Newbie here with questions

aunest1 · 02-20-2002, 01:16 AM

First I want to say I am so glad I found this site tonight. This is my first time posting here.

I just purchased an exsisting taning salon in October. The previous owners had pretty much run it in to the ground. Absolutely no advertising in the past three years. Never open. Pushed away the teenagers and the twenty somethings, on purpose!

I have six beds, I have noticed so far for Feb we have picked Considerably, I am advertising, postcards all over the place, the High school girls are great, I stop them in the parking lot and ask them if they want three free tans, when they say yes I ask them if they will hand out these fliers at their schools. That has been working great.

I implemented $2 Tuesdays from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

For the month our best day was today with a total in sales of 256.00. Our average daily sales for this month are 116.85.

Based on everyones previous experience roughly what should I expect for next month? How long does the peak season last? What is the busiest month? How many customers should I be preparing for a day? How much $$$$ should my daily average be (roughly)? I do not upcharge as I am trying desperately to undo the damage done by the old owners. We are a flat $5.00 single $35.00 month $40 for 10.

Sorry this is so long and thank you in advance for replying.

Tamar · 02-20-2002, 07:31 AM

Welcome to Tantalk, aunest1. It is hard to project your sales without your demographics. Is 116 per day enough to pay your overhead? Are you seeing a steady increase? If clients are returning due to new ownership, then sit tight and enjoy, quadruple sales would not be unreasonable.

I would charge at least $5.00 upgrade immediately. Maybe half-price it during a certain time slot for a short while so they can ease into it. DO NOT give this away. Are all of your rates in line with competitors? Just above or below? Now is the time to raise prices, not later when you are swamped. Post a notice two weeks ahead in each room and in lobby.

pam · 02-20-2002, 07:44 AM

Hey Thanks, Tamar, you just answered a question I asked in another area. How to let customers know of price increase? Thanks. I am so afraid that I will be shooting myself in the foot if I raise prices and wonder if I should just ride out this season and implement change slowly for next year. I get calls from price shoppers every day saying I am lowest in town. I also know I am one of the best in town. Will I lose more than I gain?

pam · 02-20-2002, 07:52 AM

Welcome aunest1! Sorry to butt in on your question and not even recognize you. We have not had nearly the increase you talk about as far as utilities. I have 7 beds, am open 9 - 9 and right now have about 125 tanners a day. The first 6 weeks of this year have been up about 2/3 ($$ and 1/3 more tanners) over last year same time.I am eager to hear what some of the more experienced owners have to say to us. Pam

Bronze Star · 02-20-2002, 07:56 AM

When price shoppers call us we aren't necessarily the lowest priced, but we do ask them what they are looking for. Are they looking for the lowest price or the best tan in tan? If they are looking for the lowest price, we're not it. If they are looking for the best tan... then we're it. We challenge price shoppers to check us out and we absolutely don't give away any free sessions. It devalues the tanning if you give it away... and once someone gets something free from you, then they come to expect it often. Someone who comes into your salon because of free tanning won't stick around for price increases. People who come to your salon to get a great tan... will stick around when your prices increases. Change is sometimes a difficult transition and with ANY change you make, you will lose customers. But that's okay, because if you stick with the program, you'll gain newer customers willing to pay for the service you provide.

Tamar · 02-20-2002, 08:18 AM

Our smarter, more dedicated tanners were happy to pay the increase (actually sold more long term packages) and we cleared the lobby of Eurotanning cheapskates. Just do it, it is easier than you think.

Chippp · 02-20-2002, 12:27 PM

You are in this to make money? Charge enough to pay the bills as well as to pay yourself. You all so need to have the cash to make changes to remain a leader. To cater to the cheapest clients is BAD all around.

_________________
TanTalk Tanning Booth MODERATOR

Tanning Booths, for people that want only the very best.
Fast, Comfortable, Dark Tanning and Hygienic.
What Have You Been Using?
[ This Message was edited by: Chippp on 2002-02-20 13:16 ]

tangirl · 02-20-2002, 01:16 PM

First, Welcome to TanTalk. We are glad that you decided to join us.

Second, I can't really help you predict daily sales and how long your peak season will list. These things vary by location, weather, and demographics. I know that for my location busy season will begin the first of March.

Third, you need to upcharge. Period. No questions asked. We ran a special for 2 months that allowed people to upgrade for half price on certain days at certain times. We had several regular customers become superbed customers out of this deal. It also gives those that don't want to spend a lot a chance to see what they are missing.

We recently implemented a lotion club and upgrade club. The upgrade club is going over very well. I hope to gain more superbed members for this also.

Try different things and see what suits your customers. But, never, ever, give anything away!!!!!!!

