OMG

that's shocking. what did you do? can i ask how much they charge?

it's hard to believe that ANYBODY would answer the phone when they're with a client... actually i'm not very happy about them doing that where i get pedicures

But during A MASSAGE? You should at least write a review on google maps or something...

I assume the place was legit, i.e. - no extras offered. In that case, I ask to speak to manager. If the one giving the massage is the manager, I use word of mouth and never go back. And no, I do NOT leave a tip. Basically, the same way I treat a bad experience at an oil change place, restaraunt or other retail establishment. I wear my expressions on my sleeve so most know when I am not pleased. The stupid ones ask me what is wrong and I have no issue with telling them.

If the place was not legit, I ask to speak to Mamasan and complain. The tip has already been given by that point. If I get no placation or offer of making it up, I tell my friends and never go back.

Now for fair balance, I do go to legit place about once a week and the ladies there are quite familiar with me. I have experienced times when their cell will ring. They apologize, take the call, say they will call back, and then turn off their cell phone or turn it to silent. But NEVER has this happened multiple times in a single session.

Quick true story - was on receiving end of shot in hip from nurse back in December. My cell phone rang. Startled me and I reared up, my actions startled nurse and she bore down. Damn needle felt like it buried to the bone. Learned my lesson, I absolutely make it a point to turn off my cell phone when going to Doctor or any service provider.

Tangent comment - I did have ONE experience with a provider. We were in the chit-chat portion as we had never met. She kept taking calls, her phone was on vibrate. I told her that if I had come at a bad time I could always come back. She said no, it was okay. She did not get my subtle hint. I responded, "You sure? I'm sure those calls are way more important than me." She got the hint and turned off the phone. Still, I never went back.

SL, I am sorry you had a bad experience, if you ever get to my neck of the woods, let me know and I can give you some reccos on where you can get a good massage at a reasonable value.

AMP'S are famous for that, really that is why i prefer not to go to them they will leave the phone outside the door and anwser it everytime, and sometimes they say i will be right back and you hear them talking to someone else for a few minutes. I heard a great one on anouther site i guy went into the place did not no for sure if it was legit or not he said the girl stayed dressed but teased him abit he tryed to get a rub and tug or anything at this time she was not into it he said will you stay and watch me she said ok and right when he was getting to the point she opened the door and left and left the door open.

That is BEYOND unprofessional .

I wouldn't of even paid for that massage really you should of gave them hell.
It is supposed to be the CLIENTS time, not the massage therapists.

The place was legit... nice , clean, with reasonable prices for NYC - 1h for $50

Me being non-confrontational person, I tipped the second girl 10 bucks (it was not her fault manager behaved as total ass) and left.

But the whole experience made me wonder, am I more attuned to customer service since I have to provide very personal services and maintain pretty top notch standards?

I just KNOW if i had conducted MY business that way i would be out of it in a jiffy!

Lina

Aah, I misseed the connection about the first lady being the manager and the switch to a worker. In that case, I would most likely have done the same as you with respect to tip and I would not have wasted my time with talking to manager. Just curious, how long before the switch?

I have no idea about the level of customer service you provide or those top notch standards - but iffin ya wants an opinion - just c'mon down

I have a regular MT I go to and one night she had to take calls as the other girl couldn't speak english very well. Before the massage she asked if it was okay though. Big difference asking permission and just plain poor customer service.

Well well.. If it's in NYC and $50 for the hour... that explains a lot.

I'd rather get a half hour at a really good place.

$60 seems to be the norm for legit one hour in ATL. Ironically, male masseuses advertsie $40 per hour, but I have no feedback on them.

When my dates arrives at the door I turn my phone off and and I ask him to do the same. I had friends over the other night for dinner and I turned my phone off then too.....When you have company let alone paying for a massage it is down right rude and if you have a sick then put it on vibrate and excuse yourself to the rest room and return the call.... What ever happened to plain good ole manners.... Oh BTW I wouldn't answer that phone after she had oil all over it eweweewewewe:(

Male therapists have a big problem in the industry. Unfortunately the schools want to make money and don't tell them how bad it is.

"The norm" is what you pay at places that treat their therapists rather badly - or for independent therapists who only rent a small room and are never able to answer the phone.

I work at a place where the rate for one hour is $85. My co-workers are the best therapists I know of. It's awesome because we all can trade massages and it's great for our clients, because they know whoever they are scheduled with, they get great work.

"treat their therapists badly" - elaborate please.

