Massage Envy

[neworleansdeborah]

It's Friday afternoon so let's talk about something new.  Has anyone checked out http://www.massageenvy.com?  What do you think of it?--Jenna

 

[Fillet-O-Fish]

Massage Envy

Well, I live in Sacramento and according to the web site, one is coming here soon! Not so sure I like that. I am a new student but have been in the salon industry for 20 years doing hair. All but a few months were spent as a self-employed contractor renting a salon space which I preferred highly. I supose there is a market for that type of business, but I prefer the independant businesses to the "corprate" businesses. It reminds me of the "Super Cuts" of hair salons. The web site is very nice and the concept is great for a price break, "membership" will make it feel more exclusive I guess. Just some thoughts.

 

[KevinL]

I live in Phoenix, where the majority of Massage Envy establishments are located.  I am not a fan of them at all. There are many reasons for this. I went to get a massage there once to check it out and I was not asked what I wanted worked on and when I tried to let the therapist know, she did not even stop to listen and did not work on those areas. I thought that this might just be because of this particular therapist, but I have talked to many people who have had the same experience in different branches. All of us had the same opinion - that we did not get individual attention. Then when I finished with the massage and went to pay, the person at the front desk turned from friendly to rude when I told him that I wanted to think about becoming a member (instead of signing up on the spot). I have a difficult time signing a contract for someone to take money out of my bank account for a year. I just felt that all they wanted was my money. I also had a friend apply for a job there and people did not return her calls or missed appointments for the hands-on interview. She later found out that the owners were not even massage therapists and did not have a bodywork background. I don't know how useful it would be to have a hands-on interview with someone that does not know much about bodywork. I suppose if you just want to save a few dollars, then, as a consumer, Massage Envy is the way to go. However, I gained 4 clients that came to me after they went to Massage Envy, saying they did not get personalized attention. One client's therapist even left the room to take a cell phone call during the massage.I know all these things could happen anywhere, in any establishment, with any thearpist. I also know that there are probably very good therapists working at the different Massage Envy establishments. I personally have not had good experiences with them and I hope that they don't bring down the quality of a good massage and make it harder for us independent therapists to make a living.

 

[<<TANZ>>]

Massage Envy

My hubby said, "Sounds like the Massage Mafia."

 

[Hawk M]

Has anybody ever worked for one of these places?  I'd be interested in hearing about their experience.I wonder if it's like gym memberships where they rely on people not taking advaneforum.xxxe of the service, but not cancelling the membership because if they ever do decide to use it again they'd have to pay a higher rate...or something.

"If you need a stress relieving, professional and therapeutic massage but hate the price, Massage Envy is just what the therapist ordered."

Huh?  Next thing you know Wal-mart will have massage on a roll-back special...  Anybody interested in a McMassage?  Would you like fries with that?Katykangaroo

 

[Larkin L]

Massage Envy

I got a recruitment letter from them yesterday in the mail. They are opening something like 12 more this year (great).My biz partner & I were discussing what to say when clients ask why Massage Envy offers $29 massages & our 'neighbor' is offering $40 massages, etc.At one point, I cruched the numbers to offer a 'massage club' of our own. Basically, we would do better by offering package rates (pre-paids). The amount per massage works out the same, and you won't ever develop disgruntled clients by debitting their accounts monthly.Even at Massage Envy, massage is actually $60, UNLESS you join the 'club'. We have a couple of accquaintences that work there. They are not really happy there, but it's a place to work your chops.

 

[who am i?]

Massage Envy

A client of mine winters in AZ and was a Massage Envy member.    He had found a good therapist there and was pleased with the work he recieved and then...  she moved on.  He never really found another therapist at Massage Envy that he clicked with and eventually found another therapist who has her own private practice in the area that he now goes to.

I think that what Massage Envy offers is newbie therapists a chance to get their feet in the door to this profession.   I can't imagine that the therapists are making very much $ if the fee is $29/session (even with the company charging a 'membership fee')?  I know what my monthly overhead is and cannot fathom staying in the black while charging $30/hr!!!  

This to me sounds similar to the spa and chiro environment that alot of therapists choose to start out in, but move on when they learn that they are talented and can 'do it on their own' or work for a higher %/$ amt.  I imagine that Massage Envy has a high rate of therapist turn-over (I have no real proof, just a hunch).

Talented therapists can make good money if they know their worth, and there are many picky clients out there that want to recieve quality therapy sessions with skilled/experienced therapists.  

Granted, there will always be people that are looking for the cheapest price going, and as far as I'm concerned, with rare exception, you tend to get what you pay for (be it a student clinic or a cheap massage).  

Enough people know this, why go you think people drive BMW's and Cadillacs when there are KIA's & and Ford Escorts on the car lot?  Do you think that the high end resturant in your town/city is worried about the new McDonalds moving in?  How about that high end clothing store, do you think that they lose sleep over people buying clothes at Wal-Mart?  I know, this oversimplifing the analogy, and yes, there is a chance that some people will be lured to a cheaper service, but it is really a chance for you to look at what you offer & how you service your clientelle, do you give it that little extra?  Are you constantly looking for ways to improve what you have to offer?  Are you really treating your clients like the are your lifeblood for your business?  If you answer YES and can give your clients the results that they are looking for in their sessions, I wouldn't say that you don't have anything to worry about, but chances are when someone (ANYONE) comes in and undercuts your prices, you'll probably make out OK.

