My MTs keep leaving me!

[Punisher]

The title probably does sound dramatic, like I am a terrible client or something but the issue is pretty undramatic yet annoying.

I have found a place (franchise type place) that does massage that seems to go through MTs semi-quickly. I have been getting massages at this place for awhile now, I go on average about once every month and a half to two months. They usually have 3-5 MTs working at one time and they seem to have about 13-15 on staff at any given time. In all my massages I have only received one that was not that great, the rest have been good to great and all of the MTs are very nice folks. The issue that comes up is that I find a MT that I like and who will squish me as hard as I like to be squished doing Deep Tissue work and then within a visit to a few they are no longer working there. I do not know why they have left. It seems to happen pretty frequently so I would assume it is not anything the MTs have done but something that the company is doing... crazy work hours, low pay or even just cutting them loose after they have worked there for a certain amount of time.

The last MT that I really liked, I saw her 3 times, I had started thinking how to broach this subject with her but wanted to check in here first on any suggestions you all would have. Before I had a chance to do that I looked at their site (they have their appointments online, availability, etc) and she is now no longer working there as she is not listed among the staff. This is the fourth time this has happened with MTs leaving. As they are the cheapest place around by about $25 I am hesitant to stop going to them.

Finding a MT that I really like, for me is an investment of my time and money. Once I find one I would like to keep going to them. Whether they leave on their own accord or are let go by the company Is there any way for me to tactfully ask the MT (before the fact) if I could have their contact information in case they do leave I could then be their client, by-passing the company? Of course, it would depend on whether they have a place to practice, whether they have equipment, etc, etc. But I was thinking it would not hurt to ask. I am also aware that I could be their first client, on their own, and would be more then happy to help them that way.

My question is this... I am just wondering how I would phrase it as I wouldn't want to frighten them by making them think they were going to get fired, "Well the last 4 MTs I liked that worked here all got let go... so in case you do also can I get your contact info?" as that might freak them out.

Any suggestions?

 

[Joey]

My MTs keep leaving me!

It is typical for large franchise type companies to have a high turnover rate, as they do usually expect long hours for little pay. I see no harm in asking, it has happened to me many times, though it is usually frowned upon by the company for them to give it to you. Perhaps it would be best to give them your contact information "just in case." (This is what I always did when asked for my home business info, I would suggest they give me their's instead and continue to see me at the spa/clinic until I left there.) This would keep them out of a possible sticky "you stole my clients" situation, while still allowing you to do business together.

Please just don't stalk them on facebook or myspace... that is creepy, believe me :shocked:

 

[sirrobbie]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I have had many clients ask me for my contact info. You can just ask for their email and make sure you know their first and last name so you can google if they go on their own. You can so ask the MT's at the place that you are going if they know where the MT that you like went. Managment won't tell, they will play so and so left the industry card. A lot of these place are not allow to inform clients where they are moving to bc of non compete.

 

[My Boy]

My MTs keep leaving me!

My question is this... I am just wondering how I would phrase it as I wouldn't want to frighten them by making them think they were going to get fired, "Well the last 4 MTs I liked that worked here all got let go... so in case you do also can I get your contact info?" as that might freak them out.

Any suggestions?

"I've noticed the past four MT's I really appreciated have since left this business and I don't know how to get in touch with any of them. I would like to give you my information, in case something happens with your schedule in the future. Here is my e-mail and phone number. Would you please keep me on your contact list if you happen to move on? Thanks!"

 

[Alan Y]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I asked my favorite MT, who also works at a local MT school - hey, if your busy who would you advise that I see? And she gave me a list of 5 local MT's in a variety of settings and prices. I tried several and I've been seeing one of them as a alternate since.

The MT that gave me the list I've seen monthly for several years & she has been in the same place. You may want to consider finding a place that pays their staff better. I'm betting that has alot to do with the turnover you've described.

good luck - g

 

[Absent]

My MTs keep leaving me!

Or look for a MT in private practice

 

[hil30]

My MTs keep leaving me!