I think she meant they aren't as popular as we women are .
which i would have to agree.
it's sadly seeming like a one sided industry now.
Men have a harder time making it work for them.
well' unless they offer extra services
like my neighbor Larry LOL he's making bank with his "tantra massage".

Pardon my rant here:

I agree with the rate her job charges too,
a lot of clients that have annoyed me in the past when I would only offer straight massage
they don't realize that VERY GOOD indy's,
spa's and chiropractors everywhere charge $80 or more for a LEGITIMATE massage.
so I assume they don't realize the difference between a chain, spa or a medical massage practice .
Massage envy or whatever spa are chain joints,
they are a wealthy corporations.
so they can afford to offer half ass massages for less $$ & treat people like crap along the way
bc they will always make money despite that reputation,
they have high employee turn over & it varies on what kind of service you'll get .

an indy that does that is uncalled for plain and simple, it's career suicide . IMHO

from experience I avoid chain places or anything corporate besides a chriopractor like the plague .
I even avoid AVEDA, i don't care how good it smells
they tend to see u only as dollar signs & not as person despite what they claim.
the first thing these people are trained to do is upsell for products bc they get commission off them.
forget the new age, gong ringing stuff LOL get the dang knot out and don't interrupt my time .

V - absolutely not taking issue over $25 difference. I was just saying what the norm was in ATL for a therapuetic massage. Market prices vary. In my area, one can get a good, legit massage by a successful independent in my area for $60. And I am not talking about the posh resort or the crisco in a box (Massage Envy) type places either.

As for the guys - The irony is my first real PT type massage was given by a guy and he was great. Now, I would not even consider a male masseuse - and please, I admit to the hypocritical double standard, in that I am like Popeye - I yam what I yam.

My question to Lucia was meant to ask what constitues legit massuese being treated badly by places that charge the norm? I stress I am focused on legit places for the purposes of the question.

What is AVEDA?

I guess I have it pretty good in ATL based on the last couple of threads I have seen in terms of agencies, indies, and massages. Now if it would only stop raining for a weekend....

oh ok, I misunderstood your question then
yeah those cubicle massage joints really treat employees like sh** too.
low pay, over worked .

AVEDA is a corporation known for their cruelty free "organic" & "natural" makeup hair skin care,they have all these spas/training institutes everywhere (it's mpls based but
there are several AVEDA sponsored snooty salons/spas in about every city.
they charge like $85- $120 for an hour massage(depends on where/what you get).

I started getting medical massage therapy bc places like that
seemed more interested in selling me lotion and booking future appointments
as opposed to treating my ailments and allowing me my "ME" time
where as medical/chiropractic massage charges about the same, only it goes on my insurance & I pay like 15 bucks, I usually don't have to go but 1 time a month or two, no pressure from them lol
I would expect an indy that charges a lower fee such $40-$60 an hr would indeed not ruin the session for a client
by answering the phone or switching therapists during the session
or not even have anything available.
at least I wouldn't do that
bc of such a bargain rate.

I simply wouldn't go back. I'd probably write a review about it as well.

You'd write a review about poor service at a completely legit establishment? Interesting, where would you post it? Less than be any doubt, not taking a shot - just curious where I could go to find such reviews.

Use Yelp or insiderpages believe it or not people do look to those for info on businesses

You know, I come to NR to exchange info on the hobby and this week, I have really received some good input on things outside of the hobby. Which is to say, thank you guys and gals!

that's too funny.

there are TONS of review sites out there... and f.e. when you look for a business on google maps, there are reviews, too.

Sorry I wasn't clear - review sites for legitmate massage places? I know there are a bunch of retail related review sites, but honestly am not aware of a single one that is dedicated to legit massage.

hmmm tried massageanywhere.com?

(Head hanging low and softly muttering to myself) No, and the really sad thing is I have visited that site but never noticed until now the review option. I am going to go to bed early tonight and hope that tomorrow is a better brain day for me.

AWWWW I don't think it's just you, read my thread I started ? lol

For chrissakes, can this day be ANY better for my ego? Now you are comparing me to THAT guy?

i always turn my phone OFF if I am with a date. Even if it goes off on vibrate it is usually VERY LOUD and interups things.
I have had the guy's phone ring during the date. That can be annoying. Esp if it just rings n rings.

No comparison at all actually:xo

Notice I am staying out of the strangest request thread..

HA! I went back to MN BTW.
too much drama in LV on the personal level.