Upsell before appointment

[Marc in Calif]

I contacted a Rentmasseur provider to make an appointment. He offers erotic massage and lists his rates as "ask." Here's our SMS exchange. At least I found out before I was on his table! 

Provider:My starting prices are $200 60 minute massage or $270 90 minute massage

 

Me: 90 minutes please. Can you please explain the word "starting"? 

 

P: That means you get a nice full body massage but it is not erotic and doesn't include any sort of mutual touch play or anything. 

 

Me: Oh, I see. Well, that's way more than I'm planning to spend then. Sorry!  

 

P: Your ending is included, but if you would like me to be naked I ask an extra $70. And for more intimate session it's $500 for 60 minutes or $600 for 90. No worries if it's not in your budget

 

Me: Okay, thx for confirming. You're out of my league! 😎

[+ 7829V]

He lost me at $200 for 60 min stating price. 

[Marc in Calif]

26 minutes ago, 7829V said:

He lost me at $200 for 60 min stating price. 

Actually, he's also a rentmen provider who is clearly using rentmasseur to drum up his escort services 

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I visited a new masseur last month here in Columbus.  In my initial contact, I asked for erotic massage.  As we were setting it up, he quoted me a price for erotic that was $40 higher than his advertised price, which I assumed was his rate for a therapeutic session since he has other ads offering traditional massage at that rate.  Even adding a tip, I was still under $200.

[TennisPro35]

I guess it’s beneficial for both, with him providing all the “upgrades” early in the text conversation. It’s clear whether we’ll hire or not by then. It’s a bummer when they upsell during the massage.  
I’ve learned, from a few forum members, which is standard practice for me now, to ask the masseurs if they have a menu of options (like what OP’s provider gave) or just be blunt with what I would want/expect.  If what i’m expecting is in the menu …at a reasonable rate … then i’ll hire.  My personal mantra is, if the rate is veering toward an escort/rentmen rate…that’s way too much if I just want a massage with “rentmasseur” extras.  
The OP’s text message conversation above is clear and concise - kudos to both.  

[Bluefin]

I don’t see the problem here. He was up front about what he charges and you were able to decline and find a provider in your budget.

I hate up selling during the massage so I’d be appreciative for the price quote beforehand. Even if like you, he was too rich for my blood. 

[Marc in Calif]

9 minutes ago, Bluefin said:

I don’t see the problem here. He was up front about what he charges and you were able to decline and find a provider in your budget.

I hate up selling during the massage so I’d be appreciative for the price quote beforehand. Even if like you, he was too rich for my blood. 

There was no problem at all. I just wanted to describe how one particular provider handled a sometimes embarrassing issue. He avoids upselling when the client is naked, vulnerable, and already turgid. 😘

[Jamie21]

5 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

I contacted a Rentmasseur provider to make an appointment. He offers erotic massage and lists his rates as "ask." Here's our SMS exchange. At least I found out before I was on his table! 

Provider:My starting prices are $200 60 minute massage or $270 90 minute massage

 

Me: 90 minutes please. Can you please explain the word "starting"? 

 

P: That means you get a nice full body massage but it is not erotic and doesn't include any sort of mutual touch play or anything. 

 

Me: Oh, I see. Well, that's way more than I'm planning to spend then. Sorry!  

 

P: Your ending is included, but if you would like me to be naked I ask an extra $70. And for more intimate session it's $500 for 60 minutes or $600 for 90. No worries if it's not in your budget

 

Me: Okay, thx for confirming. You're out of my league! 😎

Seems expensive as a basic service. It’s not erotic but includes an ending? That sounds like a massage with a 2 minute jerk off at the end. Ok it’s a release but I think would leave you feeling unfulfilled at $200 for an hour. The massage better be more than ‘nice’! 
That’s my perspective as a masseur anyway. I find it difficult to give a happy ending without making it erotic. It’s kind of impossible to jerk a guy off without engaging erotically as a masseur…whether that’s stroking his balls, nibbling a nipple or offering verbal encouragement. I think the masseurs who do perfunctory happy endings are probably straight and are just not into it, so they get it over and done with as quickly as possible. 

