Increase in prices

Tiffany said:

I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to announce a price increase. I
have one format but I just like it to be as professional as possible so like to look at other
ways to word it.

Thanks.

Tiffany

I think you should hold the line on prices with customers who have been coming back to you on a
regular basis. Or at least give them a really long grace period, like a year, before you raise their
prices. And make sure they are aware of this.

Like any business, return customers can make the difference.

New customers should get the new rate.

CB

Tiff's just looking for wording and format of a price increase announcement.. not the ethics of
"should and should not" or "when".. ONLY the FORMAT/WORDING in a professional way.

I'm just beginning on this end Tiffany, can't really help you. Although I did figure out what you
were looking for from the beginning lol Aside from tables and chairs.. I have noticed that
"soapboxes" seem to come right along with massage therapist equipment and supplies. .. especially
HERE LOL.. (light-hearted humor)

Have a great weekend all!

"Tiffany" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to announce a price increase. I have
one format but I just like it to be as professional as possible so like to look at other ways to
word it.

Thanks.

Tiffany

Cloud Burst <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 19:43:24 -0500, "Tiffany" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to announce a price increase. I have
one format but I just like it to be as

professional

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as possible so like to look at other ways to word it.

Thanks.

Tiffany

I think you should hold the line on prices with customers who have been coming back to you on a
regular basis. Or at least give them a really long grace period, like a year, before you raise
their prices. And make sure they are aware of this.

Like any business, return customers can make the difference.

New customers should get the new rate.

CB

I am not really questioning whether or not to increase my prices, I am doing it. Thanks for the
suggestion but it is not fair to charge different prices, in my opinion.

Tiffany

Mj Hess <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tiff's just looking for wording and format of a price increase announcement.. not the ethics of
"should and should not" or "when".. ONLY the FORMAT/WORDING in a professional way.

I'm just beginning on this end Tiffany, can't really help you. Although I did figure out what you
were looking for from the beginning lol Aside

from

Quoted message said:

tables and chairs.. I have noticed that "soapboxes" seem to come right

along

Quoted message said:

with massage therapist equipment and supplies. .. especially HERE LOL.. (light-hearted humor)

Have a great weekend all!

We are just a helpful bunch so everyone helps in their own way. It is good to get other opinions but
the price increase is something I have been battling over in my head for some time and have finally
come to a conclusion. It isn't easy to decide to increase prices as there is always the chance to
lose some clients. But what everyone doesn't know is I am currently charging a pretty low rate for
massage as it is. I just finished a 620 hour program in Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu which is usually a
higher paid rate. So comparing massage to Shiatsu, there was a large price difference there. There
also had been NO increase in price at the location I work at for over 3 years. When I started there,
I used the same prices as the previous therapists. Why I don't agree with charging different prices
is that if a newer client talks to so-and-so and they say they only are charged $-- amount but the
newer client is paying $5 more, the newer client could get offended. I would. I know a few
therapists who charge on a sliding scale..... I don't. I am not in the business of evaluating
people's financial status to see what they can afford. To each his own, I always say.

So if anyone has any suggestions on professional wording to announce the price increase, I would
greatly appreciate it.

Tiffany

Hi Tiffany,

Of course good CMTs deserve raises too and have increasing costs! However, I would advise being
careful here if the geographic area you are in is still suffering economically as massage is usually
viewed as a discretionary expense. I think a good way to gauge whether or not your clientele can
afford a rate increase is to look at what you are making per hour when tips are added in. Assuming
your clients can afford it (the only thing worse than working for too little money is not making any
at all), post your rate increase at least 3 months in advance.

BTW--You might get a surprise on offering a discount to long-time clients (my massage therapist in
CA did that for me) as I always paid her the new rate plus tip but appreciated that she would extend
that to me as a "thank you" going back to when she was building up her business. The difference that
it would have made to me is that if I'd lost my job back in CA, I would have felt comfortable asking
her if I could go back to the old rate until I found something rather than dropping her until I
found something.

