topic Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them? in Beauty

Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

KathyPet — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 09:40:50 GMT

A new one just opened in my city. My daughter has a birthday coming up and I was thinking a massage age gift certificate might work so I stopped in yesterday and asked for a brochure listing the massages they offer with a price list. WHen I looked at it last night I found it very vague and incomprehensible. I am used to seeing a specific massage type, length of time and pricing. Their brochure does not even show specific targeted massages like back and shoulders or foot massage. INstead they talk about hot stone or aromatherapy types but no specifics given. INstead you meet with a consultant when you go in to talk about your desired outcome. HUh??? They certainly do not make it easy to determine what they offer and get a gift certificate. I guess I will look elsewhere since there are other spas in my city to choose from but was wondering if anyone has used their services.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

violann — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 09:46:59 GMT

If you have a hospital near you, check and see if it has a complementary medicine center and/or woman's center.

You may find that massages there are about the same price OR LESS, and much better.

I have not tried any local commercial massage stores, because the health based ones are so good and competitive in price. I do know that the stores around here get very mixed reviews.

Also, check the credentials of the people who offer massages. Massage THERAPISTS are credentialed. I don't know if there s a specified credential for the people who work in the stores.

I had wonderful massages at our local hospital center.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

StillRachB — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:02:28 GMT

Massage Envy is great, until you want to cancel. Both my mom and I had to jump through hoops to cancel. And if you cancel, you end up forefeiting any accumulated services, i.e, money. Unless you plan on being enrolled FOREVER, I wouldn't join.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

I am still oxox — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 12:41:36 GMT

You can cancel after your year contract but you have to watch the date so you do not accumulate additional months

@StillRachB wrote:
Massage Envy is great, until you want to cancel. Both my mom and I had to jump through hoops to cancel. And if you cancel, you end up forefeiting any accumulated services, i.e, money. Unless you plan on being enrolled FOREVER, I wouldn't join.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

Meowingkitty — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 12:50:37 GMT

I enrolled for about a year and found it difficult to do monthly massages so I cancelled. I had accumulated three massages and they did not give them to me. Plus I don't think I ever saw the same person twice. It's pretty much a training ground for recently graduated massage therapists.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

NativeJax — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 12:55:01 GMT

I had a membership to hand and stone for over a year and never had a problem with accumulation. I did have an issue when I did not renew, they tried to not allow me to get out but I contacted the owner, I simply did not have the funds any longer due to loss of job and she understood.

I enjoyed the services.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

kaney — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:02:35 GMT

Sorry to say, I had a horrible experience with the nearby Massage Envy (M.E.). I went to them to buy my husband a gift certificate for a couple's hot stone massage, as we had loved them on a cruise from Seattle to New Zealand. There was no problem making the purchase, as they said they would be happy to provide it. But actually using the certificate proved to be dicey. When I called to schedule, I was told they wouldn't be able to do that for quite some time and suggested calling other M.E.'s in the area. When I called other M.E.'s they told me each one is individually owned, and they would not honor the gift certificate! So I called back the original store and had to talk to the manager, who suddenly agreed to schedule the service I'd purchased as a Christmas gift. When we arrived for our appointment we sat in a crowded waiting room for a while, before going to our massage room. When I told them the room was cold, they replied that they knew that, but there was nothing that could be done. I told my "therapist" to not touch a painful area on my back, which she did any way. To top off the experience, our room was located next to the employee break room, where we could hear several emplyees gossiping and complaining! My hopes of rekindling a wonderful couple's experience were dashed. Later the store sent me a customer satisfaction survey, which I completed with details of our experience.The contacted me to offer a free massage, but who would go back for that?

I'd suggest checking with friends for their recommendations of massage therapists. Who know? Perhaps your local M.E. is a good one.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:03:26 GMT

Yes, and the experience enraged me. (A bit of an exaggeration, but not much.)

I had an appointment. Literally hours before, they called me and told me my appointment was canceled brecause they did not have a credit card to "hold" my appointment. What? If they needed a card (bad enough practice, if you ask me), why didn't they ask for one when I made the appointment? No adequate answer was provided.

I never went back becuase I cannot tolerate stupid nonsense from companies.

Prior to this, my experience had been fine. (They never had asked for a credit card to hold an appointment, either.)

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

jackthebear — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:08:19 GMT

@Peaches McPhee wrote:
Yes, and the experience enraged me. (A bit of an exaggeration, but not much.)

I had an appointment. Literally hours before, they called me and told me my appointment was canceled brecause they did not have a credit card to "hold" my appointment. What? If they needed a card (bad enough practice, if you ask me), why didn't they ask for one when I made the appointment? No adequate answer was provided.

I never went back becuase I cannot tolerate stupid nonsense from companies.

