If you had to do it again... Would you? - tanTALK

Beachbum110 · 03-31-2009, 10:25 AM

If you had the opportunity to start over with a business... would it be tanning?

As much as I like dealing with people... and my wife and I run a nice tanning salon with a great reputation... and our customer actually like us... however, I don't think I would buy into another tanning salon business.

1st, people are cheap... and will wait 15-minutes (plus) insted of upgrading to the next level for only $2.00

2nd, I'm sick of seeing all the negative news reports about tanning salons and the dangers it offers our kids... FU! Mr and Mrs News Reporter, how about the dangers of watching to much TV News reports. It's depressing!

3rd, I hate the whole seasonal cycle... sure it's great now, but later in the year my thumb turns brown.

4th, I'm sick of the preconceived notion that we are loaded.., every one and their mother wants a donation and/or discount. People come in all the time and say "Do you have any specials?"

"Yeah, that door is special... It swings out... Beat It!" Is what I'd like to say.

5th, I F'n hate my competiton who LOW-BALLS his salon by offering "Prom Specials with a BIG $25.00 Unlimited window sign"... I want to go punch him in the face and say "Hey Stupid, This is the busy season and people are looking to tan... and you want to give it away" Even if he gets 100 kids is only $2,500 vs the $3,500 he would normally make (plus upgrades).

So in return, I have to offer "Prom Specials" that are more creative than his "Pants Dropping Price" because kids will save $10.00 at "Burnt Out Bulbs Tanning Salon"... rather than drive an extra 2 miles to "Brand New Bulbs Tanning Salon"

This is my second rant of the day... I think I need to book a vacation or something to cheer me up. Well the cash register does when it dings.

jkonturas · 03-31-2009, 12:47 PM

I gotta say, I really like this post... You made me laugh my arse off. You are hitting the nail right on the head though. YOur in MA, Im in RI, and we pretty much see the same exact type of people.... Its so ridiculous but true....

I have only 1 regular tanning bed. People will wait an hour for that bed so they dont have to spend an extra $2. Its gotten to the point where I just let them go, because I dont want to look at their ugly face on the couch for 45 min....

Then theres the The old "Do you have any specials" line.... OMG if I dont hear this from EVERY person that comes in. You have been coming here for 5 yrs, the packages and specials are clearly listed.... but apparently every person feels that they DESERVE something more..... You give an inch, they take a mile. Or better yet.... "What can you do for me"? What can I do for you? Are you kidding me? Do I come into your work and ask you "what can you do for ME"???

No Joke, last year this lady would ALWAYS come in and try to bargain her tanning, or would constantly ask me to hook her up... So I found out she was a waitress at Outback... I went with my gf one weekend to the restuarant, and asked to sit in her section..... As SOON as she greeted me.. "Hey, tanning guy", I said "Yup, so what can you do for me"? LMFAO... She fumbled her words and was all in a tizzy, and was like "well, I dont own this place, so I cant really give stuff away".. I said, "well if you did, you probably wouldnt want to either, because then you would be losing money right"??? She just looked at me like she just discovered electricity. I think I made my point well, because everytime she comes in, she has the right amount of money READY in hand.

As for the competition..... I Used to get all upset when the competition did stupid specials, or would badmouth me, and all the things your competition does.... But I realized that its pointless to ***** about it, the only thing that you can do, is KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING.... Dont let them influence YOUR prices. Believe me when I tell you, Ive ben in business for 6 years. When I opened I was the 3rd Salon in Town..... The year after I opened a fourth opened. The one that opened the year after me lasted 8 months. Another one closed in 2006 after 15 yrs of business. The other one just closed this January. I am nice to people, I have a clean salon with good equipment, and I change my lamps @ 500 hours. THATS WHY Im still in business, and Im not just still in business, Im having a hard time Keeping up with the amount of people we are tanning, because business is the best its ever been. My point is, that sometimes it takes YEARS for people to realize where the "good" salon is. They realize after wasting $$ on burnt out tanning lamps in crappy busted salons, and they finally come get a REAL tan.

