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'Free' massage was actually a slippery deal at massage parlor

By Ai Yang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-01 14:53

The most, and perhaps only, tangible result that has come about lately after a few massages at an established chain spa, is that my wallet has become substantially thinner.

At the beginning of the year, I was given two gift cards for a spa and supposedly I could enjoy nice free massages with them. As it turned out, however, the freebies have cost me more than I thought possible.

The very first thing I have learned is that while the service may be free as advertised, the must-buy products can and will suck your wallet dry. The routine goes like this:

The minute I lay myself down on to the operation-table-sized massage bed and put my head in the black hole, the pretty-faced, innocent-voiced and soft-handed masseuse gets right down to business.

"Oh your skin looks really good, but it's only that it feels a bit dry. You know what, you are in luck. Our star product has just arrived and if you try it you'll see the difference right away. Oh and how much is it? It's only 700 kuai. It's real bargain!"

I would have fallen out of the bed if my astonished face was not stuck in a hole. And the thing is, every time I visit the spa, I'm "in luck".

"Oh yes go on then, rob me blind as you did last time."

Of course, these words are never spoken out loud like they should be. So, with my hesitation and incapability to say "no", the layers of creams on my face end up getting thicker each time while my wallet quickly gets thinner.

The worst scenario came the other week, when I was having a full body massage with a bottle of pre-purchased essential oil that would somehow "speed up blood circulation and alleviate muscle pains", or so the masseuse claimed.

The bottle cost me an arm and leg, and I wondered if that pain could be eased too.

Just as the session was half completed, one side of me freshly smeared with oil like a fish before being deep fried, came the announcement - "Oh, I'm afraid your essential oil is all used up! You have to get a new one, now!"

I was certainly not prepared for this. Only one minute earlier, I had been lying on my belly thinking about how I would decline masseuse's next trick to get me to buy something.

It turned out she had updated her selling techniques, leaving me with not much of a choice at all this time.

Thankfully, after a few eventful sessions I've gradually grown thick skinned and learned to say "no" resolutely before any more product is sold to me.

Unfortunately, I've come to the conclusion that for someone who doesn't make enough money to feel at ease when being blatantly robbed, going for massages at my spa is no relaxation at all.

But if you want to learn a few tips about how to be a successful sales person, it might be the place to go.

China Daily