To providers : Do you dread a certain massage site's "discount day"?

[viewing ownly]

I appreciated the information a provider shared that it is highly encouraged to have one day a week of offering savings to clients in order to help boost business. Not sure if in your view if there's a fine line between a cheapskate and a bargain hunter, but if I'm on the fence between different men, a lower rate on a certain day of the week is a helpful factor into my tie-breaker. 

My best guess is your "cheap" clients likely are the worst gratuity folks, if any is given at all, and probably the day of the week you experience your highest percentage of one and dones. I'm aware that offering a day of savings is entirely optional. 

[Shawn Monroe]

What if your boss went to you and said “I know your salary is this, but we are going to pay you less, for no reason. Will you take it?”

 

[Shawn Monroe]

analogy aside, some do it in a completely tactless way. First message will be “hi Shawn - looking for an appointment. Do you offer discounts?”

[Simon Suraci]

I really don’t like discounts. I’ve done them in the past and occasionally I list a discount because one of my platforms requires I do this for better placement. The reason I avoid discounts is because it attracts bargain hunters and those who might not otherwise be willing/able to pay my normal rates, and often do not tip.

One of my clients got upset that I wouldn’t offer him my active duty service member discount. At the time I offered one but he was not active duty, only a retired diplomat. Also he was paying my regular rate for previous appointments. When I declined, he threw a huge fit saying how horrible I am, blah blah blah.

Discounts give some clients a false sense of entitlement. Discounts are a privilege, not a right. And nobody is obligated to offer a discount. I’ll honor any discounts on whatever terms I advertise.

Some of my discounts have worked out well, where a client visits me that was on the fence or was hesitant to try my work at my normal rate. Once they try me, they see the value of my work and have no problem returning and paying my normal rate, and some tip as well.

My best discount is a referral and I offer this at any time. It’s the one discount I continue to offer with complete confidence and has brought me the most (and best) business over time. It costs me the most initially, but it pays back many times over. “Refer a friend; you both get 50% off your massage. Applies after your friend completes their first appointment.”

Overall, discounts are a toss up. It attracts good and bad clients.

[maninsoma]

I'm not posting this because I think any provide should offer a discount.  In fact, I'd argue that it would be silly to offer a discount unless you don't have enough business and want to try it to see if it brings in new clients.  However, there are other businesses that offer discounts depending on day of the week or time of day: theaters, restaurants, bars, airlines, and I'm sure others that aren't immediately coming to mind.  I just thought I'd offer this because I don't think it's necessarily a rude suggestion that offering a discount on a certain day or time of day might make business sense.  What is rude is a client asking for a discount when there's no indication that one is available, but even then I realize that while this is true in the USA bartering is not considered bad in many other countries. 

[MuscleDaddyRWC]

If I see a provider is offering a discount I still pay full rate plus tip. I've had people try and negotiate with me in my business and I always dislike it. 

[Jamie21]

Rule 1. Never discount.

Rule 2. Refer to Rule 1.

I’ve occasionally broken some of my rules (such as giving time wasters a second chance) but never broken rules 1 & 2 and I have absolutely no regrets about that. 

[viewing ownly]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm sure the circumstances are rare, but yes, you may indeed introduce a new regular into the fold with the discount being the initial lure.

As for formerly offering discounts and discontinuing doing so, I full-on believe "the customers can be major assholes" with that one. One of the major home improvement retailers stopped offering Military discounts, and instead of Military folks being thankful for all that they saved them over time, they went ape-shit angry on them for changing their policy. I feel that casino patrons are the worst of the worst when it comes to bitching about what they are "entitled to", instead of understanding that ANYTHING is optional on the part of perks from the house. In my opinion, entitled people suck. (It's also why I could and would never be a business owner). I fantasize about the only non-alcoholic, non-smoking casino in the World - employees : just me.

I was contemplating asking this question in reverse : Are there any clients who deliberately avoid "discount day" to increase the likelihood that the experience will be more personal & enjoyable on a different day of the week?

[soloyo215]

I am a client, and I just accept that there are some providers who are above what I am willing to pay. Nothing wrong with them asking for what they ask, nothing wrong with me not hiring them for it. Some have been around for some time, so to me that means that they seem to be doing well with their prices. Why on Earth will they want to lower the price? Also, not to me, but I have wirnessed others mentioning that lowering the price does not leave a good impression in some clients, as they take that as them cheapening themselves, disparate, or that there has to be something wrong with them, or that they are a scam.

So no, I am against lowering prices. If I cannot afford it, or if I don't find that price reasonable, I just move on. I don't think that either me or the provider loses anything for not having my business.

[MCR]

On 2/8/2024 at 11:42 AM, Shawn Monroe said:

What if your boss went to you and said “I know your salary is this, but we are going to pay you less, for no reason. Will you take it?”

 

Most people who have a boss didn't choose to make $300+ an hour.

[Shawn Monroe]

49 minutes ago, MCR said:

Most people who have a boss didn't choose to make $300+ an hour.

If you you made $300+ an hour and you had a boss, would you agree to take a pay cut from your boss if they asked. 