If you have family, friends, acquaintences at work who receive massage, ask them about their massage therapist... word of mouth is a great way to find a new massage therapist.

 

[Pompal 09.]

My MTs keep leaving me!

Thank you all for your replies and the good suggestions. And thank you especially to pueppi for the exact words.

Just so you know I only know the first names of the MTs. I could learn their last names as they are listed on the company website but I have not bothered to because I do not think I have (had) a need for it. Except possibly until recently... because of this situation. I still couldn't tell you any of their last names at the moment though.
I think the idea of me giving my information to them is really helpful as it will leave the ball in their court and they can decide if they would like to continue to have me for as a client.

And again, I understand how you all like to keep your work life separate from your personal life, I would not think about tracking someone down on a social networking site. I myself am a pretty private individual.

And the suggestion that management will not share where the MTs have gone is true. I have overheard two phone conversations in the reception area where the scheduler will say, "That therapist is no longer with us." And then they just repeat that a couple times, like the person on the other end is asking for more information.

Thank you again for the suggestions.

 

[TonyB]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I would definitely recommend you look for therapists someone else besides a franchise. Most MTs won't or can't last long at those sorts of places, low pay, too many hours of work, constant strain on their body, and lack of educational standard and continuing education all contribute. I would really recommend finding a massage school in your area, the prices would be comparable or lower, and students really need people to practice on! This would greatly help the therapists gain experience, and you wouldn't be supporting a chain that doesn't care about their MTs and only about money. And of course when the student graduates you may be able to work with them to have massage done either wherever they go next, or if they have a private practice.

 

[Kurtis B]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I would definitely recommend you look for therapists someone else besides a franchise. Most MTs won't or can't last long at those sorts of places, low pay, too many hours of work, constant strain on their body, and lack of educational standard and continuing education all contribute. I would really recommend finding a massage school in your area, the prices would be comparable or lower, and students really need people to practice on! This would greatly help the therapists gain experience, and you wouldn't be supporting a chain that doesn't care about their MTs and only about money. And of course when the student graduates you may be able to work with them to have massage done either wherever they go next, or if they have a private practice.

None of the above negatives apply to our franchise massage center. If you are in the Twin Cities area, come to Keep In Touch of Eagan for a great experience. :massage: :grin:

 

[Vegas Matt]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I have had many clients ask me for my contact info. You can just ask for their email and make sure you know their first and last name so you can google if they go on their own. You can so ask the MT's at the place that you are going if they know where the MT that you like went. Managment won't tell, they will play so and so left the industry card. A lot of these place are not allow to inform clients where they are moving to bc of non compete.

Wow, ethics schemethics huh? I sure hope to never hire you.

 

[tombgeek]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I apologize, I don't mean every franchise is not worthwhile, nor that you will not find quality therapists working at one, just that the odds of someone leaving a franchise are higher due to the above stated issues. I can only speak of the experiences I have had, or have been told by other therapists and clients.

 

[skymodog]

My MTs keep leaving me!

And on the ethics ground.. while I am totally in agreement with not "taking" clients with you when you leave a business, I also think it is the clients' choice of who they want to see. If the sole reason they are frequenting a business is due to one person then I understand them wanting to follow the therapist. If you really feel that a certain therapist has given you great work you could always ask management I suppose and just state that the care you were receiving was very personal and healing and that you would like your information passed on to them, maybe via email? It's worth a try!

 

[Rachel <3]

My MTs keep leaving me!

And on the ethics ground.. while I am totally in agreement with not "taking" clients with you when you leave a business, I also think it is the clients' choice of who they want to see. If the sole reason they are frequenting a business is due to one person then I understand them wanting to follow the therapist. If you really feel that a certain therapist has given you great work you could always ask management I suppose and just state that the care you were receiving was very personal and healing and that you would like your information passed on to them, maybe via email? It's worth a try!

To me that would be a very appropriate way of handling things.

 

[Sarah Jade]

My MTs keep leaving me!

