Financial advice: money saving tip

[SJM]

First, I fully agree with the guy that said you can't compare this business with any other business. We are not selling apples and oranges here. There is/must be a tremendous amount of mental and physical strain on the girls who are in this business and you just can't put a dollar value on that.

However, from a business point of view, as simple as it is, you don't seem to understand my theory. Again, the only reason you are able to charge what you charge is because most every other MP/MPA charge the same. So you do not decide what you're worth, the going rate decides what you're worth. You said it yourself that there are factors that weigh into what you decide that value is. What I am trying to explain is that those factors are THE things that let you charge what you charge.

You charge $100.00 for a BS at the moment. If everybody starts charging $140.00 you would follow would you not? On the flipside, if everybody started charging $60.00 you would have to do the same. If you charged $100.00 when everybody else is charging $60.00...

1) You would be called a hussler.
2) Nobody would see you so you would be out of the business.
3) You could say "I'm worth more than that" and quit which would mean that you lost from a business perspective.

Now do you understand my theory?

Your Mcdonalds example is a very poor one. That would be comparing yourself to the crack whore that charges $40.00 for a BJ. You are offering a different service. How many cheeseburgers do you think MD would sell if they were charging $10.00 instead of the 1.49. While on the topic of food, if you went to a steakhouse with your boyfriend, and they knocked off $40.00 from your $200.00 bill because you are a regular customer, you would happy wouldn't you? You would most likely return for another meal. Right? Get the point?

My advice for any business, the very obvious. Try to keep the customer happy within reason. If the guy wants 20 bucks off for whatever reason, give it to him. Tell him to keep it hush hush.

It's good to have self respect and pride but in business, you have to be realistic.
I don't think I'm assuming. That mpa WAS in a mood of "better to make some money than no money". If she had people lined-up for regular price, she would have told him no. she certainly did not do it because she felt bad for the guy, she did it to fill her own pockets. Hope you never find out but that mood will spread faster than a FS girl if times are tough.

BTW I am not for the guy that asked for the $20.00 off. My hats off to the girl that saw an oppurtuinity to make money and took it.

 

[Britannia Boy]

Well, the category the fall in has a lot to do with the type of service they provide. At the top-end spas, usually the girls are more attractive and the premise is more comfortable so they justify the higher rate. So, if a top-end Spa drops their rate without affecting the quality of their service, what can the other top-spas do to compete? I'm sure they'll feel a bit of pressure to follow with the price cut. It's only if a spa drops the quality of service to justify the lower rates that they will revert to a lower category.

As far as the girls, well, I truly believe that they can only charge the going-rate at their category of spa. Also, at top end spas, the rates are usually quoted so you don't have to worry about negotiation. It's usually with the smaller parlours that you can negotiate.

 

[Max]

Feeling the pinch these days. Walked into my favourite MP and explained my financial issues to the attendant. She agreed to knock off $20.00 if I didn't need any massage oil or powder!

 

[Arkane Steelblade]

Or maybe go less, if you need to.... I would suggest that going around trying to negotiate against set prices is not the best way to get good service.

 

[Gary D]

I, and millions of other people, have brought and will continue to bring opportunities to this land...and try hard to show you that EVERYONE deserves better.

Now, don't be cheap and go buy a box of tissues and wipe out your tears...or is that too much to ask?!!!

 

[XxKristina01]

AGREED!!!!!

I truely believe that BOTH under-charging AND over-charging are bad for business. And infact, to be more specific over-charging devalues customer appreciation/loyalty and under-charging devalues the attendants and service.

If you go to BestBuy and see a big LCD for 5K, and then the next week its on sale for 4K, you automattically now values it at 4K, even if it returns to regular price after the sale. You will never pay 5K for that TV, anything above 4K would be overpaying. And Sony just lost $1,000 in devalued product opinions.

Just my thoughts. Know prices before you go in if possible. Research! Thank goodness for massageplanet.net!

In terms of financial times...I agree, dont go as often. Or choose a lower session option sometimes. Taking $20 off the top is a nice gesture, but not realistic. We pay our bills via those $20's...

 

[John Doe 1st]

See from my side you are really over-simplifying this. And obviously, as a paying customer you would agree with discounts.

If the price of a BS suddenly drops from $100 to $60, why are you saying I'd HAVE to follow suit? Thats just not how it works! There are plenty of MP's in Toronto where you can go for a cheap, quick $40 pop. yet others choose the HFH's of the world. Can you get a BS for less, sure! Is that the only factor, NO! Indy girls set their own prices. Over and Under-chargers get fired. And I'd never work somewhere I felt undervalued!! I also couldnt see a regular client agreeing with my sudden decreased value. Hence why some guys tip extra for a job well done.

Sticking with consistent pricing wouldnt make an MPA a hustler!
People would still see an MPA at her set pricing. Not everyone bargin-hunts.

Also, I dont have a bf, but I do know a few places I go where yes, some $ is knocked off the bill. As an appreciative customer, do you think I only pay the $160?? NOOOO! I'd throw the waitress/owner/whoever the extra. ALWAYS! People appreciate a good tipper/referrals/etc.

