Buying my first table and I'm waffling

[Softball chick!]

I'm in school and will be buying my first table next week(we're just comming to the end of our first quarter and have 6 left to go). So far from browsing on the web I really like the Oakworks Aurora, tis pricey but I'm pretty sure I'll get my moneys worth. My second runner up is NRGs Karma, cheaper so I could buy sheets, bolsters, ect.
Theres 2 points I'm getting stuck on, 1 is the old "you get what you pay for', the other is "I'm a freaking student who probably doesn't know what I'd like the best now so I should wait to buy a pricey table later.'
My teacher says 'Your not married to your table' so I shouldn't sweat it, but I am on a budget and still don't want to end up with a crappy table.
Can someone push me over the edge one way or another? Thanks!

 

[Jon R]

Do you NEED a table right now? It is nice to have, but do you need to get it now? If you could wait awhile and have a chance to see other tables, it might make a big difference. Try visiting massage practitioners in your area (call ahead), asking what kind of table they have, what they like/don't like about it, and if you can SEE it - know exactly what things like reiki end panels, arm rests, etc. look and feel like for you. Or you could ask if the instructors at your school could bring in theirs and demo them......our school presented one kind of table only.

It is a big expense, and it is great to have a table. You can get a good one that isn't the most expensive. But there are lots of very good tables that don't work well for some people for multiple reasons.

 

[syph]

Yep I feel like I need it. Our school has us do 'documented practices' where we have people sign that we've practiced on them and we're up to the 1 hour mark. I've had enough of working on family and friends while they're laying on a bed I can't walk all the way around and I can't practice my draping as effectively. The school encourages us to get one right around this time as well, we'll have some outsourced clinicals too where I think we'll need to bring our own tables. They have about 3 different kinds of tables in our classroom and I *kinda* know the stuff I like about them so have sought them out in my search for my own table.
I guess you could narrow my decision down to quality vs quanity. I'm fairly sure I like the oakworks the best and think its the better table, but I do like the NRG being kinder to my budget and allowing me to pick up some other supplies too. Its probably going to come down to which one I'm leaning towards when get my check next week, lol.

 

[arosentexas]

My father has a Karma and has used it for family and an on-the-side reiki practice for 2 years. We find it comfy and reliable, and the price was very good. I would consider it for a student table.

Of course 10 years in I still don't have my dream table, either . . . :

Can your school arrange to have reps from the various companies bring in samples for the students to try one day - preferably after you've been in school for a while?

 

[QQq!]

Ah, I'd want a table NOW too! Our clinicals were all supervised, so at the student clinic. Clinic rooms had tables, and classrooms had oodles of tables.

Since you have to be lugging this table around, the weight of the table should be taken into consideration.

I have heard very good things about both of the tables you are considering. I don't have either, though.

I love both my tables - and don't have my dream table yet, either.

 

[ULTIMUS]

Let me ask you a question which helped me decide on a table.

Do you plan to do a lot of outcalls in your practice or do you hope to have an office where your table is always set up and you rarely move it?

I understand it may be hard to look ahead, but you need to look far beyond what your needs are now in order to get the right table. I agree with Sharon. See if you can look at a bunch of tables first. Or, see if anyone in your area will let you borrow a table or cheaply 'rent' a table for a session or two to see if you like it or not.

In regards to your choice ....
I have an Oakworks Nova. I LOVE my table and I love Oakworks. I decided on the Nova because I knew that I was going to have an office where my table stayed set-up all the time. So, I didn't care about weight or ease of travel. I wanted a portable table that was as close to a stationary table as I could get. It feels like a very solid, sturdy table and they stand behind their products 100%. While I was managing a spa for 2 years, my table was the table of choice for massages. Even after 2 years of spa use, its like a brand new table.

I did have one problem that was fixed easily and immediately. Over the course of the 2 years of adjusting table height all the time, one of the knobs got its threads messed up. I called Oakworks and with no questions about why, they sent out 4 new knobs and I had them within a few days.

So, while your teacher says 'You are not married to your table' I believe that while it's not marriage, it can be a beautiful love affair....


Brian

 

[janet h]

My first table was from Sam's. It worked find for a while, but I quikly replaced it with what I wanted. In my case a Stronglite. I bought 2 more. I also have an Oakworks.

My suggestion, either get exactly what you want now, or find something inexpensive to gauge your feelings toward how you will work and what your needs will be.

Craigslist usually has a few tables at any given time and they are usually tables MT just aren't using anymore. You can get some nice professional ones, not always cheap, but they can be a good deal for what you are purchasing. Also, there are instances there are just inexpensive ones listed there too. It's worth a look-see.

