Raquel@Allure, & a Return to Blue Pearl

[Michelle L]

The visit to Allure was a few weeks ago...actually, I was heading towards Moulin Rouge to see Liz, but I was stuck in traffic. When I called 2 mins after my scheduled appointment time, I was told that my appointment was already given to someone else...great...not too thrilled about the arrangement...so off to Allure I went.

Like many have mentioned before, Raquel is hot. Nice tan, tight body. There was a thread regarding whether mileage will increase with repeat visits...That was my first time seeing her, and I thought mileage wise for a place where NR is the top option, I thought I got a pretty good end of the deal. For some reason I thought Raquel's facial feature reminded a lot of Shania Twain...but that's just me. Anyhow, massage, and release were both good...coversation was ok...but my only I guess complain is that I don't think she really remembers things that were discussed...she asked the same questions like 2-3 times during my 40 min stay. Which is fine...I guess at least she doesn't pretend she cares like how you guys were saying some MPA's MF with us...there was definitely none of that with Raquel. Just good massage, good time, with a good looking lady.


OK, Part 2....


I use to see Alana @ BP pretty often, but I haven't seen her for the past half a year at least. Nothing against her, it's just I guess all the negative press with BP (busts and stuff), along with the fact that Alana doesn't always have a set schedule...it just made it hard to arrange. Anyhow, I was able to see her a few days ago.

She still looks as good as I last saw her, maybe even better...think she's more settled now. Someone mentioned before that she has changed-both personality wise, and the way she approaches her sessions. Well, the session was still fun and enjoyable, and I did find that she has "matured" in the way she view things through our conversation that evening. But anyhow, there're enough reviews on Alana on the board, and that's not the reason why I wanted to write this post anyways.

For those who were wondering, Sal is back at the helm at BP. It had been 6-9 months since I last talked to him. He seemed disturbed and disappointed about how there seems to be a lot of BP bashing recently, and was trying to see why. Alana also mentioned this to me and wanted to see what was going on as well.

First off, this is no shill...I paid for my session so I'm not doing this for brownie points. Some of u might remember I had a post a while back regarding owners and MPA's and how we go for the MPA's and not the owners, but if the owners are pleasant to deal with, it just enhances the overall experience. Paul @ IT has always made me feel welcomed whenever I'm there as he'll take time to talk with me, and Sara @ Roommates is also someone I have a lot of respect for. Anyhow...my point...
It wasn't that long ago that it seems Sal had a lot of "friends" on the board, with the free BBQ, and giveaways and stuff...so how did things turn sour so quickly? Let's face it, he does try...all the food at the BBQ's and the free session comes out of his pocket at the end of the day. Blue Pearl is by far one of the nicest looking place around. It's kinda sad how it has been "attacked" recently. To me, like any other place, has its pros and cons. Yes, it's one of the nicest looking places...but yes, it's not the smoothest running place.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but yes, massageplanet.net is a review board. But it has turned into something much bigger even from the time when I first joined, which is maybe around 2 years. Aside from being a place when massageplanet.neties can find info. on the goods and the bads of places and people, it has also become a place when us the people have the power to influence the owners through complains, but more importanly suggestions so that 1. it brings in more money for the owners, but 2. more importantly, makes our hobbying experience more enjoyable.

The bottomline is that I'm sure Sal is just trying to run a successful business. And minus all the bad press, I know a lot of us enjoy BP as a place to go. So instead of just complaining, I think constructive suggestions to Sal will turn BP around and make it one of the better places to go again. My first sugguestion is for Sal to relook at the whole surcharge for credit card use again. It's a topic that has resurfaced from a few months ago. It's kinda like a sign of good will if changes are made. I think as hobbiests, as long as we see the owners making an effort in listening to our suggestions, in essence enpowering us to help "run" the facility sort of; then it's easier for us to kinda repeat with the place because then we feel some form of ownership.

It's late, and I know this is very long, and if you read most of it, thank you...maybe this is a very naive view for me to take...but I just thought I'll share it anyways...

 

[magicbird]

Well,i have only been there once but was totally disappointed and will not return.It is a reflection of your business when you ask someone if they have bben there before then try to rip-off the client becuase they have not been there before.Overcharging for a service by $40 over what others pay on the board going to the same place is abit much.If they cannot handle their fees then they will be in trouble business wise.Maybe places should havea set menu with prices listed so that the ladies dont ruin their businesses.Just my feelings on Blue Pearl and other places that i have been to.

