Massage Envy?

[bab]

Does anyone have an annual plan?  Do you use it?  Do you like this place?

They are opening one near me and I am tempted. 

[bab]

May 3, 2013 20:34:21 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

I know it varies by location but I was super duper not impressed. Worst massage ever. They pressured me SO HARD to sign up for their plan. It's basically a massage factory so you get what you pay for. It didn't feel very relaxing or spa-like so if that's what you want then I'd go elsewhere.

Interesting.  This is exactly what I was wondering.  I have never been to one of their facilities.

[Deleted]

i went once. my mil goes back where she lives and says it's great there, so we went to one by me for fun. it blew. the room was cold, the massage was cursory, and the walls were all thin so you could hear people in the hall and stuff and i didn't barely relax.

anyway, it's a discount massage and it feels like it. like, if you bought a ford fiesta you wouldn't be expecting a maserati driving experience.


ETA:  my mil raves about the woman she goes to, so clearly she's found a good massage therapist.  i am sure that would make a huge difference.

[lola]

We just got one, and I'm going for #2 tomorrow!

My massage therapist was wonderful - one of the better massages I've ever had, and I get them fairly frequently. The place was large, clean, and very quiet in my treatment room. It was definitely spa quality.

That's where the good stuff ended. The reception woman definitely took customer service to a whole new level. While I was sitting waiting she came over with my paperwork chatting me up like we were friend. "Oh, so I see you do XXX for a living. How did you get in to that? Do you like it? How long have you lived in Chicago for? Where are you from?"

I was all, "OMG lady, STFU I do not want to talk to you!"

She finally went away.

Then when I came out, FULL ON SALES PITCH for the monthly plan.

It's a GOOD PLAN too. (Here at least.) It's $59 per month, and you get one 60 minute massage. Then if you want any more massages you pay $49 per hour instead of the market price of $59. So, if you're going to get a massage each month, it's a fine deal. But, you have to agree to a 12 month plan and I didn't want to commit to that.

She would.not.let.it.go. I was so fucking annoyed. I must have said five times, "I really just want to pay and go." or "I'm headed to a meeting in 20 minutes, can I just pay." I have never tried SO HARD to pay somebody for a service.

Anyways, I am going back because Terell was amazing, but I will not sign up for their plan never ever ever.

HTH!

[sunnysally]

I just got home from a 2 hour massage at Massage Envy. I've been a member for 2 years and have been seeing the same therapist the entire time. I didn't experience a high pressure sale. The front desk has high turnover and they do charge for aromatherapy or other extras. My therapist uses her own higher quality lotions and oils. The experience is dependent on the therapist you get. It's worth a try for only $39.

[Bonita]

I have it, and at least where we previously lived (just relocated last week) it was fabulous - the first time I went wasn't the best massage ever, but I just tried a different person the next time and she was amazing. So maybe it just depends on the person.

I didn't have an issue with being able to hear anything outside of the room I was in, again maybe that could be location specific?

I am planning on going to one of the locations here in our new town, so I'll find out real soon what the experience is like at another location. Based on my previous location though, I would recommend at least trying it out

[Bonita]

May 3, 2013 20:44:16 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

May 3, 2013 20:41:37 GMT -5 lola said:

It's a GOOD PLAN too. (Here at least.) It's $59 per month, and you get one 60 minute massage. Then if you want any more massages you pay $49 per hour instead of the market price of $59. So, if you're going to get a massage each month, it's a fine deal. But, you have to agree to a 12 month plan and I didn't want to commit to that.

Man, their rates must have gone up.  When I went a couple years ago the monthly plan was one 60 minute massage for $39.  I think?  I could be remembering wrong. 

Regardless it *sounded* like a good deal on paper but I just wasn't impressed with the location I visited.

The price varies based on your location...HCOL is more $$$, LCOL is less $$$

[lola]

May 3, 2013 20:47:42 GMT -5 Bonita said:

May 3, 2013 20:44:16 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

Man, their rates must have gone up.  When I went a couple years ago the monthly plan was one 60 minute massage for $39.  I think?  I could be remembering wrong. 

Regardless it *sounded* like a good deal on paper but I just wasn't impressed with the location I visited.

The price varies based on your location...HCOL is more $$$, LCOL is less $$$

I figured it was something like this. $59 for an hour long massage is REALLY cheap here. But, alas, I am a commitment-phobe.

[candreco]

May 3, 2013 20:34:21 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

I know it varies by location but I was super duper not impressed. Worst massage ever. They pressured me SO HARD to sign up for their plan. It's basically a massage factory so you get what you pay for. It didn't feel very relaxing or spa-like so if that's what you want then I'd go elsewhere.

Totally agree.  If I were a serious athlete and really needed regular massage therapy it might be worth it, but otherwise no.  I had a GC for a prenatal massage, and the saled pitch afterward was so effing annoying.  I know they have to try, but after having to wait around for 15 minutes for the manager,and then point blank saying no, not interested at this time, I was pissed that he kept pushing.

The massage itself was ok.  Therapist was not particularly communicative, even when I was trying to adjust pressure, location, etc.  Atmosphere was crap.

[Kit]

It's hit or miss. I've had great massages, and I've had a couple of really shitty ones too. It definitely varies by location. I found one that is super close to my house with a guy that does a great job. I won't go to another location anymore.

[thejen626]

Lurker chiming in...I've been to Massage Envy 3 times and it's always sucked. However there is a place called Hand and Stone that is a similar idea, that I joined, and LOVE IT. It's $59/month, and I've been a member for over 2 years now. I am very happy and it's so freaking wonderful to get a massage every month! So google and see if they have this chain near you

[ginger]

I just thought of something, you might want to go to several spa facebook pages in your area. We have one that I stumbled across that sends out daily last-minute appointments at discount to fill the empty slots. Brilliant plan.

Like today, if I wanted, I could have a hot stone massage for $42.50!

They'll post this kind of stuff on their facebook page and then you can sign up for emails.

My place is amazing. It's almost a too good to be true situation.

[kaylie]

My MIL is a massage therapist and briefly worked at a Massage Envy and I think you get what you pay for. The reason the quality isn't as good as a higher priced massage place is that it's essentially McDonalds for massages. They get you in and get you out with very little time between clients. The therapists that work there do more massages per day than what they normally would, so if you're going later in the day chances are their hands and arms are sore. I also get the sense that a lot of them are a bit jaded because the clientele tends to tip poorly. Once in awhile she'd get a decent tip, but it was fairly infrequent.

[Deleted]

I've gone, a few years ago, a couple of times.  I wasn't impressed but I returned because I kept hoping I'd luck out and find a good practitioner.  I gave up after two or three tries, and becoming completely frustrated at their hard sell (they still send me emails - I opt out, they stop for a while and then they start up again.  Very annoying).  I finally found a small local place with a masseuse that I really like, that I go to when I need to.  She's more expensive but worth it. 

I think of Massage Envy as the McDonalds of massage, but without the quality control. 

ETA I swear I didn't read Kaylie's post before posting...