How to get a massage without the hard sell?

[emilyann415]

I adore getting a good massage while on vacation. I HATE the hard sell. Hate it.....and I am not a very assertive person when it comes to cutting them off so I end up listening to the entire thing and I just am getting to the point of not getting a massage because the entire time I DREAD the hard sell that comes at the end! Wondering if others have a tactic that isn't too assertive that will make it easy for me to get out of listening to the sales pitch.

TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I adore getting a good massage while on vacation. I HATE the hard sell. Hate it.....and I am not a very assertive person when it comes to cutting them off so I end up listening to the entire thing and I just am getting to the point of not getting a massage because the entire time I DREAD the hard sell that comes at the end! Wondering if others have a tactic that isn't too assertive that will make it easy for me to get out of listening to the sales pitch.

TIA

Maybe telling them when you check in that you don't want the pitch? Or even stop by before your appointment and have it noted. And remind them when you check in.

And, this is important, if they start selling anyway, stand up for yourself and say "I'm not interested, I'm not going to buy." Interrupt them, that's pretty effective. AND - the biggie - complain about it, to Spa management, Guest Services, and on your end of cruise comment card.

 

[OkieCuties]

What are they trying to sell?

 

[SonicGuy]

What are they trying to sell?

Products. My last cruise I came home with $300 of products that I was basically going to die if I didn't rush right home and start using immediately!

FYI - they are still in the boxes.

 

[hardis5]

What are they trying to sell?

They used to try and sell the oils used and post massage related creams from the same vendors product.

Our last massages in early September, I was prepared for the post massage sell-job and replying no interest from the start and to our pleasant surprise, there was not one word mentioned and nothing brought out to show us what they used and what was available.

Maybe complaints about the hard sell has had the provider change their approach (hopefully we were not the exception to the lack of hard sell).

 

[ImDMous]

Just tell them you're not interested. It's their job to make suggestions and come up with a plan so you can continue their work at home. Just tell them you aren't interested in buying anything. They have always been very nice, and I've never bought anything.

 

[VFL]

I was so glad to see your post so I know it wasn't just me who felt this way. DH and myself did a couples massage in mid-September on the Fantasy. I could not believe the hard sell at the end and really disliked it. I have wondered if it was okay to say no product pitch before going in and whether that would have any effect on the quality of the massage itself. Of course, we may now be black listed anyway given our behavior - DH had never had a massage before and I (okay, purposely I admit) did not tell him what to expect. When he unexpectedly yelled out "ow- you're killing me!" mid massage I got the giggles and could not stop. I literally laughed until I cried throughout the remainder of the massage.

 

[hardis5]

I was so glad to see your post so I know it wasn't just me who felt this way. DH and myself did a couples massage in mid-September on the Fantasy. I could not believe the hard sell at the end and really disliked it. I have wondered if it was okay to say no product pitch before going in and whether that would have any effect on the quality of the massage itself. Of course, we may now be black listed anyway given our behavior - DH had never had a massage before and I (okay, purposely I admit) did not tell him what to expect. When he unexpectedly yelled out "ow- you're killing me!" mid massage I got the giggles and could not stop. I literally laughed until I cried throughout the remainder of the massage.

After our previous hard sell, I left feeling a little bitter and sure not relaxed. One does not want to hurt the feelings of the masseuses and you feel that part of their compensation may come from the selling of product the way they push, but the sell after left a bad taste about the whole spa experience. I de-stressed by the ways PrincessShmoo suggested (complaining outside of the session and reflecting the same on the comment card) and was prepared to start our couples massage on our last cruise with "no selling after please" but had the same worries as you of it impacting the quality of the massage if they truly do make part of their income off of the sales they make. So I waited till after the session to try and stop the spiel in its tracks as soon as it started. Maybe they had file notes on our last visit but after - nothing. No sales pitch, no mention of product and I had to say nothing. If again they tried on a future cruise, I'd wait till after when they started.

 

[perdidobay]

Do they still have you fill out the questionnaire sheet prior to the massage? I've always just written on it "no sales pitch please" and it's worked.

 

[hardis5]

Do they still have you fill out the questionnaire sheet prior to the massage? I've always just written on it "no sales pitch please" and it's worked.

Yes they do while in the quiet waiting area after have changed into the robes (on the Dream class at least) and that would be an option to letting them know if wanting to do prior.

 

[redsonja76]

Tell them you don't want it when you check in. I've always done that and never had a problem.

 

[dmunsil]

I just check absolutely nothing on the questionnaire (because it's all just a way to sell you things), and then if/when they start showing products at the end, just smile and say politely, "I'm really not interested. Thanks!"

That's usually enough, but once I had to repeat myself, with a slightly concerned expression on my face, like I wasn't sure they were listening to me. That was the end. If they continue after being told you aren't interested, that would be grounds for a complaint, but it's never gotten that far (for me, anyway).

