Specials vs. No Specials - tanTALK

PHD · 01-20-2006, 07:45 AM

We currently run different monthly specials. However, I have been pondering the idea of no monthly specials. I need help trying to decide if I should continue the specials or stop them. I feel the specials do bring the customers in during slow season, but during busy season, we have the customers complaining if there is no special. Do I totally stop or continue. The specials we currently run are % off packages, buy 5 get 2 free. Our lotions are never discounted, when the customer purchases a lotion they get either 1 Free session or 2 Free session depending on the price of the lotion. Help Please!

safaritazn · 01-20-2006, 08:14 AM

I don't offer any specials from January through June, the busy season. What I do from July throught December is offer my level 3 beds at level 2 prices. I try and keep it simple.

tnannie · 01-20-2006, 08:15 AM

What Safari says^

ChristineE · 01-20-2006, 08:23 AM

You are going to get both sides on this one. But my theory as far as specials, is to "create" specials that don't have anything to do with your regular packages and pricing. I never would do a "discount" on a regular package price, unless it is a "coupon" for $$ off any package over a certain dollar amount. I like to do specials because it brings new clients in. It also brings back old clients. My current "special" is one week for $9.95 and a second week for $2.95 only with a purchase of lotion. People think this is such a good deal but it only one week...and if they get the second week, I've also made a lotion sale! You should never ever discount your current prices as an in-house special. For instance, your current month unlim is $50. If you have a special price at $35 in your salon, all the people that walked in expecting to pay the $50 for your month just got a deal and you got screwed. You just lose money this way. Your specials need to either bring people into your salon, or make people buy/try things they normally wouldn't like lotions and upgrades. JMHO...

safaritazn · 01-20-2006, 08:41 AM

Jacks Mommy you have some very good points. How do you get the word out regarding your specials?

ChristineE · 01-20-2006, 09:23 AM

Currently I advertise in a coupon magazine called "Money Town Saver". This has worked very well for us. I also have a white board sign in front of my salon. I have a Dry cleaner and a Mailboxes, Etc on either side of me so I get lots of traffic and the signs in front of the salon work :) Word of mouth works well for me but of course I have no control over that :)

PHD · 01-20-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safaritazn

I don't offer any specials from January through June, the busy season. What I do from July throught December is offer my level 3 beds at level 2 prices. I try and keep it simple.

Do you find that customers come in then during busy season looking for specials? Does it turn some customers away?

JensSunQuest · 01-20-2006, 10:12 AM

Hi I am new to Tan Talk. I have owned my salon through one busy season so far and can't wait for this years!! :) I have ran some very successful promotions that have made me long term money not just quick effects. I am running one now that
encourages customer to refer new clients. Last years top referrer sent me 18
customers which earned them a month unlimited and a bottle of lotion. 12 have been pretty regular since!!!

My salon is very pretty but its simple decorated in blues and white with all posters and tables in silver. I am blessed to stay busy but I am wondering if some updated decor would add even more businesses?

PHD · 01-20-2006, 10:24 AM

We have been in business now for 9 years. In the next 2 years we are building a new salon and updating the decor. Bur for the past nine years the only change in decor was paint on the walls and tile floor. I believe that customer service keeps bringing the customers in more than decor. We have recently had a new salon open up in our area that is beautiful. Many customers have told us this but still they continue to come to ours because of the customer service. The salon now is simple, clean looking. We have framed posters of either lotions or tropical places on the walls in the rooms, mirrors, shelf, small garbage can, & a stool. In our lobby we have 2 chairs, lotion display and a huge palm tree. Customers will go where they feel the most comfortable. If you treat them well they will come back, look isn't everything.

ChristineE · 01-20-2006, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Customers will go where they feel the most comfortable.

This is absolutely true. You can have all the money in the world to create the most beautiful salon with the top of the line beds and fail because of poor customer service.

01-20-2006, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
PHD Join Date: Dec 4 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 136 Rep Power: 20	Specials vs. No Specials We currently run different monthly specials. However, I have been pondering the idea of no monthly specials. I need help trying to decide if I should continue the specials or stop them. I feel the specials do bring the customers in during slow season, but during busy season, we have the customers complaining if there is no special. Do I totally stop or continue. The specials we currently run are % off packages, buy 5 get 2 free. Our lotions are never discounted, when the customer purchases a lotion they get either 1 Free session or 2 Free session depending on the price of the lotion. Help Please!

