bathing beauty

Does anybody have any feedback on Bathing Beauty Pumps. I would like to get one. I went to Canada Groom but I did not see the demonstration at the lanch time. If any of you has it is it worth of money and do you bath all dogs with that. Does it realy save your bathing time and your hands? (handless bathing hm) As well I would like to know easy it is and safe to use (when it comes to water and electricity? Thanks

The other question is clipper vacuum. Is it hard to relearn to use it with clipper. Does it comes in the way. Idea of having less hair after work it appeals to me, but again I am not sure is it investment that is worth. Any comment positive and negative are welcome. I would just like to hear from you who are using it before I spend my money.

And the last one where can I order mat zapper flexibile brushes? Vesna

Hey Vesna, I'm not much help on the Bathing Beauty... but I did order the Luxury Spa(cheap knock off) on ebay and I'm just awaiting it's arrival. It cost $403 with shipping & exchange from the states, I think the BB is around $700. I've never seen one being used before so I didn't want to jump right in incase I didn't like it. I figure if I get a year or two out of it, I can upgrade. You can also make a BB by yourself with the proper sub pump, hoses & nozzel and foot switch.

You can get the matt zapper at TLC Grooming and Sharpennig Services (http://www.tlc4dogs.com/), they're in Ottawa. Mine ended up costing close to $80 with tax and shipping. But worth every penny!

Hi Ladies, i too have the luxury spa, we use it a lot on the big dogs, it saves on water, (i think). We mostly use it on the "hairy" big dogs, i use it with soap, but then i also go over my dog again by hand. I've tried it alone, i just felt that it really didn't get the dog as clean as i could by hand. You can only use it for the first part of the bath, you can't use it to rinse the dog.

As for the luxury spa, we've had it almost a year now, and its still working well. The only complaint i have is the hose they supply with it, it is not the strongest hose, i've gone through a couple of them on and off the system.

I got my matt zapper from TLC too, and lucked out totally, i got the double wide for $45 just a few months ago, but they said they were increasing the price on them, maybe try directly through les pooch which is through the states, could be cheaper maybe.

I also have a taxi vac, it was kinda tricky at first to get use too. My groomers complain about the weight of it and the hose. I like to use it on my larger dogs, doodles especially and bigger cockapoos. I have 2 of them and there not really used all that often. I find it kinda difficult to use on the smaller breeds, on the back is fine but around the legs is a little more difficult, not much space to work with.

Why couldn't you use the luxury spa for a final rinse? If you can put shampoo + water through it, shouldn't you be able to put just water? When you got the new hoses did you order them from the Luxury Spa supplier, or did you find one at a local hardware store?

I called Les Pooch in the states to order from and they gave me the number of TLC. I guess they don't even deal with Canadian orders. I feel pretty jipped about my matt zapper, $80 for the single!

We have a bathing beauty (2 actually) and LOVE THEM!!!!! They definetly save time and hands. They work so well and you couldn't get a dog cleaner hand washing. I am very "old school" and it took some time to convince me to try them but now I would never ever go back to handwashing.
We bought a taxi vac and have since sold it, was not impressed. It is difficult to get used to and took the dogs too short, would be ok if all you are doing is shavedowns. There is also a learning curve to it and we just didn't have time to fiddle with it. Oh and watch those ears and tails, one wrong move and whoops they're off.
We just ordered some new Les Pooche brushes, sorry Vesna should have called you.
Elizabeth, does the $80 include shipping? If not call them back, they may not have given you the professional groomers price.

Hi Ladies, I have called yesterday TLC and order Les Pooche brush and few other little things. They asked me to send them my business card so I could get wholesale prices. My brush will cost me something around $48.00 plus shipping (that one is fine/medium).
I still did not order bathing beauty. I am thinking to place an order thru Pet Edge and pick up at UPS in Buffallo. They are much cheaper there. I am just wandering what kind to buy. What pump do you guys use? And one more thing if you do not mind can I come to your salon ( Denis and Shona) once to see how they work and what kind of plumbing if any I have to install whenever would be convenient for you. I know you are busy!
Clipper vac I would realy like to have as it seems to me for last 1-2 months most of the customers just wanted shaving and I am getting sick of shaving and cleaning after that. I wander will I ever have a chance to do something more creative? Thanks, Vesna

PS Yesterday I used my (plastic) snap comb over #30 on matese and yes it snapped off when I was going over his sholder... I am so doomed... Offered free groom to customer, but still have a feeling of guilt and shame...How could I avoid that in the future?

Vesna, come by anytime after 9:00 am, tomorrow would be a good day if you have time.As for snap on combs, lose the plastic ones and buy the stainless steel ones, they don't come off!!!
Enjoy the shaving the cold weather will be back soon enough and everyone will want their dogs hair dematted and left as long as possible LOL.
Happy Grooming!

Thanks Shona,
I do have stainless steel blades too, but I wish I used them instead. Plastic ones were closer to me and I guess I paid price for not getting better ones out of my bottom drawer. Things we do... I have 3 dogs booked tomorrow before 2:00PM.
Can I come anytime afternoon instead?
Thanks, Vesna

Sure, come on by.

Sorry Shona could not pick up the phone tonite when you called (had a cocker on table groomed). I will come on Friday around 2-3 PM for a very short time just to see one dog being bathed to get an idea. I appreciate a lot.
Vesna

Thank you Shona and Denise to let me come in today . I hope I did not disturbed your work schedule I hope that I was quick (as I was tired and hungry too)
I will buy one for sure in hope that my hands will recover a bit. I still did not decide if I will place an order thru the Pet Edge or the Pet Supply. It is quite a big difference in price.
Thanks a lot one more time. (by the way each time I get to your place I love it more and more your staff are truly lucky I wish that I could have learned in place like that... but at least I could aim to have one day something like that. Dreams sometimes become things!
Happy Canada day and good rest to both of you and your own little doggies (and kitties) Vesna

You are welcome Vesna, you didn't disturb us at all. I wish we had a bit more time but you know Fridays LOL.

Elizabeth, with my system it is a recirculating system, you fill up the tub with water and put it on the dog. So when i rinse the dog i prefer clean water to rinse with not water that would have soap in it, even if you filled up the tub again after the shampoo there would be soap in it from rinsing, so thats why we do it this way.

So I got the LuxSpa today and I see what you're talking about sk9klippery...

I haven't tried it yet but was thinking of keeping a bucket in the tub with running water to rinse... that would elimate the soapy rinse water from being put back on the dog right?

Also, where did everyone get their tub platforms? Did you have to buy one specifically? All the ones I found in pet supply places are around $100 or more. That's a bit too much for me. I'm sure there must be someway to make one that will last but I haven't figured it out yet.

Elizabeth, i guess you could do that when rinsing, but that means you have to run water into your bucket the entire time, and you need to make sure it runs into the bucket just as fast as the luxspa uses it not slower, cause then you would run out of water and burn the motor up. I just rinse as i normally would. I have put black laundry hoses on my tub and i use just your basic garden nozzle on shower spray and it works just fine.

I do love that luxspa hose though, very nice!!! But be careful, you can put a hole in it VERY easily.