Maintenance Issues

Take the time to learn the maintenance basics such as removing the acrylics and replacing lamps and lamp holders. The more a salon owner can learn to do, the faster a repair can be made. Be sure to call the service technician if there is some uncertainty about how to make a repair because a mistake can create a bigger and more expensive problem.

Get to know the suppliers and technicians, and remember that no question is a dumb question. When trying to describe a problem, be as specific as possible. Know how long a particular problem has been occurring and any other specifics. Keep a detailed record of when the problem occurs.

When discussing the problem with a technician, don’t use words like "whatchamacallit" or "thingamajig." These terms can be difficult to identify, especially when talking over the phone. If necessary, use the owner’s manual or a copy of the brochure to determine the exact part being described. If a part has been ordered previously, refer to the invoice for the part number.

Find out all of the costs involved in repairing the machine and make sure the supplier has the correct shipping address. Always have the part shipped to the salon owner’s attention so it does not get misplaced. By speaking clearly and to the point, a salon owner will ensure receiving the part in the quickest manner. If possible, have a backup supplier available in case the regular supplier is out of stock. Remember, downtime means loss of revenue.

It is impossible to know which part will fail, but a salon can take a proactive approach to the problem by stocking small components known to fail every now and then. This allows a salon owner or employee to replace the part immediately with very little downtime and saves money on overnight shipping charges for the part. For example, a lamp holder only costs about $5, but because the unit is a favorite among customers the salon can’t afford to shut it down for two days. The express shipping costs $20 to get the part overnight, and that added expense comes right off the top of profits.

Since tanning is a seasonal business for most salons, take some time to make a list of parts to keep in stock during that busy time. Remember that during the busy season, some suppliers can run low on high-demand parts. In fact, with certain equipment it may be weeks before parts can be delivered if the supplier is out of stock. That puts you at a disadvantage and leaves your competition smiling while gaining your customers.

Cleanliness is a major part of a salon’s image, and cleaning the tanning unit is just as important as making sure the machine is mechanically sound. A clean machine also gives your clients a sense of security and comfort. Cleaning your machines also will help keep them running better and longer. Dust can be a major contributor to certain component failures. If there is consistent dust buildup on the fan blades or in the relay system, it is possible that it will reduce the life of these components considerably. Dust on the lamps or on the reflectors will reduce the lamp output and result in clients becoming dissatisfied with their tanning results.