tanaddict101

The tanner can pretend to be another person each time they sign in and hop from salon to salon. Giving free passes are not a good idea for a salon owner.

HBT6872

We have them give us a picture ID everytime. If you do not have the sell through, you are right...it's not a good idea.

delicateflower3663

So, if your staff are any good, they'll remember the person, and greet them by their first name when they walk in the door. Kinda hard to pretend they're a newbie if the staff knows who they are!! YES, it IS possible. I remember darn near EVERYONE that walks in my door. You guys can't tell me that you have sooooo many people coming in to get that free tan that you just can't keep up with all the names and faces. That'd be bullsh*t. All ya gotta do is pay attention and act like you care when you meet the client for the first time. If you're spending the time to educate them on that first visit, you KNOW them by the time they leave, and they know you too. If you impress them with the WOW service and education that first visit, they'll be salivating to spend money with you.

We (corporately) offer the first tan free. I do not give it if the client comes in and buys a package on the first visit. If they ask for the freebie, they get it, one time only. They are skin-typed on the first visit, and the max on a comp tan is 12 minutes for a skin type 4. All others will get between 6 and 10 minutes, depending on their skin type, and whether or not they have a tan. I ask those with a tan where and when they last tanned, and for how long before giving them the max of 12 minutes. I make them buy eyewear and show me their lotion before tanning, to make sure that gawd-awful TanMax doesn't come into my studio.

Corporately we also have 3 Free Tans or 25% More Minutes coupons that I HATE. I always haev to explain to the client that 3 Free Tans is only a maximum of 45 minutes, and 25% More Minutes can be anthing from 50 to 125 minutes, depending on the package they buy, which is obviously better value. I wish the 3 Free wasn't even on the coupon. It doesn't generate sales.

texastan830

I agree that you the "First Tan is Free!!!" thing doesnt work at all. We did it for about 3 months and then realized that people were going to different employees with different names and it was just a mess of free tanners. Well, after we quit doing it we didnt see any decrease in sales of walk-ins. We actually sell more now bc most people do expect to pay for their first tan. DOnt do the "First time free tan".

mandii

I never give out first tans for free.....I wouldnt want anyone to think i was deperate for some business......and there are some that see a freebie and you wont ever see again. Why not have some great offers to catch their eye....like mother's day specials, valentines day specials etc, or group discounts.

missmojorising

Nice to see people using the "Search Engine"

The word "FREE" works--As bait.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TANSTAAFL

TANSTAAFL
Simply put, it means that one cannot get something for nothing. Even if something appears to be free, there is always a catch. You may get free food at a bar during "happy hour", but the bar-owner either figures out a way to get you to pay or gets some sort of benefit (such as attracting new customers). This may or may not be true at the individual level, depending on the interpretation of the phrase

__________________
Step In To The Light, While Loving Derf.

www.simplytantexas.com

TRTSROCKS

I don't see it as desperation for business. I see it as knowing that "free" gets them in the door and once that happens we have a new client. We are confident that we do things much different than our competitors and once they enter the salon and see what a professional indoor tanning salon offers...it is a done deal :)
Our largest form of gaining new clients at this point is our "Refer A Friend" program allowing a client to give someone they know the opportunity to tan with us one visit level one for free. There are a lot of salons in our area who choose not to have the best interest of the client first and foremost...if it takes me offering them one free visit to see what sets us apart from the rest that is what we will do. It may not be for every salon but for us it is a GREAT thing :)

Shantilly

We have always had our "first tan free" but as they are filling out the cards the staff goes to the first tan free file and checks their name...oh sure their has been some that have been in before, its kinda nice to sting em and say "oh no u were in 3 yrs ago for your free tan' cha ching, pay me. BUT this is a good oportunity for staff in slow months to phone these first time free ppl and say oh you were at the salon in "whatever month" and had a complimentary session and today only I'm offering your a package at (whatever you want to offer them). Its personal, and they are pleased you remember them. Could work with mail outs too. In slower months I have my staff make this call within a week if they haven't been back in after their "free" session.

Shantilly

After reading my own post, I forgot to mention.....we never say "free". That is cheap...we always say "on the house" or "its on me"....that way PERCEPTION is....hey I'm not paying for it....you are. Makes a big difference. OH.....and we always offer our buy 10....get one ....on the house!!!

Steve Underhill

Any specials or promotions should be calculated into the overall marketing program and advertising efforts. Free in some cases and at certain times of the year when presented properly is very effective. However first tan free all of the time is not the most effective way to get new clients. rather than looking at just first tan free look closely at your overall pricing structure and introduction offers. You can't make a sale until the tanner is in your salon. Never try and make the sale with your advertising. Advertising is to get the tanner to come to your salon so you have the opportunity to show the tanner why your salon is the best place to tan.