Massage Parlor Reports

[Bob521]

That's very sound advice. I will follow it. We do have a part time American woman who is very capable. An American man, also part time, who is also good (for women) and we will meet somebody new on Saturday.

I also meant to follow up on something Lurker said: Eating my own seed corn. Perhaps Mei is eating the corn since she won't take time off. But I'm not eating. I gave her the store and do various accounting, legal, marketing and handyman tasks. I take no share of any profits. It was never about money for me. I just want her to have a good life. Bob.

I don't have solution for you Bob since you already know that the solution is to get more capable LMTs. Just a couple of comments.

1) I would not price discriminate between people who make appt vs walk ins. Once people know that, no one is going to do walk in. While it might help with appt scheduling, it does not solve your underlying issue of Mei getting burned out.

2) Maybe stop advertising for a couple of weeks as it sounds like you have enough business for now anyway.

3) Add a referral program. For each new client a guy sends, he gets $10 off on his next visit. Each quarter, the guy who sends the most people wins a prize. My dentist does this and it's very effective.

[BonerLander]

Had a lovely deep tissue Massage on the north side by a hard working MT who worked up a sweat by the end. While working on my back she paused, took a cleansing breath, and told me that I smell wonderfully. (I showered the night before and use deodorant appropriately.) she made a disgusted sound and told me of her other client. On my way out I saw a monger in the foyer hunched over in his parka. It was 30' outside and sunny. He looked like a homeless Jerry Garcia.

As mentioned by others it doesn't take much for us to be presentable. Clean, Polite, pay. We expect much. We should be deserving.

End of rant.

Hell, I make sure I've shaved, put on cologne and make sure I'm fresh as possible. If I've sweat between leaving the house and the massage, I'll either get the table shower upfront or ask to use the shower first.

[GunnerMagnum]

Good advice!

I don't have solution for you Bob since you already know that the solution is to get more capable LMTs. Just a couple of comments.

1) I would not price discriminate between people who make appt vs walk ins. Once people know that, no one is going to do walk in. While it might help with appt scheduling, it does not solve your underlying issue of Mei getting burned out.

2) Maybe stop advertising for a couple of weeks as it sounds like you have enough business for now anyway.

3) Add a referral program. For each new client a guy sends, he gets $10 off on his next visit. Each quarter, the guy who sends the most people wins a prize. My dentist does this and it's very effective.

[OF Charlie]

We've got to do something. That's why I reached out to the forum. Not that it matters, but I'm trying to get her to take time off, reduce hours, etc. We had hoped the other worker would help, but she was simply not a good enough MT. I don't know how to get Mei to keep a 60 minute massage at 60 instead of 70 minutes. There are a couple Chinese LMTs we could use, but Mei is not satisfied with them. I do think a price increase is due. It was always our intent to make it a temporary introductory price. I'm really considering the existing price for appointments and the increased price for walk-ins. But that could backfire and piss people off. Other ideas are welcome, of course. Bob.

I don't have solution for you Bob since you already know that the solution is to get more capable LMTs. Just a couple of comments.

1) I would not price discriminate between people who make appt vs walk ins. Once people know that, no one is going to do walk in. While it might help with appt scheduling, it does not solve your underlying issue of Mei getting burned out.

2) Maybe stop advertising for a couple of weeks as it sounds like you have enough business for now anyway.

3) Add a referral program. For each new client a guy sends, he gets $10 off on his next visit. Each quarter, the guy who sends the most people wins a prize. My dentist does this and it's very effective.

[Bob521]

We've got to do something. That's why I reached out to the forum. Not that it matters, but I'm trying to get her to take time off, reduce hours, etc. We had hoped the other worker would help, but she was simply not a good enough MT. I don't know how to get Mei to keep a 60 minute massage at 60 instead of 70 minutes. There are a couple Chinese LMTs we could use, but Mei is not satisfied with them. I do think a price increase is due. It was always our intent to make it a temporary introductory price. I'm really considering the existing price for appointments and the increased price for walk-ins. But that could backfire and piss people off. Other ideas are welcome, of course. Bob.

So you are overworking your best CMT while undercharging to ensure the pace does not lighten?

You are eating your seed corn.

[E2304]

Had a lovely deep tissue Massage on the north side by a hard working MT who worked up a sweat by the end. While working on my back she paused, took a cleansing breath, and told me that I smell wonderfully. (I showered the night before and use deodorant appropriately.) she made a disgusted sound and told me of her other client. On my way out I saw a monger in the foyer hunched over in his parka. It was 30' outside and sunny. He looked like a homeless Jerry Garcia.

