Out call massage?

[niceandcool.]

Anyone out there do outcalls on a regular basis?

I didn't think too much about doing them until I got a call recently from a quadrapalegic who is requesting an in home massage. I've never worked with spinal injuries before and would rather like the experience, but ugh. I don't like the idea of having to haul all of my stuff to someones house(I have a home office) but figure if I set my price accordingly maybe it will be worth it? I figure $100 would be a good number, seeing as my regular 1 hour is $65 and add in more for the travel time and table lugging.

Normally I accept payment after the massage, but I'm thinking getting it before for an outcall would be a good idea? Also, my sig. other does not want me to do outcalls, at all. I know, territorial male syndrome, but he thinks if I make an exception for this client then it will become on going, yadda yadda. I get why he doesn't like the idea, honestly I don't like it myself. I highly prefer people to come to my office where I have everything I need set up, but its not like this guy can come to my office.

Any advice? Horror stories, helpful hints? Any experience with spinal injuries is also welcome!

 

[Qatie]

Out call massage?

Why can't he go to your office? I'm sure he goes wherever he wants to go. If you don't do outcalls, it's okay to say so and stick to that. If you WANT to do outcalls, that is very workable, though. Your rate adjustment is reasonable. You may or may not need to take your table. Hospital bed and recliner both work very well - see what his home is able to accommodate and what his preference is, and if there will be someone to put him wherever he chooses to have the massage.

My client has a brain injury rather than a spinal cord injury, so he has feeling everywhere. You will need to get some medical history before going in, so that you can do some research. Don't hesitate to ask questions before and during the massage, too, though.

No horror stories here. Just think it through before you do.

 

[berberosaharan.com]

Out call massage?

Spinal cord and brain injury people have unique challenges that you may or may not be ready to accommodate. Before you make a final decision, consider meeting this potential client at his/her home to discuss their needs and health history. Don't take your table, and don't charge for your time. Make it clear that this is just a preliminary meeting to scope out the logistics and see if this is mutually workable. Also discuss expectations, scheduling and payment policies, etc.

If you are both on the same page and agree this could work out, you'll have set a good professional tone up front. You can also get a thorough health history and have time to properly research it before the first massage session.

If either of you decides this might not work after all, you've saved each other a ton of bother.

Have your boyfriend drive you so he can see the location and the potential client, and (hopefully) feel better if you choose to take this person on.

 

[Isabela]

Out call massage?

Anyone out there do outcalls on a regular basis?

I have. I loved the changes of scenery. It also gives you an unbeatable glimpse into their lives, letting you see other factors in their environment that contribute to who they are.

...I got a call recently from a quadriplegic who is requesting an in home massage. I've never worked with spinal injuries before and would rather like the experience, but ugh. I don't like the idea of having to haul all of my stuff to someones house(I have a home office) but figure if I set my price accordingly maybe it will be worth it? I figure $100 would be a good number, seeing as my regular 1 hour is $65 and add in more for the travel time and table lugging.

I think your numbers jive well. A convenience on the client's part translates into extra time and effort on yours, so you should be compensated fairly for that.

Normally I accept payment after the massage, but I'm thinking getting it before for an outcall would be a good idea?

Eh, I've done this, and I've always felt less-than-great about going that route. Sure, it's more secure for me in that I've been paid up front, but somehow it doesn't set right with me when I'm the one having to do it. If I were on the receiving end, though, I wouldn't think twice about it because I'm a pretty stand-up person who isn't going to cancel out at the last minute, and if someone's lugging their stuff and scheduling extra time to come see me, I would almost expect that they'd want to secure payment first.

