NEVER EVER ..EVER do first tan free...Why you ask???? - Page 5

Neon Beach · 03-31-2004, 09:03 PM

Giving a new client a free, one time only, no obligation session is not a big money issue. The point is that you are trying to bring in new clients. If they are from anothe salon and just want a free tan then you wouldn't keep them anyway. Yet, if they see that you have more to offer they might stay. What do you tell people who call on the phone and ask what types of beds you have. The average tanner has no idea what they are asking. So what is your point? In a perfect world, we could all refuse tanners who use lotions not purchased from us, what what can you do. I have heard of salons doing this, but in my part of the world it wouldn't benefit me at all. In closing do what you feel you can get away with in your market, and stop asking people on the other side of the Country what they do. Most places here give new clients a free tan to get them in the door, so I should say no and charge them? May work for you, but not here.

top250tansyou · 04-01-2004, 08:00 PM

What keeps employees from ringing up a free session and pocketing the money? I do and the fear of being fired. Plus I trust everyone that is working for me. I have at least 2 people there at all times as should everyone especially if they are females. 4 - 5 during the busy season. So not only would you have to get by with stealing but you would have to get 1 or 2 people to go along with you. I f you dont trust your people though get new people.

Ezliving_Jim · 04-02-2004, 11:34 AM

We didn't do the big "tan free weekend" like several other salons did in this market.

I do include a "first tan free" coupon in our MoneyMailer ad. It is the most popular coupon and we convert over 90% to packages on the first visit. A negligible number came for the freeby and never came back.

It also cuts off the price shopping phone callers. We explain that we have many packages and four levels of equipment. We ask if they have our coupon. If they don't, we tell them to come in and we will give them one.

Here's one for you!

anna_tanna · 04-03-2004, 12:30 PM

We sell (besides EFT's which get a price cut at the get-go) 1 month and 1 day in whichever bed line they choose and 2 months and 2 days. It is rare as all get-out that a person will actully tan every day of the month PLUS that one free day. The faithful come, say up to 4 times a week. You are not actully loosing anything by "giving" them that extra day because they aren't going to use it anyway - more than likely. It just sounds good to them and that's what's important. Keep the customer happy - so long as they know, if they so chose, they could get the full benefit, then they will be happy and you will be too because they'll bring their friends in!

GoldenMist · 04-08-2004, 06:25 AM

Well, there's several points on both sides. I know as a tanner, I would take a free tan close to my house that I was truly considering tanning at. However, I would be willing to pay the $8 to find out. I 'would' pay for a regular -priced tan and maybe get the upgraded beds for the first time. That would be reasonable to me. If you're serious about tanning there you'll spend a couple bucks to try it out.
When I was in a different area, I would go into a salon when I didn't have time to go to my regular one, and take the free tan w/ no intention of really ever tanning there again. So I guess it's a toss-up.

Neon Beach · 04-09-2004, 02:30 AM

You're exactly correct goldenmist. That's the nature of the beast. the old build it and they will come senario!
A free session for first time clients, as I see it, is an industry standard. According to some posts here, if we were to charge $50 for your first time, the new client would see that the salon in question MUST be great if they charge that much???????????

THEDORSEYTOUCH · 04-10-2004, 06:48 PM

Don't you ask for a free sample of tanning lotion product Mr. Neon Beach before you buy it?

THEDORSEYTOUCH · 04-10-2004, 06:57 PM

Sorry Mr. Moderator the last post was for MJ.

Neon Beach · 04-10-2004, 07:07 PM

Do I ask for a free sample before I buy it? No. Even before I was a salon owner I wouldn't even thought of asking for a free sample before I bought a full bottle, that's why we have a sample bar. Try a sample before you pay for a bottle. As a salon owner I would appreciate a free sample from a supplier before I add that lotion to my shelves............

pam · 04-12-2004, 07:58 AM

My daughter recently tanned at a salon that gave free first visit while on vacation. They also gave her a free lotion sample. They got no money from her and she will never go there again because she was on vacation. She was willing to pay full price. They got nothing for their cost and will not gain a tanner from this. Discounted first visits make more sense than free to me--at least you can cover your cost.

