mshallie

I was curious how much to charge per session on my beds:

1. Base Bed (28 Bulbs)buying 5

2. Bed (34 Bulb & 2 Facial tanners) buying 1

3. bed (56 Bulb & 6 Facials w/ arm tanner)
buying 2 , name Silver Bullet

4. Stand Up w. dressing room buying 1

I would like to know how to charge per session and have not yet gone through the purchasing process, so your advice on any changes would be great.

I am new to this and would imagine the difference in beds would mean difference in price. Session wise and monthly.

I live in Norfolk Virginia right off the ocean. My demographica ( targeted group of individuals) between ages 18-44 is 121,098
3/4 which is women and 1/4 is men. This is only an estimation and I went low. If you were in my shoes what would you charge per session and for monthly rates, including the differences between beds?

I appreciate all your help, Don, you have been great. Your opinion is greatly appreciated and anyone else that has a opinion feel free to reply. I like to hear what everyone thinks and feels, it helps me decide what is best for my clients and business.

Thank you

Hallie

Kimmee

Hi there mshallie.

I am from Virginia Beach/Norfolk

Welcome!

I live in SC now... moved here 3 years ago and I worked at my first salon in Norfolk.

I used to live in Bayview... is that about where you are at?

Don Smith

Hallie:

You said you were purchasing:

1. Base Bed (28 Bulbs)buying 5
[Am I correct that these are 20 minute units?]

2. Bed (34 Bulb & 2 Facial tanners) buying 1
[Is this a 15 minute unit?]

3. bed (56 Bulb & 6 Facials w/ arm tanner)
buying 2 , name Silver Bullet
[Is this a 12 minute unit?]

4. Stand Up w. dressing room buying 1
[10 or 11 minutes?

Question: Do you also plan to add a HP unit?

Question: Do you know how your competitors are pricing their "similar" units?

Before I give you some suggestions on pricing, it would help to know the answers to the above.

The "bottom line" to keep in mind, Hallie, is that most people price their offerings too low because they want to attract new business quickly. However, keep in mind that it is hard to raise prices once you have announced them; conversely, you can ALWAYS have "specials" which, in essence, lowers them.

Our basic philosophy is to charge enough for our basic sunbeds (at our projected volume) to pay the operating costs. Then, your upgrade units and lotion sales make a significant contribution to your profitibility.

More later.

Don

Tamar

Check out your competitor's bed mix and pricing structure before setting yours. Go there, tan there: if their base beds start at 30 or 32 bulbs, you're 28 bulb beds won't appeal to many.

corvette

This is abserd,you don't go spend a gob of money on beds and ask other people what to charge,you need to see what your bottom line is and go from there.SO many people open a tanning salon or any other business and don't know how much money they need to break even or even make money ,I have a guy down the street from me charging 30visits 30 dollars I don't think he has done his research.You have to figure all your expenses and price your tans to that.

ultimatexposure

Just to let you know we charge $22.00 per session in the Silver Bullet at my salon.

SLI-HOT

How about it TanTalkers - what do we charge?

$6 - 20min
$12 - 10min
$15 - 12min - "Starpower"

These are my wifes choices, I'm an accountant by trade and have a different opinion.

Help us all out with your collective expertise!

Bartman

MJ

Bartman,
I am sure that this is somewhat crossing the line of umm "Price Fixin'" And we cannot do that..(Aahhhhhhchhhooooochargemorecoughc ough)
Bles me.. I feel better now.
But we can say... provide a great tan, clean Salon, Educated and informed employees skilled in skin typing and scheduling moderate tanning sessions...and Then You can charge what you feel you deserve.. for the most part.
The Competitions prices are not really an issue if they do not offer what you do..
Of course nothing is "market safe" Alot of factors could force you to be more "AWARE" of your competitors.
Therefore, with all the variables mentioned and others not. No one can tell YOU what TO CHarge for YOUR BEDS.
Just do not forget the hiden expenses...and it is easier to lower your price then it is to raise it.
Is the best advise I could share with you..
Mj

_________________
Tan Talk ModeratorTanTalk Rocks!!!
"And now back to tanning"--ChippI'm a Bigdog Member, are YOU?[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-05-08 22:42 ]

MJ

PS..That what specials and new member bonuses are for.. to get them in the door .. It is up to you to prove to the clients that your salons services are worth the Money... then they will stay!

SLI-HOT

Thanks MJ,

I'm quick to tell the price shoppers "if you're looking for the cheapest tan in town, I can give you some names, but if you're looking for the BEST tan in town, you're in the right place!"

We don't want to cater to the cheap tanners, we want the "professional tanners"

Bartman