Also, my sig. other does not want me to do outcalls, at all. I know, territorial male syndrome, but he thinks if I make an exception for this client then it will become on going, yadda yadda. I get why he doesn't like the idea, honestly I don't like it myself.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but THIS part is what actually puts me on edge. I do know it's none of my business, so please don't be offended, because that's not where I'm going. I gotta say - there IS no such thing as territorial male syndrome. I have a protective husband who cares deeply for me, who has been involved in law enforcement for 19 years (thus he has seen ALL of the horror stories and exactly how badly members of the human race can treat each other), and he has never once told me he doesn't want me doing outcalls, even though if anyone were to object to it, it would have been him of all people - but he didn't. Please don't fall into the all-too-common statistical trap of the downhill spiral from the jealous streak we admire and think is cute because it's flattering, to someone who eventually won't let you have a life outside of their confines. I'm not saying this is happening here, and please, I'm not trying to offend you - I have limited info, but this just sorta struck me because I saw that same spiral happen to one of my girlfriends - it started so innocently and benign, too. Hopefully, your situation is not this way at all.

I highly prefer people to come to my office where I have everything I need set up, but its not like this guy can come to my office.

As someone else said, I agree - why not? There's all kinds of technology out there that lets ppl with disabilities do things they never thought they could do. I actually had someone who was paraplegic come to my home studio and they drove themselves and everything - they drove a custom-equipped van where they got in and out through the sliding door and a hydraulic lift would bring them down onto the pavement and then back up into the van. The driving controls are set differently, but they drive just the same. A very different picture than what I saw 10-15 years ago.

Any advice? Horror stories, helpful hints? Any experience with spinal injuries is also welcome!

Nah, I don't have any outcall horror stories either. I've had my share of the pervs, both in- and outcall, but nobody tried anything. I would wear a scrub shirt and keep my cell and my truck keys in my pockets, in case I ever did have to bail - at least I'd have access to my phone and truck - I could come back with the cops for my table and sheets later Which thankfully never even came close to happening - but it was important that I had a plan. That was something my now-hubby DID insist on, for my safety.

I will also say that spinal injuries pose challenges, but let's face it - he's quadriplegic - it's not like you're going to make him worse! Circulation might be an issue, so pay careful attention to your strokes - always toward the heart. Also please keep in mind that people with any kind of brain injury or head trauma can be prone to mood swings or hallucinations or whatnot. This doesn't USUALLY happen, but it is possible. Just keep a subtle but watchful eye on his emotional state and you should be fine.

Hugs & good luck!
~Jyoti

 

[disk0009]

Out call massage?

I only did enough outcalls to determine that they were a lose-lose for my clients and me. Haven't done one in years.

 

[isl247]

Out call massage?

I like housecalls. I do a check in with my husband when I get there, and have a code phrase for if I think I'm in trouble. (never used it). I call him again when I'm back in my car. I don't do this with regular clients, just tourists.

 

[NocturnalWitch]

Out call massage?

Jyoti, I am not offended at all And its the part about this whole thing that bothers me the most too, I don't do well with someone telling me what to do with my career. And its not like he's saying 'You cannot do that.', hes telling me he's not comfortable with the idea. We've been together for almost 15 years, I know how to handle him, and for him this *is* partly territorial along with concern for my safety. He knows theres probably going to be a day when I have a client acting inappropriately and he thinks thats more likely if they're in their own environment.

Basically it came down to this being an aspect of my career that I would like to explore. I don't want to specialize in outcalls, but I would like the experience of doing a few. I think this is the perfect case to start out on and I will still be careful. I did some reseach on spinal injuries and spoke with the client further about his injury and level of sensation. I also was upfront about my fees and told him I understood if he couldn't schedule with me due to them.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[mbtt]

Out call massage?

I'll admit, I haven't read the other responses, so this may be redundant...

The easiest way to answer your question about cost/table is to provide this quote from a threadI responded a while back on a Pricing, in the Clients Section about this (see below, long quote).

• BTW, since that post, I now require all of my outcall clients to be "regular" and own their table. I just don't want lug that equipment around anymore (unless it is for one specific hotel as in-room via the concierge) and since I don't depend on outcalls as a necessity at this time, I can be selective.

As far as collecting: I collect after the massage. Sometimes I get the check mid-way between a couple, if one of them wants to write the check while the other is getting massage, but that is their discretion, not because I asked. Usually he/she will just put it on my bag which is outside of the massage area and toddle off to sleep. When I finish up with the spouse, I let myself out of the house.