Ahhh.... I feel better now

engfant · 03-31-2009, 01:35 PM

If people talk about some deal elsewhere I make a remark about how their standards are probably too low for my place as I have equipment that works.

megatanman · 03-31-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkonturas

As for the competition..... I Used to get all upset when the competition did stupid specials, or would badmouth me, and all the things your competition does.... But I realized that its pointless to ***** about it, the only thing that you can do, is KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING.... Dont let them influence YOUR prices. Believe me when I tell you, Ive ben in business for 6 years. When I opened I was the 3rd Salon in Town..... The year after I opened a fourth opened. The one that opened the year after me lasted 8 months. Another one closed in 2006 after 15 yrs of business. The other one just closed this January. I am nice to people, I have a clean salon with good equipment, and I change my lamps @ 500 hours. THATS WHY Im still in business, and Im not just still in business, Im having a hard time Keeping up with the amount of people we are tanning, because business is the best its ever been. My point is, that sometimes it takes YEARS for people to realize where the "good" salon is. They realize after wasting $$ on burnt out tanning lamps in crappy busted salons, and they finally come get a REAL tan.

Ahhh.... I feel better now

My thoughts exactly...I have had 2 salons open in the past 2 years with Soltron and Ergo equipment.Yet I am struggling to keep up with the traffic and still using Sonnenbraunes and Sportareddos that are over 7 years old.

It has gotten so bad for one,rumor has it they are selling their top level for $40 a month and it includes a Shark.

But he's right,it takes alot of dedication and hard work to make $$$.
I have never lowered my prices to beat out the competition and we have always been busy enough that there was no time to worry about how the competition was doing.

If i had to do it again,i would have went right to the machine shop route.One man can operate 3-4 machines and still handle set-ups,QC,packaging.Another handles orders and shipping.All i have to do is the programming,which the operator is slowly learning.Big profit,low overhead.

DB Hottie · 03-31-2009, 03:16 PM

We all have the same complaints.

Look at it this way:
1. Most of us make a decent living despite the highs and lows of our industry.
2. We wouldn't keep at it if we did not like it.
3. People would not continue to flock through our front doors if we were not doing something right.
4. It has allowed for extreme flexibility for our family. I don't have to ask to have time off to volunteer at my daughter's school; go to the doctor; or just plain take a day off.

Get your paper bag beachbum110. I get frustrated too, especially in our slowest of months. As for your question: If I knew then what I know now- I probably would have finished my college education and taken another route.

Beachbum110 · 03-31-2009, 03:35 PM

In 2008 we had our best year ever... up over 50% from 2007... and 2009 is off to a better start than 2008. So in this economy I really can't complain.

My point is the news makes me feel like I'm pedaling Crack to minors, Most of our customers are great... some are P-I-G-S... and the thrifty ones that save money by ordering off the internet.., are the reason my nest egg is not big enough in the off season.

If I had to do it again... I might have gone with a Variety Store, Liquor Store, or a Bar! I don't think I would say to the wife, "hey let's start (or in our case purachse an existing) tanning salon.

Thankfully we are the #1 salon in town... but it is such a cut throat business and with very limited loyalty. We run the best salon, offer the best pricing and have the best equipment, but yet people will leave here and go somewhere else for no apparent reason. We maintain our salon and hand pick our staff, so I'm not afraid of those other salons dropping their pants... It just aggrevates me because this is the "Supply and Demand" season... Discounts are for the off-season.

Beachbum110 · 03-31-2009, 03:41 PM

DB... let us not forget the greatest benifit of them all... 11-hour days!!! They are twice the fun come Q4

engfant · 03-31-2009, 04:41 PM

One of these days I'm going to sneak over there and demand free tanning.

Maybe not today....maybe not tomorrow...ok probably never.

