Consumer reports style rating of equipment

[Tut]

Would anyone else out there be interested in a consumer reports style report on all different types of tanning equipment?An unbiased, non-sales pitch type of report done by maybe a panel consisting of different industry members and maybe a salon poll that could be compiled.Of course there would have to be multiple catagories. It would be a big project! but, to my knowledge it has never been done!any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated!

	Superior UV

[Adam Cooper]

sounds like a great idea!

[BOBER96]

That is an excellent idea...so if every manufacturer would kindly send me one or two FREE beds, I will try them (keep them of course) and publish my unbiased opinion! LOL! Sounds like a plan!!!! *** I think I will need to expand....alot! LOL!

[BooBop]

THIS IS A GREAT IDEAL. sorry didn't mean to yell. but i would like a unbiased report, poll, comparison on beds and booths for future information. Just who and how would this be done?

[BOBER96]

buntanner.....I told you, I would gladly volunteer my services! LOL!

[Tut]

Bober,Thats a lighthearted approach(and alot of wishful thinking) But, In most other businesses there is some kind of independant reporting on there products(automoble, motocycles,engineering equipment,healthcare and many more!The info given to salon owners in our industry comes from magazines or brochures that are written by the people who produce their products.Maybe we could start by asking people here on the board about their personal experiences with different types of equipment! then use that data to find trendsgood bad or indifferent.catagories like style, ease of maintanance, longevity, parts replacement,customer service from manufacture or dist., timer connections,pastic or metal , low pressure,high pressure,older models(what would be considered "workhorse" machines)new workhorses. Ease of installation,amount of service history,replacement part availabilitytanning ability, customer favorites.People on this site have had experience with multiple types of beds some input from them could at least get the ball rolling in compileing info.I know myself that I could mention several types of beds that I could recommend just from their overal performance over the last couple of yrsThis type of info could be very important to both newcomers to the ind. and seasoned salon owners alike!Some features of equipment should be touted and others should be warned about.maybe a series of polls to get startedobviously honesty would be appreciatedfrom all involved.I just think that if other industries arent afraid then why should we it can only benifit all concerned.beds/boothes with good ratings get the benifits associated with that, beds with not so good ratings get the opportunity to make changes too make them better.Who better to know than the people who use the equipment day in and day out.Try to consider ways to actually implimentsuch a task with so much value to so many!!thanks for your input!

	Superior UV

[BOBER96]

Tut,You are 100% correct!!! (Just thought I would offer though in case anyone wanted to throw a bed my way LOL)It would be nice to read honest stories about equipment, not paid advertisements of what the manufacturer wants you to see. The claims of biggest, best, fastest would fall by the wayside to reveal the hardcore info we all need and get the best value for our dollars. It would be nice instea of wasting money on equipment that is just not right for our salon or our clients. (or our budget)

	Superior UV

[JeffinKC]

This is a great idea but unfortunately impossible. As I have stated before and you stated as well their are many factors to compare when buying equipment. Because of the varying factors involved how would anyone rate equipment? You mentioned customer service which I believe is a key part of buying however my experiance with one SunErgoline distributor may be entirely different from someone using a different distributor for example. Much of what forms peoples opinions on equipment is perception otherwise why would some people disagree so strongly about various makes & models. The oither reason this is nearley impossible is because of the manufacturers. Ford is only too happy to test against GM unfortunately getting Tan America in an unbiased test with Sun Ergoline for instance would be next to impossible. It would be nice to have this happen but because of a relatively small market the manufacturers could not allow this to happen for fear they would lose market share based on a bad report. You can't even get lamp companies to publish real data on lamp comparisons and their is much more money at stake when comparing beds.This being said that is exactly why the internet is such a good tool for salon owners to share their experiances.

	Superior UV

[BOBER96]

True Jeff, but the magazine Consumer Reports does manage to compare and rate many different products, cars being a big one. Why couldn't tanning units be rated as well? Yes, there are differences, but there are also differences in all other products tested. That may be the deciding factor in which you find more appealing.

[Tut]

Bober,I agree, The biggest problem that I have found is that nobody in the print form of advertising is willing to risk their product income to do independant research on this.I guess I cannot blame them for this! So, I think there has got to be another more informal way to do this!What about featuring a particular set of beds on this site each week and let the members post their comments both good and bad!It would be a start!Of course there is always the liablity concerns! But, opinions are just that!Make a good product an enjoy the benifits of thatmake a bad product and deal with the consicuences!And as someone posted earlier, a good product can be determined by many different things,service, support, reliablity, pricelamp type many different things but, commenting on all the different aspects is exactly what people are looking for!I appreciate the feedback!thanks