Lights On

by Jenifer Hunt

“High-quality lamps are an indispensable asset for any tanning salon. If customers are not getting tan, they are not getting what they pay for. If they don’t see the value in the money they spend they will go elsewhere for their tanning needs. We not only purchase the best lamps available, we assiduously maintain them.

We remove the acrylics each month to clean any dust or debris that may have accumulated on or around the lamps. In an extra effort to provide our customers maximum value for their money, we change all lamps after only 400 hours of usage.

Even though our customers are not aware that we take these extra steps on their behalf, their tans are proof of our dedication to providing the best tan possible. I have customers who drive past other tanning salons just to come to ours. Results speak for themselves.”

—Reese L. Fields, owner 
The Tanning Retreat 
Westerville, Ohio 

“It’s essential that we use only high-quality lamps because they help our equipment produce optimal UV output. Beautiful, golden tans are what our customers have come to expect from us. They must be pleased with the quality of color we provide because they have been coming back for more that 14 years.

Great lamps make for great color, and we have customers who drive long distances to come to us because they feel the superior results they get here are worth the trip.

Every two weeks we remove our lamps for cleaning and an inspection and to make replacements. We relamp at around 700 hours. Following a strict maintenance program helps us ensure our lamps and equipment are generating maximum output and that our customers are getting gorgeous color.”

—Dottie Howell, president 
Club Paradise Tanning Salon 
Warrenton, Va.

“Salons may do many things to get ahead of the competition, but if they are not purchasing high-quality lamps all other efforts will be in vain. Salon operators know customers will make judgments based on a salon’s’ concept and appearance, and of course these things are important. However, primarily customers base their loyalty on tanning results, and the best lamps produce the best results.

Lamp replacement should not be an afterthought, but part of a salons standard operating procedure. We keep strict records of our lamp usage and change lamps when they are at 60-percent of recommended usage. Along with great customer service, top-quality products, including lamps, make loyal customers.

—Kristin M. Barfknecht, owner 
Body & Sol Tanning Boutique 
Williamsburg, Va.

“Customer loyalty is the most important goal any salon can have, and is perhaps the hardest thing to achieve. Using high-quality lamps and changing them appropriately helps customers tan better, which makes them loyal and want to keep tanning with us.

Our customers pay to use lamps that emit good UV output, and that is why we change out our lamps 100 hours earlier than is required. Customers don’t know how well we care for our lamps, or what quality or brand we use. They trust us to take care of these things for them. Our dedication to purchasing high-quality lamps and properly caring for them to provide superior results is evident when our customers look in the mirror.”

—Henry Turner, owner 
Premiere Tans 
Jonesboro, Ark.