Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

[Dano]

I work at a small spa offering body wraps (40 minutes) and anti cellulite treatments (those last up to an hour and are quite labor intensive on my part). The rates are about ninety dollars for a service.

I see that most of our clientele leaves without tipping at all. Even when they come in as a groupon, which means they only payed a fraction of a price for the service.

I am wondering, if that is the usual case for such treatments OR it is simply clients not knowing that tip is not included in the service. I tend to think the latter, because a) we do not have it written anywhere (not even something like ''gratuity is not included'', etc); b) receptionist upon checking people out is also not asking, if they want to add a gratuity to the bill.

At this point I was thinking of asking the management to add a line about it on the wall or something, because frankly I make just little over a minimum wage an hour and any tip would be greatly appreciated.

What do you guys think?

Thank you.

 

[GunnerRose]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

Personally (and professionally), I don't think tips should ever be solicited or hinted at. I don't like it when a waiter asks "Do you want your change back?" And I don't think the receptionist should ask if the client wants to add a tip.

There are many weeks when, after a 40 hour week, I average out to minimum wage. I know it can be very disheartening, I've had clients that I spent 3 or 4 hours on, wrap, scrub, massage, facial, and they don't tip. Or they have a gift card which cost them nothing, and no tip. But I don't look at it as a reflection on how they felt about their service, they all seem to be appreciative, enthusiastic about their services and many rebook. Some people simply don't think about it. I look at tips as an awesome bonus to the job but just that - a bonus.

 

[Jonathan]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

I don't expect tips either, though I have had a client or two (myself included) who just didn't realize that other ppl did tip hairdressers and massage therapists until I got into massage school. The clients who realized other's were leaving tips... (not by anything I said, but because they happened to know each other and were discussing it one day) now those two clients tip as well, even though I tell everyone that I expect no tips and discourage it pretty strongly. The ones who tip me despite my protests (because they want to). usually make up for a cancellation I may have had that day, and I am thankful for that, although I don't expect it. I have to work hard to graciously accept the tips knowing that when I want to give something to someone, it means alot to me when they accept what I am willingly giving. So, I try to keep that in mind and accept what they offer without too much fuss. I do always tell them they give me too much and are too good to me... because it's how I feel.

 

[Carla M]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

I would like to suggest there is a compromise. While YOU should never ask for a tip...someone else CAN.

Here's some points in no logical order:

1. Most people receiving a quality service ARE inclined to tip.

2. After a massage or other relaxing service, people are out of it...i have had many people thank me for reminding them.

3. Leaving a tip line at the bottom of a credit card slip IS enough...subtle but appropriate AND Expected.

4. A receptionist, another therapist or your pet poodle asking if a client you just had would like to leave a tip doesn't send up the beg-dar (new word, thank you). Instead, it is a courtesy that they may or amy not choose to follow through with. This will not work if the therapist is nearby, but if she has headed back to reset the table or has already taken another client a simple "You're total is $95, would you like to leave a tip on the card as well?" works very nicely. ALSO! A client will tell a receptionist no...it's harder to say it to the face of the person who just rubbed you for an hour without feeling ashamed...the clients LIKE this.

5. Groupon people will NOT tip as much...ever. they are cheapskate non-regulars anyway (this isn't bad, I'm pretty cheap myself...though i do tip), assume they will not tip.

These are my experiences.

 

[sweedishpolar]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

In my experience of working at spas I find that the people MOST likely not to tip are:

- gift certificate users
- people who have booked multiple services, an expensive service or a spa package
- my VERY wealthy clients often do not tip at all (thank goodness I only have three right now! Once I had all three in one day - no money for groceries that day...)
- young people whose parents have given them a gc or money for the service (gee why don't the give them tip money too?)

It IS customary to tip at spas just as it is at hair salons, restaurants and on cruise ships. For people that have a private practice, work in a medical setting, or own their own business I understand that tips are not expected. But, at a spa it is.

BTW - I have noticed that since the economic slump started (for me Oct '08) tips overall are down for me about 20% - so even regular tippers are tipping LESS.
People are very careful with their money right now and some people choose not to tip if they feel that they have not gotten value for their service.
Personally I do not see the promised results from any of the body wrap treatments that I have done at different spas - they are all time consuming and labor intensive.
This may be your problem - the patrons signed up for a package and are disappointed in the results...they WILL take it out on you even if YOUR service was beautiful.
Or - it could be that they way you perform the service is not up to par yet.
OR - the clientele is not affluent .

You are not getting paid enough and probably SHOULD have asked for more upfront. I have turned down jobs that do not offer fair compensation - one place I turned down
TWICE. You gotta stick to your guns and not accept substandard pay. Otherwise it hurts ALL of us.
Other than doing this for the experience I don't think it would be worth your while to continue working for such low compensation.
Good luck!

 

[thiny72]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

Thank you all for your comments and feedback. It is much appreciated, as I am only at the beginning and learn as I go.

There were good points mentioned and good advices given.

I agree that a regular massage done in a private practice does not require a tip. The fee itself is enough and I would not solicit tipping, if my circumstances were of a massage therapist having a private practice.
I am however just starting out and thus working for someone else for fifteen dollars an hour. Hence my frustration with no tips, that would add much needed support. For me it is not about greed, just about making a living.

