Could you clarify what your questions is?

That really isn't that unusual where I live - BUT - it is mostly AMPs that do this. I have never encountered an independent FBSM provider doing this. I have noted some legitimate independent massage providers offering this.

You sure she was a "provider" offering extras?

Yes she provided the extras.
I just thought it was kinda weird i have not heard of this before, so you said it is not that unusual where you are from
but the idea of carrying a punch card seemed abit different to me. i dont think she was full service but are you saying that you get the massage then you pay for extras?

Not sure we are on same page -

Loyalty promo cards such as you describe are fairly normal here for Spa / Massage establishments that are completely legitimate. From what I can tell, this practice is pretty common here.

I know of no independent massage provider, that also provides extras, that use such a card. I can't speak for independent massage specialists that are legitimate.

There are some AMPs that do offer extras, but in the spirit of advertising and trying to maintain customers, they use a punch card - BUT, the offer is for the "legitimate" portion of their services, i.e, what most consider the house fee. I only know of a couple such places that fall in this category AND that offer a card. I personally think it is brilliant as it does, IMO, help maintain the semblance of legitimacy and it does help with client retention.

As for the birthday - I know of at least two FS providers that offer "specials" to regulars on their birthday. However, in the two examples of which I am aware - that particular hobbyist is a gentleman of impeccable good taste, loads of fun and is exceedingly courteous (figure it out.)

Yeah, having a punch card for a questionably legitimate service is just asking for trouble.

The birthday thing is interesting in that (imo) it's not as common as you might think - as Coyote suggests, its more of a YMMV situation.

For example how do you define the term "regular"? Does that mean you've see her more than once? Monthly? A few times a year? When you advertise things like "free hour on your birthday for regulars" it doesn't mean that much unless you define the parameters.

I see nothing wrong with the punch card providing that it was discretely done. I'm sure she could come up with something that wasn't too obvious. I wonder what she stamps it with?

Hmmm, maybe she will bring back S&H green stamps.

I offer bday free hr specials to my regs which I have made good on and I offer buy 4 in advance get 2 free(Tips OPTIONAL ).
I don't use a punch card bc too many things can go wrong with that: SO finding it, gets lost etc...

WOW. you're nice. I don't give ANY kind of freebie on sensual massages. The only thing I do to show my regulars how much I appreciate them is by scheduling after hours and on short notice.

Juz my 2 cents if you give an inch they tend to take a mile.....I don't acknowledge birthdays Hell I would like to forget mine but I do buy $20.00 lotto tickets for specials people at Christmas time and someone did win last year and he came back and gave a nice tip...

It just seems to me that this punch card thing leave an unnecessary trail of info that the provider would best do without.

Ladies - you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to run your business the way it seems best for you. From just MY client's perspective - I do not agree with you.

I acknowledge that for some, you are simply a source of relief. For this type of client, I would not offer a damn thing extra either.

But for others, you are a treat, a dream made manifest, someone's whose company merits scrimping and saving to enjoy. I think we can all agree the hobby is first and foremost a business of finance. But when it becomes clear that this is ALL it is, then you are encouraging hobbyists to shop around for the best deal. Newsflash - hobbyists are going to do this no matter how good you are at your particular niche, since there is always someone else out there that is making the same claims as you. A little incentive is, IMHO, simply good business practice at slowing the client turnover rate.

Speaking personally, I have had the pleaure of three ATF's at different times in my hobbying life. One retired and the other two offer(ed) different levels of service (one FS and the other FBSM.) In all three case, it was the anticipation / communication beforehand, the hug at the door, the nibbling and nuzzling, the banter, all the little things that added to my experience that kept me cumming back. This includes the occassional offer of added service or telling me not to worry about going a little over in time or the birthday cake/card/present. The respectful client appreciates this and does not abuse.

Certainly not suggesting you don't work hard to create a good session for your clients, I really have no way of knowing. But, IMO, the added recognition of a personal special event, does NOT go unnoticed. At least in my case. I am not a fan of a punch card, but at least that shows the provider is willing to acknowledge client loyalty.

It's the reg's that have been there for me when business is really slow, they're the ones that tend to over pay too bc some of my clients like to plan ahead I added the buy 4 get free so they don't have to worry about it bc they have to pay it in advance and they usually tip very generously for the extra touches, I haven't been shafted yet so I still offer to me, it's sort of like a savings account .
I just love my job & doing massage, I think the more nice positive things I throw out the more it comes in one way or another so I make an effort.
I guess that's why someone dubbed me the Nicest CMT in DT mpls, at the same time I do have limits & no patience for abusers of my kindness If it ever happens lol

Hey great, if that is what works for you and your clients, super. Just curious, how do you track when it comes time for the freebie session?

I have an awesome memory.
Idk why, I just do.

Fun fact:
Madams back in the 1890's - 1940's that ran brothels down south used lapel pins to track/mark their clients.
Lulu white a madam famous for her mixed eithnic girls issued little gold flower pins to hers, I'm not sure what Hatti and the others gave out.but
I's very intersting, if you look at some of the historical photographs and drawings of society folks of the south look carefully, You can see them wearing those .

So purplewildflower
If they pay you up front for four and they get two free which is a good deal do they get the same exact sevices?

Because i look at it this way providers are giving a service which puts them in the sevice industry, so if you always went to the same bar/restaurant and new the owner but he never bought you anything just talked to you made you feel welcome, then you went to a new place on your second visit you meet the owner and he bought you something were you you go the next time, and who would you say to your friends were you got better service at?

There is a bit of a grammar barrier in this post, so i might be reading it wrong.

There are two distictly different clienst from my conversations with ladies. Those guys that like the thrill of the hunt and are always going to go to a new lady to see what excitement lies ahead. then there is the client that likes comfort and painless experiences that tend to get that way by having ATF's that they see regularly.