As mentioned by others it doesn't take much for us to be presentable. Clean, Polite, pay. We expect much. We should be deserving.

End of rant.

[E2304]

So you are overworking your best CMT while undercharging to ensure the pace does not lighten?

You are eating your seed corn.

Mei is proud, honest, strong and independent. Change takes time. This is a start up with growing pains. They are also looking for another 4-leaf clover to hire. Not an easy thing. This is Mei's business. Burnout is a concern.

Bob: feed the girl please.

"Pigs get fat. Hogs get slaughtered. ".

- proverb.

[GunnerMagnum]

That's why I said find another MT. I think the price is an introductory rate and would go to "normal" price structure at some point. Bob, the task master, LOL.

So you are overworking your best CMT while undercharging to ensure the pace does not lighten?

You are eating your seed corn.

[Lurker01]

So you are overworking your best CMT while undercharging to ensure the pace does not lighten?

You are eating your seed corn.

Pricing:

Mei and I deliberately set the price $10 below market to get people "in the door" to build up a customer base. At some point we will change pricing. Maybe some legacy deals for our long-term customers. I started advertising in January and it had a major impact on business. CL, BP, FB, Google, and Yelp. Also a loyalty card. I was nervous about advertising until I had more people to fill in the gaps. Part of the problem is the "lumpy" flow of business. Yesterday (Saturday) we had 8 customers for Mei and another woman. Today, nobody has come in at all (yet). Maybe I should have "rush hour pricing" or a $60 "walk in" vs a $50 "appointment rate". Appointments help us manage the business and the staffing, plus I can add clients to the contact database. I also want to continue to give a good price to our loyal customers. A final observation is that most of our regulars give Mei a good tip, thus equalizing the apparent low price. I agree 30 minutes is too short for a real massage. Actually, Mei's idea of 30 minutes is 40 minutes. 60 minutes is 70 minutes. And 90 minutes is 100 minutes. I keep telling her to stick to the actual time and she will help herself. I'm not worried about $49.95 and of course everybody understands. Exxon does it also. LOL.

We have a man who is excellent and helps the female clients and a woman who is also excellent but has limited time. Hence the need for a new worker who can fill in for Mei. She needs rest and also a day off each week.

[Bob521]

Pricing:

Mei and I deliberately set the price $10 below market to get people "in the door" to build up a customer base. At some point we will change pricing. Maybe some legacy deals for our long-term customers. I started advertising in January and it had a major impact on business. CL, BP, FB, Google, and Yelp. Also a loyalty card. I was nervous about advertising until I had more people to fill in the gaps. Part of the problem is the "lumpy" flow of business. Yesterday (Saturday) we had 8 customers for Mei and another woman. Today, nobody has come in at all (yet). Maybe I should have "rush hour pricing" or a $60 "walk in" vs a $50 "appointment rate". Appointments help us manage the business and the staffing, plus I can add clients to the contact database. I also want to continue to give a good price to our loyal customers. A final observation is that most of our regulars give Mei a good tip, thus equalizing the apparent low price. I agree 30 minutes is too short for a real massage. Actually, Mei's idea of 30 minutes is 40 minutes. 60 minutes is 70 minutes. And 90 minutes is 100 minutes. I keep telling her to stick to the actual time and she will help herself. I'm not worried about $49.95 and of course everybody understands. Exxon does it also. LOL.

We have a man who is excellent and helps the female clients and a woman who is also excellent but has limited time. Hence the need for a new worker who can fill in for Mei. She needs rest and also a day off each week.

Sounds like Mei is working very very hard. 7 days a week & 11 hours a day giving legit intense massages. Wow that must be brutal! She's going to burn out at that rate.

I would highly recommend she raise her rates. Her clientele should understand. Also maybe she can focus more on 30 min and 45 min massages and have breaks in between each massage.

Good luck!

[ReadyForRub]

So the predictions a few of you made were true. We brought in additional people. They just don't compare. Mei ("L") has been swamped with business. To be more accurate, everyone conspires to arrive at the same time. Mei gives 200% of the energy of the average therapist. 400% of the energy of those who pretend to be massage therapists. So 4 or 5 90 minute massages back to back with no food and she can barely stand. Seven days a week. 11 hours a day.