Good luck, George

"Tiffany" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cloud Burst <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 19:43:24 -0500, "Tiffany" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to announce

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

price increase. I have one format but I just like it to be as

professional

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as possible so like to look at other ways to word it.

Thanks.

Tiffany

I think you should hold the line on prices with customers who have been coming back to you on a
regular basis. Or at least give them a really long grace period, like a year, before you raise
their prices. And make sure they are aware of this.

Like any business, return customers can make the difference.

New customers should get the new rate.

CB

I am not really questioning whether or not to increase my prices, I am

doing

Quoted message said:

it. Thanks for the suggestion but it is not fair to charge different

prices,

Quoted message said:

in my opinion.

Tiffany

"Tiffany" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cloud Burst <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 19:43:24 -0500, "Tiffany" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to announce

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

price increase. I have one format but I just like it to be as

professional

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as possible so like to look at other ways to word it.

Thanks.

Tiffany

I think you should hold the line on prices with customers who have been coming back to you on a
regular basis. Or at least give them a really long grace period, like a year, before you raise
their prices. And make sure they are aware of this.

Like any business, return customers can make the difference.

New customers should get the new rate.

CB

I am not really questioning whether or not to increase my prices, I am

doing

Quoted message said:

it. Thanks for the suggestion but it is not fair to charge different

prices,

Quoted message said:

in my opinion.

Tiffany

Actually, I agree with CB. That's how I did it and it worked wonderfully.

Ben

Tiffany said:

Mj Hess <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tiff's just looking for wording and format of a price increase announcement.. not the ethics of
"should and should not" or "when".. ONLY the FORMAT/WORDING in a professional way.

I'm just beginning on this end Tiffany, can't really help you. Although I did figure out what
you were looking for from the beginning lol Aside

from

Quoted message said:

tables and chairs.. I have noticed that "soapboxes" seem to come right

along

Quoted message said:

with massage therapist equipment and supplies. .. especially HERE LOL.. (light-hearted humor)

Have a great weekend all!

We are just a helpful bunch so everyone helps in their own way. It is good to get other opinions
but the price increase is something I have been battling over in my head for some time and have
finally come to a conclusion. It isn't easy to decide to increase prices as there is always the
chance to lose some clients. But what everyone doesn't know is I am currently charging a pretty
low rate for massage as it is. I just finished a 620 hour program in Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu which
is usually a higher paid rate. So comparing massage to Shiatsu, there was a large price difference
there. There also had been NO increase in price at the location I work at for over 3 years. When I
started there, I used the same prices as the previous therapists. Why I don't agree with charging
different prices is that if a newer client talks to so-and-so and they say they only are charged
$-- amount but the newer client is paying $5 more, the newer client could get offended. I would. I
know a few therapists who charge on a sliding scale..... I don't. I am not in the business of
evaluating people's financial status to see what they can afford. To each his own, I always say.

So if anyone has any suggestions on professional wording to announce the price increase, I would
greatly appreciate it.

Tiffany

You could announce to your clients that out of necessity (you don't need to tell them what it is)
you will have an increase in rates as of whatever date. To your old clients you could either give
them a one to three month or so grace period (not a year), or book now for the next several
appointments at the old rate. You're not quite charging different prices; your new clients are
charged the new rate, your old clients get a discount for a set time period. After your grace period
is over, everyone would then be at the same rate.

If this still doesn't answer your question, perhaps you could post the wording you plan to use
and we could help you out with it - make sure it's as professional and straightforward as you'd
like it to be.

sue

-) cool beans then! Just the wording/format.. though I understand
everyone helping in their own way.. interjection of humor (i.e. "soapbox
comments"😉 is one way too.. looks like you're DEFINITELY getting the help
you "need"? I hope.. take care.
"Tiffany" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mj Hess <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tiff's just looking for wording and format of a price increase announcement.. not the ethics of
"should and should not" or "when"..

ONLY

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the FORMAT/WORDING in a professional way.

