Tropical Sun

Many of us have experienced the DREAD D word here concerning lotions - so I will keep it under wraps... but how many of you have actually done your part to keep the lotion sales in the salon? You can't control the other websites - or the salons selling them too cheaply... but that does not mean you have to roll over and yell at Max or John and expect them to fix it all for you... we are business owners - that means we are problem solvers... we do what is necessary (and you all have sacrificed, stressed, thought long and hard on many issues) to keep us in the game. So what do you do that will help keep the lotion sales in your salons?

Me - I have behind the desk a few hundred hooks, that hold the customers lotion for them. They buy it here - they can store it for no charge. This does a few things. First - it shows the new sign up that everyone else is using a lotion... we all follow te pack... we don't want to be the outcast... so just by doing that - your lotion sales increase. Secondly - if the person buys it from the salon, then they can hold it here... no more leaving it in the car, forgetting it at home, having to make a trip home after work to get it... it is here for them... Third - when they are done tanning, and it is time to tan again... they come back because they already have a $40 - $65 bottle hanging at your salon....

Next thing I do which I was taught from the others, is I give a free session on upgraded equipment with the purchase of the lotion... It may cost me a few bucks, but my discount is good and it seals the deal... someone needs a lotion - I tell them that I am going to throw in a free upgrade session worth $30.00. They JUMP at it... this also gets people in the equipment that were not so certain that they wanted to pay the difference... it teases them, and it hooks them... So that extra couple bucks you just spent to get them in the upgrade, is now going to cause them to spend more with you in the long run.. and thats the bottom line isn't it, getting more now (the lotion sale) and getting even more in the long run (loyal client that is using upgraded equipment).

Rod



[ This Message was edited by: Tropical Sun on 2002-03-26 18:39 ]

Soakinuptherays

Rod,

Storing lotions for your customers and giving them upgrades for buying their products with you is a fantastic way to control diversion in your salon!

viptanner

I've thought about storing the lotion for the customers, but thats as far as I went with it. How valuable is this service to your clients?

Tropical Sun

It depends on your salon. If you have all high dollar equipment and are getting an average of over $20.00 per session - then it is not a necessary service. Most of your members will buy lotions at whatever price you are offering and they will use them up quicker. Those customers are not as frugal when it comes to skin care if you know your product.

If you are not making that kind of money - it is very important. As I said before - it will bring up your lotion sales and most people will be more willing to purchase at your salon for the convenience and added benefit it offers them... It takes me about 5 seconds to find the lotion since they are numbered.

Ahhhh.. the other site is back up - so it looks like I must do my job and moderate that one... thanks for the fun...

Rod

aunest1

I like that idea of displaying the stored lotion. I currently keep the customers lotions that I store in a cupboard under the counter. I like the peer pressure side of it, from what you are saying you have some sort of a wall with hooks? Do you place their lotions in a bag of some sorts than hang them? What about a shelf of some sort? How do you display them so the peer pressure side of it is worth while?