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Have Arrogant / Stubborn LMT's Created the Market for Massage Franchises?
First off let me say that I honestly don't personally care what any other Therapist's charge, nor do I concern myself w/ how well or how much business someone else is generating.
I've been in Healthcare now for over 17yrs, and my view towards things tend to be a little different from the avg professional. I believe that any and all therapy no matter the modality should be available to everyone.
I've seen and heard from other LMT's over time that these Massage Franchises are hurting the profession, either by their reduced rates which arent' actually reduced at all, or by the volume of business they do on a daily basis.
I've often wondered when I travel to more rural areas why their local LMT's charge the National Avg w/ regards to basic rates, aren't things in more run down, poorer regions usually cheaper than lets say in the big cities?!
I relocated to a region a few years ago and got hammered by local LMT's for undercutting the local market, well as I told many of them what I charge is no one elses business, I was constantly referred to as the Massage Envy of my region. So I moved again a few months ago to a larger city and it's littered w/ those Massage Envy's so I took a job based on my curiosity to see what all the hub bub was about, and what their Therapists were like.
Folks there is a place and enough business for all of us to charge what ever it is we feel our time is worth.
These Massage Franchises simply came into being all beacuse IMHO, due to LMT"s not marketing themselves well, and not being available. We are in the "I want it and I want it now " era.
Fact is folks these franchises are no cheaper than the National avg, sure they have gimmicks to lure in the client, but it's the lack of availability and in ability to easily find a therapist that has allowed these franchises to flourish.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on
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CR,
I agree that there is room for all of us in this marketplace. I think the franchises were created out of a "backlash" to the expensive, exclusive spa massages that cost over $3.00/minute. I also think the franchises are a natural evolution of American capitalism and the fact that few MTs ever get the kind of professional respect that we deserve. Because there are those who only want to work in massage= don't want to do marketing, promotion, etc. There are those who want to "sharecrop" other MTs by making money off their work.
I agree that franchises are no cheaper than the free market and what makes them desirable is the notion that they are open longer hours, always have a MT available, and they advertise to lure people into the business. A franchise massage is like McD's=you know what you'll get, how much you'll pay, and you can depend on it being available no matter where you live or travel. Many people don't want fast food, many people will pay extra for the "relationship" with their MT.
If any massage organization would really put their money where their mouth is and launch a marketing plan to rival these franchises, then we'd see some healthy competition. As long as school and other pander to franchises, we'll see more of the same.
my 2 cents,
jh
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Permalink Reply by Chance Ryan on
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If anything IMHO people like store fronts, many realize they'd get better tx from private LMT's, that being said the majority of people can't swing $60+ for sessions on any reg basis that is, poss once a mth, but studies show pt's need it more often.
The only true hope ly's in the medical and insurance powers that be, I believe were close to a professional explosion in next 5yrs.
Jody C. Hutchinson said:CR,
I agree that there is room for all of us in this marketplace. I think the franchises were created out of a "backlash" to the expensive, exclusive spa massages that cost over $3.00/minute. I also think the franchises are a natural evolution of American capitalism and the fact that few MTs ever get the kind of professional respect that we deserve. Because there are those who only want to work in massage= don't want to do marketing, promotion, etc. There are those who want to "sharecrop" other MTs by making money off their work.
I agree that franchises are no cheaper than the free market and what makes them desirable is the notion that they are open longer hours, always have a MT available, and they advertise to lure people into the business. A franchise massage is like McD's=you know what you'll get, how much you'll pay, and you can depend on it being available no matter where you live or travel. Many people don't want fast food, many people will pay extra for the "relationship" with their MT.