[rojjodc]

I have noticed that there appears to be more a tendency for masseurs to state "ask" in their prices rather than a specific amount?  I can understand when they offer more than therapeutic services, but it seems I am seeing more and more instances of them not including any price.  I have seen masseurs listed also on rentmen as escorts and I presume that their escorting service means heavy sex, like anal, but an erotic massage would include mutual play and possibly light oral.  Escort prices are much more often listed as 'ask' but $500 hour even for escort seems quite high for me.

[Kody S]

Thank all of you for sharing these experiences and perspectives.  I recently hired a RentMasseur masseur who delivered as advertised $180 for 60min. The massage was average (not bad), with the extras appropriate to the overall cost.  I texted a short note of appreciation after the session not expecting a response.  He the texted back thanking me for the note and saying that he offered “full service” if I wanted to come again later in the week.  We were both traveling, it wasn’t possible, and I didn’t want to spend any more $$. A couple of months later, I was in that masseur’s city and texted for availability and asked what the full service option was.  He texted back that it was $500 and all that came with it, clearly an escort deal which I was not interested in and too rich for me.  I politely texted thank you but the price was too high for me.  He then came down considerably, which was nice, but it just felt a bit awkward and not quite “au fait” with what the reduced price included, and after all that I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore, so I declined.  But better this than the upsell on the table which I cannot abide. 

[Cruiser7]

Quote

11 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

It’s kind of impossible to jerk a guy off without engaging erotically as a masseur…

 

I’m glad you, as a masseur, said that, because god knows that happens a lot. It’s happened to me too many times. I call it “mechanical,” and it’s no fun.

 

[Kody S]

4 hours ago, Cruiser7 said:

I’m glad you, as a masseur, said that, because god knows that happens a lot. It’s happened to me too many times. I call it “mechanical,” and it’s no fun.

 

Yes and I would say it can feel dehumanizing. Better not at all if it’s “mechanical.”

[Marc in Calif]

There's also the case of a masseur asking you to j/o yourself while he watches or continues massaging you. I had that happen once. 

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, Marc in Calif said:

There's also the case of a masseur asking you to j/o yourself while he watches or continues massaging you. I had that happen once. 

I would rather have that than the mechanical 2 minute hand job at the end.  I would be happy to take care of myself while he takes care of himself, or contiues the massage.

[Jamie21]

16 minutes ago, Marc in Calif said:

There's also the case of a masseur asking you to j/o yourself while he watches or continues massaging you. I had that happen once. 

That’s something I do. There’s a reason for why I sometimes do it. Allow me to explain.

If you’re jerking him off and it’s not working, maybe he’s not fully hard or something, then it could be down to your technique. I’ve jerked off hundreds of guys (probably into 4 figures lol) and it’s surprising how many different techniques there are. Not just technique on his cock but also whether he likes his balls held, his hole stroked etc to get him going.

So if I’ve tried a few things and none of them are working (which is unusual but it does happen), and maybe time is pressing, then I say to him “show me how you wank, I love watching”. Most guys will take you up and quickly go to their favourite technique. I let him do it a bit, observe the technique…is he a fast or slow guy? is it more head or shaft? does his spare hand go to a nipple? Then I intervene again and take over for him, copying his style. Now I know exactly what to do to get him to that ‘almost there’ point and I can mix things up and go to his preferred technique when needed.

It’s kind of sneaky but it’s one of the things you learn through experience. And of course it’s better than saying “oh fuck this you do it while I make myself a cup of tea” isn’t it? 
 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

22 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

There's also the case of a masseur asking you to j/o yourself while he watches or continues massaging you. I had that happen once. 

I've had that happen a few times.  If the guy's massage skills are really outstanding and his price is competitive for therapeutic, then I take advantage of the opportunity when offered.

[Exploritor]

I'd rather know in advance, than at the end, have him say, "So no rush, take your time getting dressed, and now that you've been here, you know other things are available."  Which I recently heard.

