package prices

[qdb]

I could use some advice please. What kind of "discounts" do you give for a package of sessions? I recently had a couple of potential clients ask if they scheduled regularly, i.e. weekly or every other week, what sort of pricing would I offer. And I was also asked if they purchased several sessions, what type of discount would I offer. Currently, I'm conducting outcalls and charging $55 for a one hour session, which about the middle range of what is available in my city. Any advice you could send my way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Premier Lady]

I had the same issue you did, didn't have packages and then clients asked So I whipped something up - haven't had any takers however yet.
HEre is what I offer, I charge $55 for an hour as well so this would be very comparable. It isn't much saving, but really when you figure it out - if someone was to buy the 12, I think I would be making slightly more than what I do for a 1/2 hour massage, it's hard to cut down prices but .....

4 – 1 Hour Massage Sessions: $198
(Save $22 – a 10% savings)
8 – 1 Hour Massage Sessions: $352
(Save $88 – a 20% savings)
12 – 1 Hour Massage Sessions: $495
(Save $165 – a 25% savings)

 

[Champion]

Thanks so much for such a quick reply - it helps alot. Are you doing outcalls or do you have a space?

 

[?Lil.Miss.Odd.Bodd ?]

We do buy 10 get one free. People like free. It works out to be a 9% savings and we sell quite a few packages.

A lot of therapists do a buy 10 save 10%, if you go much higher than that, in my opinion, you are giving to much of a discount.

I would go broke selling packages of 12 for a 25% savings. That breaks down to $41.25 per session or buy 9 get 3 free. Way way too much of a discount IMHO.

 

[DanP]

I like that. I want to be able to give my clients something special and some kind of a break, at the same time I don't want to undercut myself either. Thanks!

 

[dheyenne]

one more question - are you in a space or doing outcalls?

 

[one shot]

I have an office and do not do outcalls at this time. I have thought about it, but my associate isn't crazy about the idea. If I did offer it, I would charge an extra $25 per session as a traveling fee. I would require single out call apointments to be 90 minute sessions. If a couple wanted back to back sessions, I would do an hour session for each person and give a slight price break on the second clients traveling fee, probably give them a $10 price break on the second appointment.

 

[amanda g]

I would like to have a space and discontinue the outcall service. I'm not charging an extra fee for the outcalls, but am keeping them to my area of town. I've bee a therapist for 3 years, but just started seriously trying to build my business within the last 6 months. Other than trying to obtain clients, setting prices and sticking to it has the been hardest thing for me. When I'm speaking to a potential client I tend to want to drop my price to try to get them to book. I'm getting better, but do need to work on it.

 

[Carla Rawr]

I offer my clients a "Purchase 5, get 6th free" package. It applies to all my services (half hour, hour, hot stones, prenatal, etc) I haven't had any takers yet though.

 

[x :) x]

Meecindy,

It is not all about the discount. You could add on a extra service, like a free paraffin dip or a free hot towel foot wrap. These things cost hardly anything, but they add big percieved value.

Since you are doing outcalls, it can be difficult to incorporate extras because you have to carry all of the stuff in. My ideas are more suited to an office setting.

You don't charge anything extra for outcalls, huh? You may want to rethink that. Some of your clients won't like it, but some won't even flinch about it. If you are looking for a space and plan on finding it in the next year or so, perhaps charging an extra $15 for outcalls, and then dropping it when you find your spot.

 

[Lily]

We offer a 10% discount if a client prepays for 4 or more services. This gives our regular clients a price break and offers an incentive for gift certificate purchusers to increase the # of gc's they will buy.

Angie

 

[Luis]

We don't offer the discount to gift certificates. To us, prepoaids and gift certs are two different animals.

 

[lizzedess]

meecindy, I have my own office. I thought about doing the buy # get 1 free, but figured this way at least I am getting paid for each massage.... Idon't know, I only started up 4 months ago so maybe things will change.

 

[jess:]]

I offer a package of 5 and get the 6th for free to local clients only, and only on massages at my studio. Tourists pay full price every time. I do have quite a few people on "local packages" which means they are better at getting worked on more regularly. I realize this is a great savings to them and a loss for me, but I honestly think it gets them in for massages more frequently than those not on packages, so it works out.

 

[pureinsomniac]

Wow, such great responses - thank you!! You all have given me much to think about. I do think I give my clients a great service for the price. As I said earlier my biggest issue with this business has been the money part of it and being confident that I will obtain clients that will pay what I ask. Thanks again, y'all have reminded me to be confident in myself.

Thanks again!