Brian Oshman

Everything is junk. If you really want it, Offer $2,500.

1000 sq. ft. is small and leaves no room for expansion. You will spend ALOT of money to make it profitable. You will probably need to reconstruct all the rooms to accomodate modern equipment being how old it is but if it is a good location then you could do it but it is not worth 20K.

It will be like starting from scratch with this place so why waste money for junk. The data base is the only thing worth it. Plan on spending at least another 100K to bring the place up to snuff and replace equipment. Don't forget, you will need to add A/C and upgrade electric. These two things you should really negotiate with the landlord as they are improvements to their property.

Michigan is a tough market as there is a salon on every corner and there are lots of places like this. If you want to be successful at this, you will be spending alot of money up front and have more in the bank until you establish yourself and revive the traffic to this location.

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artisan

I would have posted sooner, but I've had alot of info to digest. I looked at the current owners books last night, I might as well of been reading greek. My interest is "peaked" as far as opening a tanner. But something isn't right with this woman. She fudged the books, I'm ok with that, it's none of my business. But I cannot afford to throw our money away. I asked her this question, " how many clients do you have?" Christ Almighty, you would have thought I asked her for her first born! Her responce was "when". I'm sure it does vary month to month, but how can she have no estimate? Either I'm totally clueless, or she's dumb like a fox. She pulled open two file drawers, and said, " here are my clients". I asked her how many clients did she loose in the past 8 months that she "way" shortened her hours, she told me she lost 12 clients at the most. Even though the location is terrific, I look around and see MUCH work to be done! I also spoke to the renter in the shop below, and she had told me the landlord is a nice guy, but puts very little into the building. So with all this said, I'm not sure her data base is worth $2500. I'm feeling a little disenchanted. Thanks so much for all of your advice.

Brian Oshman

Good move.

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BigLeo

dear artisan,

stay away, do not buy this salon. If this is your price range, then you are already making a big mistake. you will need to invest in air conditioning if the places doesn't have it. you will also have to replace the tanning equipment. ten year old tanning equipment has some good mileage if the owner says the place is "busy, busy, busy". the rent seems good, but you are looking at some major investments, so that $20 K will easilly become $50 to $60K real easy.

the other issue that i have is the number of beds. three beds is nothing, you really need four levels of tanning, and the equipment you have does not offer that flexibility.

again, stay away, do not buy that salon.

Leo

Rhino

did ya buy suckkkkker lick lollypop oh my neon is rubbing off I am spending to much time w/him

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Catching new clients, think my avatar will help

artisan

RE: Big Leo, no I didn't buy the place. I am comfortable with that decision. I have not withdrawn the idea of starting anew. There is a lot of "good" used equipment out there just waiting for me. I am thankful for all of the help and info I've received on this forum. I will be back when I'm ready to take the plunge. Thanks again!


Re: Rhino, sorry, but what the **** are you talking about?? You don't talk that way to your customers...do you?

ALL.....have a great day!

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Some people are like Slinkies, not much good for anything, but still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs

Neon Beach

Good question.

cametotalktan

ARTISAN, I ADMIRE YOUR PATIENCE AND GLAD YOU ARE STILL WITH US....

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When I grown up I want to be Angerfant.....

artisan

Well thank you "cametotalktan". Patience has never been my long suit.........but I'm getting there. I really feel confident that I made the right move NOT to buy that business. I'm biding my time though. The other location I am looking at is actually perfect, but would entail me starting from scratch, and making some deals with the landlord. I am so very happy though that I stumbled across this site, a wealth of information if you know what to sort out. I'm thinking about all of this carefully, as I want a "great" business, one that caters to the customer (I know that is what I like) AND I know it is sorely needed. Is it me, (and I'm only 47 yrs old) or has customer service taken a dive? I visited a tanner in town not too long ago so my one daughter could purchase a certificate for my other daughter. I was asking the worker there about their beds, she looked at me as clueless as could be. SO, I'm not only looking to educate myself about this business, but also having a well trained staff. I think you must know what I am talking about...I'm just trying to cover as many bases as I can before taking the plunge. What the heck, you can't fail if you don't try right? Thanks for your words of encouragement. Best wishes.

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Some people are like Slinkies, not much good for anything, but still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs

cametotalktan

Boy don't we know. When we first started this plan we went to a couple of salons in town to feel them out , tan in their equipment to see what it was like. I asked this one lady how many lamps were in the bed and standing in front of it she still didn't know even tho it was printed on the bed. We felt the same way. We always tell the customers how many lamps there are and the wattages. We spend a great deal of time educating our customers when they first come in. It blows me away everytime. How can you tan and not know anything about it. I mean literally nothing, except cheap lotion when you see it.

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When I grown up I want to be Angerfant.....