How should I reply?

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Just received this email today:

"We’re coming to Cozumel in two weeks. What do you charge? Florida massages are $45/hour. I’m assuming a massage in mexico is at least half that price."

Based on the time of day he sent the email, I tracked his visit to my website. He spent 20 seconds on my home page, then went directly to my "Contact" page, sent the email and exited. He never went to my "Massage" page and therefore did not see my very plainly listed price of $60 per hour regardless of modality.

I could:

A. Answer briefly with my price
B. Explain that Cozumel is a resort destination and as such, prices might be higher than expected.
C. Explain his massage choices on the island: spa, beach, private therapist and the prices he should expect to pay for each.
D. Not answer the email at all.

I'm open to additional suggestions.

 

[Akshay]

I would tell him I know people in Florida (which you do through this board) and I are sure he can get a massage in Florida for $45, but I also know he could get a massage for $200 in Florida. Send him a link to your rates and tell him about your training, certificates, insurance, mention you are priced competitivly in your area , have a busy practice, and see many tourists who gladly pay what you are asking. If he would like to pay you're going rate you will gladly make appointments for him and anyone else who will pay your published rate.

 

[Bluenash]

He sounds like a jerk.

If he wanted to know your price he could have researched your site better. Since he decided to email to ask, a normal person would just ask your pricing schedule without the odd remark at the end.

I wouldn't be too concerned about annoying him. I would just email back with the prices and a link to the page on your site. Short and sweet.

 

[Soul Boogers]

I see two main ways to go:

a) He didn't spend much energy on you, so don't spend much energy on him... my first reaction was, "I'm with GreenDragonfly!" Of course this can be very valid. Short, sweet, professional, respecting yourself without disrespecting this person, regardless of the comment in the email... other people's actions don't determine you.

b) Then I wondered if he sent that email to a dozen or so MTs... if so, you do have a chance to differentiate yourself from them. Take option B+C, addressing his remark as a valid concern regarding price rather than an irritatingly rude sign of price shopping, and overdeliver value... only if you can do so with the right energy... because even if this person doesn't book with you, that energy's comin' back to you. Make it good!

Either way, my question for you is: who do you want to be in the world?

 

[joy_gone_wild]

Suggest he gets his massage before leaving Florida?

I would probably *really* pick C. I'd keep it brief, but let him in on reality. I wouldn't be competing for his business, though.

 

[Hannahtater]

Personally, I wouldn't even reply to the email. Just delete.

 

[David L]

Personally, I wouldn't even reply to the email. Just delete.

ditto!

 

[Heline B]

Answer "Interesting Assumption!" LOL, jk.

State your price. Add that's it's the going rate, if you'd like.

Think "Nice try P/A Bully" :grin:
OTOH, seems like he really needs a massage, huh? :twisted:

 

[Fuzzy]

Send him a link to the web page where your prices and policies are spelled out, and invite him to make an appointment after reviewing that information.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Tell him if he wants a cheap massage in Mexico he can scour the back streets to find it.

Some peoples kids. :roll:

 

[bella blue]

I'd get a bad vibe from that presumptuous devaluation...and would be tempted to say, "For you? Oh, you can't afford what I'd have to charge for dealing with you!" Life's too short for that kind of crap and I'm too busy dealing with great people who get me.

Okay, now th ereality check: I'd be tempted, but I wouldn't say it. I just wouldn't reply. Somebody said it right about the cost/benefit analysis of the energy expenditure. Not worth it.

 

[griersetrorry]

Okay here's what I did, the justification follows...

Hello Potential Client Name,

Although there are many bargains to be found in Mexico, such as silver and vanilla, Cozumel is a resort destination and services such as massage are priced higher than you expect. Your choices for massage in Cozumel include:

A. Going to a spa, where a massage therapist with little to no training, who speaks little to no English, will charge you $70-100 per 50 minute massage
B. Going to a beach, where a massage therapist with little to no training, who speaks little to no English, will charge you $1 per minute, $60 per hour
C. Going to a private therapist such as myself, who can communicate with you easily and is U.S. certified with specialized training in Ashiatsu

I am delighted to hear you have found a therapist in Florida who only charges $45. On average, therapists in your state do charge more, especially in resort locations.

Please take a moment to view my website at:

http://www.barefootincozumel.com

In particular, the massage page outlines the different types of massage I offer and my price. If you are interested in making an appointment, please let me know as soon as you can, as my schedule fills up quickly.

