Why not ETS

[dcjjp1]

Never thought about getting client information from your own Helios database. Interesting...

[Tanning Queen]

Easy way to check that is put in your address with a strange name. If you get a mailer from it, you know they are using your database. But I dont think they will do that since they have a confidentiality agreement with that. Dont they?

[dsuriff]

As a owner of a salon that is only one year old I certainly am not an expert but certainly have an opinion. My salon has ETS for level 1 using 332, level 2 using 442, level 3 using starpower, level 4 using the ss755, I have the solarforce 180 watt standup, and finally a sportarredo vega lux standup, and a sportarredo mastersun 360 high pressure.

I will exceed 500K this year in revenue but I must disclose $150k is laser hair removal. I have all major franchises in the area and some long time local operators and my ETS units are drivng results and great customer satisfaction. I challenge anyone to try the sunscape 755 and tell me it does not compete with the best!

My support from ETS has been outstanding. My REP. Ty Stetson is always available and even trained my son in Indianapolis on every aspect of their equipment. Ty even sent my son to a salon owner with 30 plus salons to learn the business. A company that has this kind of service and longevity means a lot to me.

Now on to the lotions. I don't care if it appears they have a monopoly on the lotion brands. I get the largest selection from ETS @ the best prices. My relationship with Australian Gold will produce over $50k in lotion sales this year.

Why I disclose such revenue information is simple: There is so much negativity about customers, tanning beds, tanning lotion sales reps, and the tanning business in general. I feel with proper business knowledge and determination you can own and operate a tanning salon with nice profits. You must review everyones opinion but ultimately you must make it happen!

[Sarge]

I can say this, ETS has come a long way in the past few years as far as their equipment goes. Their equipment use to make me quite a bit of money when I did service and they were the ones I fixed the most. Yes, their were more of them in the market but still they broke down all the time. Now, it's a different story. Built a little different as far as engineering but not a drastic change. There are quite a few things they should change, but ETS has done a complete 180 in my opinion from previous years. I don't care for their HP's or Vertical units but the regular beds are fine especially for the price. The bad part with ETS is like a few others said, they put 100% effort into marketing the home market which sux for the tanning industry. At any given day I can go to the local grocery store and there is a big stack on flyers trying to sell tanning beds. It's a business though and thats why Trevor got so rich. If you have it sell it. Again sux for the salons with them doing that......

[Tanning Queen]

dsuriff,

Along with the $150k from laser, how much is from your other spa stuff? Botox parties, etc?

$50k in lotions is 10% of your gross income, which is the LEAST amount of what it should be. If you arent selling at least 10% of your gross in lotions, you are doing something wrong. You might actually up that number if you went with other lotions that arent found everywhere you look.

You really should be more honest with your numbers and tell the truth about what is exactly coming from your ETS beds, vs your others. And DONT include your spa income. Totally inflates your income...

[dsuriff]

Man this forum can be tough when a stranger says be more honest with numbers!
Let me state exactly what was stated in previous posting.

Over 500k total revenue
150k laser hair removal
50k lotions

If you need a calculator or come up with anything different than my previous posting I don't know how to help you. Yes 10% lotion sales would be low. but 50k on 350k in tanning revenue is pretty good. Secondly as I stated this is a 1 year old salon and to do 350k in tanning revenue first year starting from scratch is great. Must also consider opened July 24 after season and had no eft revenue during off season. Also 13 beds of which only 2 are not ETS are driving these results.

It seems as though everyone wants to be the best and thats great but if people are open to others ideas and viewpoints more people will be the best!!!

[Stephen Underhill]

Which manufacturer you choose is really just a matter of what you like and are happy with. More importantly get the correct mix to support your marketing program or price structure. If you are going to have levels of tanning, create wide separation between levels. No facials in base beds. Get your equipment from a company that you are comfortable with, if that is ETS, thats fine.

[SunMan49]

ETS has been given a bad rap since this industrys infancy. Reason being, they catered to the home end user with its' lower end beds. This put a bit of disdain to those salon owners who felt ETS was taking busy from them.

ETS has come along way to prove it can compete with any Euro boyz. When all the dust is settled and more 'names' in the business have fallen to the way side, as we have seen in the last year, ETS will be one of the few originals still around in this quirky industry.
There is nothing wrong with their beds. The lower price tag makes everyone think 'cheap'.
Compare the Sunscape to anything in its class, and the only thing cheap is the price comparison

[Stephen Underhill]

Originally Posted by SunMan49

ETS has been given a bad rap since this industrys infancy. Reason being, they catered to the home end user with its' lower end beds. This put a bit of disdain to those salon owners who felt ETS was taking busy from them.

ETS has come along way to prove it can compete with any Euro boyz. When all the dust is settled and more 'names' in the business have fallen to the way side, as we have seen in the last year, ETS will be one of the few originals still around in this quirky industry.
There is nothing wrong with their beds. The lower price tag makes everyone think 'cheap'.
Compare the Sunscape to anything in its class, and the only thing cheap is the price comparison

Actually the price of equipment is based on quality and cost of material and workmanship. There is no question when you compare material and components of inexpensive equipment with the more costly equipment, there is a significant difference.

As far as ETS being picked on, it is based on passed history and that has little to do with their residential equipment. They have a history of making lower quality equipment. Yes they are trying to put that reputation behind them. To do so requires getting the reputation for building quality equipment. Price of equipment is dictated by cost to build. If all companies matched ETS low prices they would sell a lot more equipment. The only way to do that is by using less expensive components. There is a customer for every product and level of quality. One thing has always held true. You get what you pay for. ETS and other companies represent an inexpensive way to get into this business and there is a vast market for their product. ETS is not for everyone. Just make your purchase with your eyes open. There can be a significant difference in the quality of equipment. This does not suggest you should not buy cheap. It only suggest that you should know what you are buying, and your equipment is an important part of how you want your clients view your salon. As I always say. A salon with a proper mix of cheap equipment will do more business than a salon with the wrong mix of expensive equipment. Be concerned with your equipment selection, be more concerned with your salon packaging and your plan for operation. It is your choice to fail or succeed no mater which equipment you choose.

[Kathe]

I use ETS as my base beds and Dr. Mueller for my mid level and 3rd level. ETS for base is awesome. They are workhorses and our first batch lasted a good 10 years before we replaced them. We made our money on them over and over again. I don't know much about their higher level beds however we just had an exclusive ETS salon open up less than 1 mile from us and they are doing crappy. Prices are higher than mine (and I have pretty high pricing for the area) and people are saying they like my Dr. Muellers much better.

I use my base ETS (28 lamps 2 facials) for my 19.99 EFT clients then upgrade into level 2 or 3.

One note though is when buying a new ETS bed we always order extra acrylics from Loop because the ones that come with ETS beds are crap and won't last 2 months.

Kathe

[SunMan49]

Open a 7 bed salon with these beds and you will never have to worry about competion
3 base bed: Elixir 40-0
2 mid beds: Sunstorm
1 upper: Sungate
1 HP: Future Sun