Prior to this, my experience had been fine. (They never had asked for a credit card to hold an appointment, either.)

hate that kind of nonsense too, = lost customer

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

151949 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:31:38 GMT

At my spa you pay for the amount of time you want - 30 - 45 or 60 min. Then the person who is getting the massage will tell them what they would like - hot stones are my fav., but you could get aroma therapy or deep muscle etc. Sometimes there can be a small additional charge. My DH gets me a gift card for a massage for either Christmas or my birthday every year.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

phoenixbrd — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:44:36 GMT

Look elsewhere.....fast. Do not consider. Do not give them access to deducting your credit card on a monthly basis.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

casy17 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:10:56 GMT

I go to Hand and Stone. Have been going for over a year. Easy to make an appointment, never pressure to purchase or upgrade service. I have had facials for years at different spas but find Hand and Stone superior. Referred many friends all have joined

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

Effie54 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:14:36 GMT

I'm a member. I think it depends on the franchise owner - on how well it is run. In my area, this owner owns two spas. I just called yesterday to schedule an appointment and had to leave a message. No one called back. Two hours later, I finally received a live voice and was told they "were busy". For myself, I plan on canceling my membership. I don't use it much, and the massages are only 50 minutes long (not an hour). The quality of the massages run the gamut of so/so to great. They hire new graduates out of massage school. I would give it 2 stars out of 5.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

Effie54 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:16:03 GMT

Oh no! I thought as much. I want to cancel and can see a hassle coming up. Thanks for the head's up.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

HangingTen — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:50:50 GMT

Go somewhere else. They remind me of a sleazy gym membership program - it's very difficult to leave.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

BabyYoda — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:58:47 GMT

Don't do it! They are a franchise and you have to be a member for at least a year and it's expensive and they use inexperienced massage therapists. They are not cheap either. I received a gift certificate and they made every excuse to not honor it saying they were booked. I went down to the place myself and demanded to speak with the owner. She came out and proceeded to try to get me to sign up to their membership. Wanted my credit card when all I wanted was to use the already paid gift certificate for a massage.

I finally was able to get my massage after threatening to post on FB and tell people about my negative experience.

I get in the room and I waited in a cold room for over 15 minutes and then the massage therapist came in late and did a terrible job. She left me there "to relax" for 15 minutes and I was pissed when she came back as I told her I came for a massage not to lay there for all that time. Then she told me I was done I told her no its supposed to be a 60 minute massage she said well I have other appointments to get to and she included the 30 minutes she was late and left me alone as part of the massage time. Never did I go back and she expected a tip from me. No way.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

sonechko — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:24:42 GMT

@BabyYoda wrote:
Don't do it! They are a franchise and you have to be a member for at least a year and it's expensive and they use inexperienced massage therapists. They are not cheap either. I received a gift certificate and they made every excuse to not honor it saying they were booked. I went down to the place myself and demanded to speak with the owner. She came out and proceeded to try to get me to sign up to their membership. Wanted my credit card when all I wanted was to use the already paid gift certificate for a massage.

I finally was able to get my massage after threatening to post on FB and tell people about my negative experience.

I get in the room and I waited in a cold room for over 15 minutes and then the massage therapist came in late and did a terrible job. She left me there "to relax" for 15 minutes and I was pissed when she came back as I told her I came for a massage not to lay there for all that time. Then she told me I was done I told her no its supposed to be a 60 minute massage she said well I have other appointments to get to and she included the 30 minutes she was late and left me alone as part of the massage time. Never did I go back and she expected a tip from me. No way.

What a horrible experience, @BabyYoda! I'd be so frustrated with such "business" practices...... it's very sad that we starting to see businesses with "services" like these in our communities. These things were almost unheard of before......

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

AspenGrove — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:48:47 GMT

I was a member of Masage Envy for a year. I ended it when the contract ended. Any time I found a great massage therapist, she left. I had some great massages in that year, but some really awful ones, too. So, I was happy to leave.

The good news is that I learned about Elements Massage through a friend. The local one is awesome and there are no longterm contracts at all. One can quit the monthly massage with just 30 days notice. No penalties and no games at all. It also has a high-end spa feel -- from the receptionists to rooms to the massage therapists. I walk out of there so relaxed and pleased, every time! They are nationwide, I believe.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

henderson — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:09:01 GMT

I was a member for a few years. Absolutely had no problem when I put a freeze on my account as I had a stroke and couldn't get massages. Only needed to write a letter -- no note from dr. About a year after I cancelled. Again, no problem. My future daughter-in-law gave me gift card from them and again, no problem. It was good for a regular massage (no frills, no hot stone or aromatherapy). Maybe it depends on the particular Massage Envy location as they are all franchisees. I would have no problem purchasing a gift card and they will run a special as you get closer to Mother's Day. You can also purchase from Massage Heights. Of course they would like to join but I've had no problem saying no to them.

Re: Massage Envy-Any experience with them?

Haircut100 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:11:47 GMT

It really must come down to your specific area because I've been a ME member for over two years and I LOVE IT!!!!!

I always schedule my massages ahead of time so I can see the same therapist, plus when I travel to other states, my membership is good there too. I spend half the year in Florida and the other half in Indiana and I have my preferred therapists in each state. If you don't want to become a member, then get the gift certificates. That's how I started.

I speak to my therapists directly and tell them exactly what I want. I only want upper body, not full body, so I have them work on my back, neck, and shoulders exclusively. You are in control of what you want. I do not use the other "services" such as aromatherapy or foot massages. I just want my deep tissue upper back massages! And sometimes I splurge for an extra $20 and do a 90 minute. To me, it's worth it!!!