themsg

Ended up giving the guy a try. Brought a table but hadn't used it in several years. No head cradle or bolster. Would definitely not repeat.

He’s usually at the culdesac at Papago Park most nights.  Why buy the cow when you can sip the milk for free.

i can not thank you enough. Later today I am going to write a detailed experience  I have had with him in trying to set it up. Totally bizarre. I knew I was going to back out but wanted to see more info he would give me. Its completely absurd. I am so grateful to you and others here who helped confirm my misgivings. Thank you sir and others.

It seldom happens, but I have to admit once in a while my wifi connection has a little blip and the playlist ends after a song instead of continuing to play through the list. I have to start playing another list because going back and finding the right song and pressing play will take way too much time versus a few seconds playing another fresh list. 30 seconds of your masseur NOT working on you without any music feels like an eternity, much less a full minute, so I’m very sensitive to that. When it happens that odd time, in my head sirens and lights are flashing while I try not to panic as I quickly remedy the situation.
My music plays on Amazon speakers and they are utterly dependent on a constant, stable wifi connection. I can’t control the wifi connection. I apologize on behalf of others in the same boat. Depending on your masseur’s setup, it oftentimes is not his fault, it’s out of his control.
Quick note on Bluetooth. This is another (arguably) more stable option, but for surround sound multiple speakers work best, and linking through wifi seems to be the best way to do that without wiring directly to one or more devices. I’m open to suggestions.
My building has a fire alarm system. Again, it rarely happens, but a couple times a year a false alarm starts from somewhere else in the building and I have to end the massage. It’s really frustrating. Again, not under my control, at least not until I move. Still annoying though, for both client and masseur.

PSA to clients: please keep in mind this is the most common reason your masseurs do not text you back “immediately”. You can’t have it both ways. Immediate responses 100% of the time AND their full, uninterrupted attention during the session? Usually it’s one or the other. Unless you happen to luck out on your timing, and it’s exactly that: luck.
I’m careful not to detract any attention from my client to my phone during their session. The good masseurs are focused on you for the whole session.
Have grace when inquiring and it takes a while to get a response. It’s not uncommon, for example, for me to have a two hour client appointment, plus time after (still not texting other clients) to wrap up, accept payment, walk the client out, chit chat, etc. There’s no clear agreed-upon standard regarding an acceptable amount of time to return texts. For me, it’s up to 2-3 hours, most often I respond much sooner than that and obviously within minutes if I’m otherwise free. Response times have been discussed on several other forums at length. Same with hours to contact your provider. Here’s one related thread on that topic:
 

Have experienced the massage with one hand and checking the phone with the other but not recently.
Actually taking a call during a session was the one that was the worst.  A guy who I had several sessions with before (Battery Park City NYC) back in the mid 2000's.  He was talented and was trained gave a good massage and stretching session and typically provided a nice ending.  On the last visit - the session started as normal, about 10 to 15 minutes into the session his phone started ringing he ignored it and it would ring again (repeat), he apologized and took the call.  Conversation ensued and then some strong language back and forth on the phone and said he had to go give something to a friend in the lobby (from what I overhead sounded sketchy) about 10 minutes wasted here taking the call and his redressing.  He left and about what seemed 20 minutes or so he returns.  During the interim I was ready to just get dressed and leave.  He came back and then continued with the session.  Session finished and paid, even left a tip (albeit half of what I'd normally leave).  Departed and in the cab ride back to my apt my phone starts ringing and he's calling me to say I didn't tip him enough, and that I need to come back and give him more money. Things went back and forth about the payment and I told him he wasn't going to get any more money and I just ended the call.  He started calling again, went to voice mail etc, then the text messages continued his tirade, so to end this circus I just blocked him.   I think he left the massage business not too long thereafter.  

i had a massage recently where the masseur WOULD NOT SHUT UP.  he was unbelievably chatty from start to finish, talking super-fast and not taking a breath.  never had a massage experience like that before.  he talked about what tv shows he was watching; his night out at last week at the bar; his various hookups with porn stars; recent changes to his diet; concerts he was going to; etc.  none of this could be classified as friendly conversation, this was just him with the 'on' switch flipped.
for every song that came up on his playlist during the massage he would be like "omg, i totally love her!  what's your favorite betty who song?"  and then he would be discernibly annoyed when i would mumble something like "sorry, i have never heard of 'betty who' and i don't know any of her songs".  a similar thing happened when he brought up drag race.  "who's your favorite this year?"  and i said i don't watch drag race, and his response "you don't watch drag race!  you have to watch it to support the community!  i can't believe you're not watching it!"  and it was clear that he wasn't just surprised that i don't watch drag race, but kind of pissed off about it.
the whole experience was this horrible, nonstop firehose of words.  every once in a while he would say something like "ok i need to shut up now." and then about five seconds later he would start again.  definitely for me the most annoying massage ever.  couldn't wait to get out of there.