To me that would be a very appropriate way of handling things.[/quote]


I am curious. How would you handle a client asking you for your infomation?

 

[?l????? peac??]

My MTs keep leaving me!

This story I am about to share maybe comparting apples to oranges, but I feel it has a good point.

My sister works as a therapist in a clinic. She gets paid per patient she sees about 5 a day 5 days a week. She is in the processes in opening her own private practice. So I asked are you allowed to take your clients with you? Now the clinic she works for gets referals from insurance. So she does not need to promote her services at all. And when she leaves to go and open her own place she is able to take her patient list with her bc that is common place the mental health field.

So that got my thinking is that any different than a MT working for a clinic? My sister was shocked that most places don't allow the MT to take their list with them. She says how the heck are you so post to make any money if you can't maintain your own list.

Just some food for thought

 

[qwerqwer]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I try to give my personal information to clients, so I created my own website. It always has where I am working, my rates, my education, etc. That way no matter where I am or where I go, clients can contact me if they wish.

(I devised this plan after leaving a former spa to rent my own space, a prior client asked where I was moving to and I wasn't comfortable giving her that information while I still worked for someone else. I simply told her to search for me on google and my website would pop up.)

 

[Merl]

My MTs keep leaving me!

I try to give my personal information to clients, so I created my own website. It always has where I am working, my rates, my education, etc. That way no matter where I am or where I go, clients can contact me if they wish.

(I devised this plan after leaving a former spa to rent my own space, a prior client asked where I was moving to and I wasn't comfortable giving her that information while I still worked for someone else. I simply told her to search for me on google and my website would pop up.)

I did the samething... And I always made it very clear to my employers that I have my own website. That way there would be no suprises

 

[Pompal 09.]

My MTs keep leaving me!

As an MT working at a large massage center, I was often asked for a business card or other contact info. Many clients wanted to set up "side deals" with me, like seeing me elsewhere at a reduced price but I would "get to keep more of it." My usual response was to write my name on the center's business card and invite them to come back soon. When I was preparing to leave, I let the ones I saw for massage know that I would be leaving soon, and suggested some other MTs they might also like.

Why would I do this with my regulars? Because (1) I had signed a noncompete agreement, and (2) it was the right thing to do.

I never would have met those clients if I hadn't been working at that massage center. Most had seen other MTs there before me, and many saw other MTs there whenever I was booked. It wasn't me alone that kept them coming back - it was the overall experience: the great facilities, the wonderful receptionists, my fellow MTs, etc. "My" regular clients were, in reality, regular clients of the business, and I was temporarily their favorite MT. Inducing those clients to see me elsewhere would have been extremely unethical, and I never attempted to build a list of any kind. The noncompete agreement was never an issue for me, because none of my future plans would have violated it.

There were only a few clients to whom I gave alternate contact info: Those who actively inquired about my services as a personal trainer. To these, I gave my personal training business card, but none actually followed through. : My training services would have been another 20 minute drive further from their homes.

Now that Kelly and I run a massage center, one of our responsibilities is to attract clientele. Advertising is expensive - we spend many thousands of dollars to build and maintain clientele. The competition is fierce and numerous, always seeking to draw people elsewhere. Our MTs had no idea what is involved with designing and placing a successful ad, let alone what it costs - so we told them. We feel that the more our MTs understand how we all function to help each other as a team, the better we all do. We have no problem with clients seeing other MTs at the center, and often refer to each other.

 

[LoveAlways]

My MTs keep leaving me!

To me that would be a very appropriate way of handling things.

I am curious. How would you handle a client asking you for your infomation?[/quote]
Well I was coming back to answer this, but I can just say that I agree 100% with JasonE.

As an IC I consider the establishment that I am working for to be my client. My job is to serve their clients to the best of my abilities. It is not at all worth procuring a few private clients to lose the business of a business that provides me several hundred clients throughout the year. Not to mention it is unethical, and I consider it stealing potential income from their business.