Why buy used tanning beds?

by Rick Houston

I have been selling new and used tanning beds for the past 12 years and I can honestly say now is NOT the time to buy used tanning salon equipment.  Why?  Allow me to explain my reasoning.

We are five years removed from the recession of 2006-2008, when many new salons, like Planet Beach, Hollywood Tans, and others sprung up in the middle of the night.  These franchises cost over $150k new and quickly went into the red.  Mostly because of unrealistic rent prices which have now resettled but largely in part to the exorbitant interest rates banks and equipment leasing companies were charging (+40%) for this equipment. 

Opportunities have been created for folks opening new salons and most towns now have a "shortage" of tanning salons from the over-correction, but is buying used salon equipment the way to go in 2013? It depends on how you set your expectations.

Beginning in 2009 and through 2011 there were fantastic deals at auctions and from landlords of abandoned salons around the country of used tanning salon equipment with very few hours of operation.  These deals are gone now and what is left is equipment from 2006 and later.  Now SEVEN years old and more. 

I can also report that over half of the customers I delivered and installed used tanning beds to were NOT happy.  Which made my unhappy too.  Why were so many customers unhappy with previously owned  equipment?  Mostly their high expectations, but here are a few of the most common reasons why:

1.  Tanning beds should be cleaned on a daily basis and when they are not cleaned properly, begin to fill with dead skin, hair, and lotions from customers.  When you buy used equipment you are buying years of dead skin and must be ready to break the beds down and clean them thoroughly.

2.  Tanning equipment requires you change the tanning bed bulbs frequently and many failed salons, due to lack of funds, did not do this.  Therefore, when you buy used equipment, you MUST be ready to buy new tanning lamps.  You can expect to spend between $300 and $1500 per unit, depending on number and type of bulbs.

3.  When you buy used tanning beds you will need to get parts and service for those models immediately.  You should know that over half of all tanning equipment manufacturers have gone out of business or have been swallowed up by Sun Ergoline.  If you buy a Pure Tan, Sun Capsule, or any other off brand you may never get parts or service.  Call an 800 number for the manufacturer before you buy and know if you can get a technician on the line.  You should have your own handy man or electrician on standby as there are NO tanning bed repair guys left.

4.  If you are opening a new tanning salon you should be careful about the "first impression" message you send to clients when you place them in used equipment which is several years old, in need of maintenance, and may appear dated.

My advice is to take a strong look at new tanning beds or demo models with few or zero hours.  You can buy new 32 lamp beds for $5,000 and level 3 tanning beds for $7,500 so think twice before spending $5k on used level three models.  I DO recommend buying slightly used high pressure tanning beds and spray tan booths like the Versa Spa models to save money from the crazy-too-high $30k+ prices of new models.

Call me at 800-760-6017 for a free consultation and I will help you decide if used tanning salon equipment is right for you and who to buy it from.  I can also help create your own brand of indoor tanning equipment with custom colors and your logo at unbelievable prices direct from the manufacturer.  More...