How to Find Great Deals on Tanning Bed Light Bulbs

Owning a tanning bed is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Or, if you own a salon, you wish to provide that same experience to your clients. Unfortunately, tanning beds do require some maintenance. Regular cleaning, calibration, and light bulb replacements are all necessary. Without the proper care, the tanning bed will give you or your clients an uneven skin tone. They can even develop hot spots on the bed, which can be very uncomfortable and far from relaxing. Replacing tanning bed light bulbs (also known as lamps) is easy, but getting a great deals on tanning bed light bulbs can be challenging.

Know Your Product

In order to find the best deal on tanning bed light bulbs, it is essential to familiarize yourself with your tanning bed and its components. Tanning beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different body types and additional features. There are also standing tanning booths for those who do not wish to lay down while tanning. Most tanning beds come standard with up to 60 UV light bulbs of 100 watts, with bi-pin connectors at the ends. These bulbs are 69 3/8" long. Beds which come with 25-25 light bulbs of 160 watt bulbs are also popular. If you have a stand up booth, you will use less bulbs.

Once you determine the strength of light bulb your tanning beds use, pick a brand. Remember that cheap light bulbs will cost you more in the long run, since you will have to replace them more often. High quality tanning bed lamps will give you or your customer between 800-1000 hours of tanning before they need to be replaced. Low quality bulbs will burn out much faster, at around 500 hours of use. Also, cheap tanning bed light bulbs may give you or your customers uneven tans. They can even be dangerous if the UV-A to UV-B ratio is wrong. Bulbs with the wrong ratio will cause skin redness or sunburn instead of even tanning. The UV-A to UV-B ratio will be higher in quality tanning bed light bulbs. Choose a reputable brand of light bulbs. Check your tanning bed to see what brand comes standard with your model, as that brand will be the most compatible with your unit.

Purchasing the Tanning Bed Light Bulbs

Find Great Deals on Tanning Bed Light BulbsIt is important to do research before setting out to purchase tanning bed light bulbs. Once you are familiar with your model and have chosen a brand, try contacting the manufacturer directly. By cutting out the middle man of a local retailer, you can get a deal. Offer to buy the bulbs in bulk, as large manufacturers will often refuse very small orders. Buying in bulk can save you money in the long run, as well. Purchasing 25-30 long use, quality tanning bed light bulbs should last you the life of your machine. Salon owners with more than one machine should always buy light bulbs in bulk to keep down shipping and insurance costs.

If the manufacturer is unwilling to provide you with light bulbs directly, develop a relationship with your local retailer. Go back to the store where you bought your tanning bed and speak with the salesperson who sold it to you. Remind them of your purchase, and explain that you will be a valuable long term customer if they would be willing to offer you a discount. Try speaking to the owner of the store if the sales associate is unwilling to assist you. If you are a salon owner and have larger orders to place, try arranging a contract agreement with the retailer. Business owners are often willing to lower prices in exchange for long term, repeat business. Also, offer them referrals of other tanning bed owners or salon owners.

Finally, check online. There are a number of discount light bulb websites that offer quality brands for very low prices. Make sure the company is reputable, and will offer bulk shipping. You may also want to purchase shipping insurance in case the bulbs are damaged in transit. Check websites for seals from the Better Business Bureau. Only use online stores if you are completely sure of the brand and model of light you need. Speaking to a sales associate or manufacturer means any questions or doubts you have will be answered.

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