PC Tan’s two-headed sales monster, Eric Haynes and Paul Manke, has more than 70 years combined industry experience, and they love nothing more than sharing what they’ve learned with anyone who wants to listen. While they have their own backgrounds and perspectives, they certainly agree on the importance of regularly upgrading equipment and maintaining it immaculately, as well as the value of high-end sunbeds that make waves in tanning business.

Q: How often should salon owners be replacing their sunbeds?

Eric: While the units may last for 10 to 15 years, it’s a disservice to the customers, which in turn becomes a disservice to the salon business-wise. Equipment is built well and has properly maintained, but then it’s equally important that it be replaced in a timely fashion. It would be great if salon owners would update their equipment on a 5 to 7 year basis. Four years, I think, is pretty aggressive, and there may be some you want to replace at four years, but once you get past 7 years, you’re really hanging on to things too long. If a salon has four levels of equipment, a Level 1 unit is the least important as far as where they should be spending their time and dollars. They can go the longest. That’s not what’s generating the revenue. As you work your progression from 1 to 4, the need to replace that equipment sooner becomes greater.

Click here to read the entire article in Smart Tan Magazine online.