HOW TO EQUIP YOUR DAY SPA by Terri Wiezycki

You will need to wade through what may seem like countless choices. Don't get overwhelmed. Instead, do you own research or contact a consultant. Your purchasing decisions must also flow from your budget! Therefore, do your research by consulting with the experts. You will need to wade through what may seem like countless choices. Don't get overwhelmed. Instead, do your own research or contact a consultant. Questions The first question you need to ask yourself is: What is your spa's identity? The answer to that question must be reflected in every choice you make. Your purchasing decisions must flow from your unique identity. Have you started your shopping list? Actually, you need to make two lists. The first list includes the services which you will be offering. The second list includes the equipment necessary to provide these services. How much space do you have per room? A six-foot table may fit into an eight foot by nine-foot room, but where will you squeeze in your skin care equipment? What are your power constraints? While most spa equipment requires standard 110 outlets, some equipment, such as hydrotherapy tubs, have additional electrical requirements. What are your plumbing constraints? If your rooms do not have floor drains, your capacity to perform wet treatments will be limited. What is your budget? That depends... Do you want to purchase manual or electric tables? Do you want to purchase a steamer or a full scale care system and add the other components later? Where will you shop? Check out cyberspace (most vendors have web sites and respond to E-questions), attend trade shows, and visit other spas. Always ask for an on site demo. Before You Purchase The considerations are specific to each piece of equipment. For example, when buying a treatment table, you must decide if it will be electrical. Then you must check for ease of operation of hydraulics. Check the durability, stain resistance and maintenance requirements of the upholstery. Is there frame durability? Will it withstand moisture from a wet environment? Is it warranted for use in a wet environment? Keep in mind we are discussing one piece of equipment here and we haven't even finished our list of considerations. Purchasing equipment takes time. Be patient.

Vendors Questions How long have you been in business? Younger companies may offer attractive pricing incentives. More established companies may be worth the larger investment. What is your warranty? Make sure you are given complete installation instructions which can be followed by a licensed electrician and plumber. You also want guaranteed access (via phone) to an experienced technician for troubleshooting purposes. Do you supply loaner equipment pieces? Time is truly money in this business. You don't want to lose appointments because of broken equipment. Questions to Ask Vendor References What was installation like? Smooth? Timely? Was the equipment thoroughly tested? Was your staff thoroughly trained in safety, operation, and routine maintenance? How is the vendor's record? Check in with their long-term clients. Remember that vendors provide their best service right after delivery. What was service like after the check cleared? Remember that it should not take more than one week to have equipment serviced. Operation and Maintenance You must insist vendors provide instructions and maintenance manuals at the time of purchase. Learn, along with your staff, how to operate equipment and how to check for potential problems. Each piece of spa equipment requires a maintenance process. For example; one step in the care of a steamer includes a bimonthly look for a mineral buildup that could clog the heating element. The steamer is the most neglected piece of spa equipment from the maintenance standpoint. It may lose 8-10 years of its 12-15 year life span because of inadequate maintenance. Maintaining your equipment is a must! In summary, if you research well, shop carefully and take good care of your equipment, your investment of time, money and care will pay off in client satisfaction and profit. Good luck! Terri Wiezyckl, is the Vice President of Business Development at American Leisure and can he reached at (845) 638-2201 or amerleisco@aol.com.