I’m sorry you had this experience. It does indeed sound frustrating.
I only wanted to comment specifically on the part of your post I’ve quoted here. I would not assume that all of these spas/massage venues have lounges or waiting areas or even a couple chairs for clients to await their sessions, especially outside of Manhattan.
I believe part of the reason their services are so affordable (relative to other types of providers) is that they are barebones operations.
I’ve visited on a couple of occasions the massage studio in Flushing referenced on this thread. When I’ve been there, it has been a one-man show. The person who greeted me, took my payment, and massaged me was all the same person. No one else was present; there was no seating area.
If a client were to arrive early, the only way he could be buzzed in and greeted would be for the current massage session to be interrupted. That’s why they give clients an appointment time and don’t want clients arriving early.
No, it may not be an ideal set-up… especially, as you said, if it forces clients to wait outdoors in inclement weather.
But the alternative (staffing that allows for more convenience/flexibility for clients) would necessarily lead to higher-cost massage services.