I hear this. Clients differ though. Some would be disappointed in the lack of effort. Others have ED, prostate issues, or anxiety, or, like you, just aren’t feeling it. Some clients release without even being hard (not that uncommon). Some clients are very relaxed from the massage and aren’t hard, but get hard with some attention, and want it.
Damned if you do. “Read the room, man”
Damned if you don’t. “I’m disappointed he didn’t even try”

It’s a very fine line to walk. Skilled is the man who can do this without giving off a pushy vibe. I’ve done it successfully before, but it’s not my strength. Occasionally I upsell before the appointment, when a client is booking. For example, “Would you like to add a body scrub? It’s popular with my clients.” I have lots of room for improvement in marketing and selling.
The good news is my services sell themselves. The hurdle is getting people to try them when they otherwise wouldn’t. I have clients who have seen me for over a year before trying the body scrub and comment something to the effect of: “I’m never skipping this service again. It should be mandatory!”
Here is one subtle way I indicate more services are available that I do not explicitly advertise: In addition to beautiful homoerotic art, I have some functional wall ‘decor’ hanging on hooks that ignites client curiosity and leads some to ask about how I use it, and if they might try something related in their next session. If it’s in the middle of the current session, I discuss it freely and mention it has a different pricing structure without getting into the weeds. I still defer to the “let’s discuss the nitty gritty business details afterwards” approach. 

Advertising sensual/erotic to get your attention, then stating therapeutic-only when you initially contact them.  I'm not looking for an escort experience anyway, but more a good massage that slips a bit into mildly inappropriate.  But if it's not even going that far, don't advertise that it goes way beyond my tame little hopes.
Have had one who gave a great massage, but got progressively chatty, more political, and more conspiratorial as he continued, while having no idea what my views were.

Asking if I want release right after asking me to turn over, especially if there had been no sensual elements leading up to it. No, I would like you to give me the rest of the massage that I am paying you for.

Getting my face farted in by the masseur. 

I texted with him a week or so ago. Asked about a table and he said he had one but it was too heavy to move. Not a fan of bed sessions so declined.
 

Aaaaah!  My wonderful and deliciously invigorating experience happened last evening in San Francisco.  What a very, very sweet man figuratively and....!  
Thanks to all who gave me helpful and salient encouragement!!  🥰

Name change, Gregory:
https://www.masseurfinder.com/massage-therapists/42409/

Ok I felt the urge to serve the community so I booked with Ben.
He's hot jist like in his pictures he's, one of the nicest guys. Massage is C+, and he's very generous with his body. 
 
 

Just texted with him. Doesn't have a table which is a no go for me.

Dispite the tattoos he's a sexy man.  But $200 is a lot for a massage from someone who's training as a masseur seems to be limited to fishing and climbing. But who knows, might be the best 15-minute hand job you ever had! 

Traveling guys may differ from normal. They tend to have a captive audience depending on where they’re going and how long they’re staying. If few good options are normally available in a given market, that can drive up demand, and with it, prices.
When I travel, I keep my prices constant and have no lack of appointments filling my schedule from morning to night. At least twice as many same day requests I have to turn down because I’m booked. I could easily charge more based on that high demand but I prefer having plenty of others ready and willing to snatch an appointment when someone else cancels or no-shows. Pricing is not a barrier to seeing me as much as availability is, so I fill in those spots very quickly with same day requests. Suddenly people get a lot less picky about start time when there’s one spot left, take it or leave it.
$200+ for (1) hour of *actual* massage is bonkers. At that rate bracket, I would expect a lot of extras, rip-off schemes, unskilled massages, time shorting, or other unprofessional shenanigans. I charge $195 for 90 mins and it’s truly an excellent massage.
My 60 min massage is $140. A lot of other pro masseurs hover between $120-$160. Much more than that and something is not right. Either that, or you’re getting much more than massage and you’re paying for it. Which is fine by the way, it’s just not fair to compare with regular massage sessions. It’s a different service. Apples and oranges.
I acknowledge local markets differ. NYC, LA, SF and others will naturally be much higher across the board.

Is it  acceptable  for the massage therapist to chime in on these threads or would u all rather keep it members only?   

Sure. This dude NEVER SHUTS UP. I thought maybe he was nervous and went back to try him a second time but it was the same. He’s cute but would NOT SHUT UP about all the most inane stuff. Now I think it was his way to keep the mood from getting at all sensual.  Also kinda less erotic than expected from ad. 

I have used M quite often in the past. Nice guy and easy to talk to, great massage technique etc. 

I took the risk and saw him. I would recommend. Very nice guy and kind. His massage is decent, pressure is lighter than I would like, but that’s individual preference. His pictures are accurate. I had a good time, but it may be a ymmv situation as well. I probably will try and see him again, and maybe ask for more pressure during the massage. 

Just saw him in SF for the second time and agree with regdadtype - interaction and massage got better and more sensual the second time and I would definitely see him again. Amazing body, good looking guy and sets up a nice experience at the hotel. 

I have seen him a few times. I think he might be a bit shy,, each time he is more open and engaged. I am happy that I repeated as both the interaction and massage got better each time. Really nice guy, great body, clean apartment. Definitely worth a try in my opinion.