[TorontoDrew]

On 9/20/2022 at 5:05 PM, Jamie21 said:

Seems expensive as a basic service. It’s not erotic but includes an ending? That sounds like a massage with a 2 minute jerk off at the end. Ok it’s a release but I think would leave you feeling unfulfilled at $200 for an hour. The massage better be more than ‘nice’! 
That’s my perspective as a masseur anyway. I find it difficult to give a happy ending without making it erotic. It’s kind of impossible to jerk a guy off without engaging erotically as a masseur…whether that’s stroking his balls, nibbling a nipple or offering verbal encouragement. I think the masseurs who do perfunctory happy endings are probably straight and are just not into it, so they get it over and done with as quickly as possible. 

I really need to visit London!

[Marc in Calif]

10 minutes ago, Exploritor said:

I'd rather know in advance, than at the end, have him say, "So no rush, take your time getting dressed, and now that you've been here, you know other things are available."  Which I recently heard.

"And here's a bottle of water and some lube."

[Jamie21]

2 hours ago, Exploritor said:

I'd rather know in advance, than at the end, have him say, "So no rush, take your time getting dressed, and now that you've been here, you know other things are available."  Which I recently heard.

Some masseurs will not want to provide their full service for a first time client. Could be for reasons of confidentiality if providing a sexual service is illegal or just to see what the client is like, and for the client to be comfortable with the masseur. This is a two way thing. So at the first visit it’s a ‘standard’ service and then extra things can be introduced at later appointments. 
I say to clients after their first session ‘if you enjoyed it and want to come back you’re welcome to tell me what you liked and what wasn’t so good and what you’d like differently next time’. Then they feel comfortable to ask when booking a subsequent session.  

I think having a sensual massage is very intimate and personal so you have to feel comfortable and trust your masseur before you can relax and allow him to go further. 
 

[Exploritor]

@Jamie21 Totally fair point.  In my case, I went into the massage via word-of-mouth, and knowing MT was available, but didn't know that in ads, etc., that a LOT more was available.  And, to be truthful, I don't know that I'm ready for a full-on escort, and seeing that in the ad ahead of time might have scared me away from trying the massage.  I'm aware that I'm odd that way.  I guess I want the allusion that something more didn't just happen 5 minutes before I got there, and will be happening again 5 minutes after I leave, and happened 8 other times that same day.   

I'm new on this scene, but again, you're right, because in the past, my only experience has been at standard spas/studios, where if something happened, it's because I'd been going to the same person long enough that things progressed.  Obviously, in that situation, things didn't always progress with every masseur, which is probably why it was just that much more of a  thrill when it did.  For example, going to a place that does foot massages, but had one room for full-body, where I had a guy go overtime to give me a glute, crack, hole, perineum massage that left my legs shaking so hard, I literally had trouble walking out of my session.  

[Jamie21]

3 hours ago, Exploritor said:

@Jamie21 Totally fair point.  In my case, I went into the massage via word-of-mouth, and knowing MT was available, but didn't know that in ads, etc., that a LOT more was available.  And, to be truthful, I don't know that I'm ready for a full-on escort, and seeing that in the ad ahead of time might have scared me away from trying the massage.  I'm aware that I'm odd that way.  I guess I want the allusion that something more didn't just happen 5 minutes before I got there, and will be happening again 5 minutes after I leave, and happened 8 other times that same day.   

I'm new on this scene, but again, you're right, because in the past, my only experience has been at standard spas/studios, where if something happened, it's because I'd been going to the same person long enough that things progressed.  Obviously, in that situation, things didn't always progress with every masseur, which is probably why it was just that much more of a  thrill when it did.  For example, going to a place that does foot massages, but had one room for full-body, where I had a guy go overtime to give me a glute, crack, hole, perineum massage that left my legs shaking so hard, I literally had trouble walking out of my session.  

Yes that’s a familiar scenario. Lots of my clients prefer the massage scenario over seeing an escort. They say it’s because of the frisson of uncertainty with a massage, or that they don’t feel ready to see an escort (and because it’s cheaper lol). I think there’s a big overlap between escort and erotic or sensual masseur. Like a line with spa style masseur at one end and full service escort at the other end a sensual masseur is somewhere along that line. But because everyone does things differently you do need to ask him what he is happy to include in the session.