If any massage organization would really put their money where their mouth is and launch a marketing plan to rival these franchises, then we'd see some healthy competition. As long as school and other pander to franchises, we'll see more of the same.
my 2 cents,
jh
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Permalink Reply by John Whitman, LMT on
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What we charge is a business decision. I cannot concern myself with what local therapists charge, untill I see that it is cutting into my business. My concern should not be with the therapist nor their pricing, but should be focused on my business. If a lower price draws my customers away from me, I have to do something to regain them or to obtain new ones. These issues can be addressed with marketing techniques (advertising, pricing, services, promotional tools, etc.). You also mentioned pricing based on local ecomonic conditions. This is also very important. Where I live, the population is so divegant that spas in one area charge $45 for a 1 hour full body Swedish massage. Less than 5 miles away, spas can charge $85 for a 1 hour full body Swedish massage. We must consider what the market will bare in terms of pricing. We must know our customers. One of the things I stress to my students is that it is necessary to identify your customer and to know what to charge based on their financial capacity. The customers who go to the spa for a $85 massage may get a massage that is not as good as the $45 massage, but that customer would never consider going to the spa charging $45. Conversely, the person paying $45 for the massage may not feel financially comfortable paying $85 for a massage no matter the quality. Finally, we need to simply look at the business aspect of running a business. How much money do we want to earn and how hard are we willing to work for it? Wal-Mart is successful for a reason. They have found that volume increased the profits of their sales even with a lower mark-up on the merchandise. If it works for them.... hummmmm...
Jody Hutchinson gets it.
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I think my point may have been lossed, it wasn't about what others charge so much as it was about how there is indeed a need for these Massage Chains and how it's these chains that will help set a balance within the profession, the day of clients being unable to afford therapy are virtually gone, as these chains will force the majority of LMT's to reduce rates and or find other things to add on to thier sessions.
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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on
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I have read all the post here and I am not sure what the topic is. What I would like to offer is, I work for Massage Envy in Pensacola, FL and have since they opened April 2009. I am very happy there. I work for a great owner. We have the best of the massage world literally at our finger tips which is not the case with most Massage Envy's. We are treated with respect and not over worked or abused as some may think. As for wages, I make great money. I work part time, my choice as I can, and I also teach for them within the Pensacola Clinic. Massage Envy offers CE classes and also pays for their employees to take these classes. There is also a full benefit package available to full time employees working 30 hours a week or more. There are 26 LMT's employeed where I work. All have a variety of experience from just out of school to 15 years. We all have varied modalies that we offer. We all have our own clientel that we have had to build. I find it sad that folks feel they have to make such disrespectful comments about companies that they know nothing about because they have never worked for them. Massage Envy is a global sponsor for most of the conventions that LMT's attend to receive their hands on training. Most do not realize it. I am very proud to say I work for Massage Envy and am truly grateful for my job.
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I guess Msg Envy doesn't need to do their PR w/ you around, you speak as if your one of their corporate folks, but a company that is sound isn't constantly being bought and sold as ME has been over the past 2yrs, now to be owned by a firm that's well known for running fast food franchises, guess though that's fitting place to end up.
Sad thing is not all ME's are the same since they have different owners.
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Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on
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You know what, if a therapist like yourself wants to charge less to make massage more accessible to clients who couldn't otherwise afford it, by all means go ahead! Massage is for everyone and not everyone can afford higher end fees. There ARE good therapists working at franchises.
Recently, I had a Swedish massage through a local daily save coupon deal. The hour massage was $29 with the coupon. The regular price for this company was $110 for one hour and it wasn't all that great, in fact, the therapist was mediocre at best and this therapist was working for a place that charged $110 (who knows what she got paid!)
Definitely, I can appreciate the fact there are franchises and other therapists that offer massage at a low rate so those with smaller incomes can afford it. Am I one of those therapists? No, I charge within the median range of my location, which is about $80/hr because I have bills and such. In fact, I'm actually charging closer to the low end when you consider my abilities and education, but that is enough for me to make a good profit for living. But I'm not put off by those that charge less. It bothers me more to learn of those that charge a lot more, when they are offering mediocre work and there isn't the spa services that go along with. I'm willing to pay more for a massage if it includes amenities like a sauna or snacks or tea or something!
The statement you make about arrogant MT's creating a market for franchises (unless I've misunderstood your initial idea) doesn't sit well with me. I grew up with very humble beginnings, on welfare, eating out of a garden, no toys or other extras as my single mom was going back to school to eventually make a decent living to support me and my sister. I think if there was a franchise back then that she could have utilized to help with the stress it would've been fantastic and that's the basis of my thoughts on this issue. If there are franchises to make massage accessible, so be it and thank goodness!
