Free massage for B&B owners?

[Jsgirl]

I need some advice. The owner of a local bed and breakfast establishment called me this week. I'm to meet with her this afternoon. She mentioned that this appointment is to meet with me and discuss massage for her guests. Mrs. B&B added that she would want to schedule an appointment, if she is impressed, for me to give her a free massage to test my skills. She's expecting a full hour stone massage. Mrs. B&B also told me that she has been receiving calls from other therapists in the area eager to give her a free massage.

I've been asked to demo in the past, but each time the owner or director of the spa had me spend about 15-30 minutes working on them. Not a full hour. And. . . it was using their supplies. Another therapist told me that Mrs. B&B asked him for a full hour demo massage as well. Said in addition to a full hour massage, he also spent many hours with this woman answering questions and showing her his facilities, yet months later it hasn't turned into business for him.

Perhaps it would be a good marketing tool to give free massages to owners of potential referers. But on the other hand, is she taking advaneforum.xxxe of therapists? If I gave every B&B owner in our immediate community a free massage, that would amount to over 80 free massages! :shock:

Please advise whether this is a common practice or not.

 

[Wired up]

I met briefly with a B&B owner, exchanged brochures and decided she would have my brochures available for her clients. They would decide if they wanted to call me. She didn't ask for a free massage, but I did take my massage chair and give her a free 15 minute "sample".

I think this person is taking advaneforum.xxxe of therapists. If many are calling her and eager to give her free massage......she should take them up on it. Why call around to others who are *not* contacting her with that offer?

Run.

 

[Orange!]

Tell her you would be happy to work out a trade. Sounds like she is trying to get free massage.

 

[.:daisy:.]

Run.

Ditto. She is taking advaneforum.xxxe.

 

[Katy M]

Mrs B&B is lying. If she really had other therapists calling her, eager to give her a free massage, she wouldn't be calling you.

 

[oikos]

What a user!

You could seriously tell her that in exchange for a free night's stay in her inn you would be glad to CONSIDER referring clients to her as well. Good grief.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thank you, thank you all of you who responded! You got back to me before my appointment to meet with Mrs. B&B. And you also confirmed what I felt. And . . . . you have warmed my heart by making me feel surrounded by a community of caring therapists.

Wish I could reach out and hug you all!

Samantha

 

[ben a]

BJB-LMP Wrote: You could seriously tell her that in exchange for a free night's stay in her inn you would be glad to CONSIDER referring clients to her as well. Good grief.

t043 I love it!!!! Great Advice!!

 

[STEVEN]

t037

 

[Major Gmed]

The nerve of some people... and to think that some gullible MT might have given into it!!!

 

[snipe4lyf]

You know, I can see some people such as the owner of the B&B feeling justified in asking for free samples. She feels she is doing something great for her guests and must sample the local therapists so she can recommend them.... It is like she is doing some great service. After all, she isnt doing herself a favors, she is only trying to help her guests and of course the therapist. She may feel she is being... what is the word I am looking for.... selfless??? I think that fits.

 

[sweedishpolar]

An acceptable free sample massage is NOT a one hour stone massage.

I'd be asking how many of her customers request a hot stone recommendation? How many ask about normal massage? How many other therapists does she have this arrangement with?

Give her a free sample then and there, even just shoulders should be enough for her to get an idea of your touch. Tell her she can have a free hot stone massage after she has referred 10 (or whatever number you want) hot stone massages to you....... When she refers another 10 she can have another one, she gets an ongoing benefit to referring to you.

But I think I agree with the RUN option. She may be motivated by the needs of her customers, but considering you know someone she has already done this to without providing any referrals, I'd be very very cautious and probably go with the RUN option.

 

[Uncle]

when i opened my business, i offered a half price coupon to owners/general managers of various properties in my area. i got a call from one of these, and went and did the massage for the owner. no pressure to him... just 'this is what we do, how we do it...'
a week later the owner's wife calls, saying she has a booking for us, but could we do it for the 1/2 price and not mention it to the client. :shock:
i know when i'm being pimped out....
no coupon, no half price, no thanks.
never heard from them again.