01-20-2006, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
safaritazn Join Date: Aug 3 2005 Location: Mahopac, NY Age: 54 Posts: 190 Rep Power: 22	Re: Specials vs. No Specials I don't offer any specials from January through June, the busy season. What I do from July throught December is offer my level 3 beds at level 2 prices. I try and keep it simple.

01-20-2006, 08:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
tnannie I love Derf!! Join Date: Aug 16 2004 Location: nunya Age: 58 Posts: 1,849 Rep Power: 107	Re: Specials vs. No Specials What Safari says^

01-20-2006, 08:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
ChristineE OFFICIAL BFF MEMBER Join Date: Jan 7 2005 Location: BFF Headquarters Age: 51 Posts: 1,540 Rep Power: 113	Re: Specials vs. No Specials You are going to get both sides on this one. But my theory as far as specials, is to "create" specials that don't have anything to do with your regular packages and pricing. I never would do a "discount" on a regular package price, unless it is a "coupon" for $$ off any package over a certain dollar amount. I like to do specials because it brings new clients in. It also brings back old clients. My current "special" is one week for $9.95 and a second week for $2.95 only with a purchase of lotion. People think this is such a good deal but it only one week...and if they get the second week, I've also made a lotion sale! You should never ever discount your current prices as an in-house special. For instance, your current month unlim is $50. If you have a special price at $35 in your salon, all the people that walked in expecting to pay the $50 for your month just got a deal and you got screwed. You just lose money this way. Your specials need to either bring people into your salon, or make people buy/try things they normally wouldn't like lotions and upgrades. JMHO... __________________ No longer a ban virgin. I feel so dirty.

01-20-2006, 08:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
safaritazn Join Date: Aug 3 2005 Location: Mahopac, NY Age: 54 Posts: 190 Rep Power: 22	Re: Specials vs. No Specials Jacks Mommy you have some very good points. How do you get the word out regarding your specials?

01-20-2006, 09:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
ChristineE OFFICIAL BFF MEMBER Join Date: Jan 7 2005 Location: BFF Headquarters Age: 51 Posts: 1,540 Rep Power: 113	Re: Specials vs. No Specials Currently I advertise in a coupon magazine called "Money Town Saver". This has worked very well for us. I also have a white board sign in front of my salon. I have a Dry cleaner and a Mailboxes, Etc on either side of me so I get lots of traffic and the signs in front of the salon work :) Word of mouth works well for me but of course I have no control over that :) __________________ No longer a ban virgin. I feel so dirty.

01-20-2006, 10:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
JensSunQuest Join Date: Jan 20 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fla Age: 40 Posts: 775 Rep Power: 21	Re: Specials vs. No Specials Hi I am new to Tan Talk. I have owned my salon through one busy season so far and can't wait for this years!! :) I have ran some very successful promotions that have made me long term money not just quick effects. I am running one now that encourages customer to refer new clients. Last years top referrer sent me 18 customers which earned them a month unlimited and a bottle of lotion. 12 have been pretty regular since!!! My salon is very pretty but its simple decorated in blues and white with all posters and tables in silver. I am blessed to stay busy but I am wondering if some updated decor would add even more businesses?

01-20-2006, 10:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
PHD Join Date: Dec 4 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 136 Rep Power: 20	Re: Specials vs. No Specials We have been in business now for 9 years. In the next 2 years we are building a new salon and updating the decor. Bur for the past nine years the only change in decor was paint on the walls and tile floor. I believe that customer service keeps bringing the customers in more than decor. We have recently had a new salon open up in our area that is beautiful. Many customers have told us this but still they continue to come to ours because of the customer service. The salon now is simple, clean looking. We have framed posters of either lotions or tropical places on the walls in the rooms, mirrors, shelf, small garbage can, & a stool. In our lobby we have 2 chairs, lotion display and a huge palm tree. Customers will go where they feel the most comfortable. If you treat them well they will come back, look isn't everything.

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