Lotus-eater

Tip even if the service is shitty?!
I suggest having the exact amount whenever seeing someone for the first time, precisely for this reason.
And if someone is an exceptionally assholesque, as in blocking you, deleting your review, or not delivering what they promised, they deserve a fake appointment from another number that you cancel 15 minutes into it, with a message of your choice. Think of this as community service. They need to understand that there are consequences to scamming their clients.

From Schedule I to III. It remains controlled substances. The only difference is researchers can access cannabinoids more easily, which is a good thing. It is so much a hassle to deal with Schedule I drugs.

I need to get in on this action next year.
Me, pretty much:

Chalk it up as a lesson.
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry."
- Polonius, Hamlet Scene 1, Act 3

The best advice I have heard on lending money is only lend an amount of money you would not be upset to never get back. It's crazy how many people lend money and put themselves into debt to do it or financial difficulty. Obviously that wasn't you @Rick M but just my input.

You got scammed dude, it happens to the best of us. Move on and don’t make the same mistake again. Sorry he got one over on you. It sucks. 

As my father once said to me when I asked for a loan, "Son, if the bank doesn’t think you’re a good risk, why the fuck should I?"
He had a point and I learned a lesson.
Whenever someone asks me for a loan, I either say "no" or I give them the money and never expect it back. I will not ask nor hint to be repaid. I will however, never make another "loan" until the first one is repaid. 
So far that has worked for me. I’m not an ass about helping others. But I’m also not a sucker. And in general our friendships have remained intact. Whether or not they repaid me.

Here is his Booksy website link. I believe he is accepting new clients and is working his regular schedule through May. You can book online.
Sports Massage And Barber - La Habra - Book Online - Prices, Reviews, Photos
BOOKSY.COM Check out Sports Massage And Barber in La Habra - explore pricing, reviews, and open appointments online 24/7!  

https://www.masseurfinder.com/massage-therapists/31873/
I haven't seen a recent review of Michael, so I thought I'd share one.  
He's one of the nicest, most accepting people I've met.  He's very respectful of whatever boundaries you may have.  
His studio is in North Park, and he has a parking spot for clients.  It's easy to find.  His space is very relaxing and impeccably clean.  
His glute work is phenomenal, and the rest is also incredible.  
His prices are really good and the photos don't do him justice.  

Sad news (for us): Edras is retiring from massage therapy work. Starting June 2024 he works weekends only through the end of the year, then no more. 😢 

If Cleopatra's fate is any indication, a bad experience is in your future if you book him.

As discussed elsewhere there the culture of “I know my own worth”, “I don’t want to deal with cheap clients” etc can disrupt what should be easy market dynamics (ie it works or it doesn’t work so move on).
And all this gets internalized by some to equate their rate to self esteem etc 
What should be the freest market becomes tangled with all sorts of 21st century / millennial entitlement
 
 

I have found the rate question has ended communication a few times, which makes no sense.  It's a waste of both sides time if the budget doesn't work.

This is a hit-or-miss business. Very few of these guys are legit, so they don't treat the customer in a professional manner. It's not a realistic expectation. Most of these guys want instant appointments (cash). They don't want to answer questions, or have anything to do with what they call "time wasters." For many, it's just another version of rentmen.com.
I always ask questions, but many don't respond. I've learned to move on quickly. I've learned not to fall in love with a photograph. I'm willing to pay for good service, but good service is difficult to find, sometimes. When you find it, it's a good thing to keep. But it is a needle in a haystack. Good luck.

You may get a better response rate if you change the phrasing of your questions.  For example:
"Hello, I am looking for a massage on a table with massage lotion (not oil).  I am a big guy at over 6ft tall and 300 pounds.  Do you have the table and lotion to accommodate a man of my size?"
See what I did?  It's just one question he can answer "yes" to without back and forth.

Hi. 
So is it unreasonable to expect questions to be answered when I contact a masseur? 
So most people I find on rentmasseur do not have other details. 
I contact and ask a set of questions. 
Can you tell me about your massage? 
Table or bed? Lotion or oil? 
Are you ok with heavy guys and I list my height and weight. 
I usually get responses that will not answer anything and just send me their rate and time period and answer maybe 1 question. 
 
I get that providers are busy and maybe can't answer now that is fine. But just have a comment that says with a client touch base later or anything. 
I am not sure why people will not answer basic questions if you fail to provide any form of info on your ad. Like I am not even asking grey area questions just basic info. 

They probably eat only sprouts and tofu.

Hello all, this is Matthew, the owner of this profile .. I was, indeed, hacked!  It's absolutely embarrassing the way this person was conducting themselves and I hate one of you lost money, but glad it was only one and it was only $50. Thank you so much to my loyal clients that reached out to let me know about this!! I was not in New York (been at my home in Charlotte, NC since returning from my last trip to Chicago in early March), and they changed the phone number and email - so I wasn't getting any notifications. The support on rent masseur is not great, so I don't understand how this happened! But I was able to recover control and change the password.  I've been in the industry over 8 years now and take pride in my work! Many clients all over the country can attest to this, and I always conduct myself in a professional way! I have not ever required a deposit to see me, my work speaks for itself when you experience my session!! I do have the Venmo name they used and will be reporting it. To the gentleman that unfortunately got scammed by this dead beat - I will gladly credit you this as a discount should we ever meet!
These are the two profiles I have, and it's the same NC phone number on both
mattydeuce on RentMasseur
RENTMASSEUR.COM View my profile on RentMasseur.com  
https://www.masseurfinder.com/massage-therapists/34915/
 

The inflation on these masseur rates is worse than the tip inflation that we are seeing at stores.   Even a couple of years ago, the best escorts weren't charging these rates.  Even though I can certainly afford $400, just on principle I wouldn't pay that.  These guys need to come back down into reality

I haven’t seen him since before the pandemic but I had a nice experience with Ken. Decent therapeutic massage on a table in nice clean apartment, nice lightly sensual elements. Left happy. 
 
https://www.masseurfinder.com/massage-therapists/27596/

Just fyi… “Mark” has used so many different guys’ pics in his profile who knows who you’ll get! Lol. And the guys never even look alike. This current one has dark features and an olive skin tone and the last guy he used was dirty blonde with fair skin 🤥
I was seriously considering hiring him and so glad my spidey senses told me not to!

No rates, no face pic, no discussion about training or technique. 

I'm not sure he looks like a Greek god at all! 

Completely agree with you @keroscenefire . He is a very nice guy, but that was about it and the massage in itself was way on the light side.