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03-31-2004, 09:03 PM	#41 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	Giving a new client a free, one time only, no obligation session is not a big money issue. The point is that you are trying to bring in new clients. If they are from anothe salon and just want a free tan then you wouldn't keep them anyway. Yet, if they see that you have more to offer they might stay. What do you tell people who call on the phone and ask what types of beds you have. The average tanner has no idea what they are asking. So what is your point? In a perfect world, we could all refuse tanners who use lotions not purchased from us, what what can you do. I have heard of salons doing this, but in my part of the world it wouldn't benefit me at all. In closing do what you feel you can get away with in your market, and stop asking people on the other side of the Country what they do. Most places here give new clients a free tan to get them in the door, so I should say no and charge them? May work for you, but not here.

04-01-2004, 08:00 PM	#42 (permalink)
top250tansyou I love Derf!! Join Date: Jan 1 2004 Location: little rock Posts: 2,237 Rep Power: 6	What keeps employees from ringing up a free session and pocketing the money? I do and the fear of being fired. Plus I trust everyone that is working for me. I have at least 2 people there at all times as should everyone especially if they are females. 4 - 5 during the busy season. So not only would you have to get by with stealing but you would have to get 1 or 2 people to go along with you. I f you dont trust your people though get new people.

04-02-2004, 11:34 AM	#43 (permalink)
Ezliving_Jim I love Derf!! Join Date: Mar 12 2002 Location: Virtual Reality Posts: 2,182 Rep Power: 10	We didn't do the big "tan free weekend" like several other salons did in this market. I do include a "first tan free" coupon in our MoneyMailer ad. It is the most popular coupon and we convert over 90% to packages on the first visit. A negligible number came for the freeby and never came back. It also cuts off the price shopping phone callers. We explain that we have many packages and four levels of equipment. We ask if they have our coupon. If they don't, we tell them to come in and we will give them one. Here's one for you!

04-03-2004, 12:30 PM	#44 (permalink)
anna_tanna Join Date: Feb 19 2004 Posts: 112 Rep Power: 5	We sell (besides EFT's which get a price cut at the get-go) 1 month and 1 day in whichever bed line they choose and 2 months and 2 days. It is rare as all get-out that a person will actully tan every day of the month PLUS that one free day. The faithful come, say up to 4 times a week. You are not actully loosing anything by "giving" them that extra day because they aren't going to use it anyway - more than likely. It just sounds good to them and that's what's important. Keep the customer happy - so long as they know, if they so chose, they could get the full benefit, then they will be happy and you will be too because they'll bring their friends in!

04-08-2004, 06:25 AM	#45 (permalink)
GoldenMist Join Date: Apr 7 2004 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Well, there's several points on both sides. I know as a tanner, I would take a free tan close to my house that I was truly considering tanning at. However, I would be willing to pay the $8 to find out. I 'would' pay for a regular -priced tan and maybe get the upgraded beds for the first time. That would be reasonable to me. If you're serious about tanning there you'll spend a couple bucks to try it out. When I was in a different area, I would go into a salon when I didn't have time to go to my regular one, and take the free tan w/ no intention of really ever tanning there again. So I guess it's a toss-up.

04-09-2004, 02:30 AM	#46 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	You're exactly correct goldenmist. That's the nature of the beast. the old build it and they will come senario! A free session for first time clients, as I see it, is an industry standard. According to some posts here, if we were to charge $50 for your first time, the new client would see that the salon in question MUST be great if they charge that much???????????

04-10-2004, 06:48 PM	#47 (permalink)
THEDORSEYTOUCH Waiting Confirmation Join Date: May 28 2003 Posts: 437 Rep Power: 0	Don't you ask for a free sample of tanning lotion product Mr. Neon Beach before you buy it?

04-10-2004, 06:57 PM	#48 (permalink)
THEDORSEYTOUCH Waiting Confirmation Join Date: May 28 2003 Posts: 437 Rep Power: 0	Sorry Mr. Moderator the last post was for MJ.

04-10-2004, 07:07 PM	#49 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	Do I ask for a free sample before I buy it? No. Even before I was a salon owner I wouldn't even thought of asking for a free sample before I bought a full bottle, that's why we have a sample bar. Try a sample before you pay for a bottle. As a salon owner I would appreciate a free sample from a supplier before I add that lotion to my shelves............

04-12-2004, 07:58 AM	#50 (permalink)
pam Police Department Join Date: Oct 29 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,036 Rep Power: 9	My daughter recently tanned at a salon that gave free first visit while on vacation. They also gave her a free lotion sample. They got no money from her and she will never go there again because she was on vacation. She was willing to pay full price. They got nothing for their cost and will not gain a tanner from this. Discounted first visits make more sense than free to me--at least you can cover your cost.

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