JEMS Tanning & Travel
BackJEMS Tanning & Travel presents a dual-service business model in Ogallala, Nebraska, combining the roles of a travel agency with the offerings of a tanning salon. This unique combination caters to clients preparing for a sunny vacation in more ways than one. However, customer experiences, particularly on the tanning side of the business, suggest a service that is highly tailored to a specific type of clientele, which may not be suitable for everyone.
The Travel Agency Services
As a full-service travel agency, JEMS Travel provides comprehensive travel planning for a variety of getaways. The owner, Jean E. Smith, has been in the travel industry since 1997 and specializes in destinations across Mexico and the Caribbean, offering a significant level of expertise for those looking to travel to these regions. The agency is positioned as a local alternative to online booking, promising personalized attention to detail for its clients.
The firm's offerings are extensive and cater to a wide range of travel needs. These services include:
- All-Inclusive Resorts: JEMS works with well-known vacation providers like Funjet Vacations and Apple Vacations to arrange stays at all-inclusive resorts, simplifying the process of booking flights and hotels.
- Destination Weddings and Honeymoons: The agency offers specialized planning for nuptial events, assisting couples in organizing their special day in a unique location and planning subsequent honeymoons.
- Cruises: For those who prefer sea travel, JEMS facilitates the booking of cruises, a popular option for visiting multiple destinations in one trip.
- Family Vacations: The business also plans family vacations, with specific packages available for destinations like Disney.
While the range of services is clear, there is a notable lack of public reviews for this side of the business. Potential clients looking for a travel consultant will find a well-defined list of services but little in the way of customer feedback to gauge the quality of the custom itineraries or the overall planning experience.
The Tanning Salon: A Tale of Two Experiences
The tanning salon aspect of JEMS Tanning & Travel has generated considerably more public feedback, and it reveals a deeply divided customer perception. The experiences shared by clients paint a picture of a business with clear positives but also significant drawbacks that seem to stem from its core business strategy.
Positive Aspects and Client Care
On the positive side, some clients have praised the salon for its cleanliness and the quality of its UV tanning beds. One reviewer highlighted the personalized care received, stating the owner is attentive to clients' skin and ensures they use the correct lotion for their needs. This aligns with the salon's official stance as a "Smart Tan Certified" facility that prioritizes skin safety. Another highly positive review came from a customer seeking a spray tan, who noted the owner was exceptionally accommodating for a last-minute appointment and was very helpful. This suggests that for certain services, the customer care can be excellent.
Criticisms and Business Model Concerns
Conversely, a significant portion of the feedback is critical, with several recurring themes. The primary point of friction appears to be a business model that strongly favors recurring, local customers over casual or out-of-town visitors. Multiple reviews from prospective clients detail being turned away or feeling unwelcome because they only wanted a single tanning session rather than a monthly membership.
The sales approach has also been a source of frustration. Several customers reported feeling pressured into a rigid and costly introductory package. This includes the mandatory purchase of lotions sold in-house, with prices reportedly ranging from $50 to $100, and a policy that forbids clients from bringing their own products. This requirement, justified by the business as necessary to protect the acrylic of the tanning beds, was questioned by at least one client. This strict, all-or-nothing approach has been described as a way to rack up a high initial cost for new tanners, which proved to be a major deterrent.
Furthermore, the salon's policies on tanning duration—such as a strict starting limit of eight minutes with slow weekly increases—were perceived as inflexible. For travelers or those with an existing base tan, these rules felt overly restrictive and not tailored to individual needs. The overall sentiment from these negative experiences is one of unwelcoming and rigid customer service for anyone not willing to commit to the salon's specific membership and product purchasing structure.
Who is JEMS Tanning & Travel For?
Based on the available information, the travel agency side of JEMS offers a promising, specialized service for anyone in the Ogallala area planning complex trips like destination weddings or international travel to the Caribbean. The lack of reviews makes it a choice based on the services offered rather than a proven track record.
The tanning salon is best suited for local residents seeking a long-term tanning regimen who are prepared to invest in a monthly membership and purchase their products directly from the salon. For these clients, the benefits are a clean environment and personalized lotion advice. However, it is likely not the ideal choice for tourists, visitors passing through, or individuals who prefer the flexibility of single-session tanning or using their own products.
Important Information
JEMS Tanning & Travel is located at 700 E 1st St suite d, Ogallala, NE 69153. Their phone number is (308) 284-9939. It is crucial for potential customers to note their limited operating hours: they are open from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Fridays. The business is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, which could be an inconvenience for those with standard weekday work schedules.
