How are masseurs paid when you buy a package from the salon?
I bought a package from a massage salon in the shopping mall because they offered a "Buy 10 Free 2" promo. I run errands at this mall frequently, and it felt convenient. Back then, it didnt dawn on me to calculate how much the masseur would get paid by the salon each time they completed a massage session.
During session 2/12, I was prompted by the receptionist to buy a new package. She said, since I am using their services, I should quickly get a new package.... cos maybe next month, no more promotion liao. I dismissed her suggestion and said I will take a while to finish my package.
Session 3/12, the receptionist again prompted me to get a new package. She gave the same reason "dunno when my boss will stop doing the promotion." My reply was - When my package is used up, then I renew. Pls stop asking me to renew package each time I come. Receptionist then looked at my records, and said "aiyah only your 3rd time, at most we asked u to renew 3 times only, thats not a lot."
Session 4/12...it was the same thing. By now, I was seriously annoyed. But I bought a package, I wanted to make sure all sessions were utilized.
Session 5,6,7 & 8, all the same old shit. I pretty much just ignored whatever the recep says by now.
Session 9/12 - They can see that I am now almost at the end of my package so the effort to get me to renew my package received a turbo boost. Today, the recep said "If you dont renew your package today, the masseur working on you will not get paid!" Whoaaaaa.... she really surprised me with this. Must give her extra points for creativity. I replied that I am being deducted one session from my package, so the company can work out how much the masseur is being paid from there. Receptionist then replied "But our shop is not getting new income from you today, so there is no money to pay the masseur!" Double Whoaaaaaa.
I replied that I had already paid the salon when I signed the package, how the salon distributes compensation to its workers is not within my control.
It is very exhausting because going for a massage is supposed to be relak. But each time I go, I have to prep my brain on how to taiji the receptionists' advances to make me buy a new package.
I know salons need to have sales volume to survive. I am all for supporting local businesses. But can don't hardsell until like that or not? And, on a serious note, does anyone know how compensation actually works within these salons?