To have just wanted a relaxing massage?

I would be seeing an osteopath instead of a masseuse! Yes, a masseuse massage can be relaxing- when not chatting non stop and taking the piss with time! I've always found an osteopath far more therapeutic and they have medical knowledge to actually target the cause of the tightness etc and help it improve. I've also had plantar and my osteo manipulating my foot was almost orgasmic 😆

Its absolutely none of the previous masseuses business you are going elsewhere and her email alone is rude!

IF you do reply to her and outline the issues, I'd keep it much more succinct and far briefer than your OP.

sorry for going off topic but I had plantar fasciitis for years. What fixed it permanently was wearing Crocs....the original fugly clog kind made from Croslite and get the literide kind if you can. I know some people would sooner have their feet cut off than wear them but it worked for me. To start with they were pretty much the only shoes i wore (they were allowed at work) but now I can wear what I like again. I should say i have never been able to wear heels not even in my teen years, OP I would tell the masseur....tactfully but tell her.

Similar happened me. I went to a new massage place, booked a 30 minute massage but got 20 mins. Didn't want to complain there & then so I put an honest review online. They responded by offering me a free 20 minute massage. I had to pluck up the courage to go back but I did as I knew I had nothing to be embarrassed about. You need to be honest with her

How annoying. I wouldn't find that at all relaxing.

I recently discovered dry water massage beds. It is a game changer. It still helps massively with my tense muscles and fibromyalgia but no need to take your clothes off and no need to talk to anyone during the experience. I fell asleep during the last 10 mins of today's session.

The place I go to isn't as fancy as this but it gives you some idea of what it involves.

https://www.lifehouse.co.uk/treatments/popular-treatments/dry-water-massage-bed

How did she even find out you’d been somewhere else? That is very cheeky of her!

Id keep your reply nice and simple and say you prefer a quieter massage without chat.

I know how annoying it is- I’ll never forget going for a massage on a spa day with a friend and tney put us both in the same room, like a couples massage. This was fine, but my masseuse was silent throughout and hers did not stop talking! My friend didn’t respond, just a few “hmm…yeah” here and there, but the woman was just going on about her garden, being allergic to cats, and her fave food. I kept huffing and at one point raised my head and glared over, but she didn’t get the hint. I wasn’t brave enough to say something in the moment, as didn’t want it to her awkward, but afterwards my friend and I complained to the receptionist and we got some money back.

What a copout. It is personal. She's not brilliant because she short changed the client, didn't ask the client if she wanted chat or not, and ignored the client's request for areas of focus.

I would respond and just be completely honest.

I live in a small town and I hate the idea of people gossiping over this

Absolutely nobody in your town even knows or cares that you get a regular massage, or where you go for it. And nobody is gossiping about it, I assure you. 😂

I have my own service-based business and sending an email out to try and re-engage clients who haven't been for a while is common, however it's usually a generic email, and my booking system will filter to send the email only to clients who have e.g. not been back in the last 6 months.

Given how much you appear to have over-thought this whole thing, I'd be interested to see the exact wording of her email to see if she really has 'accused you' of not supporting her business and it looking bad to other clients that you've gone elsewhere, or whether you've read it with your overthinking anxious slant, and read something that really isn't there.

Anyway, I'd always want to receive honest feedback from my clients if I was asking for it.

So something like "Hi X, thank you for your email asking for my honest feedback. I prefer a silent massage, you have chatted throughout my recent treatments. In addition, the last few times I've visited you, I have only received a 30 minute treatment but have been charged for the full 50 minutes. I wish you all the best with your business for the future. Please remove me from your database and don't contact me again. Thanks"

i would say that you felt the bookings were getting shorter even though you were paying the same throughout and that the last time you went you timed it and you were out within 20 mintutes, thats less than half of your booking and just that you have gone elsewhere as they can accommodate a full booking

Why didn't you say I'd prefer not to chat ir that's ok?

sorry but id be so angry if not only did i not get the time i paid for ( ive had that with cleaners) but that i was also talked at for the entire time, this isnt like thee hair dressers, this is supposed to be a zen relaxing experience.

OP I've recently become quite determined to be honest in these situations - I've had to do it a few times recently (not quite the same but healthcare situations etc where usually I would jusst move on but thought no - it's not okay I'm going to complain but very politely and clearly

\This woman has asked you - so - give her feedback! She ripped you off!

I would say - if you want an honest answer - I was unhappy that the time was not what was advertised and agreed. I also prefer a massage in silence but found it awkward to say so.

I think it's terrible just the talking! that is your relax time it's not like a haircut - there is definitely no normally talking

and half an hour instead of 50 minutes? I mean that is really really bad

I suspect she knows she was in the wrong which is why she is checking in with you

After that message riddled with emotional blackmail I'd go see her face to face and tell her very clearly why I won't use her services anymore.

CF.

Lots of pps said good things, but I think this one nails it

This is very unprofessional of her.
You didn't tell her you were using another therapist, so it's none of her business. You could choose to get five massages a day from different people if you so desired!
The way she framed it as 'what did I do wrong?' sounds more like a jilted teenage lover than a business associate.
I'd not respond. I'd probably not use her again either. Hopefully she'll learn that approach doesn't help retain clients.

She’s wrong to message you in the way that she has. Try not to stress about this - you absolutely have the right to take your business wherever you want to.
You have no need to reply but if you do just keep it short and say you felt elsewhere was a better fit for your needs. Like you say, this should be a treat. She’s just being cheeky.

As someone who also has anxiety, I would absolutely reply and tell her exactly why! That she is a great masseuse but you paid for 50 minutes which you didn’t get, and her chatting and asking questions was unprofessional and irritating, so you felt it best to seek a more appropriate massage therapist.
She’s directly (albeit inappropriately) requested your feedback so I’d give it to her straight up! What’s she going to do? She might message back, which you can just ignore. Otherwise you never have to see or speak to her again so honestly you may as well just say it!

I like the idea of telling her you got a gift voucher for another place and realised you preferred having the full hour.

It’s worth telling her where she went wrong imo, but you can compliment her massage skills at the same time if you did think she was good.

Wear EarPods and just say you would rather listen to your own music, they’ll get the hint then!

You owe her nothing.

While I think it's fine for her to follow up professionally (just want to check everything was ok with the service) the way she has actually done it is inappropriate and emotional blackmailing.

I would tell her she didn't give you the full time and that you have discovered that you prefer not to be talked to, but be prepared for follow up trying to get you to come back (don't go).

I've had to leave three masseuses in a row for the same reason. The first few sessions are great, then they start wanting to chat during the treatment.

Bluntly saying I didn't want to talk would have made me too uneasy to relax. So I gave all the signals that I didn't want to chat. Giving short answers, not asking questions in return, etc. They didn't take the hint.

I've given up now, even though massage really helps my chronic pain.

I would ignore. It's none of her business why you've chosen to go to someone else for a treatment. It's really weird that she thinks it ok to message and question you about it. Very unprofessional.

I would give her feedback so she knows why you went elsewhere. I would mention everything you said here, duration, chatting and that despite asking you wanted more work on your feet which you didn't feel you were getting. It is over a message so not face to face. It may help her in the future with other clients. You can be polite about it as others have shown with their own messages.

I can’t believe she messaged you!!

Unbelievable.