How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'deal'.

[Pompal 09.]

I've got a pretty close friend that would like to get a massage but wants me to cut her a deal. Granted, I've been licensed since June and I'm taking another therapists clients while she is on the mend from wrist surgery so I have very low overhead.  But I don't want to start something where I start cutting prices for everybody cause they are a friend/acquaintance etc.  I'm sure someone has dealt with this issue before. How do you deal with it?  I already give immediate family (sisters, BIL, mom/dad, neices/nephews) a 50% discount if they come to the house.  And if I go over to my mom's, let's just say that I spend nearly an hour 'working' on family down in the floor. Maybe $10 off first visit?  Right now, while I'm seeing the other therapist's clients for her I'm charging $55 (same as her) for one hour.  When I leave there (in about 2 months) I'm probably going to have to raise my rates.

 

[Sun Hwa-Kwon]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

$10 off is a decent discount - although she is probibaly looking for a real steal, how convenient for her she has an MT for a friend! آ  آ I don't blame her for trying,آ I'd love a massage at a deeeep discount too! آ But you have bills to pay too and she'll understand that.  The upgrade is an awesome idea - still a great discount and in return you can get some exposure, I think I'll use that tactic in the future! آ As for visiting family and being put to work, UGH I HATE that! آ I really hate that, You have your license, you are working and doing it for a living now, you have had plenty of "practice" (If its something really hurting someone I love to help - but a visit dosnt equal a free massage-a-thon.) آ When someone starts droping the hint - "ohhhh I realllly need a massage...hint.....hint" I usually just answer "You and me both buddy!" , I leave it at that and change the subject, Its soooo easy to get started on rubbing the whole family on your day off. آ 

 

[Xtreme Poetess]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

I'm never quite sure how to respond either... but I do offer a discount, or an upgrade for time, but not both. I offer either 1/2 free (90 min for the price of 60) or $20 off ($50 instead of $70) for a session. I figure this is quite fair. I don't live near many family members, so I don't have to worry about that!   Jenn

 

[Jordan :)]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

I massage my family for free.  But it is just my mom, dad, and sister.  They make an appointment.  My dad likes me to work on his arthritic thumb joint whenever we see each other, I'll spend 15-20 min while we all talk.  Otherwise I act like I did before I became a massage therapist.  If my sister wanted her low back massaged before I became an MT I would do it in my layperson way, so if I am not in my office, not with my table, I just rub them a way a family member would.  We all live about an hour and a half away, so we only see each other once a month or so.I don't have close friends in this town so I don't have a problem with them.  

 

[mm92280]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

I decided on a policy early on.  I give a $20 discount to friends and family members.....the distant ones.  Immediately family is free of course.  I have NEVER been asked by any of my family and friends if I would give them a discount or give them a free massage.  Most will argue with me about the price when I offer their discount.  They are very careful not to take advaneforum.xxxe of me.  I am very fortunate.  My brother-in-law has hinted a few times about volunteering if I needed to "practice".  As has been said before, I am long past the "practice" seforum.xxxe.  I did ask him once to be a body when I had learned a new modality and needed different body types to practice on.  When I was in school, he never asked me how it was going.  He never asked if I had found a job.  He never congratulated me when I opened my own office.  I don't feel like being very generous towards him.  I never offer to give him a massage because he EXPECTS it for FREE.  When I'm at any type of gathering and people say they could use a massage and seem to be hinting that I work on them right there, I will offer them my card and suggest they call to make an appointment.  They usually get the message.  It's best to think about the different scenarios that could arise, make your policy, practice what your response might be and then stick with it.  Don't feel guilty either.  Have you ever seen a dentist looking in someone's mouth at a picnic?    

 

[Pompal 09.]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

Have you ever seen a dentist looking in someone's mouth at a picnic?

;D LOL  ;DThat's too true...

 

[Coconut Guy]

How to deal with friends/family wanting a 'dea

very smart move Melody. I could tell the friends when they hint around for discounts. Sure, but you need to provide the massage oil and bring your own sheets.   Would this be worth say $10 off?