Here is a good thread about significant others and their opinions. And, for the record, I think people who are going to do something... do it no matter what environment they are in, but I still don't take an outcall on until they have been in my office and on my table, at least once.


Now for the cost/table thread:

pueppi on Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:33 pm

B-Line wrote:
I would like to find a MT who charges a more moderate rate. Right now I'm paying $150 for 1.5hrs and I think that's a lot.

So how do I find a good MT at the price I'm wanting to pay? I'd like to be all-in with tip at $100 for 1.5hrs.

This is for Out-Call. I prefer to have massage done in my environment. I don't like spa's and find that I can relax easier in my home.

Are my numbers reasonable?

I don't think your numbers are reasonable (at least not for me). You are wanting massage because you can't relax in someone elses office. OK... that's fair, but most likely you will need to pay for that convenience.

How to find an outcall therapist? You can look on your states AMTA Chapter (California AMTA) and see if someone advertises outcalls there.

I for one will not do an outcall on someone I don't know, unless it is for a hotel I am on-call for. If you were to call me up and ask for an outcall, I'd tell you I don't provide those and you would have to come to my office. Possibly, after I knew you for a year, I'd provide out-call services in your home... but it would be dependent on your behaviour in my office and how comfortable I was with you.

Now, as to why I feel the lowered rate will be a bit difficult to locate... I charge $145/hour for an outcall. I have an office and I can see 2 (sometimes 3 clients - depending on distance and traffic) in my office for the time it takes to provide outcall service. In office, I charge $75/hour.

I currently only keep two outcall clients who are regulars because of this. Being that they are a husband and wife, they will get a 10% discount on any massage time over 1 hour. That means, if they both get 1½ hour massages, the total fee = $390.00 which is fair, because more times than not, I end up being at their home for about 4 to 4½ hours (I am flexible on that and do not complain if this becomes the case, as sometimes one is a little late coming home from work or the gym... and they are paying a pretty penny to have me come out to their home) -- add onto that, approximately 45 mins. to drive to their home from my office and approximately 1 hour 10 mins. for me to get back to my home in the evening after 10pm or 11pm depending on the day. I feel I am compensated for the time, just as if I had been in the office. This keeps me on track for continuing to be their therapist and not getting burned out. They have a table already set up so I don't have to take mine (a kind gesture on their part and one I am thankful for). I count myself fortunate to have these clients, and I believe they also feel comparably fortunate that I will come to their home. They trust me. Trust is a huge factor on both parties parts when it comes to outcalls. I think it's safe to figure most wise people would not let just anyone into thier living quarters. I will say, I am very thankful for this couple and their continuing to have me work with them during these troubled times. I do not wish for anyone to think that I am not appreciative of this outcall work... but at the same time, one does have to be compensated for the time they are putting into it, because in the end, business is business and we all have to pay the bills.

B-Line wrote:
But people who work in spas and in gyms don't take home that much and they are certainly making a lot more coming to my house, even with travel and expenses, supplies, etc.

B-Line wrote:
But no one should charge someone else based on what they perceive someone to be able to afford based on their home.. At least not in my opinion.. I don't believe in a "Hills Tax".

I agree that no one should be charged a rate because of the perception of their home value or type of vehicle they drive. Equally so, a therapist should not be paid on the perception that "people who work in spas and gyms don't take home that much" -- if you know what I mean.....

Rose of Sharon wrote:
Traveling to the client means time spent that could otherwise be spent working elsewhere. MTs working in a spa can have one client after another. A traveling MT has a lot of unpaid down time. I'm guessing the travel time in L.A. is not minor. That could be very costly for your MT.

Breathe wrote:
...You're looking for a deal, and you're looking for someone who is either new enough, financially needy enough, and/or insecure enough to accommodate your offer. You're not doing them a favor, you are simply a bargain hunter. Again, there's nothing wrong with being a bargain hunter, but you are not doing a potential therapist a favor, it's just your own personal value perception. To you, the most valuable part of the transaction is that you get the services on the cheap. If that is your #1 consideration, then it should make your hunt very easy.