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I do not know what it is like at other Massage Envy's only one and we have not been bought or sold. Still have the original owner who came into Pensacola paid to have a building re-constructed to house a 14 room clinic and then supplied the clinic with the best available equipment in the business. We have the latest and greatest of eveything. There are 600 plus clinics nationwide who employe 12,000 plus LMT's. The funny thing about the whole thing is everyone talks about these inexpensive massages from Massage Envy. I think $60 is about a national average which is what Massage Envy charges monthly foir their membership. I know folks think it is less but it is not. The real story is . . . No, I am not corporate. Just a happy employee. I work for a great owner though and that makes all the difference. He gives us the best he can afford which is not the case everywhere.
Thank you Rajam for your positive thoughts. I have found the arrogant ones are the ones making statements that they know nothing about because they have not worked for a franchise. It is like everyhting else in this business. Folks have to be educated.
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Yeah I think your taking my point to personally, I'm referencing those MT's that feel that we all must charge a certain rate, and anyone that doesn't charge 60-100 is doing the profession a disservice, those are the arrogant MT's I refer to, if as u have stated you could as I care less what someone else charges then u should fully understand that I'm not lumping u into that group.
I took the ME job to see what my prospects were of creating a very much needed competition for the ME company that has literally cornered the market.
To give u an example I lived in Asheville NC a place that even their local paper recently wrote that over 70% of their population is on some form of public assistance, and around 60-80% are under employed having several PT jobs w/ no benefits, it was basically a service industry town, whose public felt that a job making 10hr was a good wage, I was hard pressed to find any MT's that charged under 60, hmmm someone has to pay a day's pay to get therapy, well I knew this place was for me cause I could come in charge a decent hourly rate and not have to beat the bushes to get clients, cause aside from the local MT's there was the gaudy Grove Park Inn, and Biltmore Spa whose sessions were in the mid to upper 100's. I must say I did very very well there to keep me going from my FL. private practice.
Yet i got all this hate mail, or avg 3 daily hate calls telling me I was hurting the profession etc. I find it odd that very few if any other medical profession cares or concerns it self w/ other facilities are charging, if that were the case then medicare would be out of business.
Again my post isn't directed at any one person, it's directed at those in the profession that speak out against the chain business's and rival MT's that make sessions more affordable w/ out sacrificing technique or the experience.
Rajam K Roose said:You know what, if a therapist like yourself wants to charge less to make massage more accessible to clients who couldn't otherwise afford it, by all means go ahead! Massage is for everyone and not everyone can afford higher end fees. There ARE good therapists working at franchises.
Recently, I had a Swedish massage through a local daily save coupon deal. The hour massage was $29 with the coupon. The regular price for this company was $110 for one hour and it wasn't all that great, in fact, the therapist was mediocre at best and this therapist was working for a place that charged $110 (who knows what she got paid!)
Definitely, I can appreciate the fact there are franchises and other therapists that offer massage at a low rate so those with smaller incomes can afford it. Am I one of those therapists? No, I charge within the median range of my location, which is about $80/hr because I have bills and such. In fact, I'm actually charging closer to the low end when you consider my abilities and education, but that is enough for me to make a good profit for living. But I'm not put off by those that charge less. It bothers me more to learn of those that charge a lot more, when they are offering mediocre work and there isn't the spa services that go along with. I'm willing to pay more for a massage if it includes amenities like a sauna or snacks or tea or something!
The statement you make about arrogant MT's creating a market for franchises (unless I've misunderstood your initial idea) doesn't sit well with me. I grew up with very humble beginnings, on welfare, eating out of a garden, no toys or other extras as my single mom was going back to school to eventually make a decent living to support me and my sister. I think if there was a franchise back then that she could have utilized to help with the stress it would've been fantastic and that's the basis of my thoughts on this issue. If there are franchises to make massage accessible, so be it and thank goodness!
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NO NO! Your Corporate ME has been bought and sold 2x's in past 2yrs, the original franchise owner created ME in 2002 then sold it to a Vit Co in 2008, usually people don't sell a business that's very profitable so quickly, the Tx Vit Co that purchased the ME brand then sold the ME Franchise in Jan 2010 ot a NY based investment firm that owns amongst other things a bunch and bunch of fast food places aka Taco Bells, Pizza Hut's, etc., , so this Co has been under 3 different CEO's in 2yrs, which ultimately will hurt the brand.
