Bill me????

[neoplop]

Has ayone ever had a client ask after the massage to bill them on a monthly basis? or walk in with pair of ugly shoes and said " look, I bought you a pair of shoes like mine so now well call this session even"?Like Iam not kidding..Last week I had a client come in and she had on a pair of ugly shoes (rubber), and ask me if I like them I didn't want to be rude so I said yes they are cool. Guess what? This week I got a pair of them. Oh yea I can feed my childern with shoes.And today I good client came in got a massage and ask if I could start billing him and his wife on once a month.they come every week. I couldn't say no they have been with me for over 3 yrs. But dang... I look for that money every week from all three clients. Yes I do have more than 3 but do the math, and dang!!!

 

[SMOOCHIE GRANDMA]

Bill me????

Oh yea I can feed my childern with shoes.

"Mom, this meatloaf tastes kinda rubbery..."

Sorry that happened to you. Maybe next time instead of giving her a massage, just take the money and give her a shirt that looks like one you own? So she can be like you too? lol

 

[You wish you knew 8)]

Bill me????

next thing you know the client will want to pay you with a free chicken, or a basket of apples lol

 

[Niko]

Bill me????

That is so funny! I had to check to see if you were in Texas because I had a similar "shoe" experience with a client who was here visiting her mother. She was from Texas. Ugliest rubber shoes you ever saw. She kept insisting how comfortable they were.As for billing. I have two clients who have me in their "bill pay" system. Their bank generates a check for me every week like clockwork. For my other "once a week" clients, I give them a discount, but they have to pay for their sessions ahead of time. I bill them for a series of 4 massages on the first day of each series.-Melody

 

[Top Cat]

I had one client, many years ago, who had owned a huge ad firm  in Los Angeles.  After he retired he let the company pay for his massages.  I would invoice them every two to four weeks and get a check for the massages.  It worked well.  However, they sent an incorrect 1099 to the IRS and I got audited for other expenses. Presently, I sell packages of 10 sessions to couples and people who can then leave their checkbook at home.  I think this works well and have had no problems with it.Maybe the best thing we all need is practice saying the word NO. I have lots of shoes and agree with others that they're no substitute for cold hard cash.  When clients ask for discounts or trades of stuff I always remind them that I don't get these offers from my bank on my mortgage and that my plumber only takes $, not chickens, shoes, or eggs.Happy day.Rubmyster

 

[Elaine]

Bill me????

rubmyster... i'm shocked! your bank doesn't take chickens?? i agree with not accepting the shoes. i do barter, but it's usually something i offer. not something a client offers. i have politely refused bartering for things i did not need/want.and i do allow weekly clients to pay me one check/cc/cash up front. and give them a bonus session for doing so. it works out well, because if they don't show, i was still paid. though, i have found that people who pay upfront, usually show up.

 

[alex995bikerboy]

If they are not interested in pre-paying you could tell them that your fee is $ more because you have to bill them.This is what my Chiropractor and MT do.  If you need to be billed you will have to pay $5 more per bill/session.Just a different twist, incase they are not just looking to get out of writing an extra check.

 

[cookiesrme]

Bill me????

I would say that I could set up a billing system for them in advance with X and X stipulations (expiration, what to do about last minute cancels, etc). As for the shoe thing, I would also set up a Manolo Blahnik prepay system! Size 9!Jill/sagetherapist

 

[Tomb Raider]

Bill me????

Wow!  Rubber shoes!!  :-/  Thanks...but no thanks. I imagine you were quite flabbergasted at the time she gave them to you and didn't know quite what to say.  I wouldn't let to much time pass before calling her and letting her know that you are unable to accept the shoes as payment for your services.  I think a good approach would be to tell her quite frankly that the income from your massage sessions is what helps you feed your family and that while you appreciate the gesture you aren't in a position to accept barters of that nature.  I agree with BJB-LMT about nipping this in the bud right away -- or it could happen again and who knows -- you might end up with a Velvet Elvis. I also agree with Sagetherapist about the prepaying and I would do a month at a time with all stipulations regarding expirations, noshows, late cancellations, etc. out on the table.  Unless they've specifically asked about it I wouldn't offer any discount.Good luck!!

 

[Marc]

The shoes, no freakin' way.  The reg clients who want to be billed, YES.  It's GREAT PR.After the bite of not having money this week...it'll work out because when the check does come it will be bigger.How in the world are shoes a fair trade?  I would only have acceptecd them as trade if it wsa discussed beforehand...such as some fabulous pair of shoes that let's say are only sold in Holland.  You drool over them and the client asks if you would trade if she got you a pair on her next trip there........but that doesn't happen.Robyn

 

[Lola]

Well, the billing part would have be ok if we had discused it before hand. I can deal with that....but....the shoes!?!?  Every one Ive told that to is in a speachless state as I was. I wanted to pick up the phone right in front of her and say " hey kids mom has a new pair of shoes not sure what your eating tonight but I got new shoes."  I did tell her today that it was a nice jester but I had a business to run and could not pay the bills with shoes.   And yes I do barter from time to time. But, on what I want not what they want me to have. When I went home that nite my husband was like give me the shoes and I'll get your money . haha. He think Iam too easy with no shows and etc. I am getting better at saying no. But when something is thrown at you like that, out of the blue, from a client that you thought was one way, kind of takes you for a loop. And yes I was born and raised in Texas, got married and moved to Oklahoma.  I like Texas, would love to live there again. But, Oklahoma is where my 4kids are 2 in college and 2 still in school. I'll die here. With the uglest shoes in the state.( &free massages to boot) haha.

