MJ

I would like to add...
Telling a New Reader to USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION without also giving some tidbits of advice on their question is WRONG. Ignore it or do so and at least add a few links to start them out. JMHO
If a Moderator or participant feels SOOOOOO threatened by a newbie question that they must make them feel like morons for asking ~ then they should reconsider what online is for and it ain't to get Neon Laid.
I have been told by a friend....that Neon thinks I am S~ in disguise.
LMAO
To officailly clarify that rumor-
Neon Sheila- and I are friends. We do share similar opinions. We also disagree on many things we are indeed seperate people.
OHH and PS--She farts in your general direction(after a big bowl of Chili and a DP):grin:
I on the other hand~ find your lack luster skills as a helpful poster ( let alone a mod) less than up to par but I tolerate you.

OHH and in your area expertise..I do have a question:
I have a friend who needs advice on how to start a ***** Calander--
I am sure you won't mind REPEATING yourself on such an improtant subject topic like that.

DWhite6872

I agree, I think we are all on here to share ideas...or why bother? I am not affraid of someone opening up or my competitior. I try to build the best stores with great equipment and service...if that does not work then there is nothing more I can do. It dosen't matter if someone opens up next to you if you are doing the right things.

suntanztanning

I knew when I signed up for this message forum that my competition could be a member as well. I see it this way. I have a web site with all of my prices and basic information on it. I also know for a fact that they look at it from time to time. I know they can read a newspaper and see my ads. I say so what? If the salon up the street is using my information as a business model then okay! If your competition wants to know what you’re up to I seriously doubt they’ll rely on Tan Talk as their main source of information. I think a lot of the users here are overly paranoid about their competition stealing their secrets. Besides, most of us think we can do it better than our competition anyway. That’s why we opened our stores. We saw a need as well as a void in the market and knew we could do a better job than out competitors. If any of you went into this business with any thought other than that you’re going to fail anyway. So steal away my friend.

The bottom line is this. I joined this forum to learn and share with others. That’s the purpose isn’t it? I ask you this; “What can they steal from you here that they can’t get through other means? Not much if you ask me. No words on this forum serve as a business catalyst. We all have our own unique way of doing the same things.

The words found here can’t make you or break you. They simply serve as a way to trigger our own thinking process. I’ve seen ideas here that my competition uses. I may do something similar but I’ve never made a carbon copy. Why would any of us want to do what our competitors do? We should be striving to do better. Words alone can’t change the beds, cleanliness or customer service. Those three things are what we all need to do our best at. Oops, did I just tell my competition to have great beds, keep the place clean and offer good customer service? I sure did. Now the question still remains. “Can they do it as well as me?” Maybe! But who’s fault is that? Mine! If they are outdoing me then I need to step to the plate. Simple words can’t make you do that alone.

I say type away people. Share what you have and try to help others. It still comes down to the execution of the idea. If you’re better than your competition then be proud of that. Let them know you’re smarter than they are. If you’re not, then you need this forum more than I do.

DWhite6872

Great Advice! I think the only thing that you should watch out for is discussing future promotions or plans.

JohnnyComeLately

I always assume everything I write will be read by my competition, as well as the seller (who I bought the salon from). I've had one of my posts forwarded, so I know the 2nd is true. This is why you stick to facts, try to avoid making wild accusations, and be helpful.

I will tell people to use the search, but I also do it for them because I know I can find stuff faster. For example, there was a "which spray is best", and we chimed in, "Use the search". However, doing a "search" for "spray" and "tan" turns up a lot of crap. So I cut and pasted several links I knew were relevent to help the newbie get the info faster. So my point is this, tell them to use the search, but still give the info. I use the same approach at work, and it works.

