I'm a newbie with questions

[dmarie]

Hi all. I am new to posting, so I hope I do it right. I have been open & running my salon for a little over a year now, and have a couple questions. I started a new salon, as opposed to buying an older one.

Has anyone ever used Eurowalls? What did you think? My current salon is stud and drywall, we are considering moving. We need more space and beds, yea!

I am having a problem with another salon in town. (We are the only two.) These people bought this old salon about 9 months ago. (I was tanning there in high school, I'm 35, and they still have the same beds!!) They are going around town bad mouthing me. Saying things like, I re-use old bulbs from salons in a different town, don't properly clean my beds, and I am raising my prices. My question is what to do about it? I run this salon alone, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. I purchase my bulbs from Heartland Tanning every 800 hours, and sanitize my beds with AG disenfectant. I have no intention of raising my prices, I have no need to. I love my job, and my clients. It just tickes me off and my first instinct is to pick up the phone and give them h*ll.

Any adivse will be appreciated.

Dmaire

[billable]

Go over and kick 'em in the nuts.

[billable]

I hate it when people do stuff like that.

[dmarie]

Thnx,
But I'm fairly sure that will get me arrested

[sunsally]

Dmarie -

You did a very fine job with your first post on the site - welcome, and thanks for posting!

Many people really like Eurowalls. They have a nice finished look and most important, stay nice for years to come. Drywall does get beat up. However, they are generally more expensive. But can sometimes lease them. So --- lots of pros and cons to consider!!:)

As for your competition, your best strategy is just to put your head down and keep on doing what you do best. When you "dignify" it with a response, it fuels the fire. Focus on making your place as good as you can, and that will put to rest any rumors.

If you move - make sure you get plenty of electric and A/C at your new location! And good parking! Location is critical - do your homework well.

Again - welcome, and post again!

[James Johnston]

what she said^^^

[James Johnston]

:lol: Oh, welcome..................

[billable]

Sunsally seems to think I may have offended you with my answer to your first post. If that is the case, I apologize.

I could have said to ignore them and they will go away, but I doubt that is the case. It did'nt work in high school and it rarely works in the adult world. It isn't fair, but people do listen to gossip and it does hurt.

I could also have told you to talk to them, confront them and ask them to limit their remarks to their own salon. That may or may not be the way to handle it.

The truth is, nobody can tell you exactly how to handle this situation. You sound like you know the owners, or at least know a little about them. If it is having a negative impact on your business, you need to address it in some way. Perhaps indirectly through advertising. You could possibly do an informational ad that points out your policy regarding changing your lamps, your cleanliness, etc. Resist the urge to talk about your competition or refer to their negative comments.

On the other hand, if you can't tell it has hurt your business, ignore it. It sounds like it could be a last ditch effort of a desparate salon owner trying to attack you rather than bring his/her salon up to par.

Either way, study your situation and weigh your options carefully. You don't want to start a mudslinging competition. Stick to talking about your own salon, not your competition.

Lastly, welcome to the site. I hope that you find some good, useful info about other subjects, even if this question doesn't get a definitive answer and I hope to see you posting again.

[movieking]

Just keep concentrating on your business and doing what you do best. Customers are able to weed through the BS and see your salon for what it is. I actually get a little turned off at a business that tries to tell me how good they are or how bad the competition is. If they are that good I will figure it out on my own.

[James Johnston]

Originally Posted by billable

Sunsally seems to think I may have offended you with my answer to your first post. If that is the case, I apologize.

The truth is, nobody can tell you exactly how to handle this situation. You sound like you know the owners, or at least know a little about them. If it is having a negative impact on your business, you need to address it in some way. Perhaps indirectly through advertising. You could possibly do an informational ad that points out your policy regarding changing your lamps, your cleanliness, etc. Resist the urge to talk about your competition or refer to their negative comments.

On the other hand, if you can't tell it has hurt your business, ignore it. It sounds like it could be a last ditch effort of a desparate salon owner trying to attack you rather than bring his/her salon up to par.

Either way, study your situation and weigh your options carefully. You don't want to start a mudslinging competition. Stick to talking about your own salon, not your competition.

Lastly, welcome to the site. I hope that you find some good, useful info about other subjects, even if this question doesn't get a definitive answer and I hope to see you posting again.

What he said too.....^^.........Kill them with kindness............it will make them show their true colors (I think they are doing) Like Bill said, don`t get in a get in the mud with them. If you argue with an idiot someone might not know which is which. Push your own salon and don`t NEVER down the competition..............Good Luck...;)