Slow......

[pegtansu]

Sept Oct and Nov are always no fun but we are still running around 100 a day at one salon and 60 to 70 at the newer one. I raised prices slightly to help cover Minumum wage increases---that's what we pay are bed cleaners. I haven't raised prices for the 18 years been in business--just keep adding newer better equipment that gives me levels that cost more. We are starting to agressively email people. Our numbers aren't dpwn but are only up slightly.

[EliteMike]

fixed costs are one thing, but can you accurately depict your variable costs? Something that can kill you on a cheap special. lamp costs, cleaning supplies, electric both from bed and ac, added employees if needed, wear on bed parts ect..

[raiseprices]

yea, more debit cards, even for the $5 sale.

[wjonestn]

The area we are in if you sell a unlimited monthly package you will see them everyday.
Several of the beauty shops around my area are offering unlimited in our area are offering unlimited packages for $20.00 and $25.00 a month.
I'm just can't see getting into that pricing war.

[eyecandytanning]

yep same here...quite a few hair salons and barber shops have added super old beds and are charging 20-30 a month. lots of people are starting to go there to save money. sucks

[jordie114j]

yea same here but they go to anytime fitness which is free with membership,can't beat free!

[kwalker]

Originally Posted by jordie114j

my comp is running half price specials, i won't do it, it's a matter of principal with me, why are you even in buisness if you cut your throat so bad to get buisness, the only one who wins is the customers.

One of the salons here is doing month unlimited for $18...no eft, no sign on fee. Just become a member, which anyone becomes a member by just going in. I can't and won't get into a pricing war. This isn't a chain salon or even one that does a lot of volume as it is. I really wish people didn't cheapen the industry so much.

[wjonestn]

The customer doesn't even win.
You know the other place isn't maintaining equipment or changing bulbs.
I'm not doing price wars either, I tell ppl just because it lights up doesn't mean it will tan you.

[Glowtanning530]

Anytime Fitness is a pain in the a$$>
We have one here they dont sell eyewear, dont check for eyewear, I matched them and ended up with everyone back after the novelty wore off.
But they werent free I'm sure thats not far down the road lol

[DB9276]

Originally Posted by perfecttan01

They don't actually lower their rates in slow season, they raise them in busy season.

I have a friend that owns a motel in Daytona, we have discussed this issue.
His off season rates are actually his standard rates, as busy season comes he can sky rocket his rates due to demand.

I wonder if anyone in our industry has tried this.

Originally Posted by perfecttan01

Are any of you also noticing this changing trend in credit card spending?

We are seeing a lot more cash rather CCs. Makes me smile every time. Although, as I was driving to the bank the other day, I was thinking about counterfeit bills- I don't verify them when we take them. I really should buy a pen.

[wjonestn]

Ppl are still paying with credit cards here. Wish they would use cash would save me money hate paying the banks to take their cards

[Stellita3]

Don't bother with the pen. The $100 bill I took was printed on real money. They had printed the hundred on a five dollar bill. Looked good and using the pen showed it as real. Go to your bank and ask them how to spot a fake. They will educate you on what to look for.

We are slow also but I am still making last year's numbers. Barely.

[wjonestn]

i think the bank may even have a poster about it
secret service has a poster link
http://www.secretservice.gov/KnowYourMoneyApril08.pdf

[Stellita3]

This is great information. I am printing and having my staff read

[Kathe]

Good info wjonestn. Thanks for sharing.

[david]

every salon need this form for employess I did not know about making 100 bills out of 5 did these have anything that looked out of place. I have had 2 $5.00 days been in tanning for over 20 tears.

[wjonestn]

Go Me Did something right

[Stellita3]

Yes the hundred I took looked real on the surface but the water mark was a picture of Lincoln and should have been Francklin. You can only see it if you hold it up to the light. Bank called me right up by end of day. Luckily for me the customer that passed it to me made good on it.

[bobalou]

My 2 cents (more than I took in on Tuesday). Dean never had a no dollar day, and neither had I until Tuesday, but Wed. and Thurs. made up for it, still I was pretty upset driving home that night.
Now, let's all be glad ppl are still getting hitched, cuz we're tanning alot of folks for weddings. The beauty salon next door is normally very busy, but they are super slow now.
You don't have to drop prices, just change your packages and call it a crazy special. ppl don't remember the old prices. They're not putting out for lotion packs like before, we didn't over price those anyway, so not much loss.

[Always4sale]

My 2 cents..... (Cause thats what its worth)

I tend to roll my eyes when threads start bickering... Whats the point? "I would never cheapen the industry and lower my prices" , "People can tan for free at Super De Duper 24 Hour Gym, I have to give away tanning", "You should never lower prices in slow season..... people will tan anyway!".... same old crap, different thread.

What it comes down to is individual business owners, tactics, techniques and priotities. One salon owner lowers prices to attract more customers, that's what that person feels is most effective in this economy in that particular market. If I own a high end salon with a higher average income clientele, I may not keep prices lower and in contrast, if I own a blue collar salon..... I may lower prices.

Too many factors come in to play to make a blanket statement like..... you shouldn't lower prices... Do what is best for your salon. Use this forum to "bounce" ideas off other salon owners.... to better your situation... Quit belittling those that are more price aggressive or those that are more quality aggressive.... Read, learn and input.,......

If we as salon owners would, industry wide, support each other..... we may change the arsenic perception of this little business we own.


Can't we all just get along. <------- Rodney King.