time to raise rates?

[Mother Amethyst]

Just a question that I am curious about...how often on an average do you raise your rates? thanks!

 

[Shep]

I raised mine once in 4 years :}

 

[sexybutt]

Hi bodymovers, thats pretty good..

 

[amanda g]

I hated raising them, too. Is it time to raise yours? :}

 

[Peter B]

We raise ours every 3-4 yrs. It just depends on what the going rate is in our area.

Angie

 

[Dj Pep]

I'm curious, has the evolution of places like Massage Envy changed the way anyone raise their rates?

 

[Slapstick]

i've changed mine once in 2 years, when we moved from a 600 sqft office to a 1600 sqft office. and at that time i just bumped up $5 from 65-70, etc.

knock on wood - we have no massage envy here. but i'm no fool, i know it'll be here eventually.

 

[ViktoriaXVicious]

I'm curious, has the evolution of places like Massage Envy changed the way anyone raise their rates?

You should raise them higher and faster with ME in the picture. Put as much distance between you and them so clients won't think about comparing.

We don't have ME near our spa, but we raised rates 6 mos after we opened. We started off matching the prices of the top spas in town, but when we heard so many clients oohing and aahing we raised them 15 - 20% and no one said a word.

If your clients love you, they will pay what you are worth, ME or no ME

 

[Pompal 09.]

well, i raised them five dollars per treatment two years ago..but I noticed that therapists around me do charge like five or ten dollars more than me, and I'm just wondering if it's time to raise mine..my rates are:
30 for half hour, 50 one hour, 70 for hour and a half..so, I may wait but just thinking about it ahead of time. I had an instructor tell us once that you raise your rates when your booked two months ahead? I don't know..

 

[Navi]

2 years. I'm due for a raise... End of December I'll raise some of my rates.

 

[mktmonitor]

I'm curious, has the evolution of places like Massage Envy changed the way anyone raise their rates?

You should raise them higher and faster with ME in the picture. Put as much distance between you and them so clients won't think about comparing.

If your clients love you, they will pay what you are worth, ME or no ME

I agree.

 

[AngelFace]

I've raised mine every 2 years. I never intentionally set it at that interval; it's just turned out that way, based on market value. Jacqueline, if your rates are lower than other MT's in your area, it's definitely time to raise them. You don't have to wait a certain amount of time, or until your schedule's a certain % booked.

When I raise my rates, I just put a sign up 2 months in advance that says:

New Rates Effective (insert date):
30 min $____
60 min $____
90 min $____
2 hour $____

I put it up in two places: the treatment room, right where my clients hang their clothes; and on my desk, right where people sit to write their checks. That way it's hard to miss. This also limits the number of conversations you need to have about the change, making it a matter-of-fact announcement instead. No explanations or excuses needed.

You deserve a raise! Good luck!

 

[Kitty L]

thank you for the replys everyone..very helpful...

 

[midnighteden]

I raised mine a year after I started, then not again until June of this year (it was 19 months after they were raised the first time). Each time it was only $5. I probably won't raise them again until October of 2008 (it will be my 4th year in my office).

 

[oregano13]

It's been 3 years since I've had a rate increase, but we are renovating 2 new rooms and adding an adjoining bathroom to move my massage area into, so now would be a good time for me. I usually try to increase every 3 years or so.

wellnessgarden

 

[rickrudge]

I'm moving to a new office space, and I'm raising my 60 minute from $45 to $50. 75 min and 90 will stay the same ($60 & $70)


I had gotten some interesting (and I thought good) advice from another therapist-
Raising your rates in Fall instead of 1st of the Year, especially if you plan on selling a lot of gift certificates, because then they will be sold with your new rate.

 

[maballer1]

On an average it's about once ever 6 years. I make a pretty big hike when I raise though.

 

[Ryan Stanford]

On an average it's about once ever 6 years. I make a pretty big hike when I raise though.

How big usually?

 

[ms manners]

Last time was $15.00.

I went from $60 to $75.