Being on time for your appointments rant!!!

[lagaria]

If I hadn't paid the $20, the MPA would probably have been forced to pay it.

Interesting that Emily, who butts into so many threads, is not willing to confirm or deny that this is Muse policy.

 

[w/e child]

Thanks for all the feedback!!! I agree with a lot of the posts in this thread. Next time I make an appointment and I have to wait any longer than 5 min, I will leave. I understand that things can happen to cause delays but 1/2 hour delay is not the right way to run a business. As I said in the beginning of this thread, the owner of AGS gave me $20 off the door fee and did his best to apologize for the inconvenience which I appreciated but I think more could have been done. As this was the first time this has happened, I am now very aware of this and by reading other comments, delays seem pretty typical at AGS. Thanks again

 

[richardinunion]

And the sad part guys is the only ones to blame are ourselves. The spas will continue to do this as long as we continue to wait. They know we'll wait so they know they can get away with it. The best way to put an end to it is for us to start leaving if we're kept waiting.

 

[Candy B]

I find that, if you're kept waiting too long, wandering the hallway in a towel (or nothing, if you're so inclined) banging on each door yelling loudly for you attendant usually gets their attention.

 

[Kellayyy]

I agree it happens at too many places but I don't think everywhere... I really don't think it happens at Allure and other more business like MPs... if it does, it doesn't happen much. Keep in mind what you're asserting here: That if you have an 8 pm appointment and I walk in at 7:45 wanting an appointment with your 8 pm MPA, you're saying they're just putting me right in there regardless of your appointment in 15 minutes because they don't want to lose the money. If I go in for a 40 minute session and then she has to clean up the room afterwards that means you'll be waiting at least a half an hour past your scheduled time. I don't think it happens at the better spas because they ultimately recognize that the extra money they gain is not worth it if their regular clients can't rely on their appointment times. I think what responsible spas do (and you hear them do it when they're on the phone) is to say "she isn't available until 'x' time"...

 

[lourrainne]

Next time it happens, tell them that your policy is that you only pay for massage time. See what she says then.

 

[Hackman]

IMO, it's the attendant's responsibility to keep things on schedule. If you're running out of time or over time, she should let you know and give you the option ending or extending. Charging ahead and asking for $ later is just asking for trouble.

 

[Dawn G]

I always make an appointment and I have never had many significant problems except this one time:

I made an appointment last year with a very popular MPA at SRM. The appointment was at 8:00 PM and I showed up at 7:55. I was told that she was running behind and that there would probably be a 20 minute delay. I decided to kill some time and I returned at 8:20. I was told she would be ready shortly. However I ended up waiting until 8:55. It was very uncomfortable sitting in the waiting area for that long.

I tried to not let it bother me but it was not easy. The MPA was extremely apologetic and the session she gave me was memorable. I left SRM satisfied with the massage but still a bit miffed that I had to wait so long.

These things should never happen but I always make sure I don't have somewhere to go right after any appointment I make, just in case I end up staying longer than I thought I would.

 

[Mummy N Daughter <3]

You're right, no one should have to wait that long, trust me, it doesnt make managment @ the spa happy either...

 

[Butterfly]

Good advice RAH on making sure you have nowhere to go immediately afterwards...not all attendants keep to the clock but it's also nice to be on the receiving end though when we go over time (as long as no one is waiting at your expense I guess)... But what does get me are the assholes who steal appointments...certainly happened to me. Walked in, told them I have an appointment with so and so...only to be told, oh I thought that was who just walked in...by then, you either have to wait or pick another girl or for me, a waste of 45 minutes of driving

 

[gesura]

I have to agree with most of the posts regarding this thread.
I have been left hanging on many occasions and started to get pissed off. Not only did I have to wait 30 plus min. on a couple of occasions in the room. (once your in the room it's like ... Ok another 5 min and it's harder to just leave.) but then my time was cut short. So I sent the management a pm and was offered a free session. Make your voice heard. Once it starts hurting them in the pocket books they will force change. And not to put paint every spa with the same brush.... But this has never happened at allure for some reason. Very well run machine. Just my two cents.

