Buying a Reconditioned Tanning Bed – Always Check Under the Hood

Buying a Reconditioned Tanning Bed – Always Check Under the Hood

Posted on: June 10th, 2013

When buying reconditioned, used tanning beds, it is crucial to always be very thorough.

Just the same as if you were shopping for a used car, you should always take the time to “kick the tires” and “check under the hood,” when buying used tanning beds, solicited as reconditioned.

Promises of reconditioned-quality will vary from supplier to supplier, so it is essential to know for yourself, just what you’re getting. To do this, a good supplier, who has nothing to hide, should be more than accommodating and should never take offense to you wanting to take a closer look. The seller should understand that you are just trying to protect your interests.

And if you are too far away to visit the supplier’s warehouse, where he stocks his used tanning beds, you can always request him to email you photos or even an inspection sheet, detailing any flaws or imperfections.

When examining a reconditioned, used tanning bed in person, here are a few suggestions that might be of help:

First, a great way to estimate the amount of usage a bed or booth may have is to examine the system’s end sockets. These are the plastic lamp-holders on both sides of the bulbs that keep them in place. Since they rarely need changed, and reconditioning will almost never require full replacement, the usage of a device will almost always be apparent from the discoloration of the sockets. The more yellow a socket is, the more usage the device has likely had. End sockets that are virtually orange and feel very dry will often indicate a much higher level of usage that the device has been through. Only in the rare case that end sockets are made of ceramic, (mostly older systems), or have been coated with some UV-impervious materil, will discoloration not occur, or be extremely minimal.

Second, if the cover or hood of the systems you are examining can be easily lifted, you could request the supplier to raise the panel so you can look inside of the device. If provided the opportunity, you should look for dust build-up, burn marks, damaged wires, broken glass fragments or other debris or irregularities that would indicate that the device has not been thoroughly cleaned or serviced, internally. In that event, red flags should go up immediately as to just how “reconditioned” a system really is. In the event that a hood cover can not be raised without creating a supplier’s nightmare, you could always use a flashlight to look into any fan or vent holes along the outside of the cover panel, if available, to see if any irregularities are noticeable internally.

Third, always examine the system’s plexiglass carefully and completely for “spider-cracks,” scratches, and other flaws. Scratches may not be apparent at first, but a closer study that reveals a series of them, especially where a person’s hands often lay while tanning, are usually deep scratches cause by diamond rings and bracelets. These are permanent and will never come out.

Fourth, look closely at the ends of the lamps for black marks. If you see some, the lamps will almost certainly have been used for more time than just testing. Confirm with the seller, and get it in writing, as to whether or not he is including new lamps, (that may have only been used for testing), or used lamps. A good, reconditioned, used tanning bed should always include new lamps that have been fully tested within the device. One thing to note, as lamp phosphors and cathodes have improved throughout the years, it is not always possible to confirm that a bulb has been heavily used by looking for black marks.

Fifth, if possible, have the supplier turn the system on so that you can get a sense of the fan speed. Good fans should operate at about the same speed, so if one or more of them sounds, or appears, to be running slower than the others, it could be an indication of an older fan.

Sixth, always test the lifting and closing of the canopy. Some systems are designed strictly to lift-up all the way and lock, and then lower to the fullest extent and stop. Other manufacturers have designed their equipment to hold steady at any level, to which the canopy is placed. But it is crucial that a canopy is not too difficult to raise and lower, and that when it reaches its lifting peak that it stays up without falling.

Last, carefully examine any touch pads, buttons, or switches. Extreme wear on these items are common, especially for older units. Under circumstances where noticeable wear, scratches and fingernail cuts are visible, they should always be replaced by the supplier, to be a true, reconditioned system.

For more information about No Money Down Tanning Salons and Spas reconditioned used tanning beds, please call 424-281-7918.