Thank you very much,

Sally Hurwitch
Barefoot in Cozumel

***

First, I will admit that I had loads of snappy responses running through my head that I would never send. It all boiled down to whether I would put zero energy into it or really respond in a manner that both clarified my own personal business and Mexico in general. Anything in between opens the door to criticism which, in this internet age, can reach a lot of people. I am, I write proudly, #13 of "Things To Do in Cozumel" on Trip Advisor, out of 126! That puts me on their first page and I am getting loads of hits daily as a result. One more review, soon to be written by a client who saw me last week, should bump me into the top ten. So far, nothing negative has ever been written about me or my practice, so I am concerned about offending this guy. Plus it's just not my style.

Many thanks to everyone for their input. You can see how I incorporated many of your suggestions. I'll let you know if I hear back from him although given his first email, I consider it highly unlikely.

 

[Gnuella]

Very nice, Sally, which is what I expected you would do.

 

[PaulKnorr]

You did just what I would've done. The letter was spot on.

You maintained professionalism, provided a link to the info he needed, and gave him a slight gut-check by the very act of not letting his very possible thoughtlessness provoke you out of your professional demeanor. He didn't agressively insult you and your response didn't agressively push back, but you didn't give an inch either.

I have clients who acted like this at first who actually have some pretty serious jobs and sometimes just become oblivious to how inhumane they've become. You'd be suprised how loyal they can be and grateful to not be around a typical "Yes (Wo)man" for once.

 

[Speedster]

Kudo's for your response! It shows the same style & class you've always shown here, & as you've also represented in your website too. May you make it into the top 5 of things to do in Cozumel!

 

[Christa D]

Nice!

Well, if I ever get to Cozumel you will be the first person I come to see and I'll get an Ashiatsu massage!

Thanks for sharing this here Barefoot/Sally!

 

[Crafty Max]

Does Mexico have MT regulations?? How will you know for sure they are an MT?? Can you say someone will massage you with little or no training instead? Could that be a true statement?

 

[H B]

Okay here's what I did, the justification follows...

Hello Potential Client Name,

Although there are many bargains to be found in Mexico, such as silver and vanilla, Cozumel is a resort destination and services such as massage are priced higher than you expect. Your choices for massage in Cozumel include:

A. Going to a spa, where a massage therapist with little to no training, who speaks little to no English, will charge you $70-100 per 50 minute massage
B. Going to a beach, where a massage therapist with little to no training, who speaks little to no English, will charge you $1 per minute, $60 per hour
C. Going to a private therapist such as myself, who can communicate with you easily and is U.S. certified with specialized training in Ashiatsu

I am delighted to hear you have found a therapist in Florida who only charges $45. On average, therapists in your state do charge more, especially in resort locations.

Please take a moment to view my website at:

http://www.barefootincozumel.com

In particular, the massage page outlines the different types of massage I offer and my price. If you are interested in making an appointment, please let me know as soon as you can, as my schedule fills up quickly.

Thank you very much,

Sally Hurwitch
Barefoot in Cozumel

***

First, I will admit that I had loads of snappy responses running through my head that I would never send. It all boiled down to whether I would put zero energy into it or really respond in a manner that both clarified my own personal business and Mexico in general. Anything in between opens the door to criticism which, in this internet age, can reach a lot of people. I am, I write proudly, #13 of "Things To Do in Cozumel" on Trip Advisor, out of 126! That puts me on their first page and I am getting loads of hits daily as a result. One more review, soon to be written by a client who saw me last week, should bump me into the top ten. So far, nothing negative has ever been written about me or my practice, so I am concerned about offending this guy. Plus it's just not my style.

Many thanks to everyone for their input. You can see how I incorporated many of your suggestions. I'll let you know if I hear back from him although given his first email, I consider it highly unlikely.

NICE!!! Much respect, Sally.

 

[smile]

Peacenut, there are no regulations in Mexico for MT's, so when I say "MT" it's a label, not a title. Your point is well taken.

Surprise, surprise, I received a reply:

Hello Sally,

with the economy ailing and expecting to slow even more, prices on all goods and services have been falling, as I’m sure you’ve seen. Its only a matter of time until prices come barreling down. We’re in a classic economic case deflationary environment. Anyone that wants to make a descent living will soon realize that they’ll have to work harder and for less money. It’s the sign of the times Sally. So let me know if you can do $25/hr and I’ll offer you 4 hours massage work when we arrive in Cozumel.

***

ALLLLLLL sorts of nasty comments are running through my head now! I'll probably just send a "No thank you" if I send anything at all. Let me add that he never went back to my website to check my price.

What do you think?

 

[MargieY]

Shake it off and move on. He isn't worth it. Chances are, he is a millionaire too. The wealthy ones seem to be the ones that like to barter. I was just discussing this with a friend who is in the middle of an issue involving discounting that has turned into asking for more discount that they truly don't need. I told her in my opinion, IF someone needs massage and can't afford it, they will either schedule short sessions but rarely be bold enough to ask for discount.