CrystalSS · 03-31-2009, 09:55 PM

How funny! I was just complaining to my husband on the way home tonight that I am SICK of the bartering. What on earth is it about our business that has people coming in with the garage sale mentality? I just bought a commercial vacuum cleaner from a Mom and pop and it never occured to me to barter

DB Hottie · 04-01-2009, 06:58 AM

People in small towns are especially bad about requesting discounts/hookups- IT'S SO RUDE! I know most people who come in our salon and it's hard but you have to stick to your guns. I always say "if I gave everyone I knew a discount, I would not be in business". NOW- What about that $100 bottle of lotion. HAHA

03-31-2009, 10:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Beachbum110 Join Date: Dec 29 2004 Location: MA Posts: 190 Rep Power: 20	If you had to do it again... Would you? If you had the opportunity to start over with a business... would it be tanning? As much as I like dealing with people... and my wife and I run a nice tanning salon with a great reputation... and our customer actually like us... however, I don't think I would buy into another tanning salon business. 1st, people are cheap... and will wait 15-minutes (plus) insted of upgrading to the next level for only $2.00 2nd, I'm sick of seeing all the negative news reports about tanning salons and the dangers it offers our kids... FU! Mr and Mrs News Reporter, how about the dangers of watching to much TV News reports. It's depressing! 3rd, I hate the whole seasonal cycle... sure it's great now, but later in the year my thumb turns brown. 4th, I'm sick of the preconceived notion that we are loaded.., every one and their mother wants a donation and/or discount. People come in all the time and say "Do you have any specials?" "Yeah, that door is special... It swings out... Beat It!" Is what I'd like to say. 5th, I F'n hate my competiton who LOW-BALLS his salon by offering "Prom Specials with a BIG $25.00 Unlimited window sign"... I want to go punch him in the face and say "Hey Stupid, This is the busy season and people are looking to tan... and you want to give it away" Even if he gets 100 kids is only $2,500 vs the $3,500 he would normally make (plus upgrades). So in return, I have to offer "Prom Specials" that are more creative than his "Pants Dropping Price" because kids will save $10.00 at "Burnt Out Bulbs Tanning Salon"... rather than drive an extra 2 miles to "Brand New Bulbs Tanning Salon" This is my second rant of the day... I think I need to book a vacation or something to cheer me up. Well the cash register does when it dings. Last edited by Beachbum110; 03-31-2009 at 10:28 AM.

03-31-2009, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
jkonturas Join Date: Aug 27 2003 Location: Rhode Island Age: 46 Posts: 854 Rep Power: 21	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? I gotta say, I really like this post... You made me laugh my arse off. You are hitting the nail right on the head though. YOur in MA, Im in RI, and we pretty much see the same exact type of people.... Its so ridiculous but true.... I have only 1 regular tanning bed. People will wait an hour for that bed so they dont have to spend an extra $2. Its gotten to the point where I just let them go, because I dont want to look at their ugly face on the couch for 45 min.... Then theres the The old "Do you have any specials" line.... OMG if I dont hear this from EVERY person that comes in. You have been coming here for 5 yrs, the packages and specials are clearly listed.... but apparently every person feels that they DESERVE something more..... You give an inch, they take a mile. Or better yet.... "What can you do for me"? What can I do for you? Are you kidding me? Do I come into your work and ask you "what can you do for ME"??? No Joke, last year this lady would ALWAYS come in and try to bargain her tanning, or would constantly ask me to hook her up... So I found out she was a waitress at Outback... I went with my gf one weekend to the restuarant, and asked to sit in her section..... As SOON as she greeted me.. "Hey, tanning guy", I said "Yup, so what can you do for me"? LMFAO... She fumbled her words and was all in a tizzy, and was like "well, I dont own this place, so I cant really give stuff away".. I said, "well if you did, you probably wouldnt want to either, because then you would be losing money right"??? She just looked at me like she just discovered electricity. I think I made my point well, because everytime she comes in, she has the right amount of money READY in hand. As for the competition..... I Used to get all upset when the competition did stupid specials, or would badmouth me, and all the things your competition does.... But I realized that its pointless to ***** about it, the only thing that you can do, is KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING.... Dont let them influence YOUR prices. Believe me when I tell you, Ive ben in business for 6 years. When I opened I was the 3rd Salon in Town..... The year after I opened a fourth opened. The one that opened the year after me lasted 8 months. Another one closed in 2006 after 15 yrs of business. The other one just closed this January. I am nice to people, I have a clean salon with good equipment, and I change my lamps @ 500 hours. THATS WHY Im still in business, and Im not just still in business, Im having a hard time Keeping up with the amount of people we are tanning, because business is the best its ever been. My point is, that sometimes it takes YEARS for people to realize where the "good" salon is. They realize after wasting $$ on burnt out tanning lamps in crappy busted salons, and they finally come get a REAL tan. Ahhh.... I feel better now __________________ http://www.extremetanri.com