JasonE wrote:
It is MUCH less common to have a contractual obligation for ongoing massage therapy. Though many MTs offer some sort of package deal, few (that I know of) offer an ongoing service contract involving prepayment for services and regular renewal intervals. It is possible that you will find an MT willing to work out something like this, as they will have the security of regular ongoing work (albeit at reduced rates). However, like personal training, you would be obligated to honor their cancellation policies or be charged for sessions that you missed or cancelled on short notice.

Seattlesunshine wrote:
...It's going to have to be someone who has time in their schedule. Outcalls take so much more actually time then just the amount of time we are working on the client.

As mentioned by others, there is nothing wrong with wanting a deal, but when looking, don't be surprised if you get what you pay for. Things to consider, how close to "on-time" will your therapist be in relation to traffic? Will he/she be trying to squeeze you in between other clients to make a quick buck ending up rushing your outcall and performing sub-standard service), or will your time be just as important as the time of the clients in his/her office? If you get a therapist who only performs outcalls, you may find a lower rate (but I wouldn't count on it), as that would be how their full time work schedule is conducted (it may be something to consider).

And, I agree that when you aren't going to be able to make it for an appointment, you need to hold to the therapists cancellation policy. Any time you short notice a cancellation, that is basically 2+ hours of time the therapist may need to fill in their books. Anything less than 48 hours notice, makes it difficult for the therapist to provide information to clients who may have called looking for an appointment, who also have schedules to work around. Those clients too may suffer from pain, and be needing someone. You should always keep in mind that there are other people hanging in the balance.

Last, when I am not working on a client, I am also working in other ways. I can't schedule these things, unless I know what is going on with my books, and my time, no matter how I use it, is valuable. Believe it or not, if I don't know in advance that someone is going to cancel, it could be the difference of eating lunch at 1pm or 6pm (not cool!). It all will depend on the days books.

You aren't doing someone like me a favor asking for a discount. But, maybe you can find someone who is new or has a light schedule that wants the job. Just remember, they may not stay with you long, if something better comes by, which is part of the reason, I believe in paying a therapist well, if you plan to keep that therapist in an ongoing professional out-call relationship.

 

[mabisking26]

Out call massage?

Maybe we can all agree that the biggest physical hassle of an outcall is lugging in a massage table. When I do outcalls (rarely), it's an automatic $5 off if they have their own table and sheets. On the occasions when this happens, it's completely worth it to me for the ease of that aspect of it.

Maybe he'd be open to the idea of buying a decent used table (Craigslist?)? You can get them for what, $200 or so? Obviously, he'd keep it at his house. Maybe you two can work out a payback plan of whatever sort.... give him a price break for however many sessions, after which it's considered YOUR table, to be permanently retrieved by you at the end of your working relationship.

Maybe YOU can buy a decent used table, and keep it at his house. Charge him an extra $5/session, and when that adds up to the purchase price of the table, it becomes his table.

Just some ideas.

 

[headshotbobby]

Out call massage?

A large part of my practice in Florida consisted of outcalls as, in addition to my private clients, I worked as a contract therapist for a VA Medical Center Pain Clinic and had veteran clients in a five county area. I enjoyed the work as well as traveling which was easy with a motor vehicle.

Upon moving to Prague and forsaking car ownership (yay!) I did regular outcalls for years eventually tiring of lugging my table around on public transportation (even though Prague has amazing public tranportation). I still perform regular outcalls with my chair using public transportation but have changed my business model for outcalls with my table so that I charge a small amount more for the work and add to my fee the cost of round-trip cab fare. I pay for the cab to the client's location, get a receipt, then add twice the amount of the receipt to my session fee. This has, as intended, both diminished the number of outcall requests and made outcalls much easier. I also have a handful of clients who have their own tables.

One thing I really like about regular outcall work is that there is an added dimension of intimacy with the client as you often come to be considered part of the family getting to know relatives, children, and pets. I have a few clients whose cats and dogs are an integral part of the sessions.