MJ · 02-20-2002, 06:40 PM

Welcome Auntest!! read read read is my advise ..lost of post in here to choose from.
Have a great season.
Mj

flow8096 · 02-20-2002, 10:11 PM

tangirl,
Would you please tell us more about your lotion club and upgrade club.
Thanks, Debra

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02-20-2002, 01:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
aunest1 Join Date: Feb 19 2002 Posts: 57 Rep Power: 0	First I want to say I am so glad I found this site tonight. This is my first time posting here. I just purchased an exsisting taning salon in October. The previous owners had pretty much run it in to the ground. Absolutely no advertising in the past three years. Never open. Pushed away the teenagers and the twenty somethings, on purpose! I have six beds, I have noticed so far for Feb we have picked Considerably, I am advertising, postcards all over the place, the High school girls are great, I stop them in the parking lot and ask them if they want three free tans, when they say yes I ask them if they will hand out these fliers at their schools. That has been working great. I implemented $2 Tuesdays from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. For the month our best day was today with a total in sales of 256.00. Our average daily sales for this month are 116.85. Based on everyones previous experience roughly what should I expect for next month? How long does the peak season last? What is the busiest month? How many customers should I be preparing for a day? How much $$$$ should my daily average be (roughly)? I do not upcharge as I am trying desperately to undo the damage done by the old owners. We are a flat $5.00 single $35.00 month $40 for 10. Sorry this is so long and thank you in advance for replying.

02-20-2002, 07:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tamar Join Date: Aug 15 2001 Posts: 2,240 Rep Power: 8	Welcome to Tantalk, aunest1. It is hard to project your sales without your demographics. Is 116 per day enough to pay your overhead? Are you seeing a steady increase? If clients are returning due to new ownership, then sit tight and enjoy, quadruple sales would not be unreasonable. I would charge at least $5.00 upgrade immediately. Maybe half-price it during a certain time slot for a short while so they can ease into it. DO NOT give this away. Are all of your rates in line with competitors? Just above or below? Now is the time to raise prices, not later when you are swamped. Post a notice two weeks ahead in each room and in lobby.

02-20-2002, 07:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
pam Police Department Join Date: Oct 29 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,036 Rep Power: 10	Hey Thanks, Tamar, you just answered a question I asked in another area. How to let customers know of price increase? Thanks. I am so afraid that I will be shooting myself in the foot if I raise prices and wonder if I should just ride out this season and implement change slowly for next year. I get calls from price shoppers every day saying I am lowest in town. I also know I am one of the best in town. Will I lose more than I gain?

02-20-2002, 07:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
pam Police Department Join Date: Oct 29 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,036 Rep Power: 10	Welcome aunest1! Sorry to butt in on your question and not even recognize you. We have not had nearly the increase you talk about as far as utilities. I have 7 beds, am open 9 - 9 and right now have about 125 tanners a day. The first 6 weeks of this year have been up about 2/3 ($$ and 1/3 more tanners) over last year same time.I am eager to hear what some of the more experienced owners have to say to us. Pam

02-20-2002, 07:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bronze Star Join Date: Apr 11 2001 Posts: 2,732 Rep Power: 8	When price shoppers call us we aren't necessarily the lowest priced, but we do ask them what they are looking for. Are they looking for the lowest price or the best tan in tan? If they are looking for the lowest price, we're not it. If they are looking for the best tan... then we're it. We challenge price shoppers to check us out and we absolutely don't give away any free sessions. It devalues the tanning if you give it away... and once someone gets something free from you, then they come to expect it often. Someone who comes into your salon because of free tanning won't stick around for price increases. People who come to your salon to get a great tan... will stick around when your prices increases. Change is sometimes a difficult transition and with ANY change you make, you will lose customers. But that's okay, because if you stick with the program, you'll gain newer customers willing to pay for the service you provide.

02-20-2002, 08:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tamar Join Date: Aug 15 2001 Posts: 2,240 Rep Power: 8	Our smarter, more dedicated tanners were happy to pay the increase (actually sold more long term packages) and we cleared the lobby of Eurotanning cheapskates. Just do it, it is easier than you think.

02-20-2002, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chippp Join Date: Apr 19 2001 Posts: 2,556 Rep Power: 8	You are in this to make money? Charge enough to pay the bills as well as to pay yourself. You all so need to have the cash to make changes to remain a leader. To cater to the cheapest clients is BAD all around. _________________ TanTalk Tanning Booth MODERATOR Tanning Booths, for people that want only the very best. Fast, Comfortable, Dark Tanning and Hygienic. What Have You Been Using? [ This Message was edited by: Chippp on 2002-02-20 13:16 ]

02-20-2002, 01:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
tangirl Join Date: Jul 6 2001 Posts: 2,184 Rep Power: 8	First, Welcome to TanTalk. We are glad that you decided to join us. Second, I can't really help you predict daily sales and how long your peak season will list. These things vary by location, weather, and demographics. I know that for my location busy season will begin the first of March. Third, you need to upcharge. Period. No questions asked. We ran a special for 2 months that allowed people to upgrade for half price on certain days at certain times. We had several regular customers become superbed customers out of this deal. It also gives those that don't want to spend a lot a chance to see what they are missing. We recently implemented a lotion club and upgrade club. The upgrade club is going over very well. I hope to gain more superbed members for this also. Try different things and see what suits your customers. But, never, ever, give anything away!!!!!!!

02-20-2002, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 3,060 Rep Power: 8	Welcome Auntest!! read read read is my advise ..lost of post in here to choose from. Have a great season. Mj

02-20-2002, 10:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
flow8096 Join Date: Feb 1 2002 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	tangirl, Would you please tell us more about your lotion club and upgrade club. Thanks, Debra

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