Tipping at a home studio

[Mighty Saints!!]

I found a really neat lady who gives a great massage at her home studio. She accepts credit cards which I use. When I get the receipt to sign it has a place for a tip on it. I have tipped LMT's at spas and beauty shops as I know they only get a perceneforum.xxxe.

What is best to do at a home studio? I am retired and do get weekly massages from her because she has discounted rates due to her low overhead at home. I would love to tip but I love now being able to more afford a weekly massage from her.

I know she is good and a tip would most likley show that. I do thank her and rebook every week. I intend to give a gift card at the holidays. I wish I could afford say a $10 tip each week but then I would have to cut back on the frequency of the massages. Comments please.

 

[Yellowstonedogs]

Personally I would rather have someone as a weekly client than receive a tip from them. I would be happy as well with a gift card around the holidays.
I never expect to get a tip as I know there are people on fixed incomes.

Instead of a tip maybe take some of her business cards and hand them to people you know would go to her. New referred clients are always better than a tip because it shows you are talking good about them and their work.

 

[theShinning]

Well said Shannon, I agree. A weekly client that refers more business is better than a tip.

 

[Pompal 09.]

:iagree:

being independent myself, i say if i 'need' a tip, i should raise my prices.

try to refer her. it's more valuable than a tip

 

[Angel M]

Add me to the list. I think she most likely appreciates your regular patronage more than a tip. I wouldn't worry about tipping. As others have said referrals are better than tips and I think your plan of a gift card at the holidays is especially nice.

 

[Sky.Ice.]

Thank you for your concern. As stated above, yes, please come in as you have been. When people set up their own offices, they set up the price that they need to exist. If you want to tip then it is a nice addition, but again not necessary.

 

[the chubbster]

:iagree:

I'd rather have a client come regularly also.
It's great to have steady weekly clients that you know you can count on.

 

[A D]

Agreed.

 

[Hatikvah JPA]

I agree with everyone else! The tip line on the credit card receipt is probably just programmed in by the company that made the machine. This is a "tips accepted, never expected" situation. I would MUCH prefer a weekly client than an occasional tip!

 

[Wondrer]

I agree with all the others.
A referral to a new client is the best tip ever!!

Robyn

 

[anna b]

Add me in for referral of clients as the tips I like!

 

[pinhed_1976]

I get tips about half the time.

Some people tip MT's and some dont. I know there is this thing about tipping owners of a restaurant or bar... (that it is not customary to tip the owner) and I wonder if it carries over into other types of businesses such as ours.

I have already asked the hairdressers in my building if they always get a tip, and they tell me they do 99% of the time. I also think massage is a medical thing in some peoples eyes, and they dont tip doctors and nurses, so they are not going to tip an MT either.

 

[DAMIAN]

Thank you for your concern. As stated above, yes, please come in as you have been. When people set up their own offices, they set up the price that they need to exist. If you want to tip then it is a nice addition, but again not necessary.

I totally agree

I too have a home studio, and I have set my prices fairly so that I do not count on tips. Tips are a nice bonus--they're appreciated, but they're a bonus. I would MUCH rather have a client come in for weekly visits and not tip anything, than tip well but come in less often. I also wholeheartedly agree with the idea of sending this therapist referrals. Referrals are really important and VERY much appreciated. Honestly, it's the VERY BEST compliment anyone can give, and I like the idea that it doesn't cost the giver anything extra. A tip will make my day, but a referral will make me feel warm forever.

Hugs and thanks for being so considerate! I wish I was your therapist
~Jyoti

 

[Rottie Momma]

Another vote for you to just keep coming back and show your appreciation by telling others about her massage!

A side thought: She doesn't have all of the overhead that those of us with offices have and that *does* factor into the situation.

 

[cameronissim...]

Thanks!

Thanks so much for all your comments. I can rest easy (on the table) now. I always out of respect refer others to services and products that impress me and I have found to be outstanding. I will surely pass along her name to others. Thanks!

The best to all of you.

 

[queen bee]

I also would prefer a regular client over a tip anyday.

 

[meshmesh]

I agree with everyone else. I have a lot of clients that tip, and some that don't but really, I just care about the regular business. Tips are nice, but I'm self employed and keep all of what I make and I think of a tip as just a nice bonus, but yes, I would much rather have referrals then tips.

 

[Elephant Droppings]

Tipping an LMT with a home office

I agree that I would much rather have that gal go out and talk me up and send more clients my way, tips are just icing on the cake, but I am happy with my cake.

 

[Maxwell Murder]

I must say,a returning client is a wonderful thing! I see tips as something that if left or offered,fine,if not fine. A regular client that comes weekly is the best compliment I could receive.It shows they appreciate the work done for them!

Namaste'
Johnny

 

[Designer~Wife]

Tipping at a home studio

I just rectenly raise my prices. I took the average I was making over the past six month including tips. That is how I came up with my new rate and I have also posted that tipping is now discouraged