Neon Beach

MJ? Were those chapters meant for me? You should know by now that Looooooooooooong drawn out stuff bores me? Sheesh. More onliners please.

jo

1. Yes, there are some self-promoting distributors on here posing as something else. Big surprise. The advice is always the same for everything out there - buyer beware. Do your homework. Get references. If the deal is too good to be true - it will probably bite you in the a$$ - heavy on the $$$. There are unscrupulous people in business everywhere. What a shock. So don't be naive and believe everything you hear and fall for every line coming down the pole. Try before you buy.
2. Yes, your competition may be on here. So what? I would hope no one is giving out detailed financial records. I find most advice on here is relative to your situation. Most can be boiled down to: get off your a$$ and do something to make your business better - just as there is no magic pill to make you lose weight even though we all wish there was - there is no magic gimmick that will bring people through your doors and keep them coming. It's business. There are risks. There are things you can do to strenghthen the bottom line. You need to match your business to your market.
---Some owners are naturals - they inherently understand what people want and give it to them or make the people think they are. They are master manipulators - whatever positive or negative spin you want to put on that. They may not be aware they even have this gift. I sure wish I was one of these.
----Some people can learn how to do this to some extent - they are open to taking advice and will use some sense to sift the good from the bad and they can build a business. This is where tantalk comes in handy.
---Then there are naive people. Many join the tanning business believing in the quick buck - the rainbow to the pot of gold. Get in with nothing and make a fortune. Some of these will fail utterly - others will quickly have to become the second type to make it.
---sometimes a single bad business decision can ruin you but usually it is a series of bad decisions and perhaps some bad luck thrown in at the wrong time.
My advice is this: if you have real money get into real estate and rent to salons

Neon Beach

Nice post jo. Especially the very last line.

ramcat

You are definately correct on the fact that I did find your post offensive. I am quite sure that was the intention too. I wasn't defending Neon, I was defending his right to his opinion. It seems that you are the one attacking when there is disagreement to your post. I have read your posts and have both agreed and disagreed, and simulat to Shelia, you seem to take offense to the disagreements. What happened to others opinions? Is it ever possible to just agree to disagree and leave it at that?

Your salon may not be the same as my salon. You may be bigger and use EFT's. I could be the same size, but don't like EFT's. You might like Tan America beds while I like Heartland beds. You may hate spray booths, while I like them and even (look out) sell them. Gee, I guess that makes me a disty. That should make you look to see if I am recommending that everybody must buy my booth at every post. Not there? Darn, I need to work harder at that than trying to give place advice about sunless tanning.

In the area of comprehension, I got you the first time and the second time and the third. I may be old, and I was born at night, it just wasn't last night.

I personally would be disappointed if you stopped posting. Even though they are usually novels, the information is there to be gleened by anybody that can read and comprehend.... Where I wish you would stop would be in the comment area like:

Quote:

THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE POSTING ABOUT!

Mfg.'s do not do what they claim to do about the issues that salon owners face everyday. Need more proof then diversion ~ See your nearest Industry Source Store/Lobby (must have a Cos license to purchase anything in the store) for the Newest Designer Skin products on display and for sale to even Cos Students on a tour!
Thanks DS for all your Support!
~ love and Kisses
The small salon owner that you could care a less about.
PS> Be certain to keep letting Larry G get away with lying to us all...so he will sell your goo.

If you didn't start out with the general statement of mfg's that gives the impression you are talking of ALL mfgs, it wouldn't be so bad. If you hate DS so bad, state that is who you are talking about.

I am a disty and actually proud of it. I maintain a high level of integrity and will not BS a customer about the booth, what it can and cannot do. I don't sell to other companies nor will you see our booth on E-bay.

If you want to educate the newbees then do it in a positive manner. It is not necessary to "barb" your way through your novel just to make your point in disagreeing with someone. IMHO.....

K-tina

First of all - my post did not make that much sense so I'm shocked at the response. Second, it was late and I was reading the same questions/answers for over 1 hour. I was only trying to reiterate to use the Search function before asking. I google and yahoo everyday too, and here, is no different. Sure, it seems easier to just ask a question but it ends up being the same answer. Now, I'm confused how to start...ending...this post because it has gone in every direction.