I had a massage the other day (#winning) and her payment app gave me an option to leave a tip – which is new. She’s always been a non-tipping massage therapist – so I asked if I could tip her. She said no – and that it’s part of the app and she asked how to remove it but they aren’t having it. So we started talking about it – and I really liked her reasoning for not having tipping.
Her philosophy is that she doesn’t want people to think of massage as a luxury but as part of your wellness plan. She has a good point, I definitely think of massage as part of my wellness program, along with chiropractic care, over the past couple of years more than I used to.
This got me thinking…your price is your price not your price plus 20% (or whatever spare cash you have in your wallet that ends up making it look like you had a terrible experience…) I appreciate, and agree with, her pricing philosophy. I’ve tipped for massages and other services before, and I will again. But, as you’re looking at pricing in your business, consider how you market your pricing.
I don’t negotiate my rates. I work with clients who value my services and the price to work with me. Every time a client wants to nickel and dime me it always ends badly. Luckily after 6+ years they’re easier to spot and haven’t happened in a while. If you like putting out a high price and negotiating to a lower price with a client, then great, you should do that. If you like the rush of getting a tip for services rendered, then go for it.
By setting my pricing structure the way I have (flat fee & project based) I know what I can add on if I want, or if in discussions I realize the project will be easier than it typically is – I can change my rates, but it’s on my terms, not theirs.
What’s your pricing philosophy? Do you price high and negotiate down? Do you allow tipping? Do you have a take it or leave it approach?
Wait a minute – I love that ideal that messages should be part of a wellness plan, and that you only tip for luxuries. In which case, I’m no longer tipping bartenders…
Ha! Excellent philosophy – but as we’re both well aware, bartenders are doing the Lord’s work and should be rewarded mightily for it!
Totally agree! I will also add that when service providers have sales and discounts all the time, especially from different arenas (newsletter coupon, groupon, Facebook ads), I hesitate on booking something with them at full price. Why book today when there could be a coupon or deal tomorrow? After awhile, does their full price even seem worth it? It’s a tactic that works to get people in the door, sometimes. But you are not building a base of full-price customers.