Sliding scale fees

[Rah-rah <3]

Hi all

I was just looking at a massage therapy business website where to encourage clientele to keep up with having regular massage, making it more affordable they offer rewards in the form of fees on a sliding scale.

Here's what I mean.....(Hourly rate in AUD $$$) depending on frequency of treatments.

Occasional ($75 p/hr)
Monthly ($60)
F/nightly ($50)
Weekly ($40)

What do y'all think? Does anyone have a system like this in their clinic?
I'm not sure how it would work. Any thoughts?

Cheers
Oz

 

[lemon]

It is an interesting concept, and one that I have thought about, but where do you draw the line, what about cancellations? Do they have to book in advance? Pay in advance? (Just questions that come to mind). Is this a multiple therapist practice?

If I did something like this, I would not go quite so steep for the discounts, maybe do something like:

Occasional ($75 p/hr)
Monthly ($70)
F/nightly ($65)
Weekly ($60)


Currently, I will offer $5 off a next appointment if they rebook immediately, and $10 off a session if they pay for 4 in advance.

Something to think about.

 

[jlyn]

I don't actually have this on my website yet, though I've had this in practice for almost the entire time I've been practicing (almost a year! LOL). When I have a new client, I send them a "thank you for choosing me" type letter, and tell them about my referral discount (which I'm in the process of revamping), as well as my rebooking discount:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Standing Appointment Discounts
When you schedule massage appointments on either a monthly or bi-weekly schedule, you will be rewarded with savings of up to $260 per year! Just schedule standing massage appointments and pay the reduced rate when you keep the appointment.

Regular rate $x / hour
Monthly rate $x-5 / hour (save $60 yearly!)
Bi-weekly rate $x-10 / hour (save $260 yearly!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Similar to Talenyn's policy, while they're there for an appt, I will mention this rebooking discount, so that if they want to schedule their next appt, they can save $5-10 if they keep that appt. And then at that next appt, they book their next appt with the same opportunity for a discount. I need to find a way to reword my letter, because it makes it sound like you have to have a "set" appt time (7pm on Tuesdays), but it doesn't necessarily have to be the same time each appt. Now, if they get sick and reschedule immediately, I will still honor the discount, but if they cancel and then reschedule at some other time, I don't give the discount.

I also agree with Talenyn, that those discounts on the website you mentioned seem pretty steep.

 

[Aaronx12]

I ended my standing appointment discounts on the 1st.

My frequency discount rate was for every week or every two weeks. It was very successful, to the point where I could no longer accept appointments at certain times of the day because they were filled with standing appointment discount people.

But I started to resent the discount and the monotony of my client base. I started to feel a bit seforum.xxxnant in my work and I was prone to boundary issues with enforcing my policies with my standing appointment discount people.

I feel much better now that I just have my regular rates.

Just to give a different slant on the subject.

 

[Pompal 09.]

AKB - Thanks for that perspective. I think this discount is more for those trying to build their client base (and encourage regular clients). I've considered the fact that (hopefully) there will come a day when I will have to end the discount, because I won't have any available spaces because of all my regulars scheduled!

 

[FL410]

I do offer packages which end up being about 10% off, in addition to the consistent appointments. I have two fee structures, because I raise my new client rate more often than my old-timer rate.

Currently, Monthly rates are the same as drop-in
Bi-weekly take $10 off
Weekly take $15 off

If they book immediately for one to two weeks in the future, they pay the monthly rate for the current session, and the following appointment rate based on the length of time between. They can KEEP that discount if they KEEP booking, but once they miss one it goes back to the monthly rate. I don't ask for payment in advance at this point so it's up to them to keep the rate. I've ben thinking of offering a "massage club" price, where they pay monthly and come weekly or bi-weekly, but if they miss a visit they owe the balance for drop in at their next session. Dunno, still pondering...

 

[Sunshine Smile]

Oh - and when I opened up the thread, I though you meant offering a sliding scale based on financial need...which I've also done.

Honor based, accepted what they could pay but ended that awhile ago. I want to support people in getting the care they need, however it didn't prompt regular clients, simply "drive throughs" who came once and never again.

 

[Vampire Lord]

AKB - Thanks for that perspective. I think this discount is more for those trying to build their client base (and encourage regular clients). I've considered the fact that (hopefully) there will come a day when I will have to end the discount, because I won't have any available spaces because of all my regulars scheduled!

Sorry I wasn't very clear. This type of discount is exactly how I built my client base of standing appointment clients. It is very useful in building a client base fairly quickly and wonderful to know there are people on the books. It works.

When I joined the forum there were many many great therapists here who advocated for building up a client base of regulars who felt the work was worth the therapist's regular rate. People budget for what they feel is important in their lives. At the time I agreed (in theory) but I really needed money and I didn't want to take a job doing something else in order to slowly build up a client base who would pay my prices as they were.

For a variety of reasons, after three years of working with the same people, I was getting burnt out and resentful. So I ended the discount program for everyone, not just new clients. I now only work with one price schedule.

I actually ended the frequency discount to new clients last summer and I still picked up weekly and bi-weekly clients who pay full price. Even a couple of my discount clients are completely able to pay full price while still on their current session schedule. So I really feel the frequency discount was about my feelings about money at the time and not the reality of what people are able to pay. My perspective on regular appointments has changed from the experience as well.

In any case, that is the perspective I would like other therapists to thoughtfully consider as they look to how they will build a client base. But I am not really against the discount program, just that it can be a bit messy to clean up if it ever becomes a burden.

 

[Arlo]

WEll, sliding scale is more based on income. I think what the OP is asking about is a discount plan for regular clients.

It is a good way to build up regular business. I don't do it anymore because I can't continually fit someone in my schedule weekly. I will do it for a short time, then I recommend they see someone else.