Soakinuptherays

My point of observation is this:

As Robbie expands his low cost tanning empire undercutting current salon onwers.

(I am not here to agree or disagree with his approach to the market, If it works for him then great. I do question, if as a franchiee if that person can make a realistic return on investment after all the fees and cost associated with being in the franchise. As company owned operations, I think the margins are OK.)

My point is are major manufacturer assiting Robbie in destroying Mom and Pop salon with their "extra" low direct pricing to Robbie?

As a Mom and Pop salon do you need to look at the manufacturers that are helping Robbie (With agressive pricing that makes his operation more profitable thus allows him to undercut the market) as good or bad items to buy for their salon?

Don Smith

Sheila:

Good. That is an answer. You DO NOT think that only one organization (ITA) should try to be "all things to all people".

Next question. What DO you recommend?

The question after that. What type organization do you think is "best able" to look out for the best interests of "small" tanning salons.

And the last question. Are you concerned that ITA has "evolved" into representing the best interests "large" operations (like Dan and Robbie)?

I await your answers with bated breath.

Don

Don Smith

Sheila:

Good. That is an answer. You DO NOT think that only one organization (ITA) should try to be "all things to all people".

Next question. What DO you recommend?

The question after that. What type organization do you think is "best able" to look out for the best interests of "small" tanning salons.

And the last question. Are you concerned that ITA has "evolved" into representing the best interests "large" operations (like Dan and Robbie)?

I await your answers with bated breath.

Don

Robbie

Attention small salon owners.

Greg is right. You are patronizing manufacturers who are probably giving me better deals (that I haven’t earned) than you. They are helping me to put you out of business (that’s all we discuss when we meet).

Why deal with these manufactures? Just because I buy lotion in $100,000 orders and buy $1,000,000 in beds each year, this is no reason that I should receive favored status. I don’t know who is more evil. The manufacturer for offering a deal, or me, by accepting it. These manufacturers should be punished by your refusal to deal with them.

Here is the list of companies that we have done or currently do business with:
Beds: Tan America, Pro-sun, Sun Ergoline,Suncapsule, Dr. Mueller, Ultrasun, UWE and Vitasun.

Lotions: California Tan, JA, Supre and ETS.

Do not buy their products. Don’t help them to use me as the conduit for your own destruction. And watch out, I bet there are other manufacturers out there that I don’t do business with, that are probably doing deals with the big chains (all dedicated to wipe you off the face of the map). Seek out who they are and boycott them all.

I know that this may eliminate many of your current vendors, but I'm sure you can find a manufacturer out there who doesn’t do deals with the big boys. If your stuck for names, I know one lotion guy I could recommend.

Robbie
[ This Message was edited by: Robbie on 2002-05-19 10:04 ]

Sheila in Minnesota

~ Robbie . . . Supre'????? eeeeegaddds!!!!

And does you view on Home (basement) Tanning have anything to do with your support of ETS?


It could be a matter of like -loves -like. . . but I view you as a classier Shark than that

LET'S NOT DO GOO ~ ~ OK?

Greg - you sassy slick demi-god . . . you are constantly redirecting traffic back to your house!! ~ ~ yes I know you started this thread . . . but the title is not what you are focused on . . . just goo.
Sorry Love - I am cranky ~ ~ but you are losing lovers this way.

So Robbie's sarcastic warning of what big salons intend to do to Mom & Pop shops is not really his views on Darwinism. . so do not panic & sell the salon to your competitor and run off to a nudist colony . . . there is a nitch for every one . . . . and sometimes it's the sparrow that survives, not the T-Rex

Sheila

Sheila in Minnesota

~ Don . . . I need a lobotomy and a whiskey -diet right now . . . .

Once I am done with both of those things. . . I will dance some more - ohtay?

Sheila

Robbie

Sheila,

Sarcasm? Me? Never.

My view of the Home Tanning bed market has nothing to do with ETS lotions, but I wonder if you can figure out why my support for home beds sales is consistent with my pricing module?

As to the sparrow/T-Rex remark, while I can appreciate that the high-priced model is a dinosaur, I resent being likened to a sparrow. Don would say I’m a vulture but I would say I’m a cross between an eagle and an owl.

Robbie

Don Smith

Sheila/Robbie:

I'm not avoiding you. I've been on the go since 5:00 am and since I didn't get to bed last night until 1:00 am, I am a tired old bird tonight.

Tomorrow!

Don "Who Feels Every Year Tonight" Smith

Robbie

Don,

You get 4 hours of sleep each night?...luxury!

Luke Skywalker

Nothing