peach

I think this is a casualty of Obamacare / US market / FDA. It simply makes no sense to manufacture here in the US. Has nothing to do with US quality.

Black Sun

Going to get worse...a portion of the new Amnesty Bill has a clause which imposes a $5K fine on ANY American business, big or small, that does not hire a 'newly documented citizen'.

Senator Cruz of Texas is fighting this...but just like Obamacare, we are forced to 'read it' after it is passed

Welcome to the ObamaNation

http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/0...alized-aliens/

sunsally

Please.

There is plenty people can blame on politics. This isn't one of them.

The economy was on the brink of a depression. Small businesses (and large) closed in record numbers. No new money was available to open new ones to take their places.

Tanning is a "luxury" item - a "want to", not a "need to".

Combine that with the continued onslaught against indoor tanning.

It is all about cutting overheads. Reduce the number of "models" - and the number of "touches" by people (labor) to get them in the hands of consumers.

I sell quality, reconditioned, used beds. Business is GREAT! Because people are buying from me RATHER than buying new.

Simple economics. Heartland bought TA and Ergo bought ETS to limit the competition. But they didn't really "need" them - just wanted to take them out so they could get a bigger piece of a shrinking pie. Now they are streamlining to get their costs in line with their revenues.

Same as every other business owner on this site.

parrot head

Nicely stated, Ann. I did exactly the same with my video business, some years ago. I bought 2 of my competitors, not because I needed the business, but I needed their business. I bought them and closed them up 6 months later. You are correct on another point. Why buy new, when there is so much good, quality used equipment on the market. The tanning manufacturing companies are in so much hurt, and it's just a matter of time.

eileen

You buy what you can afford whether it's OLD or NEW. I recall some people selling stuff used on here and I saw the equipment in person it LOOKED old it wouldn't look nice in my salon. Buying used has many risks that go with it but buying new from a reputable company makes business run smoother until you make your money back... IMO.

__________________
"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen

parrot head

Ageed, you have to know what your buying, and from whom your buying. There're still many shady characters out there selling used beds. I could buy new, but I wouldn't at this point in time. There is newer used equipment for half of what you'd pay new.

Steve Underhill

Buying used equipment can be a great option or a big mistake. It all depends on who you buy from and what you are buying. When buying from Sunsally you can depend on getting exactly what she says you are getting and she is there after the sale. That is not the case with all distributors of used equipment.

So much of what is happening in our industry including the restructuring that is going on with manufacturers is a result of many mistakes that have been made with initial structure and operation of many of these business. making changes to become more efficient and more profitable is simply good business.

The same must be said for tanning salons. Restructuring to increase sales is a must.

Businesses must adapt. salons that have restructured portions or all areas of operation are experiencing huge increases in sales.

If companies as large as JK Heartland and others are restructuring it stands to reason that these same steps on the salon level make sense.

Do not be afraid to purchase new equipment or used in many circumstances. New technology can dictate buying new as with spray booths.

Imagine increases in sales from 20% to as much as 160%. Any salon owner can increase sales with manageable changes.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com