Plus guys if you let them do it... Who fault is it? Stand up, get out and let others know. In this economy the stakes are higher for your hard earned after tax dollars. And if the spa refuses to change policy then go elsewhere... After time I'm sure your favorite mpa will follow where the money is.

We need a client advocate... Or a client bill of rights or just maybe we should get good customer service for a change.
I didnt complain publicly, but I should have... Problem is, massageplanet.net is a review board with paying advertisers so it's easy IMHO to shut out.

That was my rant... I don't post often but that's going to change from lurker to soap box

 

[4REEE]

I shouldn't really butt in here, but I'm stubborn and I sometimes have a big mouth. Just because I am an advertiser, I don't expect that guys cannot or will not say exactly what's on their mind about situations that may or may not happen at Hands from Heaven. I always thought that's what review boards were for? I just ask that reviews on sessions are kept somewhat discreet and that you tell the truth.

There are many times over the past 11 years I've been in business, that the lady has been late coming out of session and there have been times that the customer has been late arriving. It can be due to many situations, hell, if it's a first time customer the guy is nervous as hell! When you are dealing with human beings, there is no such thing as a 'well oiled machine' especially when NO ONE wants to be treated like they are on an assembly line.

I also agree that if a guy goes out of his way to make room in his busy schedule, drives to the location, calls, confirms his appointment, arrives on time, he should be getting into that room within 5 (10 minutes at most) minutes of his appointment time. If a guy frequently runs over his appointment time in the room, the next time he makes an appointment, it should be for a longer session to accommodate.

90% of appointments that run over time are because the lady and the client are having too much conversation at the end of the session. It's hard when you have regular clients because of course you have developed a relationship with that person, you are catching up and you are so in sync with each other that you feel like you are old friends. The solution of course is to have the time inside the room organized and well planned - but, again, we are human, some clients take longer than others, most are concerned they are getting their proper time on the bed - I guess it would be nice to look down at your body and say, 'okay, now!' LMAO.. doesn't work that way hehehe..

The best we all can do is just be considerate to the next client, make sure everyone is getting the time they've paid for and please don't give the ladies a hard time when they take a peek at the clock once in a while because they are trying to keep your session on time too. If you have a bad experience, let the manager know, tell the owners - I know I have always wanted feedback - good and bad. It helps the clients have a better experience and the owners know what you would like changed.

In regards to your experiences at Hands from Heaven, you can always contact me directly or my partner. We always look forward to hearing from you.

 

[regina]

Thanks Kayla...good to hear from an owner and I agree with your points. I don't mind clock-watchers at all since this is a time-based business and I have to say that the best in the business are probably those who can do it extremely discreetly. Some are just plain obvious and rude and look like they want it over...well those ones probably do not have a lot of regulars or fully booked schedules.

Maybe a good thing for a spa to do if a client is more than 15 minutes late for his/her appointment is to redirect to another attendant who is available? Of course the tough thing is what if the next scheduled client doesn't show up or if the person who's late is a regular but got caught up in unexpected traffic, etc...

Sadly no easy answers...but yes, being considerate to the next person is always good and the best thing about that is it's much much easier to be considerate after a massage

 

[michelle bohannon]

Time watching should never disturb a session if done discreetly enough.



We would normally invite a guy to see someone else, but then, it's like going to The Keg, ordering a steak and getting chicken, you'd be pissed, even though the chicken is great, you wanted something different and you were looking forward to it. I've also seen cases where the lady that is the replacement ends up being such a good time for the client that he ends up being her regular lol! At times, guys are afraid to try something new, understandable, but that's what service providers are for, widening your horizons *S*

 

[Alex (the chick version)]

Yes, the other extreme is a clock-watcher.. and I think most guys will agree they'd rather get in a little late rather than the session ending before they're done..

 

[faithloveseternally]

Kudos Kayla. Thoughtful and balanced comments. No wonder you run a great spa.

 

[MiSs FuNkY]

I think it's more like reserving your favourite table at the Keg but they gave it away to somebody else because you were late, so they sat you in a different area instead. Steak for chicken is more like picking, say, Crystal out of the lineup and then have Cali show up in the room instead...but you're right, it may end up great but it's still not the same.