Charging more

[Its hard living off rice]

Ok, so I have one chair massage job in particular where I am only charging $15 for 20 minutes.  I have had this job for over 4 years and it is steady one day everyother week.  In the beginning I agreed to charge the same as the therapist that was there before me.  They were not satisfied with that therapist and I replaced her.I am now at a different place in life and experience level than I was then.  I would like to raise my rate to what I feel I am worth, and no longer match the old therapists rates.    As I posted elsewhere, I feel $1 minute is not enough considering the travel and set up time, ect.  I would like to raise it to, $25 for 20 minutes.  My regular table massage rates are more than $1 minute so why can't my chair massage rates.  I don't think I would raise the rate $10 all at once.  Maybe $5 then wait 6 months to a year and raise $5 more.  I don't know.I guess that I am afraid that if I raise my rates they will just find someone else.  It is a good steady job that I need right now.  They seem very satisfied with my work and I need to have more confidence that they will agree with the rate increase.  One client already pays more each time.  We are our own worst critics.Just looking for some encouragement, experiences, advice, ect.Thanks.

 

[nike loverr]

Charging more

As I don't have any experience with this, I would suggest looking at the prices of other things and services. I think you'd be hard pressed to find 'anything' with the same price from 4 years ago.While you hit the sensitive spot, I wouldn't necessarily raise your prices in installments. Although that may be the best since you want to raise it that much money. I would suggest you contact the company and inform them of what you're going to do before doing it, discussing the reasons behind, etc. Be prepared.Who pays? Employer/employee. If it's the employer, how about this, raise it only $5 but let them know they are still getting your services at a reduced rate. If it's the employees, prepare a new rate poster/sheet (again, with an explanation of why you're raising your prices "due to raising costs, etc., etc.," and "although I have not raised the prices over the last 4 years, I find yada, yada, yada).Good luck!

 

[Karamore(:]

Charging more

Though I usually think everyone is undercharging for chair massage and advocate higher rates, it is likely these folks will bolt at such an increase all at once.I am glad you see that chair work should be priced at least as high, as not higher, than table work.I bet if you put four hours into it, you could find a client to replace this low priced bunch and recoup those two missed sessions in a couple of weeks.

 

[Am_I a_Beatlesfan??]

Charging more

I'd go for the price increase in $5 incriments as well. Most people probably won't budge, though some will say "But you used to charge...". Make sure to give them notice in advance, not to just spring it on them. I'd tell them that for the next month or two, you'll continue charging your lower rate, but after that, you'll be raising $5. Then, like you said, about a year later raise it another $5. I don't know if I'd do it 6 months later, if it's once every 2 weeks then that's only letting them see you 12 more times then raising again. In a way, it makes it look like you don't really want to work on them.

 

[iojhyt675]

I agree with Seforum.xxxgnant, definitely raise your fee $5 at this point with advance notice and do the same after another year.  I know that it is still behind as to what people are charging but so many are stuck at the $1 rate ESPECIALLY for chair massge!  That way you will have more money in your pocket and your clients won't be as upset.  If there is any  words about why you are raising your rates, definitely be prepaired and look online for what others charge for that service.  $$$ for chair massage definitely should be the same as you charge for your table session!  Or if you have your clients pay directly for your services, you can try and get the company to pay the difference, or have a flat fee for you to show up that covers all the other cost of your time.  Don't cheat yourself, your services are worth a lot more than what you are getting paid at the moment!

 

[gosam777]

Thanks for the replys.The individuals pay for their massages.  I don't think that the majority of them would mind paying $5 more if I explain my reasoning behind raising the rate.  A few are just looking for a deal no matter what and expect you to give additional bonuses while already getting a cheap rate.  

I don't know if I'd do it 6 months later, if it's once every 2 weeks then that's only letting them see you 12 more times then raising again. In a way, it makes it look like you don't really want to work on them.

This is a very good point.  I wouldn't want to raise the rate again that fast.  They are a good bunch for the most part.  Just feeling like I am getting taken advaneforum.xxxe for being competitive in the beginning and not being aggressive for myself.

 

[LizzyP]

I like Pete's idea a lot.  Then if people ask for a bit more time you could easily increase your charge according to time spent.Another thought: Why not give the largest portion of the increase right off the bat?  You could raise your fee $7 initially then in a year raise it another $3. The slight additional raise in a year might not be noticed as much at that point.Another thought: You could raise the price $10 while offering to offset the increase with 2 $5.00 off coupons that could be used for table sessions (1 coupon per session).And lastly: You could place a notice that as of such and such a date the fee will increase to $25 for 20 minutes.  Then have a promo that allows them to purchase pre-paid packages of 20 minute sessions in bulk at the current rates (with a limit of six 20 minute packages).  This also brings in cash up front for you.