We as I'm sure your facility is are beginning to see xtra fees, no individual owner w/ this Co gets to much play room they still have to offer what the Corporate Office demands they offer.
While I like the business model, I deplore the manner in which it's ran by those not in the medical field by a pack of wolves trying to get every last dime at the expense of the clients. But I do understand at the same time that if a business was ran w/ only the thought of the client/customer in mind then the business would be no more.
I've been told my ME owner is a good man and is great to work for, but have learned thru my Financial Advisors that he's tried to sell the business multiple x's, word is his wife wasnted a Spa type place so he bought if for her she used to be around helping run the place the first 6mths, then apparently go bored and is rarely seen if at all, and now when the owner is around you can tell it's a drain on himself and his finances.
While I know this isn't the case w/ all ME owners, what is the stereotypical type ME business and you will find many many rants from both current / former staff, as well as clients that it just doesn't have a personal and relaxing feel.
My first experience w/ a ME was several yrs ago when I was looking for a MT's for my mother in Jax Fl, and I went to one of their locals there, while I could tell the MT could have some skill the session was anything but relaxing and very fast paces, many of the MT's I work w/ practice this very same way, I guess cause they are rushed only having a 50min session vs 60+.
Again I'm not bashing the model of ME, it's view from other MT's who feel that it has no place in the MT world, and agaisnt those who own the business that aren't in it for helping people.
As I used to tell fellow RN's if u got into this business for the $ then it will chew u up and spit you out, plus u may want to rethink why u got into it, fact is it's very difficult to make any sort of a living working as a MT w/ a chain place, the rate one has to work to earn a decent living is mind numbing, but again it's not for everyone, I guess this is why over 90% of the MT's that grad school never end up practicing.
Darcy Neibaur said:I do not know what it is like at other Massage Envy's only one and we have not been bought or sold. Still have the original owner who came into Pensacola paid to have a building re-constructed to house a 14 room clinic and then supplied the clinic with the best available equipment in the business. We have the latest and greatest of eveything. There are 600 plus clinics nationwide who employe 12,000 plus LMT's. The funny thing about the whole thing is everyone talks about these inexpensive massages from Massage Envy. I think $60 is about a national average which is what Massage Envy charges monthly foir their membership. I know folks think it is less but it is not. The real story is . . . No, I am not corporate. Just a happy employee. I work for a great owner though and that makes all the difference. He gives us the best he can afford which is not the case everywhere.
Thank you Rajam for your positive thoughts. I have found the arrogant ones are the ones making statements that they know nothing about because they have not worked for a franchise. It is like everyhting else in this business. Folks have to be educated.
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Chance wrote "Yeah I think your taking my point to personally, I'm referencing those MT's that feel that we all must charge a certain rate, and anyone that doesn't charge 60-100 is doing the profession a disservice."
We just had a simple mis-communication what I meant by that it "didn't sit too well with me" was that I don't think it's fair for mt's to be so upset when others are charging below market value. Initially I thought you might be writing that you thought mt's who were charging less were the arrogant ones.
We are both agreeing on the same thing.
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Good catch on your part often people will go on and on arguing the same point, until ultimately someone gets peed off and goes off topic and begins to slander the other, but your on the money I do indeed feel it's an individuals right to charge anything they want, facts are some can afford the more expensive sessions, whereas now aday's many can only afford the more affordable sessions.
So how is SD treating you? I was in Denver the past week looking to move out in the Mtns where I can get better seasons, and more wintery weather, my brother at same time was in SD said weather had been rainy/bad, so much so his flight was laid over in Vegas. I've been feeling the pull West for some years now, and I guess it's time to given into that pull.. Are u from that area? How is work out there?
Rajam K Roose said:Chance wrote "Yeah I think your taking my point to personally, I'm referencing those MT's that feel that we all must charge a certain rate, and anyone that doesn't charge 60-100 is doing the profession a disservice."
We just had a simple mis-communication what I meant by that it "didn't sit too well with me" was that I don't think it's fair for mt's to be so upset when others are charging below market value. Initially I thought you might be writing that you thought mt's who were charging less were the arrogant ones.
We are both agreeing on the same thing.
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