 

[nibinaearr]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

As a Massage Therapist never base your income on tips.... unless you are a server/bartender on the side.

If where you are working your not making enough,I would look for another job.

 

[kojackid]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

I have to go with Shannon on this one... I think it's time to take your day off and look for a better paying job.

When I was in MT school, 13 years ago, one of my classmates interviewed at a well known hair salon and was delighted when she was offered the job. My instructor, asked her how much they were offering, and urged that classmate to turn down the job. As I recall she was offered $9 per hour, and insurance after a 3 month probation period. (I don't recall if there was anything like a week's paid vacation after a year or continuing education support... because I don't think she could have stuck with it for a year to get any long term benefit like that.) Our instructor felt that the wages were too low and that it would in the end not be a "good fit" for my classmate.

I work in a day spa, and yes I too have clients who do not tip, or do not tip well. As others mentioned it is usually clients who come in on a gift certificate or sometimes even come in for a multi-service package. As squash_blsm mentioned, it's not always the stay @ home mom who doesn't tip, it can also be your wealthiest clients.

Our gift certificates do say that gratuities are not included. As does our website & our spa menu. Adding a tip line to the credit card works well usually. And our spa offers (at the front desk where they check in) small envelopes for those who prefer cash tipping as well.

But tipping can depend on many things... the economy, the area you live in, your spa's target market, and of course, the quality of your service. (Which may include elements which are not under your control, just as sometimes waitresses sometimes receive no or smaller tips because of things which aren't under their control... like perhaps the food not being done to the client's liking).

Have you considered asking for a testimonial or brief survey (maybe 2-3 questions & a spot for comments from your satisfied spa clients)? A suggestion box sort of thing where they could tell you anonymously "how you are doing." Also, you might benefit from making an appointment at a different spa to see how they perform the service there. You might pick up some really useful tips by experiencing the same type of service elsewhere.

It's true that I make more than minimum wage (all things considered)... but when I first started working where I am now I was often surprised when a client who I thought really enjoyed the service left a tip of less than 10%... sometimes not even 5%... I took it to mean that the client didn't appreciate my efforts on their behalf.

Now I have shifted my beliefs. I believe that, in the end, I will have "enough" to make a living. And I try to come from a place of Abundance. If I get no tip, I try to not dwell on it, but realize that the client may have forgotten... and that somewhere else down the line another client will make up for the lack.

Yes, you have to be able to make a living. But, it might mean that you have to "move on" to another job.

If you try some of the ideas we've shared here sunshine, please let us know how they work for you.
In the meantime, may you have peace.... and Abundance!

 

[The Great & Powerful Oz]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

It's true that I make more than minimum wage (all things considered)... but when I first started working where I am now I was often surprised when a client who I thought really enjoyed the service left a tip of less than 10%... sometimes not even 5%... I took it to mean that the client didn't appreciate my efforts on their behalf.

Now I have shifted my beliefs. I believe that, in the end, I will have "enough" to make a living. And I try to come from a place of Abundance. If I get no tip, I try to not dwell on it, but realize that the client may have forgotten... and that somewhere else down the line another client will make up for the lack.

Yes - good point - no tip or poor tip doesn't necessarily mean that client did NOT enjoy the service. I have had people gush and hug and rave and still leave a small or no amount. I do believe a return client is a valuable client. A client who is affluent is able to come in on a regular basis and more often. Not everyone is in a position to do that. I am very grateful for ALL my clients. I love them regardless of the tip.

And YES - everything does work out somehow when you come from a place of abundance.


I was also thinking that when you are starting out it can be part of your overall career plan to take that lower paying job at first when it benefits you in terms of experience and training. I just look at it as "paying your dues". So - if the position suits you or benefits you AT THIS TIME don't dwell on the pay too much. You WILL move on eventually to a better position. And if you are ever in the position of being an employer yourself, remember this time and try to pay your staff as well as you can!

 

[needlewings]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

If you judge yourself by the actions (tips) of others, then you will never be happy. Do you best and be content in doing your best.

no tip or poor tip doesn't necessarily mean that client did NOT enjoy the service. I have had people gush and hug and rave and still leave a small or no amount.

And the opposite is true...over 3/4 of our clients who complain about a service -- usually looking for a severe discount or no charge at all -- leave a 15 - 20% tip on this unsatisfactory service. When asked why, #1 reason "I didn't want to hurt their feelings"

It is a well documented quirk of human nature, that service industry clients are 10X more likely to complain about the service they received to someone OTHER than the service provider - receptionist, manager etc.

We had one client who gave all 5 MTs we sent to him one week a $100 tip each time. Did they all give the same equally excellent massage/service? We all like to think so, but it seems more like someone trying to show off.

So if bad service often = good tip, and good service often = no or low tip, there is no point in judging the quality of your work by the tips you receive. Be thankful for the income and leave it at that.

 

[kellamnity]

Bad tipping at a spa. Reason?

Thank you, everybody
You are right. I should not get into that ''tips expectation'' mode, but just do my job and do it well OR find another one.

I guess I was taken by surprise to see that not everyone tips after getting a treatment. I always assumed it was just like in a hair salon - you tip. Although, now I am not even sure, if those guys always get tips either. Go figure. :grin:

Thank you again! I will update this post after I figure out my action plan.