Have you been here before?
[QUOTE=BigInJapan;5143468][QUOTE=InFarmer;5143434]I'll wait to see what others say but it sounds like I need to see Tiffany. Should I be honest when they ask if I've been there before?[/QUOTE]Others may disagree but I suggest just being straight up. Tell them you're visiting from out of town and have heard great things (you can even say online) about the spa and your provider of choice.[/QUOTE]I suggest everybody write this down (it's a Can't-Miss strategy):
When asked by the Mamasan or manager at an AMP if you've ever been there before, it's risky to LIE and tell them you HAVE, when you have NOT. While you may be able to name a few girls on their staff, to pass the quiz-question of "who have you seen before", you may run into an awkward situation where they have some other check system to test your familiarity, or (worst case) you may tell the girl that greets you that you've seen "Suzy" before without realizing that you're TALKING TO SUZY at that very moment (unless it's an older Mamasan type).
The very BEST response to the question of "have you been here before" (when you have NOT) is to say exactly THIS: "No, not here, because I usually go to <nearby competitor>, but a buddy recommended this place might be better."
For example, if you're standing in Massage Connection, tell them you're a regular at King or Blue Ocean (nearby well-known competitors), or if you're standing in King, tell them you're a regular at Massage Connection. This gives you a number of advantages: You've established that you're an experienced hobbyist and know how "things work", and, more importantly, you've given the AMP an "opportunity" to out-perform their competition to permanently win your ongoing business. The obvious upside to this is that you may be treated VERY well while they're trying to steal your business from their competitor... and the hottest local Orlando AMP's operate as very very competitive businesses (i.e. trying to "out-do" that place down the street or across town). Telling them you're from out of town only tells them you are probably NOT a repeat customer and can be dispensed with as expeditiously as possible (rushed).
That's my 2 cents.