 

[harris4got]

All good ideas! ;DI like Pete's idea.  Since some members of this group seem $ oriented, too much of an increase would not go over well.  Subtracting time later on might work.  Or I could give them the option.  Either they can pay $5 increase or receive 5 minutes less.  Their choice.  I am thinking that they would choose to pay more.  But, I like that cutting time would allow me to add in one more person.  They are strict on time so I can't add in additional time on the same day.  I have to come on a different day.  I have been trying to get this job to the once per week point, but the clients that I have to go through to do this only seem interested in making sure they get their spot.  I basically work on the same 7 people every time and if someone is out there is always someone who fills in the spot.   I thought about keeping the two clients who schedule everything at the lower rate and raise the rest.  Also raise the rate for any new people.  Without the assistance of the two scheduling, I can't get to other people so they will try it.(High Security)So I am not that motivated to keep them at the discounted rate unless they are willing to help me build on things. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.  There might be one client there that I could ask his opinion without getting anyone else involved.  He is the only client that pays $20 already and has since I first worked on him.  He works with most of the others in the same department and would know more about them than I do.  Feel it out a bit first.  For those of you who have increased your rates, how well did it go over?    

 

[Goligoski]

Charging more

i just raised my rates for all services for the first time in 5 years. gas 4 years ago was $1.40-50 a gallon here. now it's $2.00. my advertising rates have increased yearly. for that matter, everything has been raised over the last 4 years, professionally and personnally.it is the cost of doing business.

 

[Hayley S]

Wow.  Such wonderful ideas.I love these boards!I like the idea of raising $5 now and then waiting a while to raise the other $5.  I think $10 at once may be a bit too much for some people.Please let us know what happens!I am interested to see more ideas on this.  Very interesting!

 

[Shimmering]

Charging more

just to add a short note:my increase was $10 per massage hour/$20 per body services. i hadn't been keeping up with the going rates of my competitors over the last 2-3 years. when i realized i wasn't, and they had increased their rates, i did as well. i am still not the most expensive, nor the least expensive.so far, noone has batted an eyelash over it.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thank you all for your responses.  I am going to make up a flyer announcing a $5 increase effective in March.  I go there tomorrow, so I'll see how it goes.  I am going to post a flyer and also give each individual a flyer so no one can say they weren't aware of the increase.  "Due to personal and professional changes over the last 4 years it is necessary to increase the rate for chair massage by $5." or something like this.  $20 for 20 minutes.  It is still a great rate.  Most spas in the area are charging $20 for $15 mins and you have to go to them.I am prepared to have a few clients that are irritated with the increase, but I am fairly confident that most will be fine with it.If they do decide to find someone else, that is fine too.  I am delivering a great service and I deserve to be paid well for my time.  If they don't agree and would rather find someone "cheaper" then they are not the type of clients that I want to fill my schedule with.Cheaper is almost never better. I'll let you know how it goes.  Thanks again for the support!

 

[Wiings]

Thank goodness that is over! I gave a flyer to the one client that I was concerned would be irritated about raising rates.   She just looked at the flyer and said "OK, I'll post it".Everyone else seemed fine about it too.  One client said that after 4 years I should raise my rate.  I agree!  I will be back one more time before the increase.  I will be interested in seeing if everyone remains scheduled after the increase.  I think so.No one asked for any type of explaination either.  I was all anxious for nothing.  That is usually how it happens for me though.Thanks again everyone!

 

[mary j]

That is good news!!!  I'm glad it went well for you.

 

[R...]

Charging more

*Thanks Intuitouch*Just an update for anyone interested.Monday was the first day with the price increase and everything was fine.  No loss of clients.I did find out that the woman that I thought would be nasty about it did complain once I left the day I made the announcement.  But, the others made her understand that it is deserved and should have been done sooner.Just happy that all went well.

 

[I feel better]

Charging more

Just an update for anyone interested.

Monday was the first day with the price increase and everything was fine.  No loss of clients.

I did find out that the woman that I thought would be nasty about it did complain once I left the day I made the announcement.  But, the others made her understand that it is deserved and should have been done sooner.

Just happy that all went well.

Cool!

Wouldn't ya know you'd know the one who would complain!   ;D

Congratulations on getting a raise!

 

[Jessica H]

Charging more

*Thanks Texas-gal*