Poll: Factors That Affected Your '08 Season

[jbizz]

Which of the following has affected your '08 tanning season?

[JustTans23]

crappy employees

[Glowtanning530]

Economy.
Don't get me wrong I am happy with my season I just imagine how good it could have been had things been different. Lots of layoffs, 160 bank owned homes (last i checked), and gas. Most here are runnin at least one diesel vehicle. Deisel has been over $4.75 for a while. My real estate agents arent coming in as much, lenders aren't either. Agents are driving around showing homes wasting gas, but not selling. Milk is $5 a gallon. Its going to be bad JASON. The simulus checks haven't stimulated as much as I hoped.
Weather has been very strage but it has actually helped us.

[jbizz]

Yeah and gas is close to $4 a gallon. Oil prices hit an all-time high yesterday too. I think more people will stay close to home this summer. Make sure you market your salon as a "Vacation Destination" for those who can't afford to go to the beach. Any other ideas?

[brownsuze]

Marketing (or lack of) -- last year I marketed heavy. This year not as much... and I haven't noticed a change for the worse! I'm still doing some marketing and will do more for the summer, but I'm happy to see that the few things I chose to continue doing are working, and who knows? Maybe branding hard last year kept me in peoples' minds thru the spring??

[Glowtanning530]

We are close to the lake but the lake is really really low.

[Mojave Tan]

Weather has really hurt us this year. Last year we were in the 90's by March. This year 90's were last week and 60's before that week. Our area they like to be tan when it is HOT. and will wait until they need to be. This means about 30% less tanners. Dollar wise we are still showing increases, but not trending like we were up to January.

[Glowtanning530]

Oh see we saw less last year in march than this year and we are only about an hour apart.
I am wondering if all this wind might help Mojave... too yucky to lay by the pool and the allergies are worse than ever We are also suppse to get rain this weekend. The big storm in Jan hurt a bit. I had a large sale going on

[Glowtanning530]

take that back they are saying rain late fri, sat, sun and monday.
Glad my roof is done.

[Ezliving_Jim]

Everything but competition is effecting us. Another competitor just closed up without notice.

It's low 51 - high 64 degrees today in Maryland. Can we talk about Global Cooling?

$4 Gas Price is the economy / inflation problem.

[jctanner]

The first few months this year were not good. After the weather straigtened up (April) it picked right up. I am now about even with last year which I figure is pretty good with the economy, gas prices, etc. I truly feel weather is the determining factor in my area.

[rcknep3]

Gas, not so much the economy overall. I have good clients that love our place and drive further to come here. I've had some saying it's getting to the point that the gas $ is making them think about a closer salon.

[InternationalTan]

weather has helped me for the BETTER this year, had a good JASON, mild fall and winter, alot of people tanning. Spring has been COLDDD so that I think has helped too (maybe?)

I am seriously having panics about this years summer and jason, i think its going to BE BAD!!!! i have nightmares

[gottatanfl]

The Ecomomy has hurt our community, three major businesses closed the doors this month. Several more are up for sale.

Small towns and small business are really struggling. With gas at $4.00 a gallon, the increase in electric charges, and this list can go on.

I expect more small businesses to close here this summer.

I think most are barely holding on at this point.

[Glowtanning530]

$4.15today
diesel $4.85

[totaleclipse]

depending where you are .. its a combination of everything.... because one effects the other....
i like the idea of marketing as "vacation destination" ... looks like I might use that for next event!

[Glowtanning530]

They are saying if we get hit with any huricanes we could see it spike as high as $6 a gallon

[brownsuze]

^^ glad I walk everywhere!! I spend more on energy drinks than gas. Good thing Rockstars aren't like oil!!!

"Bad news for the small business owner, Rockstars hit $5.50 a can today..."

[Glowtanning530]

Holy lord if Rockstars hit $5.50 I would be in BIG trouble!

[Secretstanning]

Originally Posted by jbizz

Yeah and gas is close to $4 a gallon. Oil prices hit an all-time high yesterday too. I think more people will stay close to home this summer. Make sure you market your salon as a "Vacation Destination" for those who can't afford to go to the beach. Any other ideas?

close to $4 a gallon.. I wish. $4.16 for regular here today! cost $133 to fill my truck.