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New clients via social deals and not proper tipping or none at all..thoughts?
I recently began a social media advertising campaign ( Living social , groupon) and am having an issue with new clients that either tip at the offered rate or not at all. I should mention that I would rather not rely on tips / but the DEAL is of course for the client. Any guidance would be appreciated
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jimswife on
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Have you considered putting tip envelopes placed near a tip guide sign by the front desk or in the massage room? (Similar to what is in the rooms at massage envy that says what customary tipping is for a 50 minute $70 massage). Does the promo say that the price does not include gratuity?
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Permalink Reply by Lucy Crissinger on
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Now there is a neat idea !
Perhaps for this promotion I will created a sign ,stating what customary gratuities are ,and then I can take it down when medical clients are in the office.
AND YES...it does state on the ad about gratuity, though I have found it is seldom followed. An so is ME's , I massaged there for a bit.
I believe that this type of advertising is OK when you are first starting out ,depending on your clientele.
My guidance for anyone considering this type of marketing strategy - bargain with your promoter. They often offer 60/40 and can go as high as 40/60 without manager approval. Also note that you need to be realistic.If you are the sole therapist with one room available do not over tax yourself or your clients by a 500-700 limit of offers...I pushed for 250. They balked..but I stood firm.
Thank you for the guidance...
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Permalink Reply by Massage By Tricia on
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I would suggest hanging a sign in a picture frame stating~
*Gratuity not included in massage prices* or have the social deal state so, which most do I believe, there is nothing wrong with reminders, these ppl already have the mentality of being cheap!
Tricia
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Permalink Reply by Timeless Touch on
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I did the same thing....I am also started out and did one of these! Tips were extremely poor and I only got 2% return clients....and 80% of them waited until the last month to book. I turned people away b/c I wouldn't kill myself giving 7 massages a day to make everyone happy for a discounted treatment. I am trying really hard not to do another one. Let me know how your sign goes! I also had an automated email to confirm appointments and put a message that gratuity at the regular massage price was appreciated....something like that. It helped
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Couple of things...
#1 - Soliciting tips, other than a line for it on the receipt for them to sign, is pretty tacky.
#2 - Relying on tips is a YOU problem, not a client problem. If YOU want to count on them, then market yourself accordingly
#3 - People who buy the deals are - 90% of the time -- by definition cheapskates. If they could afford to tip you on the full value of the service, then they would. They can't, so they don't. It is not a matter of education, it's who this customer is.
#4 - Run your next deal with T&C stating 20% gratuity on the full value of the service REQUIRED. If the clients aren't willing to do this, then they won't buy the deal so you will eliminate the 90% of the folks in point #3, but you will get the tips you depend on and have a higher likelihood of gaining a repeat customer since they can afford to tip what you consider to be an approrpiate level.
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As for being "tacky": I think it's how you handle it. A lot of clients didn't know if they should tip or not and were asking...So during a confirmation email I made it known that credit card, cash, check were accepted for services, gratuities etc. And actually, a lot of my clients (regulars) from a previous location, came to me from a Groupon..They buy them because it's a way to try different therapists without paying the full price and being disappointed. However, I do agree, a lot of people who purchase them are cheap. I don't know what T&C is.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Seller on
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"Terms and Conditions"
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Just thinking out loud. It can be difficult to experiment with money.. But try increasing your price.. Up it by $20 and not worry about tips. People will think you must be good, and you will probably get good tips. And you won't attract the cheapskates.
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So far so good .. and haven't created the sign yet. Oh ,and I limit myself to 5 max massages a day. I only allowed LS to offer 250 vouchers. Much more manageable that way. Working on the automated reply system - perhaps that will work out better than the sign.
Timeless Touch said:I did the same thing....I am also started out and did one of these! Tips were extremely poor and I only got 2% return clients....and 80% of them waited until the last month to book. I turned people away b/c I wouldn't kill myself giving 7 massages a day to make everyone happy for a discounted treatment. I am trying really hard not to do another one. Let me know how your sign goes! I also had an automated email to confirm appointments and put a message that gratuity at the regular massage price was appreciated....something like that. It helped
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Reading is optional ;-)
Sharon Seller said:"Terms and Conditions"
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Gordon ,
Thanks. My prices were already listed and these marketing companies utilize 1/2 off your top advertised price, so my offer price is $30 and what I receive is $15. This campaign will be my one and only , and thus far I have received 40% repeat customers thus far. Other than the tipping snafu ,it has been a profitable experience for this new MT.
Gordon J. Wallis said:Just thinking out loud. It can be difficult to experiment with money.. But try increasing your price.. Up it by $20 and not worry about tips. People will think you must be good, and you will probably get good tips. And you won't attract the cheapskates.
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If this is true, it would require that Groupon consumers assume the majority of MTs don't deliver the value which the charge. A rather depressing indictment of the profession.
Timeless Touch said:They buy them because it's a way to try different therapists without paying the full price and being disappointed.
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