I'm just beginning on this end Tiffany, can't really help you. Although

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

did figure out what you were looking for from the beginning lol Aside

from

Quoted message said:

tables and chairs.. I have noticed that "soapboxes" seem to come right

along

Quoted message said:

with massage therapist equipment and supplies. .. especially HERE LOL.. (light-hearted humor)

Have a great weekend all!

We are just a helpful bunch so everyone helps in their own way. It is good to get other opinions
but the price increase is something I have been battling over in my head for some time and have
finally come to a conclusion. It isn't easy to decide to increase prices as there is always the
chance to lose some clients. But what everyone doesn't know is I am currently charging a pretty
low rate for massage as it is. I just finished

a

Quoted message said:

620 hour program in Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu which is usually a higher paid rate. So comparing
massage to Shiatsu, there was a large price difference there. There also had been NO increase in
price at the location I work at for over 3 years. When I started there, I used the same prices as
the previous therapists. Why I don't agree with charging different prices is that if a newer
client talks to so-and-so and they say they only are

charged

Quoted message said:

$-- amount but the newer client is paying $5 more, the newer client could get offended. I would. I
know a few therapists who charge on a sliding scale..... I don't. I am not in the business of
evaluating people's financial status to see what they can afford. To each his own, I always

say.

Quoted message said:

So if anyone has any suggestions on professional wording to announce the price increase, I would
greatly appreciate it.

Tiffany

Tiff,

My MT simply placed a sign on the counter stating (and I'm paraphrasing here):

Effective 1/1/04, we will be raising our session prices as follows:
1/2 hour - $ 1 hour - $ I hope this will not be an inconvenience.

The amount was $5 per hour, and she placed this sign 3 months in advance. This gave plenty of time
for discussion, if wanted, and avoided the sort of unpleasant type of "hey I am raising my prices"
discussion directly with the client.

Hope this helps.

Ben & Lydia <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Tiffany" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cloud Burst <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 19:43:24 -0500, "Tiffany"

<[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>I am wondering if any mt's would suggest a professional way to

announce

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>price increase. I have one format but I just like it to be as

professional

Quoted message said:

>as possible so like to look at other ways to word it.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Tiffany

I think you should hold the line on prices with customers who have been coming back to you on
a regular basis. Or at least give them a really long grace period, like a year, before you
raise their prices. And make sure they are aware of this.

Like any business, return customers can make the difference.

New customers should get the new rate.

CB

I am not really questioning whether or not to increase my prices, I am

doing

Quoted message said:

it. Thanks for the suggestion but it is not fair to charge different

prices,

Quoted message said:

in my opinion.

Tiffany

Actually, I agree with CB. That's how I did it and it worked wonderfully.

Ben

But that doesn't help answer my question guys. lol

T

Actually, you've got an interesting idea there Suzee. If Tiffany wants to extend any sort of
discount toward old clients, she could in a sense, do so by selling "massage futures" as you
suggest. They COULD be different from a "gift certificate" in that they could have a "not good
BEFORE" date on them, thus taking advantage of the time value of money. There is a spa in Napa,
California that does a variation of this (combined with the idea of quantity purchase discounting,
i.e., they sell a massage-a-week for a year payable in advance for a significant discount). I'm not
sure that Tiffany is receptive to this tangent as she merely wanted to know how to raise her price
and offend the least number of people possible...but it is an idea and maybe it will be of some use
to her (or somebody).

"suzee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tiffany said:

Mj Hess <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tiff's just looking for wording and format of a price increase announcement.. not the ethics
of "should and should not" or "when"..

ONLY

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the FORMAT/WORDING in a professional way.

I'm just beginning on this end Tiffany, can't really help you.

Although I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

did figure out what you were looking for from the beginning lol Aside

from

Quoted message said:

tables and chairs.. I have noticed that "soapboxes" seem to come right

along

Quoted message said:

with massage therapist equipment and supplies. .. especially HERE

LOL..

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(light-hearted humor)

Have a great weekend all!