 

[Sissy Smurf]

I'm almost in shock.  Totally unacceptable, regular client or not on the shoe thing.  "I'm sorry that's not how I do business.  The end."  Truly.  As for the billing, get it as a prepay and if they don't want to do that.  Draw up a simple contract and let them know that you're going to bill their credit card on a specific day and include all your no show, late fees, etc and that you're going to run that card no matter what.  This scenario will either scare them off to the idea and they'll start paying as they go again or you'll have a regular draw no matter what happens.  Just put it in writing, every signs it and run that card on the day you say you will.  Without something in writing they can dispute any charge without their signature.  Good luck.  Joe E.

 

[Paige(Tokio Hotel <3)]

Sounds like BOUNDRY issues are coming into play.Would you walk into the grocery store and say Bill me???As bodyworkers, we must uphold this profession as a PROFESSION.  We have to have boundries and guidelines and stick to them.  Otherwise you will get taken advaneforum.xxxe of.I have a written form I give people about my payment policy and office policy.  I make it quite clear from the beginning, that way there are no surprises.I also take the payment upfront, instead of after the massage, so I dont get any of that "I left my checkbook at home" stuff.Sorry about the rubber shoes, it is kind of funny now, but I am sure at the time you were like "What the..."

 

[Julieann]

Billing a month in arrears is the normal way for therapists (psychotherapists, counsellors, etc) who work in private practice.  I think the immediate payment for each session for MT makes sense if the client is occasional, but for an ongoing regular client monthly billing might make sense.  Shoes, chickens, and cabbages by prior arrangement only though ;-)

 

[Michelle F]

The shoe thing makes me chuckle, too, though I wouldn't have chuckled had it been me.  I have bartered with good results but those were occasions that the client would have not been able to come in due to $ problems and it was better so say "come on in, do you think you could sew bolster covers for me?  It'd be easy, I myself can sew, but I never have the space cleared to do it"  It worked out, she sews a lot, I got covers (it involved taking my pillowcases and cutting them lengthwise and hemming) and when money was better for her, she paid cash again.  I think in situations like that particular one, it kept her on track with her month session and she didn't miss an appt.  I find where I live that it is too easy for people to "fall out" of the visits routine because this area isn't one where people put themselves first.  First comes kids, hubby, house, then job, then massage.Sorry I ramble...I won't take cabbages, though.  I never have use for more than one at a time... hee heeAs far as billing- prepay- if they have been clients for 3 years, I would hope they would understand your needs and that you have a trusted relationship that you both would meet your end of the agreement.Tell them you have to ask your accountant first if you need a stall tactic to think things through.  I have a bachelor's in accounting so you wouldn't be fibbing (in case you don't have an accountant)Assuming I were your accountant, I would "advise that you get a contract just to keep it all on the up and up- just a formality, but gotta listen to the accountant"  

 

[arcticpuppet.]

I don't know what's up with this new rubber shoe phenom.  I walked into a Hallmark store last week, and there was a whole rack of god-awful rubber clogs!  I can't imagine the reaking stench that'll come from those in the summertime!  I can only think of slime when I think of rubber shoes.I vote you regift those suckers!  Are they still attached to the packaging?  Give them back to the client for her birthday, and say, "I thought you might have worn out the old ones, and I know how much you love them!"People are strange!  "Here doc, I bought you a ticket to a Meatloaf concert to cover that office call!  Take some money 'cuz those beers are expensive!  Have fun!  Thanks for the rectal exam!"

 

[Boozette Jones]

Bill me????

Speaking of which, My son went to the dentist today and he is a good friend of the family and we were talking about the shoe thing and I told him I brought them with me and it was going to be his payment. He laugh all the way to the bank with my real money. He said I should have said.... Oh Iam sorry but I can't do that. My accountant said Ihad to take payment at the time services where rendered. And tell me where you got the shoes and I caould get my own. And by the way My accountant did say the same thing this afternoon when I talk to her. And then die laughing at me .

 

[horsiie]

Hi happyhands, I know exactly how you feel. I had somone order covers from me and said they were sending me a check and so when it came it was a gift certificate to somewhere by their house. Not even in my state. I e-mailed her back and she stated that she just couldn't afford to pay  me for them but that this should be a good enought trade to make it right. I just about about said some things that weren't very nice, but I didn't. I had to call her and tell her that I don't work that way. She thought I was being to unreasonable, but I have to feed my family too.  People just assume that it is ok to give something other than money for their stuff. Unreal.

 

[Scotty J]

yeah- what is with people assuming you will accept "stuff" instead of money.  I always make barter arrangements ahead of time.  Fortunately, most of the poeple here are pretty normal.

 

[DarkAngelAlliance]

Bill me????

Well I have a new policy, that I have posted at the front desk, cash cc or ck only. I no longer accept favors, trades or barters in exchange for services. I also wanted the sign to say or shoes. But I thought it mite sound a little to the point to only one client.