 

[Edward Carson]

I have enjoyed the BBQ at BP in the past which was great. Thanks again to Sal.
However, at some point you have to get past any gimmicks and offer consistant good massages and a friendly attitude.
And this attitude must trickle down to every employee.

If you've been to SC or SB, you know what I mean where every girl caters to satisfying your needs (within reason of course) and making your stay enjoyable.

Ultimately this is a service where customers are paying in some cases, big money for a short time. They deserve to be treated with respect.
That said, the BP bashing has at times gotten out of hand.

 

[Lea]

I agree it has gotten out of hand, but people are still complaining that they are not informed of the "service charges" when they use interac or credit cards.

Until Sal puts up a sign, people are going to continue to bitch about it.

 

[Abby]

If you were to go to say garage A and you were to get poor service on your auto,would you take your auto back for more poor service.Or would you take your auto to garage B where you were treated fairly and you would not be cheated out of your hard earned money.If you would feel about this for a auto why would you not want this for yourself.If i visit a massage spa and get ripped off due to the MP overcharging me,i am not coming back for a further beating.I feel that the owners are responsible for the service that their providers give.Why not get the customers to fill out a response card when they are done,they put the cards in a locked box and the owner gets immediate feedback and then they can rectify the problem before it becomes a further problem and hurts their business.

 

[Kristin]

If its posted for everyone to see then it is not a problem, just like the atm's let you know what the charge is to withdraw cash...

 

[SwimIsAwesome =]]

In my opinion, what we are all saying is that we would like some consistency at BP so that we know what to expect from the management and attendants.

One reason that places like McDonalds are successful is that regardless of the quality of the product/service, it is consistent from visit to visit, or location to location. There are no surprises, the customer knows what to expect, and he gets it every time.

This is why HFH and IT are successful. The product/service is outstanding, PLUS they have nailed down the consistency factor.

Diane is great, I know Sal tries hard, the spa is beautiful and the location is convenient. All the ingredients for success are there. If Diane/Sal can get their staff and management to embody their service standards consistently (every day, every shift, every girl), alot of this discussion will disappear.

 

[bianca]

Raquel@Allure, & a Return to Blue Pearl

Casa_Nova, I just finish reading your concerns regarding BP. I started going to BP since last year. Here is my experience and I have no intention to mislead anyone or trying to paint a negative picture. The followings are strictly my opinions and my two cents.

I found BP to be conveniently located right off Allen Road. Its entrance from the back is well secluded. Their facilities are top notch in the GTA. There are always plenty of high quality towels in the room. It

 

[Lynnmarie]

Sixer, I concur with your comments. Once again, I'll be the first to agree that BP is not one of the most organized places. In all fairness though, Sal had been away for a few months...while I never got any attitude from the guy subbing in, I know he was no Sal either.

Yes, in the end it's our hard earned money, and we would want to spend it at a place where we know we'll get good service. I liked the Garage A and Garage B analogy. I would go to garage B as well if I got bad service from garage A. At the same time now, Garage A is kinda asking why they're losing business, and I was just suggesting that we should give some feed back to Sal and let him know some things that he should look out for so that instead of going to Garage B, we can feel comfortable going to both Garage A or B depending on "What kind of work we want to get done", or loacation or what not....I think having more options works in our favour.

Hopefully Sal will get a chance to read this thread and make some response to it.

 

[518]

What about the feedback card,im sure that with this kind of a system in place you will get prompt feedback from each and every customer.If there is a problem with any MP then the owner has a chance to fix this problem before it gets to a point of losing business.I also felt that the place has a good location nice and clean and better than average rooms.If the MP are not pulling their end of the bargain then you will lose business,it's that easy!I am not trying to bash this place just trying to give you a reason why i am hesitant to return to your establishment.If you had a comment card then you now have a chance to rectify your problems before they balloon!

 

[the boss]

I think that garage A should offer to open your hood and suck on your dipstick to prove how badly they want your business back - or am I just reading too much into the garage analogy?

 

[Ryan B]

yes, just a bit too much Timbit

 

[wendy c]

i am glad sal is back.

perhaps i am naive ... but maybe the guy needs some support for having to endure the unfair police treatment he experienced for simply operating a licensed facility ...?

both diane and sal's heart seems to be in the right place ...

i will continue to refer my clients to the establishment.

syn