A 20% gratuity added on a 'holiday' ?

[Ali Gator]

I reached out to a traveler earlier today who I was interested in getting a massage from this afternoon. His price was $200 for the hour 'sensual' massage. Average rate for travelers in my area these days.

When I confirmed the time for later today and the price, he told me there was a 20% 'gratuity' added (so today would be $240)  since today was a holiday. What holiday, I asked ? He responded 'Mother's Day'. I let him know neither one of us were mothers, so why would he be considering this a holiday and add a gratuity for his time (if he wanted to celebrate with his mom, he should be with her and not clients). He wouldn't budge so I canceled. He texted back and said he'd drop the gratuity to 10% and I didn't respond - I'm done with him.

Are these young, new providers serious about this as a business ? Are they structuring their business plan on a restaurant server today adding a 20% gratuity to the bill for a party of six or more ? 

He could've made an extra $200 today if he knew what he was doing. 

[56harrisond]

Tomorrow is International Nurses Day, I wonder what gratuity he charges for that.

[Ali Gator]

These guys are unreal.

I'm thinking of writing an online blog or a book to help these 'businessmen' on how to succeed and provide a service, with my 20+ years in customer service (and previous life as a business owner for 24 years).  One chapter would be how to attract and KEEP clients.

I'm afraid the ones who need to read it simply won't. 

It's funny - I read every day on social media  how another small business / restaurant in the neighborhood has failed and closed its doors after a year (or less). Of course, all the responses are 'it's the economy'.  No, not exactly - a business owner can adapt to a fluctuating economy (I did for 24 years). It's the fact that these business owners know absolutely nothing about running a business and customer service.  THAT'S their downfall. And I think that will be the downfall of this new generation of providers if they don't wise up. 

[MscleLovr]

1 hour ago, Ali Gator said:

Are these young, new providers serious about this as a business ? Are they structuring their business plan on a restaurant server today adding a 20% gratuity to the bill

I blame Hallmark as all romance seems to feature a gratuity. 

[SirBillybob]

Besides, did you have time for him to be inside you for 9 months?

[jeezifonly]

This particular service industry aligns with a generation’s distaste for providing service. If not working as the sort of provider discussed here, the same men would be shitty waiters, shitty healthcare workers, shitty sales clerks. It’s all learned behavior, from a lifetime of hearing that they are special no matter what. Part of why my hiring age-range never dips below 40. 

[viewing ownly]

Curious - were you possibly going to donate a total of $240 if you found the experience to be worth more than the asking rate, or do you only donate what is asked, since "It's a 100% profit line of work" is your take on that?

It was lame for him to alter an already agreed upon rate with you. In your shoes, I'd simply donate $240, nothing more, because of what he did. HOWEVER, if someone like him pulls this "additional add-on" bullshit, I'd turn that down, AND never see him again. 

[Ali Gator]

1 minute ago, jeezifonly said:

This particular service industry aligns with a generation’s distaste for providing service. If not working as the sort of provider discussed here, the same men would be shitty waiters, shitty healthcare workers, shitty sales clerks. It’s all learned behavior, from a lifetime of hearing that they are special no matter what. Part of why my hiring age-range never dips below 40. 

BINGO !  This is so damn true.  If these guys realized it's not about them, it's about the client they could make a lot of money. They're cute, sexy, hot bodies, and charging a premium as it is - yet know nothing about how the industry works. 

[viewing ownly]

2 minutes ago, jeezifonly said:

This particular service industry aligns with a generation’s distaste for providing service. If not working as the sort of provider discussed here, the same men would be shitty waiters, shitty healthcare workers, shitty sales clerks. It’s all learned behavior, from a lifetime of hearing that they are special no matter what. Part of why my hiring age-range never dips below 40. 

People mostly ARE shitty "all of the above", because in the past, there were far more people vying for jobs that employers could be picky. We now live in a fucked-up situation where if you're breathing, you're hired, and service (really, non-service) is what we all have to experience now. 

[Ali Gator]

2 minutes ago, viewing ownly said:

Curious - were you possibly going to donate a total of $240 if you found the experience to be worth more than the asking rate, or do you only donate what is asked, since "It's a 100% profit line of work" is your take on that?

It was lame for him to alter an already agreed upon rate with you. In your shoes, I'd simply donate $240, nothing more, because of what he did. HOWEVER, if someone like him pulls this "additional add-on" bullshit, I'd turn that down, AND never see him again. 

If his service was exceptional, then yes, I would have given him extra (I don't know if it would be $40 extra or less or even more, but it would have been something).  If his service was 'as expected' or less, then no. The ball is always in their court (same with servers at a restaurant) - what they do with it is up to them. 

[italianboyph]

What in the hell? A lot of these guys need to  learn how to work and just stop the bullshit, if they wanna get and keep clients. 

[ShortCutie7]

This reminds me of a restaurant story:

When I was a child, my parents and I regularly ate at a restaurant that gave 10% off on Mondays (except holidays).  We ate dinner as usual on a typical Monday and when we got the bill, my parents noticed that the discount had not been applied.  When they asked the waitress, she seemed surprised as well and took the check back to management.  When she returned, she said “ohhh today is a holiday eve, so no discount.”  We never ate at that restaurant again.

[+ KensingtonHomo]

This is absurd. I could see charging a premium for a holiday that has people traveling (Christmas, New Years), but he seems unserious. 

[BrickBuilder]

I just tell everyone that I don't give cash gifts for holidays but I would give a "Thank You" card in an envelop that also had their cash.   I would not sign the Thank you or write anything on the envelop...then frugal providers could re-use the card AND envelop.  Everyone Wins!!!

Edited May 13 by AtlTopGuy

[Spikeguy]

Well he does sound like a mother.

[Moke]

@Ali Gator  can you share a link so I don’t waste my time?