luckyfind79

I am opening a new biz in 09. I would like some advice on which bed is your fave. I need something basic, easy to maintain, durable and affordable.

Also, would you put a stand-up in a starter biz too, or wait to see if it profits?

Tanzenite

Are you opening a tanning salon with 1 bed?

Elise

I have ETS beds + one stand up in one location and Heartland beds w-an ETS SS stand up in the other. I haven't had any problems with any of them as of yet. (Knocking wood) And there are pros/cons to each. Here's what I've found:
1. ETS beds are smaller so they are easier to clean after tanning sessions. But because of the design, they're more difficult to get into to maintain.
2. Heartland beds are bigger and more impressive looking.
3. Heartland beds have the acrylics coming over the outside edge of the bed which is great looking, more sanitary and easier to dismantle for re-lamping.
4. It is necessary to have a stand up, IMHO. I have a sundome in Eaton and the SS in Estes Park - both by ETS. The SS is freakin' amazing! Sundome - ok. 40% of our clientel are men - they want the stand up.
5. Heartland is less expensive than you'd think for the quality, style and cool features. Everyone loves the Heartland beds.

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luckyfind79

Thanks, sounds like a good place to start looking. I'm wanting to have at least 6 beds and a stand up. I would like one to be a high pressure bed or at least one that is superior to the others and one stand up booth. I never thought of that appealing to men, that makes sense. My husband always used the stand up. Will the smaller bed hold a heavy person without damage to the bed?

Elise

Depends on how heavy, I suppose. I have not posted weight limits for fear of not being "politically correct", but I do steer some toward the stand up. I have seen in a couple salons where there's a sign posted in each room stating 250 lb. weight limit. Well, I have larger than that tanning in my ETS Solaris 442 and all of my Heartland beds. They don't want to tan in little beds anyways for comfort sake.
Make sure you bring up HP to your electrician so that he/she can get the correct amps in the space for you. Our guy told us it's less expensive to have higher amp equipment toward the back - closer to the power source. This went against what I have seen in person. Most salon's want their HP to be front and center and I don't blame them one bit! But, I understand the reasoning for each.

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unity

The beds should have a weight limit already on them or in the manual, however a lot of the weight factor comes down to the acrylic and how its supported. Most beds I have seen have a 250lb weight limit. But I would check the book and with the manufacturer to be safe!

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HOT STUFF

The little amount of money that you save having it in the back is very much negated by the extra sales you recieve by having your HP bed up front. You want everyone of your customers to see and to have to walk by your big bed every time they come in. Some will never use it but alot will have their interest peaked when they pass by that bed. Just like any retailer, you want your best, what you really want to sell, up front where everyone can see it. You don't want it in the back where they have to go look for it.

Elise, what you saved in money by putting it closer to the electrity, cost you many times that in sales. We have our HP beds in the front window where anyone walking by can see it. I can't count how many people have come into the salon that never would have if they had not seen my Magics in the front window. ETS beds would not be my first choice, not even my tenth choice for beds.

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sunsally

Agree with Hot Stuff 100% on salon layout. Don't let an electrician dictate this (although he is right on costs, and probably was a good guy and trying to do the best for Elise!), think as a retailer! It is about sales!! Have your best equipment up front, and when at all possible, showcased in a bigger/better room with maximum "eye appeal' to prospective clients.

I was in my salon yesterday and had a client ask about the bathroom. It is the last door on the left. When she came back up she said "wow - that's a long hallway. I've never been past room #3".

Exactly ----the "good stuff" is all upfront

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Ann Wiggins Noe
VP of Leasing

anoe@highlinecapital.com

Direct line - 720-562-0450

eileen

The design of our store has the Matrix showing through the front window yet it's the second closest bed to the electric panels. Now you can look at your layout and see if both are possible. We actually have 3 beds viewable to the outside world!

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"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen

eileen

Also if you feel the electric is an issue (high cost) there is a new HP unit with electronic ballasts.

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"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen