Price Shoppers, when do they come through your door ? - Page 4

gripmarketing · 08-06-2004, 04:09 PM

Free offers and low-cost offers should state: "ID required, only local residents"

"I'm not a marketing genius to be sure but I'd rather give a free sample lotion to first timers than the free tan." Yes, but how do you get them to come in for the first tan to be able to offer the free lotion? You have to sell them the tan first before you can sell the lotion.

The debate is over whether to offer 3 Free Tans or 4 Tans for $4. The difference isn't that much in your bottom line unless you have weak salespeople and need a very low hurdle for sales people to jump, but the difference to consumers is big - free is a very powerful tool. The only question in the debate is not whether or not you should use free offers, but can you profit with them.

Take it from a marketing pro, keep an open mind about this: If you can't profit with them...it's not the offer that failed!

ALOHATANCA · 08-10-2004, 02:42 PM

We are completly computorized, so when they come in with the free ad we get their drivers license and do a search in the computor....one per household..local residence only.........We sell them Winkease and a packette of lotion......

It's all about precieved value....I have 15 years experience in finances...

If I advertized $1.00 tans then my current customers would wonder if I was going under, as we have set our standards...It cheapens my Salon...free sounds better and most know that the purpose of such an ad is to generate new clients...The ONE salon that did do $2 tans is no longer here......

I am looking for the long term client and my flippin PG&E bill is never higher because of it..I want to build long term relationships with my clients, thus I get loyalty in return....

Winkease and 1 packette = tan paid for!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus new clients that will tell there friends..

gripmarketing · 08-10-2004, 05:03 PM

"If I advertized $1.00 tans then my current customers would wonder if I was going under, as we have set our standards...It cheapens my Salon...free sounds better and most know that the purpose of such an ad is to generate new clients..."

Very well said, Alohatanca. The above represents a contrarian viewpoint that X Tans for $Y cheapens the salon more than offering "free". But the bottom line is "free sounds better" and can you use it to your advantage and make money with it.

If not, you should re-examine why you can't.

jniyork · 08-11-2004, 12:20 PM

We currently offer 2 free trial sessions to new customers only. The reason we do 2 free sessions is because when we did 1 free the person came in and tanned and you dont get to talk to them and see how the session went. When I give them 2 free they come back the second time I take the time to talk to them and see what they thought and how the session worked out for them . For the problem with not getting any money out of them probably 40-50% have upgraded to a better bed and payed the upgrade charge. The 2 free sessions are in the 20 min beds and they expire in 14 days.

gripmarketing · 08-11-2004, 02:45 PM

Very good jniyork!

You're gaining exposure and sales! The 50% or so that don't upgrade, do they buy a package? Do you mail them an additional offer now that you know who they are?

ALOHATANCA · 08-11-2004, 02:48 PM

My girl friend owns 3 Planet Tans , when she has free tan days she has $5,000 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

gripmarketing · 08-12-2004, 12:21 PM

Way to go, jniyork. Another salon who made their free offer work.

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08-06-2004, 04:09 PM	#31 (permalink)
gripmarketing Join Date: May 25 2002 Posts: 1,257 Rep Power: 7	Free offers and low-cost offers should state: "ID required, only local residents" "I'm not a marketing genius to be sure but I'd rather give a free sample lotion to first timers than the free tan." Yes, but how do you get them to come in for the first tan to be able to offer the free lotion? You have to sell them the tan first before you can sell the lotion. The debate is over whether to offer 3 Free Tans or 4 Tans for $4. The difference isn't that much in your bottom line unless you have weak salespeople and need a very low hurdle for sales people to jump, but the difference to consumers is big - free is a very powerful tool. The only question in the debate is not whether or not you should use free offers, but can you profit with them. Take it from a marketing pro, keep an open mind about this: If you can't profit with them...it's not the offer that failed!

08-10-2004, 02:42 PM	#32 (permalink)
ALOHATANCA Police Department Join Date: Nov 14 2003 Location: CALIFORNIA Age: 49 Posts: 4,436 Rep Power: 9	We are completly computorized, so when they come in with the free ad we get their drivers license and do a search in the computor....one per household..local residence only.........We sell them Winkease and a packette of lotion...... It's all about precieved value....I have 15 years experience in finances... If I advertized $1.00 tans then my current customers would wonder if I was going under, as we have set our standards...It cheapens my Salon...free sounds better and most know that the purpose of such an ad is to generate new clients...The ONE salon that did do $2 tans is no longer here...... I am looking for the long term client and my flippin PG&E bill is never higher because of it..I want to build long term relationships with my clients, thus I get loyalty in return.... Winkease and 1 packette = tan paid for!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus new clients that will tell there friends..

08-10-2004, 05:03 PM	#33 (permalink)
gripmarketing Join Date: May 25 2002 Posts: 1,257 Rep Power: 7	"If I advertized $1.00 tans then my current customers would wonder if I was going under, as we have set our standards...It cheapens my Salon...free sounds better and most know that the purpose of such an ad is to generate new clients..." Very well said, Alohatanca. The above represents a contrarian viewpoint that X Tans for $Y cheapens the salon more than offering "free". But the bottom line is "free sounds better" and can you use it to your advantage and make money with it. If not, you should re-examine why you can't.

08-11-2004, 12:20 PM	#34 (permalink)
jniyork Join Date: Jun 4 2004 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	We currently offer 2 free trial sessions to new customers only. The reason we do 2 free sessions is because when we did 1 free the person came in and tanned and you dont get to talk to them and see how the session went. When I give them 2 free they come back the second time I take the time to talk to them and see what they thought and how the session worked out for them . For the problem with not getting any money out of them probably 40-50% have upgraded to a better bed and payed the upgrade charge. The 2 free sessions are in the 20 min beds and they expire in 14 days.

08-11-2004, 02:45 PM	#35 (permalink)
gripmarketing Join Date: May 25 2002 Posts: 1,257 Rep Power: 7	Very good jniyork! You're gaining exposure and sales! The 50% or so that don't upgrade, do they buy a package? Do you mail them an additional offer now that you know who they are?

08-11-2004, 02:48 PM	#36 (permalink)
ALOHATANCA Police Department Join Date: Nov 14 2003 Location: CALIFORNIA Age: 49 Posts: 4,436 Rep Power: 9	My girl friend owns 3 Planet Tans , when she has free tan days she has $5,000 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

08-12-2004, 12:21 PM	#37 (permalink)
gripmarketing Join Date: May 25 2002 Posts: 1,257 Rep Power: 7	Way to go, jniyork. Another salon who made their free offer work.

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