re:What distributor to go with? - tanTALK

ob1spyker · 02-06-2003, 10:11 PM

I'm currently looking into opening a salon. I'm curious as to what beds are the best or most popular. I found a company ETS who deals with Wolfe beds. They seem to be very full service offering training and demographic research on both consumers and competitors in the area. I don't know enough about their competition or what other manufacturers are out there. I also came across a company called Prosun. What do you guys use and what would recommend? Personally it seems to me like ETS is offering a good deal. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you,

Lenny

BooBop · 02-07-2003, 08:20 AM

ETS also sells direct to home tanners. Do you really want to support a company that takes money out of salons? I would look at other companies like PC Marketing, Sunergoline, and Black Sun just to name a few. Better do a lot of research and make your $ count.

jimnkelli · 02-07-2003, 08:26 AM

I agree w/Mitzi do a lot of research, you will not need to open till late fall/winter so you have plenty of time. Find out when 'season' is for your part of the country. Here in STL it is Mar to May. the rest of the year is either OK or really slow. I bought an existing salon with sun/ergoline beds and am very pleased with thier performance and my distributer. You will get lots of great info right here from the horse's mouth so stay tuned, and good luck.

redhot · 02-07-2003, 08:51 AM

To me "Wolff" mean cheap and old-school. I went with Puretan, they have great beds.

TikiTan · 02-07-2003, 08:56 AM

Use the search function and you will see a lot of discussion on what most think of ETS... Buyer beware...

ob1spyker · 02-07-2003, 10:04 PM

Thanks guys! For some reason while I was talking to them I just had a feeling that this would be the type of response I would get from you guys, even though they sounded great on paper. I have done a search on ETS here and a lot of the specific info seems to be locked away from me in the private boards for salon owners.

I am in NY and I believe the tanning season here is the same as St. Louis, Mar-May. I would love to get into this busy season this year but I have far too much to learn to rush into this. Waiting it out and putting in the research will definately benefit me. I can see that this board is going to be a big help. I have already learned quite a bit just from reading the posts.

BTW how about ProSun. Just another company I found on line.

Thanks again,

Lenny

Tamar · 02-10-2003, 11:25 PM

Prosun is perhaps a side step to the left of ETS in quality and ease of repair.

And Wolff never made a bed...only lamps.

CHUNN · 02-10-2003, 11:49 PM

Check out www.ourbigdog.com for buying lotions online 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!

There are a lot of very good bed manufacturers and ETS is the main company I would stay away from!

robertthomas007 · 02-20-2003, 12:16 PM

If I can offer any help in the process. Let me know I have been in the industry
since the late 80's.

jolar · 03-02-2003, 05:51 PM

If you are in the New York area, you might try Future Industries (karenb@futureindustries.com) or give them a call at 800-346-3136. They know the business in your area and would be happy to talk to you. They also carry UltraSun equipment and will have full details on specs, pricing, delivery times etc. Good Luck with your new venture!

02-06-2003, 10:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
ob1spyker Join Date: Feb 6 2003 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I'm currently looking into opening a salon. I'm curious as to what beds are the best or most popular. I found a company ETS who deals with Wolfe beds. They seem to be very full service offering training and demographic research on both consumers and competitors in the area. I don't know enough about their competition or what other manufacturers are out there. I also came across a company called Prosun. What do you guys use and what would recommend? Personally it seems to me like ETS is offering a good deal. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you, Lenny

02-07-2003, 08:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	ETS also sells direct to home tanners. Do you really want to support a company that takes money out of salons? I would look at other companies like PC Marketing, Sunergoline, and Black Sun just to name a few. Better do a lot of research and make your $ count.

02-07-2003, 08:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
jimnkelli Join Date: Jan 11 2003 Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	I agree w/Mitzi do a lot of research, you will not need to open till late fall/winter so you have plenty of time. Find out when 'season' is for your part of the country. Here in STL it is Mar to May. the rest of the year is either OK or really slow. I bought an existing salon with sun/ergoline beds and am very pleased with thier performance and my distributer. You will get lots of great info right here from the horse's mouth so stay tuned, and good luck.

02-07-2003, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
redhot Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Jan 14 2003 Posts: 211 Rep Power: 0	To me "Wolff" mean cheap and old-school. I went with Puretan, they have great beds.

02-07-2003, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
TikiTan Join Date: Jul 27 2002 Posts: 630 Rep Power: 22	Use the search function and you will see a lot of discussion on what most think of ETS... Buyer beware...

02-07-2003, 10:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
ob1spyker Join Date: Feb 6 2003 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks guys! For some reason while I was talking to them I just had a feeling that this would be the type of response I would get from you guys, even though they sounded great on paper. I have done a search on ETS here and a lot of the specific info seems to be locked away from me in the private boards for salon owners. I am in NY and I believe the tanning season here is the same as St. Louis, Mar-May. I would love to get into this busy season this year but I have far too much to learn to rush into this. Waiting it out and putting in the research will definately benefit me. I can see that this board is going to be a big help. I have already learned quite a bit just from reading the posts. BTW how about ProSun. Just another company I found on line. Thanks again, Lenny

02-10-2003, 11:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tamar Join Date: Aug 15 2001 Posts: 1,906 Rep Power: 23	Prosun is perhaps a side step to the left of ETS in quality and ease of repair. And Wolff never made a bed...only lamps.

02-10-2003, 11:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
CHUNN Join Date: Oct 17 2000 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,819 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 25	Check out www.ourbigdog.com for buying lotions online 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! There are a lot of very good bed manufacturers and ETS is the main company I would stay away from!

02-20-2003, 12:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
robertthomas007 Join Date: Feb 20 2003 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	If I can offer any help in the process. Let me know I have been in the industry since the late 80's.

03-02-2003, 05:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
jolar Join Date: Mar 2 2003 Location: Indianpolis, IN Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	If you are in the New York area, you might try Future Industries (karenb@futureindustries.com) or give them a call at 800-346-3136. They know the business in your area and would be happy to talk to you. They also carry UltraSun equipment and will have full details on specs, pricing, delivery times etc. Good Luck with your new venture!

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