People hate feeling like they're being rude, so guests don't like to say, "no." Sales people try to use that to sell you things. It's helpful to use a polite phrase that means no, but isn't rude, such as "I'm not interested. Thanks." If the spa employee continues, now they're being rude. You don't owe them an explanation. Just look mildly surprised and say, "I'm not interested" again. If they try again, ignore any questions relating to products and ask if you're done, or ask for directions to the changing rooms.

If they should start rattling on without giving you a moment to speak, just raise your finger like you have something to say; they'll usually stop shortly. If they don't, again, now they're being rude, and you can interrupt them to say, "Excuse me, I'm really not interested, and I have an appointment to get to. Could we wrap this up? Thanks."

Keep in mind that the folks who work in these spas are trained to offer products, and often get performance reviews based on how well they sell them. It's not their fault; they're just trying to keep their job. Don't get mad at them, get mad at Steiner (the company that runs all the cruise spas). Or better yet, don't get mad at all, just prepare yourself. Use these techniques and don't waste their time or yours.

 

[shelbell77]

I just check absolutely nothing on the questionnaire (because it's all just a way to sell you things), and then if/when they start showing products at the end, just smile and say politely, "I'm really not interested. Thanks!"

This is exactly what I do!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have read several trip reports where people have said at beginning of appointment that they didn't want to buy anything and that worked.That is what I'll do if I ever use the spa services again.

When I used the spa on a previous cruise, I bought stuff, with full intention of keeping it, and then on last night felt like I spent too much money. I asked my husband if he would go to the spa and see if they would let us return the stuff. They did and my husband said it was no problem and it seemed like the deal with that regularly.

 

[wilkeliza]

Unfortunately the upsale is apart of spas. I hate it.

Our first cruise I was told my back was in such bad shape that I had the body of a 70 year old when I was in my mid 20s. Mind you this was also when I was 30 lbs lighter and was getting s doom and gloom pitch. My masseuse said they were the physical trainer for the performers and I was going to be paralized if I didn't take better care of muself. My fiance (then boyfriend) was convienced they were right so after we got home he bought me the slecial pillow they suggest and tons of other stuff. Years later back feels the same and I an not paralized. Hated the darn pillow so threw it out after one week.

 

[avgsuperheroine]

Makes you wonder if they changed their policies if their business would increase. I actually don't do anything besides the rainforest room because I don't want to risk a sales pitch. The few times I've been in the spa the staff have come off as really stuck up and disinterested in engaging with me as a potential customer. Very dismissive and irritated when I had a question. I regularly get massages at home and would likely do quite a bit of business if I felt more welcome.

 

[MunFam]

This is exactly what I do!

I tried that on the Wonder in May...not only did I put the "Im not intersted in the sales pitch" notes on my -problems I have- form not stop her, I TOLD her not to ruin my relax time with a sales pitch. She did anyways...THEN...a few says later, she hunted me down on the ship and tried to convince my husband to buy me the items. I was so pissed. I almost went in and completely removed the gratuity.

 

[ITGirl50]

On the Fantasy in June I had a facial and wrote "no product sales" on my question sheet. The person that did the facial basically mocked me for writing that on my sheet. She asked me why I didn't want to buy anything and I had to tell her I wasn't comfortable with spending money on product I knew very little about and I like what I already use. It was very un-relaxing and made me feel bad about the entire experience. I really don't want to be hasseled and hated the entire experience. I really don't want to go to that spa again.

 

[dmunsil]

I guess I wouldn't want to write "no sales pitch" on the form, just because then I'd be starting off the massage with a potentially negative message for my masseuse. I think it's much better to just assume the whole interaction will be great and go in with a positive attitude, and then if/when you get the product pitches, say (pleasantly but firmly) "no thank you."

On a recent couple's massage, my wife and I (mostly I) had a long and fascinating conversation with the masseuses about their home country (they were both from South Africa), and at the end, they didn't pitch us anything at all. I assume they felt that it would harm the mood. They got a really solid tip from us, and a positive mention on the comment card (which I hope got passed along to Steiner).

Again, keep in mind the staff don't really want to sell you a lot of crap; they have to in order to stay employed. Try to be sympathetic if possible. I have to admit, to be sure, that some of the worst behavior described in this thread would try my patience and I'm not sure I'd be able to stay positive. If people are being rude to me, I have a hard time not being rude back.

 

[DisneySisters]

I was glad to see this post too. It's probably the only thing that irritates me on DCL. I've always figured that because the spa is contracted out, they are free to pressure guests. I also think each practitioner makes a big commission on the products, so it's probably up to them if they want to be pushy or not. On the morning I was getting married, I tried to politely tell them at the beginning that I really didn't want the sales thing. I was nervous and emotional, and the woman pushed products on me anyway. I have decided to forgo any more spa treatments on future cruises. There's so many activities to choose from, now I will have more time for bingo, movies, or just plain old relaxing.