Oasissalon

We are the owners of a hair salon already.... there is a tanning salon right next door that is very well established and been there a very long time and with that is kinda worn down... with the their service and them to pay their bills has also been a problem. With that! It is now an option for us to get that space and expand our salon and also do the tanning because they are getting evicted! A perfect way for us to step in and try to get their already established clientel with a much nicer salon to show them!!! We want to buy used beds only because the build out is much nicer and more expensive and anything is better then what they had... (as their beds were broke or had broken vents, etc.). Are question is now.... we want to stay with their prices roughly... and or their beds they had? Which are Santa Barbara beds and a couple others.... also we found a start up package with Tropical Rayz beds...? Are those good beds? Bad beds??? Need help or info on decently priced beds :) Also with that we have Quick books already for our hair salon program... pretty sure we can add tanning to it?! PLEASE HELP!

HOT STUFF

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mom2toby

I agree pass on Trop Ray.

Steve Underhill

There is a lot of used equipment out there if that is the way you have decided to go. In that case only purchase used equipment that is still being manufactured and look primarily at mainstream manufacturers. Keep in mind in many cases the beds may need repairs and new lamps. The cost of that as well as transportation should be evaluated as part of the overall cost. Be careful about buying used equipment you have not seen. It may not show up as described.

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Stephen Underhill

Brian Oshman

Huh?

WTF are you talking about? There are plenty of machines that are no longer made but are still supported and most all beds incorporate the same or similar internal components that can easily be had.

So...They should stay away from say an Ergo 650, UWE S Class, Dr. Muller Sungate, for example? All of these machines are discontinued but are still supported. I would still put these machines up against anything that is offered today and reliably fill the cash register.

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Steve Underhill

Don't get your self so excited. Let me rephrase so you will understand. Only buy used equipment that was built by manufacturers that are still in business. Brian you should take a chill pill. I am not trying to cut into your used equipment sales. Just giving solid advice.

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Stephen Underhill

CrystalSS

I think there is an even bigger lingering issue for you...

Equipment aside...It would be VERY VERY advantages to try and get your hands on that customer database NOW.

Tanners are choosing places NOW for season and once they do they are pretty established for the year.... and by my calculations you will not be moving in and be open for business for a few months, as they are not even out yet.

Timing in our industry is critical and I am sure many on here will tell you the same.

Here is my point........

Once the local salons get wind of a closure I promise you they are going to try and get that customer list FIRST (which does not come with your purchase by the way.).

Most of us know the situation for these folks going under is grim and will offer a price for that customer database OR some will be astute enough to negotiate it for free. Knowing all along these people would welcome the cash AND in good conscious want to hand off their customers to another tanning salon they feel will take care of them.

Would be a shame for you if while you are moving in beds getting ready to open, the guy down the street has marketed and brought in the old customers already by honoring existing contracts or wooing them with a great deal. That database floating out there in the hands of another owner could be a really bad thing all around.

A thought.

Brian Oshman

I am not worried about sales, I was pointing out that your statement was incorrect. Even beds from companies that are out of business are fine as long as they are solid. Electrical and mechanical parts and acrylics to keep them going for many more years is easy to adapt to other units. The only problem parts are proprietary cosmetic parts.

I make a living keeping lots of stuff going that is no longer made or supported. The Sun Doctor supports it.

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Brian Oshman

That's a great point there Crystal. Get that database. Even if you have to pay $500, $1000 for it. It will be way cheaper than advertising to try to find tanners when that data base is 100% known tanners in the area.

You honor the packages or some portion of it and you become the hero in the long run because you saved for them what the other owner ran with. That is worth lots more than the initial investment to purchase it. You will have plenty of loyal customers from doing that.

If the comp. gets it first then you are on a big road of pain and suffering. You will struggle for market share until it forces you out.

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CrystalSS

You make another good point Brian.....Bitter customers that suffered a loss have a bad taste with a place. You need to get to them first and allay concerns about their perceived future loss.

Totally great chance to be a hero!