Woodlands

(Ya'll are really going to start hating me soon if you haven't already ;) )

I KINDA understand the difference between Levels 1-3 but how do you tell what's what on a sale page?

In the inventory I'm looking at currently that's in place in the shop I'm going to make assumptions - please correct:

2000 and 2003 Sunvisions zx30 - all level 1?
2003 Solaris Plus speed 432 bulb (3 facial tanners) - this is the one I alway use, BTW - the other can't even compete) Level 2?
2000 Sunstar 52 bulb, 5 facials (Level 2)

The last one gets used a LOT less action than the 2003 Solaris though if you look at the specs, if would seem to be the other way around. But I'm guessing the old girl is showing its age.

They have NO stand up machines, but we're a lazy small country and I'm not convinced one would sell, but getting a Level 1 stand up might be a good idea to test it out?

TanAmerica seems like a good place to buy used beds - is there point where they have so many hours on them that I just say "no way!!"? What about SunnySally - also a good place to buy used (you can PM me if you don't want any feeling hurt).

Just one more question (and then I'll promise to leave you alone...for the day...) will the Helios show how many hours on each machine? Can I buy the bulb output testers myself and replace bulbs on my own as necessary? OK, that was more than question - sorry :( I just want to make sure I do this right and I'm not greeting guests at Walmart part time and waitressing the Waffle House the other hours I have in the day!

I have been worrying my self to death over this!!

Thanks again for all your help. I would have been beating myself on the head had I not found this place :)

I now I've missed the "busy time" and I do have enough cash to get me though next Jan/Feb if I learn to really, really love Ramen noodles. I'm hoping that will sway them towards the lower price.

mr belvedere

Never say the "H" word. Tan Americas are strong beds. Sunsally is a good egg. The mix in the salon is mostly correct - in "most" salons, the more lamps and facials a unit has the higher the "level" - so the SunStar is the third and highest level in the mix. All HP beds are considered the highest level in "most" salons.

It seems my advice and opinion aren't worth much these days, so feel free to write this off. I say go for it. It sounds to me like if you have a good plan, and you're prepared to put in what it will take for the next three years or more, you stand a strong chance to "make it" in the market you're looking at. Steve Underhill (SMU Consulting) is worth every penny and I strongly suggest that you talk to him if you decide to do this. Hope this helps. Good luck.

__________________
"A dusty bible leads to a dirty life ..." -Synonymous

sunsally

Check the wattage on the lamps (which SHOULD correspond to the ballast size!). I don't remember what the Sunstar 52 is, so MAYBE it is all 100W while the Solaris Plus has 160W lamps on the top and 100W on the bottom??

Could also be an issue that the Sunstar 52 SHOULD be better - but they haven't relamped it recently, the fans don't work well or anything else that would have customers thinking the other one is better.

If it is a 160W bed, and is still in REASONABLE condition - a good relamping might be all it takes to keep this still part of the mix.

Ditto the others. If the 2000 units are "ok", I wouldn't throw them out to get more of the same just newer. However, I WOULD ditch them to get more UPGRADE units. So if this is your plan - good one!


Helios might or might not tell you the lamp hours - depends if they re-set it last time they changed lamps. You can ask when they replaced them (approx date - maybe they have the receipt from the lamps they bought) and then see from Helios how many sessions were done since then to get an idea.

Can also buy "meters" - see www.solarmeter.com. These are BEST used to "compare" new lamps to lamps in use, but you can get some sort of a sense of how "dead" they are now just from the readings you get. They run about $150 each or so and a very worthwhile investment.

TA is a good company and does a nice job with their used equipment. I have repos, but we have a crew that goes through them, so they are also in nice shape. Make your decision based on what you need, what each has available, price and logistics. For example - if you are in Sacramento, might be easier to go with TA! Just depends what you need, what your budget it and what is available.

One key to know -- how much electric is available, what is already run to the rooms (will you have to run new wires for upgrade beds) and if the rooms are big enough to put in bigger beds. Also, is there enough A/C to handle more powerful units.

Keep asking questions -- you're doing great!

__________________



Ann Wiggins Noe
VP of Leasing

anoe@highlinecapital.com

Direct line - 720-562-0450

Woodlands

Thanks folks - I've learned more in 3 days here than in 3 months of looking elsewhere :) I'm going in today to tan myself and while I usually use the Solaris, I'll try the Sunstar again and see if I can do a little recon on the bulbs ;)

I have a REAL sneaky suspicion the bulbs have not been maintained. I know one of the facial bulbs burned out and they waited until a repair guy from another town came into replace it (that guy must LOVE them and will HATE me if he's been making housecalls to replace bulbs all these years).

I haven't made them my counter offer yet. I want to have a sit down with them instead of a quick phone call which is what most of our conversations have been. From what I see, right now until Jan/Feb is the slow season so waiting a few days isn't going to be pulling $$$ out of my pockets.

I am in GA BTW, no where near Sacramento so being close isn't an option, lol. Was just going by recommendations but now that I've been around longer, I've certainly heard some good about Sunsally too :)

Thanks again!

Woodlands

OK, I used this machine today (for those not following ALL my billions of "question posts", this is a 2000 SunStar 52 bulb with 5 facial tanners). Say what you will, it did NOT tan as well as my "fav" machine, the 2003 Solaris Plus Speed 42 with 3 facial tanners.

The bulbs LOOKED good, but obviously it's hard to tell 100% without a meter but my gut instinct tells me they are going to keep the bulbs in the same condition in both beds.

Now, the SunStar has a 12 minute limit and the Solaris a 15 minute - could that have something to do with it?

/just trying to learn as much as possible about these machines before I jump in

sunsally

I'm at a loss - I don't know of a 52 lamp "Sunstar" by ETS. Maybe someone remembers if they had that model back in 2000??

I'm thinking Starpower maybe? What color is it? Were you able to read any part of the label on the lamp for the canopy or the bench lamps??

__________________



Ann Wiggins Noe
VP of Leasing

anoe@highlinecapital.com

Direct line - 720-562-0450

Brian Oshman

{packing the pipe...}

__________________

Brian Oshman

__________________

Woodlands

It's dark blue - I'll check more info next time. There are 4 above the face facial lamps and then another series of bulbs behind the head (not sure what good they do, but I guess if I were bald......). You can manually change the speed of the fan with a switch or a button next to the "on" button above your head. You can also turn off the 4 facials or the behind the head "facial" each with a button in the same place.

One thing I noticed was that besides not tanning as dark, it barely got my sides at all but is just as much a capsule as the Solaris with 42 bulbs.

It did have all the bulbs in there as they were numbered. I didn't stay in there too long as someone was waiting for the bed.

jtislands

The salon we purchased had one in it..its a 52 lamp..160w top and 100w bottom..4facials. it is a huge blue bed..12 min tan session...depending on the lamps in there..and how many hours will depend on the quality of the tan for sure..we didnt keep it..but it is in one of our other locations and people seem to love it...

I think its the size of the bed..lol..(insert funny joke about size here)...that people like..looks impressive..but I personally have seen better results from other beds..

Have a great day!!