 

[Kim N]

Oakworks brand is #1!!

I too have the Oakworks Nova, and although it is not my 'dream' table, I love it. ( my dream table is an adjustable hydrolic one as most of my practice is stationary t007)
I purchased it used off of E-bay for 500.00. It came with 2 bolsters, a carry case, and cart. It was a great deal which I couldn't pass up, and I don't regret it at all.
We used Oakworks tables in school (not sure of the make) along with Oakworks chairs, and I was very pleased with them while there, so I knew I wanted to stick with this brand.
I was not sure about purchasing used, as the warranty would not be valid, but I have had the table for 5 years, and haven't had a problem yet.
When I first purchased it I was doing housecalls only, and if I was going to be doing them all the time, I would think about a lighter table. BUT it is OK to lug around and set up, just not the most ideal.
I agree with thinking about the long term use. If you are going to be stationary, weight shouldn't matter. But if you are going to be mobile, weight plays a huge role along with the width and padding of the table.
My :2cents: is that Oakworks is a great brand. If you are willing to buy used I have a friend who is selling a used Oakworks Nova with a lot of upgrades for a relitivly good price. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Nas J]

Oakworks brand is #1!!

( my dream table is an adjustable hydrolic one as most of my practice is stationary t007)

I am with you 100%!!!!


Brian

 

[Lovely Laura]

I don't know about NRG's tables, but I do have their Grasshopper massage chair. I purchased it brand new with carry case, DVD, and 5 flannel face cradle covers for $199.00. Can you say discount chair? LOL

Anyway, its a nice, stable chair. Easy to adjust. Needs to be "tuned up" every couple of months with regular use, but that's no biggie - just tighten some screws and you're done.

It's pretty basic, though. I'm doing a lot of chair massage right now and am looking at upgrading to a dolphin in a year or two.

My guess is it would be the same with an NRG table. Good for now, but you'd want to probably upgrade in a few years.

Hope that helps.

Emily

 

[xsexixlexix]

Thanks everyone for chiming in! I'm still not decided, but I am making a deal with myself. I have some overtime on this next check so it should be a pretty good one, plus I started a little side business making polymer clay ornaments thats been doing pretty good. If I can set aside $500 w/o cringing I'm going to get the oakworks table. If it pinches the budget, I'll get the cheaper table. I'm leaning towards the oakworks right now tho as I'm thinking I can get the table with my check then use the side money for the extras I want now. Plus there will be Christmas money I can use as well.
And a bit off topic, should I save all my reciepts for this stuff for tax reasons as its technically school related? (and in the future will be a business expense?) Thanks again!

 

[NYgirl]

Always save the receipts - definitely.

 

[sal]

I have the NRG Karma table, and I really like it. It has a strong working weight, important to me because I have a couple heavy clients. It was cheap (compared to others), but I couldn't afford anything better. I was really impressed with how nice it was when I got it. The padding is pretty plush, and I have had people comment on how comfortable it is.

Does anyone else wish that there were actual stores where you could touch the stuff before you buy it? That is the most frustrating part of buying everything online. I would like to know exactly what I am getting, instead of looking at a picture, and hoping it will meet my needs! :x

 

[PhillyTwinkies]

t046 YES!!!

 

[sandyblondegirl]

I'm lucky. I live within about 2 hours of Banner Therapy, so I can try before I buy .

Emily

 

[End of Story]

What's Banner Therapy? Isn't MW in Georgia? I suppose I could take a day trip there....

 

[Jennifer P]

Banner Therapy is a mail-order supply store in Asheville, NC. They have an outlet store attached to their warehouse. Great people there. They price-match too.

http://www.bannertherapy.com

Emily

 

[Sierra]

Thanks!

 

[Common Sense]

I ended up getting the Oakworks I had emailed MW a while back about some of the goodies that came with the NRG package and was offered a free upgrade for being a student. So I called to see if they could give me a similar deal with the oakworks table only the upgrade being some sheets and stuff The NRG package I was looking at was $399, I got my oakworks with sheets, a bolster, and an oil holster(the extras I really wanted) for $413, so I only paid $14 more for what I really wanted. Everything is purple too, muhahaha!!! Shipping wasn't too bad either, in fact I ordered some stuff off the oakworks website (an arm hammock and a fleece table warmer) and for those 2 little things it cost more to ship than my table :roll:
I can't wait till it gets here so I can try it out!

 

[d_r_siva]

Wow, you got a great deal!! Congratulations! Let us know when you get it - I remember how much fun that was!!