We are just a helpful bunch so everyone helps in their own way. It is

good

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to get other opinions but the price increase is something I have been battling over in my head
for some time and have finally come to a conclusion. It isn't easy to decide to increase prices
as there is

always

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the chance to lose some clients. But what everyone doesn't know is I am currently charging a
pretty low rate for massage as it is. I just

finished a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

620 hour program in Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu which is usually a higher

paid

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rate. So comparing massage to Shiatsu, there was a large price

difference

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

there. There also had been NO increase in price at the location I work

at

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for over 3 years. When I started there, I used the same prices as the previous therapists. Why I
don't agree with charging different prices is that if a newer client talks to so-and-so and they
say they only are

charged

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

$-- amount but the newer client is paying $5 more, the newer client

could

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

get offended. I would. I know a few therapists who charge on a sliding scale..... I don't. I am
not in the business of evaluating people's financial status to see what they can afford. To each
his own, I always

say.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So if anyone has any suggestions on professional wording to announce the price increase, I would
greatly appreciate it.

Tiffany

You could announce to your clients that out of necessity (you don't need to tell them what it is)
you will have an increase in rates as of whatever date. To your old clients you could either give
them a one to three month or so grace period (not a year), or book now for the next several
appointments at the old rate. You're not quite charging different prices; your new clients are
charged the new rate, your old clients get a discount for a set time period. After your grace
period is over, everyone would then be at the same rate.

If this still doesn't answer your question, perhaps you could post the wording you plan to use and
we could help you out with it - make sure it's as professional and straightforward as you'd like
it to be.

sue

Ooooh, I know, I know! Do it the high tech way! Raise your prices but hand out rebate forms...you
know a lot of people hate dealing with rebates and won't bother...besides, where will they get the
bar codes to cut out?????

George

George <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Actually, you've got an interesting idea there Suzee. If Tiffany wants to extend any sort of
discount toward old clients, she could in a sense, do

so

Quoted message said:

by selling "massage futures" as you suggest. They COULD be different from

a

Quoted message said:

"gift certificate" in that they could have a "not good BEFORE" date on

them,

Quoted message said:

thus taking advantage of the time value of money. There is a spa in Napa, California that does a
variation of this (combined with the idea of

quantity

Quoted message said:

purchase discounting, i.e., they sell a massage-a-week for a year payable

in

Quoted message said:

advance for a significant discount). I'm not sure that Tiffany is

receptive

Quoted message said:

to this tangent as she merely wanted to know how to raise her price and offend the least number of
people possible...but it is an idea and maybe

it

Quoted message said:

will be of some use to her (or somebody).

It is a good idea and one I thought of. I have decided to give a 3 month notice on the increase and
also will offer clients the chance to pre-pay at the old rates. As for the wording, I have actually
consulted with business people in other fields also and have gotten that down pretty good too.
Thanks all.

Tiffany

George said:

Actually, you've got an interesting idea there Suzee. If Tiffany wants to extend any sort of
discount toward old clients, she could in a sense, do so by selling "massage futures" as you
suggest. They COULD be different from a "gift certificate" in that they could have a "not good
BEFORE" date on them, thus taking advantage of the time value of money. There is a spa in Napa,
California that does a variation of this (combined with the idea of quantity purchase discounting,
i.e., they sell a massage-a-week for a year payable in advance for a significant discount). I'm
not sure that Tiffany is receptive to this tangent as she merely wanted to know how to raise her
price and offend the least number of people possible...but it is an idea and maybe it will be of
some use to her (or somebody).

Okay, here's another idea. <g> I work at a day spa and we have a package deal of buy 5 and get the
6th one free. Quite a few clients have these for several of the services they use regularly. Amounts
to about a 16% discount, but everything's paid for up front. We keep a file card with their name and
mark the dates they come in until it's used up. Then they generally buy another.

sue

George <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ooooh, I know, I know! Do it the high tech way! Raise your prices but

hand

Quoted message said:

out rebate forms...you know a lot of people hate dealing with rebates and won't bother...besides,
where will they get the bar codes to cut out?????

George

lol.... I would probably be the first mt to do that.

T