THIS KILLED ME "If the guy wants 20 bucks off for whatever reason, give it to him."

YA UMMM NO! If the guy can't afford it, honey, there are 10 other places within a radius that can offer you whatever for less. Tell McDonalds I said hello! I have realistically never sold myself short a dollar. But the opposite of that spectrum is that I've never overcharged anyone either. I respect how everyone earns a dollar. You work hard, we work hard. The price is what its always been. As well as my service! Consistency speaks volumes!!

If you weren't there how do you know her reasoning? Maybe she did feel bad for the guy. Personally, I wouldnt want anyone doing anything because they FELT BAD for me!! You could apply your logic to FS and mileage then too. Should we feel bad for every guy who's wife doesn't like BJ's? Or want try anal? Or hasn't kissed him in 9 years? How you see knocking off $20 as 'filling her pockets' I will never get! Until you have been on our side, thats just not how we see it!

Hats off to the girl, yes. She started a lovely debate! There are PLENTY of other ways to show customer appreciation and add extra touches of service to let a client know we respect and appreciate his business. MANY MANY ways!

 

[Rubix]

Negotiate?? I could see that in some industries, but I think its insulting when people barter.

 

[Salerio]

Yes you can find a few that price themselves away from everyone else but the 64000 dollar question is... "are they getting business?". You can charge whatever you want but if you are going to starve to death in the process then whats the point?



Now thats a load of shit and you know it. You pay more at some places because they choose to charge more. Paying more doesn't ensure anything.

 

[IrredeIncarve]

...watching from the sidelines to see how many calm down and pucker up...

 

[jessica cate]

She almost can't complete a sentence without talking about $$$$?????

And all this cause one fictitious MPA discounted a guy $20.00?? I thought Real Estate agents were bad?

 

[VasileZalupu]

Why thank you!! I've been told that many times. Thats the joy of massageplanet.net...no one needs to agree. but respect is critical! I've always said, my opinions comes from my experience, from an MPA's side of the massage table...You guys see it from a client perspective. Thats why I ask questions alot too. Because there is no way I could know your side of it...so I learn.

Cheers SD!!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

A lot of people interpret the negotiation as insulting, but if there are no rates posted, you are basically discussing the rate/tip with the girl, which is negotiating. The degree of negotation allowed depends on the girl, but it is what it is.

Going to visit a MPA is also a commercial transaction and just like any transaction, a consumer has the right to search for the best deal. While some people claim that what the MPA is selling is so peronal that it is beyond negotiation and barter, I just don't buy it. While pesonal, it is still a personal service business and not beyond negotiation.

 

[Cici <33]

so...whats your point?




No... but its the same money being tendered. Whether you are buying a service or a microwave and thats what it all boils down to...MONEY



SSC this girl looks down on anybody who offers FS...She'll tell you otherwise but its so obvious.



Aye

 

[Glutburger]

Most people missed my point. I also am not surprised.

 

[Legionnaire Hooch Monster]

Actually, I started this thread as a joke. I thought it was funny. To tell people that the recession hasn't started is totally unfounded. There are thousands of people who have seen 25-50% of their revenues/income lost already here in Ontario. I'm one of those people.
This was a joke told in my office where we have all been hit by these amounts, and thousand of others in our industry.

MPA's may very well be competing for fewer massage dollars, so better pricing might well in fact bring 20-30% more clients to make up for the equivalent drop in pricing. If others stick to their pricing, their incomes might well drop 20-30% or more.

Moreover if people actually take the advice given here(ie: go less often or don't go at all) well doesn't that hurt the MPA's even more????

Oh and by the way, I always go in with what I feel I have to spend only. Quite often it is not in line with what the posted charges are, and I tell the girl what I have, and they almost always offer AT LEAST a body slide/nude reverse combination. Its amazing what some nice compliments will get you in return.

So just treat them nice boys!!

 

[[======]]

I disagree. In my opinion, you are using GM union logic. Unless we change our mentality to doing business, we are doomed. I have to provide discounts to our clients, to get the work. My suppliers have to give me discounts if they want my orders. To say “go less often” means the MPA gets zilch. I suggest it is better to get 10 clients at, say, 80% of former rates, and make a good living, rather than 100% of nothing.

When I hear someone say “that’s what I am worth, that’s what I deserve”, I say get ready for living on welfare.

 

[diva_m3]

Tell me you are kidding!!! THATS what you call treating them nice? less than posted prices??? Oh my head!

 

[SMARTi3 - H0W U DURRiN!!!]

Ok, I get the retail comparison...maybe my TV example sucked...but we arent talking about goods going from manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer....we arent talking about 100% Vs. 150% markups...We're talking people! naked people! As a consumer, you can always find MP's that charge less. We are worth a certain amount and to lower that lowers our value. That spreads from girl to girl and costs us all alot of business in the bigger picture than you might think. In fact undercharging, IMHO, is worse than over charging...(although I think morally its the opposite)

 

[Trudy J]

I just get to know the mpa really well, and have them visit me at home, and i save the door fee of the mp. Sometimes they stay over night and I make them breakfast in the morning. Sometimes they just come over to my place to chill.