peach

Pad technology is cool, no doubt about it. I'd like to see that. But it will be up to us users
to come up with new technology in the future. Our industry is shrinking and there just isn't enough money in it
anymore for outside people to get involved.

parrot head

^^^Yes, even Tantrack isn't updating their software anymore. The next release of their software update was scheduled for the spring of 2012.

Tony

wow thats pretty bad! Is Suntouch updating still?

Steve Underhill

This is certainly a way to operate a salon, the only problem is it does not work with todays consumer. To have a program where every time i tan I must be carrying cash is a very old concept.

While this is certainly something that can be done, it is a lot like selling minutes. Not a good idea for maximizing income potential.

Don't look at it simply as a tanning salon. Consider how consumers have evolved in how transactions are made today and will evolve even more as time goes on. An old method like copay is not going to make your salon more profitable. It is more likely to stimulate decreases in sales. Maybe you could also go back to a cash register and keeping track of tanners on file cards.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com

sunsally

Actually, typically salons that use these methods offer the option to establish "credits" or a "bank" --- for example - have $20 today, pay the $1.17 for your tan and put the remainder "on your account".

It isn't dissimilar to a "typical" eft, where a customer might sign up for one level but staff are trained to recommend they upgrade, buy product etc each visit.

Different methods to "tie in" customers. For those that don't have credit cards, are reluctant to give credit card info to be kept --- it is just another way to offer "membership" tanning.

And - of course - they don't have to actually carry "cash" - they can use their debit or credit card as well of course. On many/most college campuses now, students constantly carry their "ID card" which serves as a credit card, access to their dorms, meal plan tracker, etc!

sunrisetan

We offer a monthly co pay. People carry money! Men have wallets, woman have purse's. Cash and credit cards still get used. And yes, they also can pay ahead in "prepays"

peach

I agree-no specifics! Most salons hope the customer doesn't even remember they have an eft, let alone contact them in October and remind them that they are paying for something that they are not using.

Bronze1

There you go again Steve,
(1) Stop giving irresponsible, bad advice.
(2) And you cant help but do it with arrogance in the way you say it.
You make yourself sound like a frustrated idiot.
(3) Shame on you for using this site to lure people in to ultimately
charge them money for your "consulting", when your information
can't be depended on to be responsible , balanced or legitimate.

Others have called you out on this site. I've read enough of your worthless blandering crap, you can add me to the list.

This information is not to debate you. It is to educate you. If I'm going to debate anyone they will have a lot better information and a lot smaller ego than you. Stop being a legend in your own mind and get with the program.

EFT and Monthly unlimited w/out copay programs provide a convenience to the customer. And there is enough to be said for "structuring" a salons pricing and marketing and properly training staff to effectively create additional sales in the salon. But EFT and Unlimited w/out copay also make it more convenient for customers to not bring money with them and to stop thinking about any need to spend more in the salon, making the additional sales more difficult to create. Copay plans are very effective at getting the customer back into the mode of bringing money in, cash and Credit/debit, which is a real good thing for the salon. Oh, and by the way, for most salons at least 25% of revenue is still cash. If you want to put yourself out of business do everything you can to discourage the cash revenue that you do still receive. The lower upfront price point for startup is attractive to many people, as well as having the option to prepay for convenience, as others have correctly said. The lower price point has a favorable affect on retention, and copay plans allow the salon to have more predictable control over revenue generated per package sold in relation to actual cost per package sold, because of the copay.

The irony is it appears you could learn a lot more from the people here than they can learn from you, even though you have self-anointed yourself to be the preacher. so we'll all pray for the preacher then. Have a great day.

Bronze1

Why is it whenever Steve gets called out in any significance he has no answer? How convenient. lure people into consulting services for $$, but avoid questioning.

sunrisetan

Thinking on Steve....why can't he simply pay to advertise on this site and others rather than posting what appears to be helping salons...but merely luring them into his consulting fees.???
Other companies advertise, and stay quiet on the boards.