skitand

I thought the Tan Talk Web Page was going to be very useful to me. But all I read is a bunch of garbage going back and forth with people who for some reason can't get along. Know Jesus and Know his compassion and please lets refrain from all of this nonsense.

Tanzenite

skitand, there is so much useful information on this site and it is a great site to post questions because many of the people here are salon professionals. They are knowledgable about the industry and always have an answer. So you coming on here saying that all you read is garbage is very insulting.

talldarkandblonde

I have learned sooo much on this site-so I also take offense to Skitand's comment-just reading this article has taught me so much and I love the conflicts between the professionals because I want to know all the opinions of the diverse people on this site. Put all these people together on one site and not everyone is going to get along, like your church service Skitand!!!!!

-personally going back to the earlier arguement with Sheila in Minn-I have a sailors mouth as well but honestly if I wanted to hear such crude comments about people-like Tw**, I would go to a porn site not a tanning site-I am glad ur comment was deleted-there are much more professional, colourful words to use in posts than the trash u use.

Hank van

I have been in this business 11 years and have always given first tan free coupons. and most people have had a bad year this season and I am opening new salons. some times different things work in different areas this has always worked great for me but 90% of the free tans spend money. and if not you need to train your staff better. example one salon I have had a free tan weekend and it did very well. I did at another location and it didnt even bring free tanners. just depends on location. but lets see how many cheap salon owners will be at nashville trick or treating for free samples.

jowango

I am planning on putting an up right in a hair salon and was asked by the staff if I would give free tans to the THEIR customers. I believe this would generate more traffic for the stylists and less cash flow for me.
Would it be ridiculous to ask for a percentage? Could I bank on selling sessions for in between cuts?
Any advice is ideal!

totaleclipse1

Well i do offer a free tan for the first visit in our base bed only....we do get over 90% buying packages...but we also require a purchase of a lotion..to let them know the importance of using one...i isually throw in a free upgrad e if they dont use the 1st free session and just buy higher level beds ....

Er-Gott

Hello Everyone,

I'm not a salon owner but I am a new tanner, and work in sales. I have to disagree with offering a new tan. For example the first salon I went to which was only the beginning of this month offered the first tan at $5.00 for up to 20 mins. With the regular price being $5.00 for 10 mins or less and $7.00 for 20 mins or more. I still go there but only for 10 mins. If you read my other posts you will know why Then I went to the salon my partner goes to which is a hair salon with a few tanning beds. We got a package as he has one there and they gave me a free first tan. And if you don't already do this allowed us to split a bigger package between the two of us.

But the point I was trying to make is that yesterday I called another salon (Looking for some DS lotion) and they told me they offered a free tan for your first visit. It is a franchise business so 4 locations but different owners and different databases. I went yesterday for a tan. I was only going because I wanted to get a sample of the lotion, figured I may as well tan while I was there, Which I would have paid for. I was going to go to another location this Saturday, as it was free. But I call yet another different salon and with the only requirement being they carry DS lotion, and they offer a first tan at $3.00. I'm actually going to go to the one I have to pay for as it is still a discount and they have the lotion. Just seems better to me.

In sales it's all about perceived value. Why not try something like this. Adjust your prices so for example get 10 sessions and get a bottle of lotion at no additional charge. If you offer it (Now keep in mind I have no idea about prices and totally making this up) for example let's say you were planning on setting your normal drop in rate at $7.00. Well increase it to $10.00 for up to 20 mins. Then offer 10 sessions at $90.00 and include a bottle of low-end lotion. With the option of a discount on higher priced lotion. The cheaper the lotion the higher the profit. Net effect. It looks like a better deal because not only are you getting a dollar off each session but also a free bottle of lotion.

This is just my opinion as a new tanner, but that to me would be one heck of a deal.

Hope it makes sense, I have a tendency to think faster then I type and miss words here and there, and English is my first language but you wouldn't know it from my writing


One thing I forgot to mention. If you customer says they don't want the lotion. DO NOT DISCOUNT THE PRICE. Remember it was added at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. This will be more attractive to potential new tanners who may not currently have their own lotion then regular customers.

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[ This Message was edited by: Er-Gott on 2005-09-27 13:06 ]

totaleclipse1

i am now in conflict with my decision to have the first tan free...although it says on the bottom restrictions apply.. i guess i can make them purchase something or a small session package...

HBT6872

We do not offer a free tan as a lead strategy, but as a last resort if needed. We will offer a FTW on specials and at times 3 months for free...it always comes with another product or service it's never really free. Yes we have run the data and yes we make money from the offers.

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[ This Message was edited by: HBT6872 on 2005-09-27 15:27 ]

totaleclipse1

i ahve had about 15% of my clients not come back after the 1st free tan.. alot of them end up bringing in other clients that do buy packages and lotions ...since we have other services here as well I also let them try for free ....also our free session is for our base bed and usually for clients who never tanned before...giving them the opportunity to try it and we never let them do the full time... i guess like a tease...