JWalton

Long story. Guy is selling his two salons that are both new. One was created in 2008, one was just opened this year. The one that Was just opened this year is his new version of an old one that he owned across the road. He got kicked out of his building because he was so far behind on rent. He managed to get his tanning beds out, but thats it, furniture, lotions, etc. are all still in there.

They both have nice ergoline beds, but the beds are leased. He has never changed the lamps in them. I think in both salons there are 4 15 minute beds (advantage 350 i think) 3 big 12 minutes (affinity 800 i think) and 1 affinity 950. Nice beds. He also has a hydration station, a teeth whitening system, and a caltan sunless booth.

He has run them into the ground though. Mismanaging them. He lets the employees make their own schedule, so during slow season, they would have two girls up front watching tv and playing on the computer, and one girl doing all the work. During slow season there is no need for more than one person in there!!! He pressures his customers to sign up for EFT's and then will draft their accounts for big $$ then when they come in mad about it, he says it was a mistake, and he cant correct it, but he will give it to them in store credit.

The electricity has been turned off in them several times, the phones have been shut off too. Sometime the opening employee just wont show up.

I have always been interested in owning a tanning salon. This one is in a good location, and at one time had a lot of customers. I would make serious changes (purchase the beds, change the lamps as needed, get rid of the cal tan spray and get versaspa, add a stand up in there, get rid of the teeth whitening, add a bigger selection of lotion, and during the slow season, cut it down to one employee working at a time, mainly me).

I just want some opinions. Is this place salvageable? I know I would have to do a lot of advertising as being under new ownership. He has wronged a lot of people. He has never offered good customer service.

Let me know your opinions!!!

mom2toby

RUN FORREST RUN you have no assets and a bad name and you are going to spend a butt load of money getting it going (versaspa 18-24k new)your are going to honor everyones package that he sold and not get paid or they are going to be ****** and you will be the bad guy. Well not really you but you are the last thing they remember when they walk out the door. Most people go into business because they think WOW I clean a few beds and people wil come in and I will make a good living or get rich. If you have not experience in business. The leaseing company will come in and take the beds andwhere will you be. RUN RUN DON'T WALK RUN ARE YOU PREPARED TO WORK
80-100 HOURS A WEEK????

rrm44

don't do it! there's something to be said about the business if the guy couldnt pay the rent and had the electricity cut off multiple times. You are going to have to pay lots of money in advertising that its under new management but most people wont care. You are going to need a lot of money to do damage control so you better be rich! if you dead set on opening a salon, start from scratch or come buy mine!

lavamatt8610

mom2toby...I disagree. That is exactly the type of salon I like to open. One that has everything you need to make it work. The reputation can be overcome with great marketing, employees, and training. If the numbers are right, I would be all over that...

SprayRayz

It seems risky simply due to the bad reputation but first and foremost...STUDY THE NUMBERS! Review atleast the last 3 years taxes (if feasible) and get another person to review them also. Sounds like you will need a hefty amount set back for getting new beds, VersaSpa let along the HUGE junk it takes to do proper marketing. I think you have the right idea on how to properly manage the daily operations and staffing but that is only one small chunk of the big picture. Plus, do you really want to own a business located across the street from this guy who quickly ran his business into the ground? You definitly will be interacting with other owners/employees of the businesses that surround yours and unless he is cleaning house across the street and not selling it as a tanning salon, I wouldn't want to be located directly across or next to my competition.

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