Originally Posted by movieking

With that few units I would skip adding a booth if you were in my market. The majority of tanners want to lay down. All markets are different but that would be my advice if you were in my market.

Originally Posted by sunsally

Generally I would agree (re. Standups being the least preferred).

However:

1. Florida is usually a decent stand-up market (East coast and Michigan are generally best)

2. Standups (because they are less popular nationwide) tend to be cheaper to buy used - more "bang for your buck" than a lay-down bed

3. Can use your standup with the custom spray as a "double dip" (or California Cocktail or Florida Fantasy -- use your own name) combo. That is - custom spray them AND UV tan them. If the fans in your standup are good (which Suncapsules tend to be), can spray them first then use a few minutes in the standup to help dry/set the spray and give them a little UV underneath. However, if the fans are NOT good or your place isn't cool - put them in the booth first. You can't have them sweating after you spray them.

4. To sell a standup you HAVE to "pitch it", from the very beginning, as a STRONG option. In this salon, I would price it as a Level 2 with the Ergo 400 -- but let customers know it TANS like a Level 3. So they are getting a good "value" by using it at level 2. From the very first time they enter the salon - let them know that Level 2 has an "up and a down option" and that they are expected to go back and forth. Discourage customers from "waiting" for the laydown - pop them in whatever is open.

5. In a small salon like this, I would sell an into package to EACH NEW CUSTOMER that was a "salon sampler" where they get 1 tan in each piece of equipment. For example - one in the 250, one in the 400, one in the stanup, one in the 600. This might have a "retail value" of $48 (e.g. $8 walk-in on the 250's, $12 on the standup and 450, $16 on the 600) -- sell it for $14.95. For less than 4 dollars a tan, they get to try one of everything. And have there be NO SUBSTITUTES! They can't "switch out" the standup for the 400 - or even downgrade to another 250. One of everything. If they TRY THE STANDUP - they'll often find they like it.

Originally Posted by Black Sun

Some GREAT advice from all above. Good kudos to Sunsally and Robert K. I ditto buying beds from Robert K (not too many reputable used equip. distys around, and he can be trusted).

Sounds to me you have a plan, have the experience in a salon, have been in the trenches. You should be okay. Not the normal 'newbie' rhetoric with big dreams little cash syndrome.
Best of luck!

Originally Posted by mjabaay

your mix of used equipment is good. Make sure you relamp all of it (unless you buy roberts standup w/new lamps) Dont worry about the guys sayin they still have 250 hours left, w/out a meter and a beginning reading and a current reading you have no idea what its left on a set of lamps. Cheap lamps on your entry level, then work w/robert, John, Brian O and put in the best in your high end equipment.

Originally Posted by ktesla02

Thanks ! Yes.. I have new lamps coming this week for every bed.. I really want to have the beds speak for themselves as far as getting a tan..best way to advertise... word of mouth, with tan bodies ;)