Mei tried introducing our best customers to the "new girl" and nobody is satisfied. Mei gives (as many of you know) a super strong traditional Chinese acupressure massage. Forum Members can add their own comments. The new one gave a weak Swedish massage. Today two people walked out on the "new girl". If any of you tried the new one, please PM me and I will give you a half price massage with Mei.

With that preamble, if you know anyone who has excellent massage skills, let me know. Must be legit. Must have transportation. We are in Buffalo Grove Deerfield and Weiland, SW corner. Here's the website: http://massage0110.wixsite.com/sunshinehealthmassag Thanks in advance. Bob.

I don't know a legit MT, but your pricing doesn't look right.

90 minutes $79.95 $10.00 too low.

60 minutes $49.95 $10.00 too low.

30 minutes $29.95 30 minutes shouldn't be offered. Legit needs some time. All 30 minutes will do is get you off at a discount.

The $0. 95 pricing might fool 'them at the discount stores, but people looking for a legit massage know they are NOT going to get $0. 05 in change.

[E2304]

Sounds like Mei is working very very hard. 7 days a week & 11 hours a day giving legit intense massages. Wow that must be brutal! She's going to burn out at that rate.

I would highly recommend she raise her rates. Her clientele should understand. Also maybe she can focus more on 30 min and 45 min massages and have breaks in between each massage.

Good luck!

First three rules of Medicine: eat, sleep, excrete. You cannot take care of patient if you don't take care of yourself.

I prefer my 90 minute with Mei. Very beneficial.

[GunnerMagnum]

I don't believe raising prices right now is the solution. The solution is to find a MP as good as Mei so Mei gets a break. I assume as time has went on and goes on the dik beaters / crotch grabbing clowns have been / will be weeded out.

Bob.

If she's that good, raise prices. Do the math and determine how much to charge to make the same daily rate with one fewer massage. Then build in buffer time between clients. This will not only reduce her fatigue, but also weed out the chaff that are just using her up. If she's that busy, then a standard supply / demand equation is the solution. If a 2nd girl isn't as good, charge normal rates for her and premium rates for Mei. This gives incentive for cheapskates to give the 2nd girl business and incentive for the 2nd girl to improve enough to charge the premium rate. I've been to hair salons where the owner charged more, because he was simply that much better.

[SmileySam]

So the predictions a few of you made were true. We brought in additional people. They just don't compare. Mei ("L") has been swamped with business. To be more accurate, everyone conspires to arrive at the same time. Mei gives 200% of the energy of the average therapist. 400% of the energy of those who pretend to be massage therapists. So 4 or 5 90 minute massages back to back with no food and she can barely stand. Seven days a week. 11 hours a day.

Sounds like Mei is working very very hard. 7 days a week & 11 hours a day giving legit intense massages. Wow that must be brutal! She's going to burn out at that rate.

I would highly recommend she raise her rates. Her clientele should understand. Also maybe she can focus more on 30 min and 45 min massages and have breaks in between each massage.

Good luck!

[Lurker01]

Bob.

If she's that good, raise prices. Do the math and determine how much to charge to make the same daily rate with one fewer massage. Then build in buffer time between clients. This will not only reduce her fatigue, but also weed out the chaff that are just using her up. If she's that busy, then a standard supply / demand equation is the solution. If a 2nd girl isn't as good, charge normal rates for her and premium rates for Mei. This gives incentive for cheapskates to give the 2nd girl business and incentive for the 2nd girl to improve enough to charge the premium rate. I've been to hair salons where the owner charged more, because he was simply that much better.

So the predictions a few of you made were true. We brought in additional people. They just don't compare. Mei ("L") has been swamped with business. To be more accurate, everyone conspires to arrive at the same time. Mei gives 200% of the energy of the average therapist. 400% of the energy of those who pretend to be massage therapists. So 4 or 5 90 minute massages back to back with no food and she can barely stand. Seven days a week. 11 hours a day.

Mei tried introducing our best customers to the "new girl" and nobody is satisfied. Mei gives (as many of you know) a super strong traditional Chinese acupressure massage. Forum Members can add their own comments. The new one gave a weak Swedish massage. Today two people walked out on the "new girl". If any of you tried the new one, please PM me and I will give you a half price massage with Mei.

With that preamble, if you know anyone who has excellent massage skills, let me know. Must be legit. Must have transportation. We are in Buffalo Grove Deerfield and Weiland, SW corner. Here's the website: http://massage0110.wixsite.com/sunshinehealthmassag Thanks in advance. Bob.