MonaHornyak

Can some people give me their definitions of what makes a tannin bed a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or a Level 4? Are these definitions pretty much agreed upon by the industry?

sunsally

Good question - and NO - you'll get plenty of disagreement, but a little bit of overlap......


In general - your lowest bed in YOUR salon is Level 1 and it goes up from there. Defined as what you charge for them. (so if you charge $7 to go into one bed and the next bed costs $10 - the $7 is level 1 and the $10 is level 2).

Some will argue there are only three "levels" in terms of "types" of beds:
a. 100W systems
b. 160W (or "VHR") systems
c. High Pressure (HP) systems


However, in practice, you will see many variations by manufacturers including:

a. 100W with various numbers of lamps, with or without HP facials, etc

b. 160/100 mix beds (like an Ambition 300) - 160 lamps on the top, 100 in the bench

c. "Small" VHR vs "Big" VHR - 160W lamp beds range from 38/40 - 55 lamps. Big tanning differences from one end of the spectrum to the other. Smaller salons might just "a" bed of this type. Larger salons might put in "Small VHR" and "Big VHR" at different price points.

d. "Combi" beds - VHR/HP combined in one bed. Like an Ergoline 650. VHR lamps in the bench, HP in the canopy




That said, Rules of Thumb...........


Level 1 - your cheapest bed, your lowest performing. USUALLY a 24-36 lamp 100W bed. With or without extra features like "spaghetti" or High pressure lamps in the facial area.


Level 2 - Here SOME salons would go to a VHR bed. But many would put in a 160/100W mix bed or a 100W bed with more lamps or features (like an ETS 442)


Level 3 - Depends on what you did in Level 2, but if you did a mix bed, by Level 3 probably on to a VHR bed. If you have room for 5 levels, than this might be a "Small VHR" bed with 38-44 160W lamps.

Level 4 - If you already did VHR, this could be High Pressure. OR - maybe a "Big VHR". Or a "VHR/HP Combo"

and so on....


At the end of the day, "Levels" are a function of performance and price. As beds PERFORM better, deliver more results (tan, experience,....) -- you should charge more. As you charge more -- it is an additional "tier" or level.

Brian Oshman

...and spray is not a level.

sunrisetan

i don't like "levels" as it just differs so much from one salon to another...i have entry level beds and specialty beds and describe each to a client as exactly what the bed is...and what it could do for them. in the tour....explanations...i educate on high pressure...differences etc...and also educate lotion use...

sunsally

Yes - we do as well.

But at the end of the day, there is a "cost" associated with each of the units - whether per session, per month, # of points used, etc And THAT ultimately is what determines "levels" -- how much each one costs and which one costs more or less than which other ones.

Think of levels as "price points". And the "price points" are related to the performance/features/experience. So it becomes circular............

Robert K

Good
Better
Best
HP

__________________
Robert Klem
Superior UV Technologies
(888) 526-7712 x77
robertk@superioruv.com

Steve Underhill

Equipment levels are relevant to marketing and price structure and can vary from market to market. While many salons have as many different levels as they have different equipment, this is a mistake in my opinion.

Different models of equipment are tools for making your price structure effective. The more levels you create the more complicated it becomes and the more tanning rooms you create with less use.

I strongly believe in a three level program that can have as many as 8 actual different models of equipment. All 8 systems can have different single session values however they all fall within only 3 levels.

By doing it this way it generates more membership sales on each level and also generates more income on your point or package use.

Another benefit is it is easier to explain and train your staff. Right now so many of the large chains are trying to figure out how to change to a different price structure and get more for that all important level one membership.

The three level program accomplishes this while increasing sales.
It is very important to understand that there are only three distinct performance levels of UV tanning equipment. There is also UV free spray tanning. While many salons refer to every type of equipment they offer as a different level there are basically three types.

Level1. 100/120 watt tanning equipment: This level of equipment will produce a base tan in five to seven sessions depending on skin type.
Level2. VHO – VHO reflector tanning equipment: (140/160/180/200/220 watt) this level of equipment will generate as much color in one session as two to three sessions on level one equipment. This level also has features like HP facial lamps, shoulder tanners, aroma therapy and spray mist.
Level 3. High Pressure Tanning equipment: This level of equipment will produce an excellent tan in three sessions, and requires only one session every seven to ten days to maintain the tan.

The additional levels that are sometimes created in salons are a combination of level 1, 2 and 3 or may be a booth as opposed to a bed.

Within these levels there are many different models to choose from.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com