Robert K

Don he posts negative and misleading and many times absolutely false information.

You may be able to sort through the good from the bad but many may not be able to. Of late he has been better and not so outlandish. I see no good in all the doom and gloom posts. I wake up many mornings to his rants and I simply don't agree with it or like it. It may be entertaining but many of his posts left standing are simply bad and false information that others do not need to read. We are here to share information and better our business with the information we gain. I do not think he offers any of that.

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

kookyguy

Maybe a sig tag can be created for peach, stating that all of his info is wrong and should in no case be considered valid. That way he can stay and no harm will be caused.

peach is one of the few people left on the forums that can take a pixelated punch and not start crying.

Robert K

Interesting idea. Peach I will reach out to you one last time. I have emailed, pm'd and called you any number of times. You have not answered one of them. If you do not want to contact me feel free to contact Sunsally but you need to get in touch with one of us.

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

sunsally

My take:

a. You don't "hate to be the bearer of more bad news" - that is your world view.

b. "I've been hearing through many distributors"..... - I would suspect that it is unlikely you are hearing that from people at the top who have the full picture. It IS possible that your lotion rep or lamp rep isn't personally selling as much - so wants to attribute their lack of success to the industry as a whole being down

c. "8-10 salons"....vs "16,000" - your view on how many are doing WELL - versus NOT well. Not an accurate reflection of actual stats

d. "3000 no longer in the business" --- business success is not guaranteed. They didn't succeed. That isn't a negative for the industry - it s a negative for them and their business practices.

mmurra

Ditto Don Smith. Peach is doing no harm. Please feel free to avoid reading his posts. I read them with no adverse reaction, as I do other posts on the forum. Ban him and I'm done here.

sunsally

From MY view - which includes talking to many salon owners, prospective salon owners and vendors each week...

1. I PERSONALLY know more ENTERING the industry or expanding than LEAVING. Now this may reflect that those that are leaving aren't reaching out for consulting help, trying to update their equipment etc. But that is my experience based on what I am seeing.

2. The vendors/distributors I know for the most part are seeing stable to INCREASING business. Again - this in part reflects the fact that the WEAKER vendors/distributors have gotten out (sold, etc) so those remaining are seeing their accounts build slightly.


Overall, there is less tanning demand than at the peak of the industry - true. Overall there is also less tanning SUPPLY than at the peak of the industry! So for those that remain, there is the OPPORTUNITY to keep their same share of the pie - or bigger - if they adapt to the current customer desires.

sunsally

SE Michigan has been ESPECIALLY hard hit by the economy there that was SO auto industry dependent!! SE Michigan is turning around at a much slower pace than the rest of the country (which isn't exactly lightning speed itself).

Look for ways to help people use your services. Consider different sorts of pricing plans in both tanning and car washes. Membership models for car washes are building in many markets. For tanning, "super saver"/pay-as-you-go memberships and other creative pricing can help people use tanning in "small financial outlays" versus large package prices.

sunsally

Good for you to find a niche in your market and work with it.

Not all - or even many - salons are successful with swimwear and gift items. But those who have a market where that niche is unmet - and a salon owner who has an interest in it - CAN do well and boost their revenues by getting more $$ from every customer door swing.

parrot head

Well Peach, now I know exactly how you feel.

GBoucher

I am up slightly from last Feb even with 3 bad snow storms here, but had really bad Sept -Dec and don't think i will make that up. I may be closing in the next month or so. I don't think even the busy season will save me.

I do believe money can be made but you have to have the right circumstances. You need decent beds and bulbs, you need low rent, You need a good location.

My rent where I am is outrageous. I pay 2225.00 a month for 1156 sq ft. Neighboring town salons are paying much lower rent.