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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay the consultation charge

32 replies

SaraBellumHertz · 18/09/2012 04:01

In an effort to get fit I have decided to kick start my regime with a personal trainer.

The chap I've found has an hourly fee and his first step is an assessment where we spend an hour talking about what I want to achieve and how he can help.

He wants to charge me his standard rate for that hour - AIBU to not want to pay?

OP posts:
monsterchild · 18/09/2012 04:07

YABU: if that is how he runs his business then you take it or not. Find someone else who does a free initial consult. There's no rule that he has to give you a free initial consult.

complexnumber · 18/09/2012 04:21

That's an hour of his time, of course you should pay.

Did he ever give any indication that it was going to be free? Or was this something you had assumed.

TheSkiingGardener · 18/09/2012 05:19

So you want him to work for free for that hour? Do you work for free?

OpheliasWeepingWillow · 18/09/2012 05:21

YABVVVU. Why would he work for free?

AKissIsNotAContract · 18/09/2012 05:33

YABU. Why should he work for no pay?

needsomesunshine · 18/09/2012 05:36

I don't understand. You want a service, he's providing it. He is not a charity. Why is this even a question?

Thumbwitch · 18/09/2012 05:41

YABU. He's doubtless self-employed, the first hour is an assessment that takes up an hour of his working time, why on earth shouldn't you pay?
And don't bother trying the "oh I don't need an assessment" routine - if he's a decent professional he won't take you on without doing the assessment first.

I have to say, this is why I chose to not charge extra for first therapy sessions, wherein an extra half hour was required to do a background medical history, because of tightwads like you who don't want to spend the money having basic safety checks done.

DogsCock · 18/09/2012 05:43

He needs to assess you, your health and what you are looking for from him.
It would be dangerous and unprofessional if he were to skip this. If you joined a gym, they would do the same, although this would be included in the monthly fee.

Original poster
SaraBellumHertz · 18/09/2012 06:22

Well yes I do "work" for free frequently, in similar circumstances. If a client wants to know more about the products and services I provide I meet with them and discuss what it is we can offer, sometimes several times. About 80% of the time those discussions don't lead to an immediate contract - it is just the nature of the beast.

So I want to know what he can offer me and what services he can provide (he advertises PT and nutrition advice) there has certainly been no discussion about this being a physical assessment. It is about him assessing my needs and seeing how he can help.

I felt that because the relationship is a personal one and I need to be confident he can meet my needs in a way which suits me then it was reasonable to expect him to explain what he can offer without me paying for that info.

But I will accept IABU. I'm just surprised!

OP posts:
Original poster
SaraBellumHertz · 18/09/2012 06:25

And to clarify I would be absolutely happy to pay for a physical assessment and health check once I have decided whether I want to engage his services and would assume that would be taken up by the first session

OP posts:
Morloth · 18/09/2012 06:25

Shrug, no need to pay the consultation charge, just don't have the consultation.

He has given you his terms and conditions, up to you whether you still want to hire him.

BoomerGold · 18/09/2012 06:27

Some products and services are more in demand than others, also the potential rewards can vary. Those who work for themselves can't afford to absorb these costs.

YABU

WhoWhatWhereWhen · 18/09/2012 06:27

You should accept they need to charge for their time but, you should feel free to negotiate a discount on their standard charges.

HecateHarshPants · 18/09/2012 06:28

ask him some questions by email so you can have a good idea of what he can offer you and then decide whether or not you want to meet him for a consultation?

flowery · 18/09/2012 06:30

YANBU to not want to pay for any service you buy, or to wish it were cheaper. But like anything, you find out what the service is, and what the terms are, and decide whether to purchase or not. His terms are clear, decision is yours!

Presumably he is busy enough not to need to offer a free initial hour in order to fill his client list.