[jeezifonly]

I see it as a way for a provider to attract bookings on what they find is consistently a slow day (or time) for them. It’s not something that makes a difference to me as a client. 

[Vulgarii]

I don't dread discount day, and usually forget about them. It sucks that that certain massage website forces masseurs to have discounts and pretty much decreases their ranking and visibility if they don't have a unique discount for every week out of the year. 

 

I hate it when potential clients ask if I offer a first time discount. I think of them as a cheap ass that I'll never see again, so I'll give an excuse and not see them, unless I identified them first on social media and like what I see.

 

I love it when I'm asked if I'll be nude, erotic, and offer a discount because then I have full blown permission to respond with four-letter words and have them regret asking in the first place. Perhaps I should become one of those findom verbally abusive doms.

 

I hate it when clients ask me what my rates are and what kind of massages. Do they just text people without reading anything? I know most, if not all, are not confirming nor testing me.

 

 

[+ KensingtonHomo]

On 4/7/2024 at 4:56 AM, Vulgarii said:

I hate it when clients ask me what my rates are and what kind of massages. Do they just text people without reading anything? I know most, if not all, are not confirming nor testing me.

I’m a client but being asked for information that is clearly available on my business’ website or another document is incredibly annoying. Before I reach out to a provider, I’ve read their profile, reviews and searched here. It’s also why I hate “Ask Me” as a price, because it forces me to ask.

One thing I will generally ask is the rate for erotic massage in case it’s more than what is listed as the base. 

[Trick]

I don’t like discounts.  It feels like there will also be a reduction in the service rendered.  I also don’t bite when a provider lowers the rate when I say that his original rate is outside my budget.  I’m not asking for a discount, I just want him to know the reason why I am not booking.

I hope that doesn’t make a flake and a time waster.

[+ APPLE1]

On 2/14/2024 at 5:48 PM, Shawn Monroe said:

If you you made $300+ an hour and you had a boss, would you agree to take a pay cut from your boss if they asked. 

It depends. I certainly might. Is it a question of keeping keep my salary and haul my ass to the office every day, or reduce my salary and work from home? Is it keep my salary and cut l my hours to 20 a week, or reduce my salary and get 40 hrs? There are a lot of factors that would go into accepting a pay cut.

Likewise, if I make $450/hr on overtime, I assume my boss expects me to work just as hard when I am working for straight time rate.

Edited April 14 by APPLE1
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[+ APPLE1]

I can certainly understand appreciate the business philosophies described by @Simon Suraci and @jeezifonly. I am by no means saying every business should follow those philosophies.

But, for those looking to increase business, I can say I have certainly tried a number of businesses because they offered a promotion or discount. Some of which, I was very please with and continued to patronize, and others where I decided I was happier with the place I was using before them.

[Monarchy79]

On 2/14/2024 at 6:48 PM, Shawn Monroe said:

If you you made $300+ an hour and you had a boss, would you agree to take a pay cut from your boss if they asked. 

I see your point, but your analogy is a bit off. 

Working for someone in a business and being shortchanged on your hourly rate is entirely different than being an independent proprietor and offering discounts on products or services to attract clients (and your rates are self-controlled, and are above the rate of inflation to begin with). 

First off, most professionals who work in companies have hourly rates they are legally tied to through the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They are also contractually obligated to their pay as well.

Many independent businesses associated with various services offer discounts… it’s intended to attract new clientele and grow a base. And usually the discount isn’t much in the first place. 

It’s  important that any business operates with maintaining respect for its brand, while not running it with their ego. This is a hard balance….

 

 

 

 

Edited April 14 by Monarchy79

[Monarchy79]

Further, specific to massage…. It would be smart for an independent masseur to offer a discount. 
1.) unlike masseurs and CMTs who work in spas and parlors , you take your entire earnings home, and 

2.) you can literally control the pricing to offer what appears who be a “discount” and still get your desired earnings. 
 

it’s critical to think strategically with making such business decisions. 

Edited April 14 by Monarchy79

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

On 2/8/2024 at 11:42 AM, Shawn Monroe said:

analogy aside, some do it in a completely tactless way. First message will be “hi Shawn - looking for an appointment. Do you offer discounts?”

"... looking for an appointment. Do you offer discounts?"

That's usually the second of three questions Bozo asks when booking a provider.
It comes right after, "Do you accept expired Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons?"
And right before, "Do you validate parking?"

There is nothing wrong with asking a provider for a discount. It is not rude or demeaning, and should be offered as part of every provider's business model.
Bozo has observed numerous ads where the provider offers discounts for midweek hookups or morning appointments. Ostensibly, this is when business is slow. It is a shrewd business decision. It attracts clients who otherwise would have no interest in your services. Isn't it better to make some $$, then none at all? Many businesses offer discounts. Senior citizens get movie, hotel, and airline discounts; reduced fare to ride public transportation; and discounts at Costco, McDonalds, etc. Young, good looking people receive reduced admission at many saunas and clubs, and women get discounts at many bars (Ladies Night). 

For the provider out there that doesn't offer discounts, it is his loss. He will be losing out to the masseur/escort that does. Just an example of the entrepreneurial spirit that built this county. 

BTC