03-31-2009, 01:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
engfant Join Date: May 20 2003 Posts: 9,301 Rep Power: 29	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? If people talk about some deal elsewhere I make a remark about how their standards are probably too low for my place as I have equipment that works.

03-31-2009, 03:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
DB Hottie Join Date: Jul 8 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,085 Rep Power: 16	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? We all have the same complaints. Look at it this way: 1. Most of us make a decent living despite the highs and lows of our industry. 2. We wouldn't keep at it if we did not like it. 3. People would not continue to flock through our front doors if we were not doing something right. 4. It has allowed for extreme flexibility for our family. I don't have to ask to have time off to volunteer at my daughter's school; go to the doctor; or just plain take a day off. Get your paper bag beachbum110. I get frustrated too, especially in our slowest of months. As for your question: If I knew then what I know now- I probably would have finished my college education and taken another route.

03-31-2009, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Beachbum110 Join Date: Dec 29 2004 Location: MA Posts: 190 Rep Power: 20	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? In 2008 we had our best year ever... up over 50% from 2007... and 2009 is off to a better start than 2008. So in this economy I really can't complain. My point is the news makes me feel like I'm pedaling Crack to minors, Most of our customers are great... some are P-I-G-S... and the thrifty ones that save money by ordering off the internet.., are the reason my nest egg is not big enough in the off season. If I had to do it again... I might have gone with a Variety Store, Liquor Store, or a Bar! I don't think I would say to the wife, "hey let's start (or in our case purachse an existing) tanning salon. Thankfully we are the #1 salon in town... but it is such a cut throat business and with very limited loyalty. We run the best salon, offer the best pricing and have the best equipment, but yet people will leave here and go somewhere else for no apparent reason. We maintain our salon and hand pick our staff, so I'm not afraid of those other salons dropping their pants... It just aggrevates me because this is the "Supply and Demand" season... Discounts are for the off-season.

03-31-2009, 03:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Beachbum110 Join Date: Dec 29 2004 Location: MA Posts: 190 Rep Power: 20	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? DB... let us not forget the greatest benifit of them all... 11-hour days!!! They are twice the fun come Q4

03-31-2009, 04:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
engfant Join Date: May 20 2003 Posts: 9,301 Rep Power: 29	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? One of these days I'm going to sneak over there and demand free tanning. Maybe not today....maybe not tomorrow...ok probably never.

03-31-2009, 09:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
CrystalSS Join Date: Apr 23 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,042 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 16	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? How funny! I was just complaining to my husband on the way home tonight that I am SICK of the bartering. What on earth is it about our business that has people coming in with the garage sale mentality? I just bought a commercial vacuum cleaner from a Mom and pop and it never occured to me to barter

04-01-2009, 06:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
DB Hottie Join Date: Jul 8 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,085 Rep Power: 16	Re: If you had to do it again... Would you? People in small towns are especially bad about requesting discounts/hookups- IT'S SO RUDE! I know most people who come in our salon and it's hard but you have to stick to your guns. I always say "if I gave everyone I knew a discount, I would not be in business". NOW- What about that $100 bottle of lotion. HAHA

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