I would think this is the same for the ladies, some may want new clients mostly, and some may want steady regulars.

If I missed your point dogger I am sorry, it seemed you were wondering why a guy would see the same lady instead of venturing on to the next to see if he could find a better deal.

**Long post, sorry **
I don't like displaying ego very much but
As far as I can tell the clients that buy in advance are the ones who are sick of shopping for the "next thrill" or they just lost their job and they want their hobby needs taken care of so spending that in advance is a smart desicion, they don't have to think about it when funds run low & chance getting ripped off TOFTT.
They also tell me I happen to be the most affordable in the area/long run compared to others too.
I'm in a good fair price range right now, I don't run specials.
Sure there's prettier & cheaper FBSM providers/MP workers but reality is that $60- $80 BASE fee they advertise to lure you is false bc they expect generous tips .
It's very rare to find one who doesn't upsell .
Everyone has their own style of how they do things.

I already explained tips were OPTIONAL for me.
Meaning: I don't expect or ask.
I worked retail for years and years and run another unrelated business which I use the same tactics and it works for both.
People buy the product in advance, they get their refills on a set schedule plus rewards like a free product or discount, no drama, everyones happy and they come back time after time.
Clients want to be regs of TNTM bc it's a safe, clean and low key place to go of course it helps the person behind it all is nice to look at and talk to as well

Since the risks out weigh the reward in this industry more often than not at times.
I think you are safer settling down to one or 2 providers than hopping place to place endlessly searching for the holy grail wasting time & $$$ .
From my market reasearch (2yrs worth) before I decided to open TNTM, Some clients listed most of the MP's around town(MN) they've gone to are located in scary, run down buildings or bad neighborhoods, the list goes on to what they didn't like among those things were high worker turnover, too many price/tip variances etc... and what they really wanted/craved was a regular connection with a set fee, no hassles + a lot of fun.

It's obvious why a client comes to me or another like me & stays put.
If aint broke......
I actually put my whole self into it, it's not just putting lotion on one side of someone & telling them to flip like a damn pancke lol.

I see it as : You don't own people, they can go wherever they want to.
Variety is the spice of life.
So I could care less.
I don't focus on what everyone else does I focus on what I do: trial error and a whole lot of HTML .

*My Services are the same bc its a ***package deal*** which I just said earlier .

The only people who would get treated differently are the ones who try to abuse my system I thoughtfully created in order for people either down on their luck or just wanting to save $$$ bc that's how I roll .
I am not going into details about it.

Money is nice to have for paying bills and all but, I'm not a greedy type I never have been.
Greed is a leading cause of downfall to most people.
Plus it ruins the fun if that's all you care about .

I don't see the guys who just want quick relief. I'm too expensive for them. I get to see the massage connoisseur who either saves up his pennies for something very special once a year, or just has tons of money to throw around and tries to get an appointment every time he's in town.

How about what they get from me IS the best deal? I don't think I need to slow my turnover rate... actually I'm thinking about raising my rates to slow my new client rate....

I do understand what you're saying, but seriously: I'm really sure that my regulars feel special. Actually they keep telling me. And there's all you mention... just no freebies and no discounts. I don't see ANY reason to offer these.

My usual way of acknowledging loyalty is by making scheduling easier for my regulars, they can get appointments on short notice (new guys often have to schedule a week ahead of time) and on days/ at times when otherwise I don't see anybody.

As I said, "you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to run your business the way it seems best for you." It would be very impertinent of me to tell anyone how to run their business. I am many things, but not knowingly impertinent.

I return to my position that I have stated time and time again, a lady is entitled to run her business any way she deems fit, just as a guy is entitled to chose which ladies he wants to see. In the end, this hobby is first and foremost a business of finance. Within the context of this thread, I am merely stating what I have found that makes me want to become a regular client. It is my opinion, nothing more.

I would happily fall into your classification of the guy that would see you as a special treat, but I doubt I would become a regular client. (That probably comes across as a little pissy in the written form - it is not meant that way at all.)

LOL I thought the same about what I wrote!

Sorry about the grammer and spelling have been bad at this sence i was a kid and i have worked hard at trying to get better.

But what i have read is that alot of the providers say they have alot of regulars without doing anything for them, nor will they. but then i have seen some of them advertise low priced specials on outher sites which tells me they really dont have that many reg. or still need more buiness.
I had a reg. before she moved and one time she said she could not see me she was studying for a school test and would try and get me someone else could she call be back in abit.I said sure she did could not find someone else on short notice but sence i was a reg. to come over i did and whe i was getting ready to leave she gave me back money and said i will only charge for my half hour rate, i told her no but she put the money in my pocket i thought she felt she was not up to par because her mind was on school, but i thought that was so cool i say her every week till she moved.

Dogger - Much of what has been stated in response to your original post deals with rewarding existing clients, whereas advertised specials are usually focused on getting new clients. Shocker - but I am not a real big fan of ladies "advertising" a special. I prefer a more intimate and one on one communication about specials. I have both a hobby phone and a hobby email addy and have no problem with any lady I have met using either.

The key part about what your last post was that you saw them advertising specials on other sites. Typically, (and ladies there are exceptions so temper your retorts, it is not coyote season yet) when I see someone advertising a special I think pretty much the same as you...their regulars are not bringing in enough business or they have an immediate need for cash. IMHO - it also smacks of desperation and desperate people make me nervous. Also IMHO, there is a big difference between blanket advertisement on specials in terms of lower rate or more time versu advertising a special for existing clients and to call for details.

Contrary to the axiom about great minds thinking alike - it appears there are times when great minds can think alike and still have differing opinions