Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? - Page 2 - tanTALK

sunsally · 01-20-2009, 05:46 PM

For a small salon (10 beds or less), 2 levels of VHR is probably overkill in my opinion.

Better to put a good VHR in and then a HP.

If you have 15 beds or more than it is possible to carve it up into 5 levels or more (e.g. 2 VHR, plus a HP) and still have enough units at each spot to make sense.

megatanman · 01-21-2009, 09:06 AM

I would keep it simple for a salon that size.30-32 lamp base bed with facial,32-44 lamp VHR and HP.The majority of you tanners will find comfort in one of these levels and you will have ability to push upgrades easily.

tanman0302 · 01-21-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanierjm

Thanks for all of your replies, Let me give you the bigger picture on our salon and situation.

We are in a college town and have to compete against many salons, most are hair salons with a couple of beds and there is one salon with over 20 beds and a $15 all you can tan deal...any bed, any time. We are in a very crowded field and dont have any of the large chains. I think we are the top salon in the market (only tanning, no hair or nails)

We have good level 2 and 3 beds. customers love them and they are easy to service. level 2 is 15 min 32 lamp and level 3 is 36 lamp 12 min.

We want to go with the 28 lamp 20 min bed to create seperation between the levels.

We are going into our 4th season, and I feel like we have a good handle on our market and run a profitable salon...we also have a mens clothing store, womens clothing store and a restaurant, all catering to the college crowd which creates many cross sell opportunity.

We have very effectively competed on price while offering an upscale salon atmosphere.

The advice I need is on what type of entry level beds are out there that all of you have used and liked, held up well etc... Thanks for any and all advice!

Listen to everyone. Robk has several years experience and so do the others. I have 18 years in the business and I would recommend bigger base beds to set yourself above the competition. Don't bother spending your money otherwise!

My base beds are Tan America Pacifica's and my business was up 15% last year. (They were installed the Sept 07)

theislandtan · 01-21-2009, 09:16 PM

The electrical cost of running a 32 lamp 100 watt bed for 20 minutes is $.02 more than running a 28 lamp 100 watt bed. Add in the cost of 4 addional lamps over the usable lamp life and the cost is very, very small.

andy ergoline · 01-22-2009, 06:21 PM

i agree with tanman 0302 the base beds should stand out from the older existing salons in your area. our salon has 3 ergoline advantage 350s 120 watt 38 bulb with 3 400 watt facials. this bed is equal to our competitors level 2 and in some salons level 3. we keep our pricing equal or close to the competition for there base beds and believe it or not even though we advertise the beds really sell themselves.

lanierjm · 01-22-2009, 08:12 PM

Thank you all for your input... great advice. If I upgrade to a 32 lamp base bed, should I upgrade my level 2 and 3 as well? (ProSun Lumina C 32 lamp, Prosun Lumina E 36 Lamp)

caribbean tan man · 01-22-2009, 08:29 PM

my base beds are heartland ovations 34 100 watt reflector lamps with 3 facials

01-20-2009, 05:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
sunsally Team TanTalk Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Location: ITA Member & Berman Supporter! Posts: 3,136 Rep Power: 25	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? For a small salon (10 beds or less), 2 levels of VHR is probably overkill in my opinion. Better to put a good VHR in and then a HP. If you have 15 beds or more than it is possible to carve it up into 5 levels or more (e.g. 2 VHR, plus a HP) and still have enough units at each spot to make sense.

01-21-2009, 09:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
megatanman I love Derf!! Join Date: Aug 17 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 48 Posts: 1,360 Rep Power: 17	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? I would keep it simple for a salon that size.30-32 lamp base bed with facial,32-44 lamp VHR and HP.The majority of you tanners will find comfort in one of these levels and you will have ability to push upgrades easily.

01-21-2009, 09:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
theislandtan Join Date: Mar 5 2008 Location: Ga Posts: 156 Rep Power: 17	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? The electrical cost of running a 32 lamp 100 watt bed for 20 minutes is $.02 more than running a 28 lamp 100 watt bed. Add in the cost of 4 addional lamps over the usable lamp life and the cost is very, very small.

01-22-2009, 06:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
andy ergoline Join Date: Dec 21 2008 Location: westland mi 48185 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 0	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? i agree with tanman 0302 the base beds should stand out from the older existing salons in your area. our salon has 3 ergoline advantage 350s 120 watt 38 bulb with 3 400 watt facials. this bed is equal to our competitors level 2 and in some salons level 3. we keep our pricing equal or close to the competition for there base beds and believe it or not even though we advertise the beds really sell themselves.

01-22-2009, 08:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
lanierjm Join Date: Jun 16 2005 Location: Statesboro Georgia Age: 45 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? Thank you all for your input... great advice. If I upgrade to a 32 lamp base bed, should I upgrade my level 2 and 3 as well? (ProSun Lumina C 32 lamp, Prosun Lumina E 36 Lamp)

01-22-2009, 08:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
caribbean tan man DERFTALK FBI AGENT Join Date: Jul 29 2003 Location: northeast Age: 48 Posts: 3,632 Rep Power: 46	Re: Buying new entry level beds, suggestions? my base beds are heartland ovations 34 100 watt reflector lamps with 3 facials __________________ someone PM me when a good tanning topic is posted. :lol:

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