Spa "Sales Pitch"

[KAR3600]

The last time I cruised I had a facial done, it was wonderful, until the end, the sales pitch was so strong I was really surprised. I did purchase a cream which I had wanted, but, with her going on and on I was having second thoughts, I don't like to be pressured that way. Are the employees at the spa CM, or outside organization?

 

[TammiMcMan]

I've heard others mention that you can just notate on your check in sheet that you'd prefer no sales pitch. I was on the Magic a few weeks ago and at the end of my facial, she asked me if I'd like to hear about any of the products she used. I simply said no thank you. I imagine that they do get some sort of percentange from the Steiner company for any products that they sell.

 

[DIScruisers4]

My wife and I had a couples massage on the 1/15 Magic. We both wrote "no sales pitch please" on our forms, and there was absolutely no sales pitch at the end.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I made the mistake of going to the "FREE" analysis for the detox your body stuff!!! I had no clue it was a sales pitch!! DUH! It would have costed over $500.00 for all the stuff she wanted to sell me! I had a hard time getting out of it, but I did, with my money!

 

[webray]

They are an outside organization, as on most cruise ships.

We have never really got a hard sell at any time. They show us the products they used on us, that is about it. We just take everything for what it is though, with a grain of salt and keep right on going. Why get wrapped around the ankles, just say no thank you, complete your paperwork and move on.

 

[T i n k e r B e l l]

IT is SO great to know that you can ask (in writing anyway) to not be "pitched" at the end of your treatment. DH did a cabana massage on our 2003 cruise and wasn't prepared for the pitch and ended up buying $300 worth of products!! I was aware of this but didn't think to say anything to him since he is so careful with his money. I never dreamed that he would be influenced buy the post-massage hard sell, LOL. We are planning on doing a couples massage when we go next month, and I will be sure to write "no sales pitch please" on my check in form. Thanks for the GREAT info!

PS: this is my first post!

 

[inkkognito]

The spa is run by Steiner, which runs the spas on all cruise ships. My husband and I both like several of their products; if I wanted to void the pitch, I wouldn't be shy about noting it on my form. But after so many cruises and so many spa appointments, we just tell them what products WE want now! If you don't want the pitch, let them know. As the masseuse at the spa near our house says, "This is YOUR time."
Barb

 

[AJDonn]

Whoa - a sales pitch? Do I get hit with real estate sales too? Ick. Just what you want after a spa treatment - A stress filled hard sell!

Thanks for the heads up on this. My wife and I will be sure to request the "No Sales" treatments.

 

[kellimomo3]

Just be prepared. I wrote "no sales pitch" on my form a couple weeks ago. I had a pedicure first and the girl that did it was rude. She specifically asked me why I worte that, had I been badly "pitched" before?? She was very condesending and rude! Iexplained to hear that I was not in the market for anything and wanted to make that clear. Interestingly enough, my DH had a pedicure right after mine and did not write no sales pitch. She talked him into a skin care line and tea tree foot spray. When I came to meet him there, she was nearby so I looked at her and said, "see, that's why I worte no sales pitch". I asked DH why he bought all that and he said the sales pitch was strong and he was relaxed and not prepared to deal with it. On top of that he was never told the prices for the products. Grnated, he could have asked but he is a man, he never expected a little bottle os face wash would be $40+! I will continue to write no sales pitch in future cruises and I will cite this specific spa worker if asked!!!

Kelli

 

[swede63]

Ok I admit, I have fallen for the sales pitch. I am a single dad and I like the massages and when a nice young girl gives me the pitch, I have fallen prey. I guess I am the target market for overpriced body lotion.

 

[debtman7]

You can buy their products online here, I wonder if they charge more on the ship?

I have found the best way to deal with Sales Pitches is to just say no. Don't give them any excuse, just say no repeatedly and leave it at that. As soon as you break out some excuse ("well, I don't now if I'd really use it" or whatever), they'll have an answer for it. They've heard them all and know a response to all of them. That's how they break you, they get you to the point where you have no more excuses and then you feel like you should buy.

Instead, just say no and leave it at that. If they ask why, just smile and say you just don't want to. Don't give them any ammunition to work with. They'll get frustrated and give up pretty quickly.

If you think you may want some of their products, go ahead and say no anyway. Go in planning on saying no to anything. If something truly sounds good to you, when you get home you can look into it and order online, or better yet find try some cheaper products and see if you like them as well.

And most importantly, if you feel the person was too pushy and was trying to sell you something rather than just presenting some products you might like, write disney a letter after the fact and let them know. I don't mind being offered some products, but I would mind a hard sell and I don't think it has any place on a cruise ship. If Disney get's enough complaints, they can probably put some pressure on Steiner to knock it off. Or, as other cruise lines are starting to do, they may consider brining the spa services in house.

 

[TeaforWendy]

My husband and I had a couples massage last year thru the REAS package and we totally fell prey to the sales pitch. DH agreed to the "upgrade" in our massages which is a ripoff b/c it is no extra time on the massages, just some I don't know what and a bottle of bath milk to take home. DO NOT DO THE UPGRADE. IT IS A SCAM. I got pitched during my pedicure, too. I was really disappointed in the Spa becuase of this. the only negative in the whole cruise for me. I mean, you are at the SPA to RELAX, not get pitched. I will definitely write No Sales Pitch this year. It was really so obnoxious. I'm mad again, thinking abt it. I have been to some really nice destination Spas and never any pitch. The green Door Day Spa in St. Louis also obnoxiously pitched me during a facial, come to think of it.

 

[dznyacct]

My DH did the detox/metabolism analysis on our DCL cruise in July. He was hit hard with the sales pitch and came back with the "bargain" pack of over $100 of "miracle" weight loss pills. It was such a bargain because he was told that they normally only sell it in a 3 month supply, but "let" him buy a one month supply. Needless to say, after the unopened boxes sat at home for a few weeks after the cruise, I contacted DCL and then Steiner about a refund (less a 15% re-stocking fee). It was a pain to return them, but better than eating over $100. I HATE sales pitches, which is why I love DVC and tell everyone I know about their no sales pitch approach. I know that the DCL spa is subcontracted out by DCL, but it bothers me that they really push the hard sell while we're on vacation. Haven't they already got enough of our $$$?!

 

[shelly3girls]

My DH fell so hard for the sales pitch that he is still trying to use up a bottle of lotion that is scented like roses. He is the only man I know that would walk around smelling like this. I am not sure if he uses it b/c I called him a sucker or b/c he is so cheap that he has to get his money out of it. Not to say that the lotion is not worth it, I treat myself sometimes too, it is just that they could have gotten him to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.