Black Sun

I hate to rain on your parade, but with that equipment, it will be hard to re-coup your cost.
I see no variation in what you are offering. The 28 lamp bed would be better sold as a 'home' unit. The Sunal is so out-dated, they went out of biz years ago. The Sonnenbraune, a great bed in its day, went belly-up without warning 6 years ago.
The Miami-sun, an import out of biz 10 years ago.

The money would have been better spent buying more progressive re-conditioned beds from a reputable disty.

32/30/28 lamp beds in todays competitive enviroment are totally useless. 'Boat Anchors' as Brian would say. Small cramp-like shells that squeeze you in like a coffin

A base bed today would be a good 40 lamp bed. A good VHR, 50-lamp minimum.

You are dreaming to think you will generate 36-50K income. Not with those beds, not today in an industry that is fading like a bad tan.

The better salons today are lucky to see those #'s.

best of luck!

parrot head

Black Sun is entirely correct, you got yourself a "pig in a poke". WHATEVER THAT MEANS, but I know it's not good. Heck, in todays market, and being right on a college campus, I don't net those kinds of numbers. I'm established, have nice equipment (20 beds) and have what is considered the nicest salon in a hundred mile area. I don't net $36,000; used to , but not now. Luck, just won't help you in your case. Sorry, but if I were you, I'd contact Nav. and beg, borrow or steal to come up with $25,000 to buy his equipment. Now that, is a great deal and the "icon" would be one of your best money makers. You can be assured that the equipment is well cared for. If I lived closer, I'd buy it, even though I don't need it. You do need it.

navigatin1

Ah come on Parrot, I KNOWWWW we can shoe horn that Icon into your Viper!!!!

In case anyone is wondering what equipment he's talking about. Here's the listing for the stuff I have for sale.... http://tantalk.com/sale-salon-owners...ds-booths.html

Black Sun

OMG!!!
WOW!!!

nav, those are GREAT beds for 25K...each bed listed, for the most part, are worth the 25k alone.

If I was opening new, I'd jump on it!

Are you closing, getting out??

I see more of it every day..Craigslist is full with new salons for sale on a weekly basis where I am.

For those that can survive, a pot of gold just may be waiting. But I do not see that happening for years. The housing mkt needs to improve before folks feel they have expendable cash..and the predictions for housing is 7-10 years.

The only sun I see in this industry is a setting one.

Bronze1

Main Street, All is not lost. It is true that you most likely need to improve your equipment lineup a bit. Find your 2 closest main competitors and list what equipment and pricing they have. You may be able to keep some of your equipment and mix it with some newer to at least get started. You will pay out a siginificant amount in payroll, its just whether you want to work a lot of the hours and pay yourself instead of someone else to get your income. In terms of actual "net profit" from business, dont look to have any until you know you really do have your competitve equipment mix, pricing system, marketing program working and in place. The more info you can find and post here about your area demographics, amount and quality of competition, the more the people here can help you.Don't be turned off by some answers you may receive here. People may be direct, but you can learn a lot fast here from people who know or learn little slowly on your own. And you probably dont have time or $$ to learn the hard way. Good Luck!!

MainStreetTan

The school to me would be potential in terms of the students parents that traffic past the salon each day. They could come to tan after dropping off, or before picking up. And, I have to disagree with you about the teachers. My ex-wife was a teacher, and a regular tanner. There were plenty of times she tanned after school.
I have paid 5K fro the equipment, and have made no commitments to reopen. I find it hard to believe that I could not re-sell 8 beds for that price. The Ultrabronz 818 and Suncapsules have to be worth more than that even at wholesale.

MainStreetTan

I will be working on gathering that information. There are 3 other salons in the competitive area. I stopped by one of them today to grab a price list. I estimate that payroll will cost about $600/wk if I work there full time as owner/operator. Based on the early numbers I have, if I were able to generate $1800 per week in gross sales volume, I will be making more money than at my current employer.

parrot head

^^^^$600 a week in wages? You must be planning on being really busy. How many people do you think need to be on a shift? I work my salon, by myself, during weekdays. I have one parttime person during evening hours and on weekends. I used to have two per shift, but not needed now. I don't have a $600 payroll in 2 weeks. You should plan on working all the hours yourself, and not have any payroll. I'm being totally serious, when I say this.

MainStreetTan

I planned to open up by myself, then have two on shift to close, as you were doing. Because I am a single dad, zero payroll would be unrealistic for me. Especially for the weeks I have my son (5yrs old) staying with me. I would agree that I could reduce that cost by going with one employee per shift.

Once again I want to say that if it is not realistic to earn a viable income as an owner/operator, I do have other options. Yes, I assumed some risk when I bought the inventory for 5K. It wasn't my last dollar, and I believe I could make that money back if I pulled the plug, and liquidated the assets. I don't love the job, I have now, so I need to make the right decisions, and I appreciate all the feedback I am getting. Even though some if it is a bit discouraging.

parrot head

It's a tough business, and I'm being brutely honest with you. You need to prepare yourself for JASON, where you won't make enough during those months to pay expenses. Granted, you only have $5000 invested in the equipment, but the mix is such, that is is obsolete, and not appealing enough to recruit new customers.