This also reminded me of a similar discussion on this board:

"Slave wages"...Hot debatable topic?
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=986

 

[Julie Ann]

Massage Envy

great insights.I've gotta rememebr to read these kinds of posts again on a rainy day!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Jimmy R]

Massage Envy

:-/sounds like a factory setting....

 

[jorge_felix_rodriguez]

;DWhen I first read this post I thought it was referring to the way your "friends" change their attitude toward you as you go through school and prepare to enter a new seforum.xxxe in your life. I have found that most of my "friends" were more comfortable with me working a miserable minimum wage, no future job that left me emotionally cold, spiritually drained and empty in the pocketbook area.Jillp.s. Massage Envy sounds like a scam, and the name is too cheesy, who could  think up something so moronic?  ???

 

[lauraangelranger]

*lol* Jill, your "mistake" may actually be a very perceptive point, and very apt to the situation. I think that "Massage Envy" may be "corporate envy" for the prices that people are willing to pay for our prolonged and specialized service, and envy for the independence we enjoy as private practitioners. Looks like a way to sit on flabby qluteals while collecting wages earned through our sweat and aching bodies.Dream on!  Even by name it seems geared to close out and retaliate against all higher priced massage, and if succeeds, may force many to surrender private practitioner status to join those  "working a miserable minimum wage, no future job that left me emotionally cold, spiritually drained and empty in the pocketbook area."Who would shell out thousands in education to wind up there?Let's hope that berkana is right about the discerning public...chosing "Cadillac" service. You are soooooo right about the name...not a very kind or comforting concept to begin with...ENVY...and too close to another phrase that immediately comes to mind...an association that any one with an iota of understanding about our business would be quick to avoid.Gi

 

[K T]

Massage Envy

wow i just checked out the site and there isnt any in cali yet but one is opening up in LA which isnt going to affect any of my business but paying a membership for a masssage do they have HMO and PPO options as well?sounds like health insurance and every body has so much fun with that.

 

[vigilius]

FYI - It's not cheap to buy into the franchise either.  Out of curiosity I contacted them about the requirements to purchase one.  They want $150,000 per location!

 

[donya d]

Massage Envy

*ouch*

 

[Jamerican Steve]

Massage Envy is no different that the famous Chiropractor Dr. Geoff Ricchio, that was from a earlier thread.  The owners of these establishments are taking advaneforum.xxxe of the back breaking work we do and laughing all the way to the bank.  Anyone who works for these establishment (imo) is helping support these people and I frown upon any therapist that works for them.  They are not helping our industry at all, by working for such low wages.  It brings all of us down.  Most people who see massage therapists on a regular basis still  know very little about how the industry works.  They will not understand why they can do massages @ $30 and I charge $60.  They will have to find out for themselves.  You do get what you pay for.  When I give a massage.  I pocket all of the $60.  I have very little overhead.  I give all I have, to give a great massage.  What do these therapists give at these establishments.  Do you think they are gonna give theirall for someone else's business?  Or for what, $15 an  hour?  I know if I was making $10-15 an hour for a massage, I wouldn't give the massage I give now.  I would probably do less, because it's so taxing on my body.  What do you think?

 

[Nima]

if i was getting $10 -15 for a massage hell yeah my effort  would only be worth that much as well. I work at an affordable wellness spa where we just uped our price from 45 to 55  and i make abour half but i give my all to my clients because if it wasnt for them i wouldnt be able to do my job i depend on them they dont depend on me even though it may seem like it but they pay my bills.

 

[magix151]

Massage Envy

;D

Massage Envy sounds like a scam, and the name is too cheesy, who could  think up something so moronic?  ???

LOL.... Men.   ;D

j/j (but actually, it was men!)

 

[Am_I a_Beatlesfan??]

Envy: A feeling of discontent or resentment for someone else's possessions or advaneforum.xxxes - Webster's Dictionarydiscontent... not a word I want to associate with massage...  

 

[sarahG]

Massage Envy

I went to a recently opened "Massage Envy", got a brochure at the front desk, and looked over their practitioner directory.Most of the therapists were recently licensed within the last year or two.I did not get a massage, but thought about it.They have a $29.95 1st time introductory rate, and if you agree to pay $49.95 a month for a year, you are entitled to 1 massage per month and then only have to pay $29.95 for every massage after the intial $49.95 massage a month that you have during that month for in office massages.Non-member rates are $60 for an hour and $85 for one and a half hours.They are basically open Mon-Fri 8 AM to 10PM, Sat 8AM-6PM, and Sunday 10AM-6PM. I wonder if the clients have the best experience there as I haven't heard great feedback about a lot of "spa" type of massages - the biggest complaint being getting less actual massage time than you paid for, the treatment not being very personalized, etcetera.

 

[glendiva1968]

Massage Envy

So... in a nut shell, they are giving you your first hour-long massage for half-price. Buy a membership (another way to pre-pay, like packages, only they do a monthly debit) & receive $10 off each monthly massage, and get 2nd monthly massage, etc for half price. BUT they are charging it as a membership with a free monthly massage.... smart, because if you snooze, you lose, right? Or am I not getting it right? They are not calling them prepaid massages or gift certificates, so they aren't subject to escheat laws or gift certificate laws enforcement. Let's face it, the "massage police" (are they even out there? ha) would more than likely investigate a franchise biz like this for gift certificate details than a sole practitioner.I still don't like it, but I see their angle for certain. Very smart. Good thing they don't employ the best of the bunch out there! ha.Jill/Sagetherapist