bad" about them, mind you, but it certainly shuts up the bottom feeders when I can counter them when they try to compare us with other salons. hahhahaha

top250tansyou

I have never been in another salon. Wait once but not to tan or look around. Wait twice but not to tan or look around.

pam

I send my girls to other salons occasionally. I would love to go myself but I am sure I would be recognized by someone. It is amazing the things they see. I did go about a year ago to another salon with a friend who was looking for a swimsuit for a winter trip. This was the salon where I tanned before I opened mine. Amazing how filthy it was..still had the same stains on the carpet that had been there 8 years ago.

dcjjp2

I love going to area salons, go in the evenings when the owners/franchisees aren't there. That's when it is the busiest and most clueless are working.

river_brat

lol dcj. I only have one competitor in my town, but in the towns over there are a ton of salons that wouldnt know me other than growing up there. I am going to start sending some of my girls around so they can see why it is soooo important we do what we do.