So I Probably Lost a Customer

We are a small place, eight total tanning beds, and a room dedicated for airbrushing fake tans on people (Ooooh! a different post!) . But it's MY place. It's not a chain like most of the places in the area. But, I admit that can lead to a few problems.

First is the limited options it can give some people. Especially the "professional tanners" as I call them. They want to know where the bed was made, who made it, lamps, hours, and on, and on.... a little knowledge is a dangerous thing for them. But it sure makes them look smart! Just come in and get fucking tan would you?! Jesus.

But there is one thing most people don't realize...

TANNING BEDS ARE REALLY, REALLY FUCKING EXPENSIVE.

So when I opened this place, it was with the idea that we would soon be out of business, pessimistic I know but that's life in the small business world. So instead of spending $50,000 - no that's not a typo, on one tanning bed, I bought six smaller ones, and left myself the option of buying more expensive ones later. And I did buy two of the more expensive types. Eventually.

Anyway a lady comes in with her daughter for the second time. And they both want to do one of the more expensive beds. Fine. No problem. But "Leather Bag" doesn't want to do the same one she did before. Nothing specific, she "Just didn't like it last time". Too noisy, to big, to something.

Me: Okay, well you can have any one of the other seven.
Leather Bag: Which ones?
Me: Well... There's the Level 2's, The level One's, The Stand Up...
Leather Bag: Are they any good?
Me: No. I only bought crappy beds.
Leather Bag: She just stares at me.

I purchased the beds we have after spying on some of the chain places, and seeing what they used. SO I BOUGHT IDENTICAL EQUIPMENT! It's exactly the same.

I bristle at that question. And on this day she just happened to be the one that asked it. Of course it's a "good bed". It damages your skin just as badly as the others, it just doesn't look as imposing, or admittedly, as impressive. But the effect is exactly the same.

It's that time of year when it gets really super busy in here. And I have to answer the same question 100 times a day to 100 different people. And being asked if our beds are any good - in that nasty, passive aggressive kind of way only a woman can manage, really pisses me off. And this time I just snapped. I didn't yell or anything, but the smart ass in me just came out.

I probably been more diplomatic about it, but, whatever. I'll try to stay open another five years without her $10.