peach

We used to sell AG accel. for $5 a packette and couldn't keep it in stock. Now we give them away. My, how far we have fallen.....

crosbytan

I would agree I inherited my salon from my mom last year. She stored all customers lotions for 6 months after 6 months of inactivity they were discarded. When I took over I made up a contract for all customers to sign stating that they understand if they are in active their lotions will be thrown. Her lotion sales were minimal. When I took over I slammed lotions down the employees throats to learn. I stopped carrying the $20 pro tan lotions and started carrying Designer Devoted and Cal tan. I still keep 3 or 4 cheap lotions but primarily top end lotions. Every Customer that comes in gets a 2 minute "talking to" about the importance of lotions. Lotions sales are up over 300% since the girls got trained properly. We still store lotions for our customers. We have a little over 500 bottles in our storage for customers. The down fall is you don't hear the "I forgot my lotion at home can I buy a sample" But my customers come to me because I have a commitment to customer service. They love that we keep their lotions and they love that if they have a problem they don't have to call the manager if they want to go over the managers head they can. I am either always at the salon or I keep my business card with my cell # on the counter so they can call me if there is an issue

peach

I agree in the power of "suggestion". It is important to suggest lotions and be prepared to explain them. However, it can morph into annoying repetitive babble pretty quickly. Especially when you add the fuel of commission sales to it.