Bartering Massage and Ethics

by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin

Nov 30, 2009

Yesterday I asked some fellow massage therapists, "How many use massage as a bartering tool? What cool experiences will you share with us?" In less than a day there were over sixty replies, most of which were simple explanations of what therapists bartered for. There were a couple who don't barter for one reason or another. What interested me were the personal messages from therapists who were a bit leary of 'going against the flow,' and making a public statement against the grain in regards to bartering and ethics, as the majority agreed that bartering one's professional massage services was a-ok. Ethics: A system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture. Is there mention of bartering in the National exams or is this a state by state, school by school 'ethics' discussion? (It's been so long ago that I took the National test and studied for it, I can't recall.) How do your, "Moral principles or culture" relate to mine? Is there a standard that all massage therapists should observe? Is this a personal issue from therapist to therapist, between them and their clients? Personally, I don't have an issue with bartering, although I've done very little of it. Thoughts? Kris

  • Marissa

    Barter! I trade massages for massages, hair color/cut, and soon to barter for Pilates classes as well. If both parties are satisfied with the barter set in place there should be no issues. If you are going to barter services with someone unknown, I would suggest having something in writing that both parties sign and is witnessed. That way if someone becomes disgruntled, there is no room for foul play. There needs to be an out clause in place. Play nice and make it "legal".

    Dec 1, 2009

  • Teresa Parrish

    Where are the responses? I would be curious to see what people are bartering for and the frequency. I trade with a friend who provides a music lesson for my daughter each week. 30 min lesson for 15 min massage. But would be hesitant to trade much more.

    Dec 2, 2009

  • Emma Torsey

    I can't remember where but I know this subject has been hit on and a lot of people do it.
    I really wish I could barter everything and never have to touch money again!

    Dec 2, 2009

  • Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin

    Teresa, look me up on Facebook, Kris Kelley, and scroll down a couple of topics on my wall. All the replies are there ;)

    Kris

    Dec 2, 2009

  • rudy m smith

    The only person/organization that has a real problem with bartering is the IRS/tax collectors for obvious reasons.
    Many people have been burnt during the bartering process and steer clear of it. I barter for very expensive art work with very well known artists which I otherwise would not buy.

    Dec 8, 2009

  • rudy m smith

    Marissa's comment is quite right about creating and using a contract - I use them and if a party wants to back out they have to pay me in full for the services received. The eye glasses doctors love to barter.

    Dec 8, 2009

  • Nancy Hardesty

    Bartering is a great way to create new client bases. Although it is supposed to be reported on your income tax. So I can imagine most would not want to admit they barter.

    Personally if the barter is an even exchange I think the government should keep out of it but as we all know, they want every penny they can get. Like a dummy, I pay my taxes and put down every item I sell, every service I perform. It does not mean I agree with the way it is done.

    Recently I did 15 minute Reiki sessions in return for food items for the local food pantry at a vitamin store. There were several different therapists that offered massage, reflexology and reiki. It was a pretty successful day for the vitamin store but because it was unorganized (the owner) we didn't get many new clients from it.

    I believe that would follow under the barter law but I did not gain anything from it and neither did the store owner. It was to help the community feed the hungry.

    I have been burned by bartering but I still feel it is a good way to try something new or help someone out that is needing help.

    Dec 10, 2009

  • Toni Roberts

    I think of any transaction as an energy exchange, be it cash, goods, or services. The exchange would have to have value to both parties.

    Mar 2, 2010

  • Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin

    Hey Toni!

    Great to see you here!

    I compiled a list of products and services bartered from all the comments I received on Facebook.

    They are here:

    What do you barter for with massage?

    Some other great comments by Lee Kalpin on the bottom of this page in regards to the risks of bartering:

    Risks of Bartering

    Kris

    Mar 2, 2010

  • Toni Roberts

    In reading the barter list, I have to say I turned green, absolutely green with envy at the person who barters for their laundry services. I once worked a short while with a chiropractor whose massage therapist bartered for their professional laundry with the owner of the cleaners in the shopping center. I did a few rounds, but left the practice after a couple of months. The laundry near my office doesn't have an interest in trading, so I take my laundry home and wash and fold, wash and fold, wash and fold, and cart it to work. Gosh, I could be scrubbing floors instead.

    Mar 2, 2010

  • Toni Roberts

    Thanks for inviting me Kris. This seems to be a nice forum. Funny that AMTA members have to go to an ABMP site to network among themselves. LOL Now that I think about it, AMTA did have a forum on their site a few years ago, but just a few people posted. Maybe it was before it's time.

    Mar 2, 2010

  • Toni Roberts

    Coincidentally, I just finished watching a PBS documentary called Satan's Doctor in which a renowned and gutsy Finnish "therapeutic masseur" treated Himmler for crippling stomach pains beginning just before World War II and eventually stopped charging him and began bartering for the lives of prisoners. In addition to the other prisoners he saved, the Jewish World Congress accredited him with saving 60,000 Jews.

    Mar 3, 2010

  • Darcy Neibaur

    Rick we were taught the same information in school about Bartering. Also the same is true for receiving Gifts. They also have to be claimed as income. I am probably the only LMT in this world who pays taxes on her complete income including cash tips.

    Mar 3, 2010

  • Billie Garrett

    I have bartered for several services including laundry, personal training and vehicle work. I feel that as long as it's a completely professional transaction, properly documented, it's ideal! Why would anyone want to take their paycheck, deposit it, wait for it to clear, take money out or create another transaction to spend the money then rinse and repeat for every other need. How is it any different than say... a farmers market? I have grain fed beef, you have vegetables; she has pasta... let's make a deal... or in this case a meal!

    Apr 16, 2010