Original poster
SaraBellumHertz · 18/09/2012 06:58

But morloth he hadn't given me his t&c's - I have no idea whether he is even available at the times that might suit me.

hecate I asked him (by SMS- common in my part of world) if we could arrange a time to chat about what he offers. His response was:

"hi xxxx the first step is to meet for a consultation and chat to discuss your needs and if your happy i would design a training programme and nutrition plan for u if u need it. Let me know when u want to meet"

When I confirmed the time his response was:

"will see u tomorrow for the consultation 7til 8 at £30 [local equiv] tomorow we'll discuss your needs. Thanks"

I queried the charge, which he dropped but then immediately felt bad - hence my AIBU

Out of interest if it was a budget who was quoting for work who wanted an hourly fee woul I still BU?

Honestly just seems strange to me but I consider myself told Grin

OP posts:
nordiccamper · 18/09/2012 07:05

It depends on what you are trying to sell.

If the propensity for profit is higher (such as financial services or ongoing legal advice) the more free consultations are probably done.

If someone salary stream is a lower and basic (not high) hourly rate, then it is not unreasonable to charge for a consultation.

Also, it all depends on what the market is prepared to pay and how competitive it is.

EmmaNemms · 18/09/2012 07:05

I used to own a care agency and we always provided an assessment in someone's home before care started. We didn't ever charge for this, even though it could take 2 or more hours, I would consider it part if the sales process. When I started having personal training I am pretty certain I wasn't charged for the introductory session so I don't think you are BU.

maddening · 18/09/2012 07:16

But you can ask about his services and availability before consultation.

And I hope he's not like a builder - going round you and tutting with the odd shake of the head

Thistledew · 18/09/2012 07:36

YABU

PT is the sort of area where he will probably get lots of people wanting the initial consultation, training program and nutritional advice, who then either don't bother to take it further or who try to take the plan he has drawn up for them and work through it on their own.

My friend does this work and can sometimes spend 3-4 hours per week answering email queries people send her. She has a small child and is supposed to be working only part time, so this becomes a significant part of her week for which she is working unpaid.

monsterchild · 18/09/2012 13:51

Wait, you asked and he dropped the charge? Why are you asking AIBU? he has told you the consult is free. Don't erase the message and keep him to his word and meet.

geegee888 · 18/09/2012 13:58

tbh if you're handing over your decision making on your fitness regime to someone else, surely the point is in paying them for everything? Its sort of a handholding exercise, isn't it? I mean, theres plenty of stuff on the internet about training, plenty of clubs to join, I've always had free coaching in my athletics from actual qualified coaches, not pts, so why not pay for the initial assessment/consultation as well?

Original poster
SaraBellumHertz · 18/09/2012 18:22

monster as I said I felt guilty and so wondered (genuinely) if IWBU for not wanting to pay.

OP posts:
aMashedUpPhraseWithGravy · 19/09/2012 03:34

Can you post the exact wording of your query to him? I am wondering if he felt pressured into dropping it.

Original poster
SaraBellumHertz · 19/09/2012 03:50

mashedup for goodness sake I didn't pressurise him into dropping the fee. But for anyone else who thinks I was being tight/U this is word for word the exchange:

Me:Hi xxx - I got your number via xxx off xxx website. I'd be really interested in organising some personal training sessions. Not sure how things work having never had a trainer before - but perhaps you could let me know your services/ availability etc. thanks xxx

Him: Hi xxx the first step is to meet for a consultation and chat to discuss your needs and if your happy i would design a training programme and nutrition plan for u if u need it. Let me know when u want to meet

Me: Hi xxx - that sounds sensible! I'm around tuesday evening; wednesday or thursday late afternoon/ evening or all day Friday / Saturday this week - any of that suitable?

He suggested time, I gave address

Him: 7 is fine, will see u tomorrow 7til 8 at £30 tomorow we'll discuss your needs. Thanks

Me: Thanks mike - just to confirm do I need to pay for the consultation?

Him:Ok don't worry normally i charge for it but i'll come tomorrow for free at 7 so u can have a chance to discuss what u need and feel comfortable.

If anything I felt the "consultation fee" was just dropped on me and I felt slightly pressured Hmm

I can't believe how many of you would pay for a sales pitch.

OP posts: