STX Massage To Go

2 recommendations and reviews from 1 person

Recommendations from Sandra S.

• Referral from April 30, 2015
  

  Dez L. asked:

  I have been hearing of people charging a referral fee to companies who need additional therapists and therapists that charge referral fees to other therapists for referring clients to them of they cannot treat them that day or whatever the case may be... what are your thoughts on this? I get requests daily that I cannot take due to my busy schedule but I do not charge a fee. I just consider it as good deed. Thoughts?

  

  Sandra S. replied:

  I happily pay, and receive, referral fees with my outcall business www.STXMassageToGo.com Whether it's an in-office or outcall, when someone books or refers me for a massage, I pay a flat fee or percentage to their business. And I market towards and encourage people to think of me when they have outcalls. If they refer an outcall to me, I pay $20-25 for the first visit only. There are Lmts here on island who don't do outcalls anymore or we get super busy, or they don't have someone on staff to cover and I love when they send clients to me. And because outcalls pay more than office visits (and usually tip too), a referral fee is small price to pay. And it's a great way to build regular outcall clients, which absolutely saved me last summer during off-season. I pay other therapists as well if they refer me to a new client, regular, or need assistance w a couples massage. And Therapists pay me if I refer a client to them. It works both ways and everyone benefits! I DONT pay realtors/short-term rental managers/hotel concierges/friends a fee, but I like to send them little thank you gift when they send clients my way. As an independent contractor and a business owner, referral fees are part of good business, developing strong working relationships and keeping the good energy flowing!

  

  Sandra S. replied:

  Hmm Interesting. I don't understand why this is a kick back. A kickback would imply that I have power or control over a lucrative contract or can influence an outcome and will show u favor if you give me money "under the table". When I work at a massage business or spa, that business receives a flat fee or a split from the massage. When they send me an outcall it's the same principle, right? They still deserve compensation. And it doesn't happen all the time, mostly with just 1-2 places I work with, but if someone asks for a fee, I consider it a professional courtesy. So when or how does it become a kickback? I'm a massage business www.STXMassageToGo.com doing business with another massage business. And Lmts here are independent contractors so we are self employed. Liz: doctors don't call it a kickback but they do, in some cases, receive "consulting" fees for prescribing certain drugs or treatment plans. I heard a "Ted talk" about this practice. There is a movement underway wanting to make it transparent and/or illegal for doctors to not disclose who they receive fees from. Real estate agents receive referrals (usually 20 percent of sale) from other real estate agents, and relocation businesses get fees for referring people. And it's not unusual for a concierge to recommend certain restaurants or activities in exchange for "tip", fee or favors from those business owners when they make reservations for you. Taxi drivers and tour operators take people to certain bars/restaurants/activities and get paid from the owner for sending them their way. I've taken lots of ethics (law, real estate, yoga and massage) classes and not seeing where this practice of paying/receiving fees would be unethical. Would be interesting to hear from someone who is well versed in ethics, anyone?

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