When the therapist goes way over in time....

[MississippiQueen]

I got a massage last night with someone new. He is a friend of mine's kung fu teacher...... he does massage a bit on the side, nothing 'professional'. Meaning he isn't advertising himself that way, he only does massage on a referral bases.

He did a very fine job at the actual work, trust me! There were little things that were not right, environmental things. The atmosphere, the table, things like that. But I sort of figured it would be that way and I was there for the work!

He told me he charged $45 and my friend told me he works as long as he needs too. We started at 7:30ish, maybe closer to 7:45. We finished at 9:30! I was prone the whole time and when he was going to roll me over, he checked the time and said he ran out to time this session. Ah, whatever. I don't care about that.

But when I realized he worked so long, I started to wonder how much extra I should give him. I don't want to offend him, you know?

Would you give extra? If so, how much?

 

[Voistikiphete]

Nope, don't give extra. You went in for an hour (?) and were given an hour rate.
You didn't ask for more time.

 

[jessica t]

I agree, a therapist should never go over without confirming with the client that it is okay. If the therapist chooses to go over, he should never charge for the extra time since the person on the table may not feel comfortable saying no-thanks when offered (or informed.)

If the client ASKS for the session to be extended, the therapist should charge for the extra time.

 

[free_angel]

There was no scheduled time and I knew that going into it.
I gave him a big tip, thats for sure. He deserved it for the work.

 

[M-Tri]

When the therapist goes way over in time....

He told me he charged $45 and my friend told me he works as long as he needs too. . . . when he was going to roll me over, he checked the time and said he ran out to time this session.

It sounds like he doesn't set his price by time, but by session, regardless of length. If you wish to tip that is one thing, but if his session price is $45 (WOW that's low!), he most likely expects $45 in payment.

Although it seems a little odd that he would say he ran out of time, as if he had a problem managing the time or knew that an hour 45 was his session limit.

 

[None-of-ur-business]

For me as far as tipping goes, if it feels good do it. But never feel obligated.

 

[rich935]

He actually worked on me for nearly 2 hours so I wasn't complaining. lol

It is an uusual situation but I feel ok now with what I gave him. I just hate to look like a cheapie. lol

 

[Stinky F]

I wouldn't worry about it softhearted...it was his choice to work overtime. He probably got into the tissue and wanted to work it all out.

Sometimes this happens to me when I am working at home at this point in my practice. I explain to my clients though that this was my choice and that this occassion called for it AND I always check with my client that it is not infringing on their schedules.

I plan on getting better about this though because I realize with this an expectation could be set by my clients in the future that may start expecting extra and would feel hurried out if I cut it to an hour.

For me I spend a lot of time on initial intake, assessment before and after. This is how I continue to learn.

It was definitely his choice though.

 

[Bear]

I agree it was his choice.
He just does it on the side. It probably doesn't matter to him how long it takes. Also, since it's just on the side, he may not be putting a large portion (40/50percent or so) back into the business. Less expenses=more take home.

 

[Philip H]

I have some clients that I go over with on a regular basis. About 1/2 way through the massage, if I think this one needs to be a longer one, I ask them if they are in rush to get home. If they're not, I tell them I might go a little over. If they say they've got to be somewhere, I pick up the pace, but if not, I just continue until I'm done.

I would never expect payment because I went over. It's my choice, not theirs. Sometimes I get nice, big fat tips, and sometimes I get a really nice, appreciative 'thank you', and sometimes I get a reschedule where I might not have. Once a client sees how long I've had to work on them to get them unknotted and destresed, they realize they should probably come more often, and they reschedule.

Meryl

 

[Rik]

I find that to be a very effective way of doing things too Meryl. It usually works out well for all concerned. Besides, it's fun for me to really get into it and I don't like to be rushed. I schedule myself to accommodate such flexibilty.

 

[sweet_heart]

I have found to many start to expect it. But now I do it so rarely that my loyal ones will throw in some extra cash.

This issue with my last massage that I recieved wasn't that he went over. There really wasn't an 'over' since he never said how long it would be. I sure wish I could afford to work that way. :

I will go back to him, most definately.

 

[Brian]

Right, it wasn't "over." He's not concerned with the time or the expenses.

I sometimes go over a few minutes and I have the client's permission to do so and they know it is "on the house." I really hope they wouldn't feel obligated to pay me more because of this. If I think they would, I let them know how much time I leave in between clients and that the few minutes leeway is standard.