Cheap Tanners will usually smell bad because of poor quality of components. Here is a Comment from a Consumer that usually rings true with most Tanners.

Its nice the Sunless Beauty Products went to great lengths to minimize this smell with the only patented technology that combines hydrotherapy, Sunblock, and tanning in the same product.

Case in Point: Your not going to get a great product for $9.95 you get what you pay for.