Ergoline Prestige 1100 VS Open Sun 1050

[irtkid]

If you could only buy one, what would you do. I like the Open Sun because it looks great, it's something different, my competitors don't have anything like it, and I got good color when I tanned in it. I like the Prestige because it has some really nice comfort features (mist, aroma, ipod dock, cool shoulder tanners, cockpit control) and with the 200W lamps I hear it tans very well.

Will customers prefer to make the leap to a high pressure bed, or do you think your better off with the type of bed they recognize but with all the better features of the Prestige. Assume price is the same for both.

Thanks!

[SUNNYDAYS]

What beds do you currently have? That may help us make a better choice for you.

[MacDaddy]

That's a tough call. I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. They are totally different animals that's why I'm getting both.

[irtkid]

My bed below these is a Diva 4/Affinity 500 or a Super Sonic/Super Cyclone. At one location this will be replacing a Diva 7. I was considering getting both but think I'll get one this year, and then it leaves me with something for next season.

[sunsally]

Whole different market for HP, whole different price point.

If I could only buy 1, and I didn't have HP - it would definitely be that.

You will pitch the 1050 as a totally different animal. Your walk-in pricing should be $32-40. You should hold a minimum of $20/tan on that unit.

1100 is pretty, but basically just the latest/greatest 800/S-class etc. It's a big VHR and the top price you'll charge walk-in is $20 (maybe less. You would charge the same that you charge for the Diva 7 now. Hold maybe $10/tan on average.

For the same money -- if you know how to sell it - 1050 should make you a lot more profit.

[Parrot Head]

As I can attest, hp does not work for all people. It wasn't a matter of not being able to sell my customers on hp; it was a matter of them not being able to afford the hp session packages. A college crowd won't pay the $25-$33 per session for hp and they want to see immeadiate color. They don't want to wait til tomorrow to see results. My market does much better with a big vhr then with hp. Been there done that.

[W8INLINE]

Parrot Head....this is the age old question.... our minds think alike. What I have seen after getting into hp which has changed my mind from what you say is that HP customers tan less frequently than VHR customers which in turn makes them use less lotion. Customers adding all those differences up realized that the price is not that different after all.

I would say a good 40% of the sessions done on my king are highschool....nevermind college. And this is a $32 walkin with no "unlimited" type plans.

[yogi]

i have all ergoline beds series 1100...they are great!!! you only have to change the bulbs once a year!!! instead of 2xs a year..i also have 1 hp bed..i make money on that too...but ergoline is a great bed and the company is too...

[W8INLINE]

You must not be busy to change lamps once a year....

I change them when the output decreases by 25% and I need to replace them once every 2-3 months depending on the season.

[yogi]

ergoline told me to wait 1100 hours...until i change them up...they are suppose to last up to that point....

[W8INLINE]

HENCE the 1100 series?

[yogi]

yes the prestige 1100...

[W8INLINE]

Brian....sorry man.....I cant resist......





Ban me if you have to Bri...... I just couldnt' hold it in......

[W8INLINE]

I just called Ergo and gave them a piece of my mind for you yogi....

How dare the come out with the angel bed and don't name it "angel 2000" or something......how are we supposed to know when to change lamps on it ????

[movieking]

I don't think you'll ever get 1100 hours out of a set of lamps even if the bed were operated under ideal conditions at all times. Of course it would also depend on what percentage degredation they are basing that 1100 hours on. I like to stay at 20%. 25% tops.

[yogi]

sorry i dont do drugs....but this what ergoline told me..am i wrong on this??? i been open since jan...my hours left on my bulbs are close to 6-700..i am new to all this..i came on this board for advice ..not to be put down!!!!!the people on this board had been in business for along time...bear with me!!!!
can i use another brand name bulb instead of the ergoline bulb for my beds???or do you have to just use theirs??? of course i ask them..but they could just be saying that....for a sale

[Brian Oshman]

Originally Posted by W8INLINE

Brian....sorry man.....I cant resist......





Ban me if you have to Bri...... I just couldnt' hold it in......

My pleasure.

[RobertK]

1100 hours......NO
Use other bulbs.......YES

Ergo sale pitch......Smart
Ergo customer buying into it......Not so Smart

[solarmeter®]

Dear Yogi,

You've never heard of UV meters? You have NO idea how much UV depreciation your "bulbs" have at 600-700 hrs let alone 1100 hrs. They might already be down 25 or 30% in output.

When you finally decide to re-lamp... get a 5.0 meter and start tracking aging from new value. Or put two new ones of the same kind in NOW and check them vs the old ones to see difference.

Welcome to Solartech

[socaltech]

all bulbs vary in lamp life . variations in hrs are caused by bed design , cooling of salon, filters on beds.

(most) bulbs go for 400hrs to 600hrs. phillips consistancy go for 1000plus hrs but they are soft bulbs

those ergo guys certainly have great sale pitches and you should definately consider a different bulb other than the original ergo vhp bulb.