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Old 07-07-2011, 12:58 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by parrot head View Post
and even my new "super women" employee can't sell to ghosts.
You just made a point that most over look. Even if you do manage to find a super-star employee and they get paid well though commisions; they may get discouraged in the slow months and leave for greener pastures.

BTW: Most ghosts are white (Casper, comes to mind); should be an easy sell.
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:09 PM   #32 (permalink)
 
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by taboo56 View Post
I am new to TanTalk.com. Here in NW Ohio. We have had our salon for 12 years and I believe this is the quickest I've ever seen business taper. I don't know if we are going to make it thru the summer or not. We are located in a small town, but have 2 colleges and my only hope is that once the kids come back to school, they will start tanning again.
We have been contemplating selling the business, so if anyone knows of someone looking to buy a salon, please let me know. We would be willing to let it go fairly cheap. We have 6 lay downs and 1 stand-up.
This would be one of the worse places to try to sell your busness IMO. Had I read through all the posts on this site before I opened up in March, would never have done it. You have at least been around for 12 years and hopefully have your business paid off and a loyal customer base that will return to you in the fall. I wish you luck....
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:21 PM   #33 (permalink)
 
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Cool Re: How's everyones season goin?

Yes, the business is paid for, but I really believe fewer people are tanning than that of 5 years ago (at least in our area) I think with what has been printed in magazines and newspapers about tanning hasn't helped anyone's business.
I guess we will just have to go with the flow. Hopefully the temperatures will drop earlier this year.
thanks for your reply
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:42 PM   #34 (permalink)
 
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by taboo56 View Post
Yes, the business is paid for, but I really believe fewer people are tanning than that of 5 years ago (at least in our area) I think with what has been printed in magazines and newspapers about tanning hasn't helped anyone's business.
I guess we will just have to go with the flow. Hopefully the temperatures will drop earlier this year.
thanks for your reply
You didn't mention if you had spray tanning . If you don't, you should get it. Some days it is the only thing I have sold and customers love it! You are right about less people tanning and the negative press is never going to lighten up on UV tanning. At least you don' have to pay the tan tax on the sales.
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:51 PM   #35 (permalink)
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by gravesmc View Post
I'm trying to work on an add now for an add in the newspaper to use up a credit I have. Is it too early for a "tan for $$ until 2012"? When others have tried this, is it for all levels? I was thinking maybe 1/2 price walk-ins after a free tan week end. My first JASON season, and I didn't make a dime yesterday. Please advise on what has worked the best for some of you...
Thank you so much.
1. It's never too early to run it - just depends on what price you make it for.

2. Level 1 ONLY!! Then they pay to upgrade to the others throughout the year.

a. You make more money this way & have some revenue coming in along the way throughout slow season

b. Customers think it is a better deal (because in their mind they remember the initial price point, not all the other money they spent on upgrades along the way)


Unlikely to do well with a Free Tan Weekend this time of year - or newspaper ads. If the ad is free, ok. If you can save the credit for later, save it and just do window signs, facebook ads, emails to your data base, etc (basically free stuff)


I price my "Tan Til 2012 at or about my EFT pricing for this time of year. Right now it is $114.95, will drop to $99.95 in August, then probably $74.95 in mid-Sept. Can then use this to show them EFT option as well -- especially if that membership has added benefits like % off lotion everyday, discounted upgrades, etc Some will go for the pre-pay option --- others may do EFT, especially if what they really want is the higher level beds.


Be aggressive - especially for those of you still trying to build clientele or worried about making it through busy season. $99 right now is a great deal for customers, but you'll do fine too --- especially if you work on upgrading them and selling lotion along the way! The key is to have door swings - if nobody is coming in, you can't sell them anything!
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:55 PM   #36 (permalink)
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by taboo56 View Post
I am new to TanTalk.com. Here in NW Ohio. We have had our salon for 12 years and I believe this is the quickest I've ever seen business taper. I don't know if we are going to make it thru the summer or not. We are located in a small town, but have 2 colleges and my only hope is that once the kids come back to school, they will start tanning again.
We have been contemplating selling the business, so if anyone knows of someone looking to buy a salon, please let me know. We would be willing to let it go fairly cheap. We have 6 lay downs and 1 stand-up.

Don't get lost in the daily numbers - sometimes a hot week can be a big difference. With the 4th on a Monday this year a LOT of people are out on vacation this week. We had good counts all last, through Friday & Saturday. Then Sunday the 3rd was slow -- ok. Monday was slow - expected. But then Tuesday was dead too! But then yesterday went back up to last week numbers. It's a cycle. Don't panic -- but be proactive and be aggressive!
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Old 07-07-2011, 02:00 PM   #37 (permalink)
 
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

You didn't mention if you had spray tanning . If you don't, you should get it. Some days it is the only thing I have sold and customers love it! You are right about less people tanning and the negative press is never going to lighten up on UV tanning. At least you don' have to pay the tan tax on the sales.

gravesmc....No we don't have spray tanning . Not real big in this area. We have looked into it, but that is about as far as it has gone.

We do have to pay the tan tax on sales (10%) and that on top of the state sales tax (7%) our state heads put on tanning about 3-4 years ago. So you can see why we are interested in getting out of the tanning business. 17% of sales go right to the government. That doesn't even include payroll taxes along with all other expenses.
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Old 07-07-2011, 02:02 PM   #38 (permalink)
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

Quote:
Originally Posted by taboo56 View Post
Yes, the business is paid for, but I really believe fewer people are tanning than that of 5 years ago (at least in our area) I think with what has been printed in magazines and newspapers about tanning hasn't helped anyone's business.
I guess we will just have to go with the flow. Hopefully the temperatures will drop earlier this year.
thanks for your reply

The peak, for most salons, was 2004 - it has gone down since then.

However, in many areas, competition is also down.

The economy hit hard, but it is slowly recovering (and/or people are getting used to it)


Suggestions:

1. Email your data base (using constant contact or something like that). If you don't have emails - start collecting them today!

2. Make ads on facebook

3. Put big signs in your windows adv a great special (a week for XX or tan till 2012 for yy)

4. Put in a referral contest for your customers -- anyone that brings in a new customer gets X free, if that person buys a package they get Y free


Lots of cheap/free stuff you can do to drum up business - it'll still be slow season, but remind people you are there, they can get their tan in 15-20 mins of air conditioned comfort, etc


Use this time to spruce up the salon - detail the beds, the rooms, maybe a fresh coat of paint, bring in some different decor items from home, etc -- something to make it "pop" for you and for customers.
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Old 07-07-2011, 02:05 PM   #39 (permalink)
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

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Originally Posted by taboo56 View Post

gravesmc....No we don't have spray tanning. Not real big in this area. We have looked into it, but that is about as far as it has gone.
Spray tanning is big everywhere - even Tiffin. You can get an used Mystic booth for probably $5-7K or do custom airbrush for under $1K. If you aren't interested in doing the Airbrush yourself, see if someone local wants to set up a business for themselves within your salon and pay you either rent or a portion of the proceeds!
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Old 07-07-2011, 02:11 PM   #40 (permalink)
 
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Re: How's everyones season goin?

I want to thank everyone for their ideas and comments. Keep them coming.
Thanks again!
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