Freebies

[Stupid]

Hey guys, What do you say to people that ask for a free massage. I am constantly asked for free massages and I'm really getting irked! Just last week someone that works with my husband volunteered to help me set up my new office. She asked once if she now gets a free massage and I ignored her hoping that would be the end of it. Then a couple of hours later she asked about getting a free massage again. I really thought this was rude since she willingly volunteered to help. I am not responsible for her expectations. I told her she could not have a free massage as that kind of thing will put me out of business. I was thinking to do free 15 minute chair massages at coffee shops and such to market myself, but I am wondering if that would be contributing to this problem of people expecting or wanting free massage all the time? I am done with giving away free massage that leads no where as I did a TON of free massage in school as a requirement. I've put in my dues. Please share your thoughts and any replies that you give in such situations, thanks!

Jill

 

[Pork Daddy]

Welcome! I, too, had a problem with people (mainly FAMILY) asking for free or discounted services. I turn it around and ask them "would YOU work for free, or at a reduced rate?" Alot of people view our profession as a hobby, and the sooner you let them know you're not just a massage therapist, but a business woman, the sooner they will begin to respect you. I did use to offer fre chair massage when I first stated out. I realised that some people did not value the service as much if I was willing to GIVE it away. You have to figure out what you're comforatble with. Me, Im only comfy giving away chair massage when I do events like Relay for Life. Find something you believe in & donate your time. Best of luck, & please let us know how t hings turn out!

 

[etenn]

wow, its been a long day, and I am the typo queen in my last post. many apologies...lol I also wanted to add the next time Suze Orman's show is on public TV, watch it. Its about women & business, and she specifically talks about massage therapists.

 

[Shalene]

I completely understand that you're irked! This is also sort of a peeve of mine, even though it doesn't happen often. I personally think it's really rude on their part. I'm not sure what I'd say back, other than to simply state that I don't work for free, I have bills to pay too. I might tell her that if she can refer you several paying clients (at full price), or purchase a package of massages (at regular price) that you'll reward her by throwing in a massage. Otherwise, no. If she volunteered to help you with your room, she should have done so without expecting anything in return, and to ask you for free work now is sneaky and tacky. Simply send her a nice thank-you card or take her out for coffee one afternoon in return. And make sure to include some of your business cards

Hehe I'm sure others will have some awesome comebacks

Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[J. K]

Of course she can have a free massage- as soon as your landlord gives you free housing.

 

[dolly]

How hard did she work and how much help was she? If she really helped you get set up and going faster, or with less stress, what would be the harm in giving her a thank you massage?

I'm not big on giving away work either, but will do it occasionally, either in appreciation or at my discretion for other reasons.

Of course, if she didn't really help you much, or didn't lessen your workload, you shouldn't reward her for just hanging out.

 

[Dances with Kali]

what would be the harm in giving her a thank you massage?

I'm not big on giving away work either, but will do it occasionally, either in appreciation or at my discretion for other reasons.

Oh- I meant to say something like that in my post as well, but got sidetracked. There really is nothing wrong with giving a freebie to someone for helping you out- you could just do a 30 minute thing.

I understand your point about feeling like it was sneaky, though.

 

[jenius]

I've done trades in these situations but we discussed the conditions before hand. For example, I asked an acquaintance and her husband if they could help me put fiber optic lights in my ceiling in exchnage for massages. Everybody was happy. They spent 2 hours doing that but they each had a 1 hour massage. And I didn't feel obligated. That person in the original post - I am not sure what I'd do at this point since she made it very transparent.

 

[MehChuXD]

When I learned Thai massage I gave out a few free sessions on "practice people" before seeing regular clients. I wanted to get more comfortable with men so I had my BF email his male friends asking for volunteers. The response was quick and those men were great. Their attitude was, "We realize you need to practice but for us it's still a free massage so we appreciate it". They were not fussy, showed up on time, gave me good tips and some of them came back as paying clients. It took me maybe 2 weeks to get comfortable with the modality.
Well, about a week into my practice, one of these men's girlfriend emails my BF asking if I am still offering "FREE massages" (RED FLAG right there!). Wasn't really what I was looking for but after talking at length with my BF I decided to accomodate her. He argued that she could become a good client: has $$$, time (does not work - independently wealthy), grown up kids etc. I did talk to her before about massages and she was curious but never booked.
Fine, I emailed her back and we tried to set up a time. OMG. This woman gave me the hardest time! I told her what my hours were and then she starts emailing me back pushing for the hours when I am off. Sunday. Saturday night. Week nights after 8 pm. "Oh, I have Pilates. Oh, I don't go to bed until late and I want my (free) massage right before I go to bed. Oh, I want to go to tennis with my son" I tried explaining to her that I work regular hours like other people and that all she wanted was outside my regular hours. She was SO difficult to deal with - and she knew it was a "FREE" massage. We went back and forth for 2 weeks and by that time it was a moot point as I was alreday comfortable with Thai and was seeing paying clients. I just didn't reply to her last email. It was getting really tiresome. The whole point of my offering "Free" massages escaped her - that I was not giving them out for the heck of it and that needed to practice.
Moral: some people are pushy and do not appreciate our work. They just think since we like our job so much it's easy to mooch off us and expect free services while they don't expect them from other professions.
I am going to see this person at a aprty this Sat - will be interesting!
Got to go! i am doing FREE massages at an expo today

 

[michael c]

The fact that you weren't the one that suggested a free massage and she was pushing a free massage (the fact that she said it TWICE, so now it's like payment for her helping you, instead of her volunteering) is what would really annoy me here. If you helped someone move into a new apartment, just out of niceness you wouldn't tell them, ok, now you're going to take me out to dinner right. It might be nice of THEM to offer, but not for you to be pushy. I do think it's rude. And I've delt with plenty of people like them, and they are the type of people that want something for nothing.

I rent out my space from a doctor. The doctor rents from the building owner. The building owner already gets VERY discounted massages, and I get to use the building's washer and dryer. Yet he STILL jokingly (even though you know it's not really jokingly) says things about how I should give him a free massage for this or that.

Talking about me giving you a free massage is a quick way to see my sarcastic side. :roll: