A new battlefield: the massage table

I don't know if it is just me, but lately I feel that every time I pass a shopping plaza I notice a new massage store.  As someone who doesn't have a lot of extra cash lying around I will admit my first massage was something I purchased through GroupOn, but after talking with the business owner and the masseuse who gave me my massage I have had some reservations about these sort of businesses and offers.   Now that I work part time at a Spa these reservations have only increased.  What are these concerns you now ask (dare I hope with bated breathe)?

1. How much is the Masseuse actually being paid? 

As someone who has frequently held part time jobs to help with college loans or for extra spending money I understand the value of a dollar.  Many masseuses work at multiple locations, and sometimes out of their own homes.  While you might be spending $50 on a massage, your therapist is only receiving a portion of that to take home- typically $10-20 dollars for an hour massage. Where is the rest of the money going? Well if they are working for a business they are being charged to use the room, and if they do not bring their own creams and sheets they are also being charged to use those.  At most Spas the therapist gets a bit more because you are charged more, that is also why tips are so important.  Remember they have to drive to each location they work at just like the rest of us.

2. What is the experience level at chains versus spas? 

Getting one's foot in the door is often one of the hardest things for a graduate of any program, but for services like massage and other luxury items, this can be especially daunting.  While your friends may be appreciative of your services they typically are not willing to shell out $50 or more to receive them.  That means you need to find somewhere to work.  Chain massage stores are one of the best options for some people, especially if they do not like strangers in their homes or going to the home of someone they have never met.  However I will have to mention in the spirit of honesty that there are a number of highly experienced masseuses in some of these chain stores as they tend to be closer to their homes than some spas.

3. Atmosphere

Just like so many others I will admit that appearances are important.  One of the things I like best is when you are at a Spa everyone is welcoming and that the facility is clean.  Candles, bottles of water, and a changing room are all things that appeal to me.  However after reading reports from others who have used chain stores and GroupOn coupons, not every facility has or can offer these accommodations.  When you have bought an hour massage, part of that hour will be taken up by changing, and in your room as their are no lockers or changing rooms.  This is fine for some people, for others this might be a deal breaker.  Most Spas on the other hand do have extra amenities that sometimes you get for free: chilled water, champagne, light refreshments, lockers (with key), and showers if you still feel a bit too oily after certain types of treatments.

4. Discounts

I think one of the best things about the chains and GroupOns are the discounts for the user.  However spas and there massage therapists at the Spas can offer discounts on services as well.  When you purchase an 'x' amount of planned treatments typically the costs will be less, but you get to keep more of the higher end amenities.  It never hurts to ask.  Massage Therapists love it when they can see clients again, especially if you have meshed.  The more time a therapist spends working on your person, the better able they will be to treat your needs in the future, this is why we stay with our general practitioners and dentists, not having to re-explain ourselves to each new person is a wonderful thing.

Concluding thoughts

I cannot say that one is better than the other, except to say that at a Spa the amenities and the fees going to the masseuse are going to be better (hopefully).  The other plus for Spas would be that you can receive a number of additional services within the same walls.  The Chain Stores will almost always win on the User fees front, as well as the diversity of persons within the building.  A Spa will typically have 4-5 therapists on call, while a Chain will have double or triple that number.




(I will admit that I was hoping I would have more good things to say about Spas when I started the research on this post, but found through the conversations with our therapists and online reading that how I was going to write this article changed.  Since our therapists work at both locations, they simply stated that they enjoyed they spas more because they tend to be more relaxed and pay better.  But if you are writing on behalf of the User how many of them care if they have to change in the room and have a 45 min. massage for half the cost of the Spa's hour massage?)