Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

The only reason I was down was because all the comp got into a price war. They were all charging 99cents - I did not join in.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

^^I bet you still made a lot more then they did.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

There were a few salons in our area that were selling 30 tans for $30 for several years. Needless to say they are no longer in business. I don't know how any business can survive selling tans for so cheap. In this economy it's getting real hard to sell $100 bottles of lotions and upgrades to higher end beds. Everyone wants the cheapest price they can get (as a consumer, I can't blame them) but I don't know how a salon can pay the bills selling a product barely above cost.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

In the short run you can, in the long run, you cannot maintain your equipment, with no profit margin. Your are basically a dead man (or woman) walking.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

That's what my comp did, ran cheap deals and now customers are coming to me and complaining they weren't getting results from their beds, I told them straight out-
they can't afford to change the lamps, that's why your not getting results, people just don't get it and they never will!

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

Way, Way Down.......under 18 ban KILLED US.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

Isn't it time to start reporting on 2013?

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

End of March lets do a first quarter 2013.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

There will always be highs and lows in any industry. It is my experience that salons that are doing poorly enough that they are not profitable is a result of improper structure and salon operation. The easy thing to do is blame your level of business on the competition and new regulations. More often than not declining numbers can be the result of what you are and are not doing. In almost every market there will be successful and failing salons. What is the difference in these salons. Structure and operation. This has already proven to be a very strong season for those salons that have a solid business model.

It is a trend that can be broken. If you are not doing well you must be willing to acknowledge that you are responsible and be willing to change. Evaluate every aspect of how you operate your salon and make those hard changes that will take more effort by you and your employees. If you are struggling and don't make changes it will only be a matter of time before you close. This does not have to be your fate.

Re: HOW WAS 2012?
 

I agree admitting that there is a problem, and that the problem may be you is critical to making the changes that may be needed. However, I have seen situations where outside influences make it impossible to go forward. It is a hold up or fold up decision. I have experienced both. There have been situations where it was impossible to be profitable in the environment that I was in; I folded, and waited for a better situation to emerge, then jumped back in.