Hi, i'd like to offer spray tanning at my salon. I am trying to decide between an automatic booth and manual spray application. I have a rep coming to see me but I thought I'd see what you guys thought first. The automatic booth that I'm considering can also be used for top-ups manually. It is very expensive but I thought some of my 'shy' clients might prefer it to stripping down in front of me. Have any of you tried this type of booth before and if so, what did you think? Thx for your opinions!

Annie

Hi Annie,
Automated Spray booths were the original means of spray tanning when it hit the UK..remember the soap "Friends"

Then came along the portable means of application which now dominates the market today.

I think this is due to a number of reasons
1) the initial capital investment is far less with portable equipment
2) the application of a spray tan by an operator is much more personnel and customers feel they get a better "value of service"
3)there is far more flexibility of a manually applied tan ..an operator can apply more tan solution to certain parts of the customers body
4) far less maintenance and potential "repair"costs
5) May customers do not like the sense of feeling "claustrophobic" with a manual application

Of course there are still many salons and customers that are more than satisfied with automated booth methods of application
the real answer probably lies with the level of funding you have available to you.
HTH

My salon has a magic tan automated booth. All my clients love the fact that it is private and they have no worries about going in the nude, particularily older and larger ladies. It completes a tan within 60 seconds, which is another thing my clients like.

I decided on an automated booth because I didnt want to have to employ a member of staff to apply spray tans.

Some people are sceptical about automated booths partly because of the friends episode. Thankfully they have come on in leaps and bounds.

I have no worries with my Magic Tan spray booth. It doesn't streak and sprays 3 different shades.

I would suggest that you do a lot of research to ensure you get a booth or spray tan system that you feel comfortable with.

Thanks. Great advice! I must have missed that episode of Friends though lol. I'll keep researching and see what others have to say. Like you, Thomas, one of the reasons why I was thinking the automated booth would be good was so that I didn't have to employ somebody to do it. However, on the flipside, if I don't go for the booth, I'd probably be able to afford to pay somebody with the money I save. Hmmm...

Annie

It is a bit of a dilemma and basically boils down to available investment funds.
have you thought about getting yourself trained as an operator...that way you could undertake the spraying until such time as this side of the business really takes off when you can far easier afford to take on a therapist??

Yes, Collin, I have considered getting trained. My only worry is that I don't know when I'd have time to do so! If I did go for the booth it would cost A LOT (£15 per day approx just to finance the machine!). I've searched a lot abt what I'd need to do the spraying myself and I'm a bit confused. What exactly would I need after training? Is it just the compressor, gun and solution and one of those little overspray booths?

This is the main problem with Booths..they are expensive and it can be a bit of a risk if tanning in your salon doesnt take off.

If you hit the search button above and enter spray tan you will no doubt find a wealth of info on different companies who not only provide equipment but who also offer training.

There are loads of packages available from as little as £275 up to £5000 so again its basically down to available start up capital.
Training costs are anything from £50-£200..the average is around £75-100 for reasonable accredited training which is basically a full day away from your business.

For a low cost start up option you could well get training and a system that will get you going for around £500/750 as a rough guide.

Collin, I've found tons on here and I've also checked out your website so I'll be in touch!

Many thx,
Annie

Did you know that you can get booths second hand? I also have one for sale, but I am in Australia.....

Second hand ones you can get for up to 1/4 of the price of new, and all you will need will be to get it serviced by the original company. They will be happy to do it for you (for a price) if you will buy solution from them. They will also do your training and give you loads of info.
My advice is - ring the booth companies, and tell them that you want a second hand booth, and stress that you do not want spend money on a new one. They often have clients who want to upgrade to the latest model and so the company will get a sale anyway.

Great, I'll look into that. Too bad you're in Australia lol!

Hi

Just thought I would add to this as an "end user". Personally, I've only ever used a booth once and would not do so again purely because of the claustrophobic feeling of being "locked" in a booth plus the feeling that I had to hold my breath the whole time as the spray came out.

At least with the spray tanning you have the personal touch, which I feel much more comfortable with. Because of my own experience, when I'm tanning my client's face I always explain what I'm going to do first and then get them to turn their head to the side so that they can breath without the feeling of taking a lungful of spray tan solution!

These of course are just my own personal perceptions & opinions, I'm sure there are many out there that swear by spray tan booths!

HTH.

Jenni
x

Annie,
have a good look around at all the other brands out there also....

Plenty of good companies/brands to choose from

hi i have owned a magic tan mt300 automated booth in aberdeen for 4 yrs and have been really happy with the machine until recently when it broke down after paying £41 a month to magic tan for maintaining the machine i phoned them up they have been up 3 times and still cannot fix the machine they are now not answering my calls (but still taking my money) on their last visit they said they can no longer get the parts for the machine as they are now no longer available and to buy their new machine the versa spa for£20 000!!!!! and to also cancel my s order for the maintenance i am still having to pay my loan for this broken machine which i paid £20 000 for does anyone know what i should do?????? any help would greatly be appreciated

Oh dear this is not going to be strait forward for you im afraid as there are some surprising issues here that all need to be addressed.

1) Cancel your standing order for the maintenance as they are either refusing or simply not bothered in fixing the equipment.

Call UVL and ask for Lynn (01772 790093)..tell her I have given you her number and you need her help in giving you the contact details of someone near you who can service these machines..she is great and will do her best to help you.

2) ring the finance company tomorrow first thing and lodge a complaint with them that the machine your paying finance on isn't working and that the provider cant/wont fix it.,Now they have no legal requirement to sort this out for you however many finance companies do try and help by contacting the provider..which generally kick starts action.

3) GET A SOLICITOR on this immediately as this could cost you monthly payments for something that isn't working.a small investment for something so important.

You will need to ask the loan company when you speak to them what laws are the lease subject to ..I.E Scotland or England.

If its Scotland I can give you the name of a good solicitors based in Aberdeen that have experience of these matters.

If its English law you will have to instruct a firm of solicitors based in England.

HTH