To expect my 60 minute massage to actually LAST 60 minutes??

[Oldisthenewblack]

I've started having massages recently. Had a couple in the dim and distant past and seemed to recall that on at least one occasion the therapist finished before the time was up. So, trying this new place, I specifically checked that I would get the full hour and was told 'yes'. Obviously a couple of minutes for me to get my kit off, but that's it. Yesterday, the therapist said "there we go - all done". I looked at the clock and it was a full 15 minutes before the hour was up!

It was meant to be half a facial and half a massage. I had noticed that the massage was only 15 minutes long, but figured she'd make it up on the facial, but no. So I had to say something, but fell really awkward about it. She was fine, said she hadn't noticed the time but....well....surely you have to, if you're on a schedule? These massages are not cheap, so I really don't want to be paying money for something I'm not getting.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not being unreasonable, am I?

A friend of mine stopped going somewhere because she felt shortchanged time wise.

No, yanbu. Well done for saying something, what happened next? Did she do a bit extra??

Hour is the time slot, so would include you dressing again, paying etc, so I would probably expect about 50 mins, so they can start another appointment on the next hour.

YANBU. I hope you paid on a pro rata basis.

You're right, a lot of places do this. I'm prepared to factor in 5 minutes each side for kit on and off but some places are really sneaky and short change you by up to 20 minutes. Best one I ever had was Lush, she went about 20 mins over, it was awesome, not cheap though

Yes, she willingly did another massage of my shoulders, which was pleasant and just as good as the other massage. It's just that it was kind of spoilt by my having to say something. The massage started late anyway, Alconleigh, which I didn't mind at all, it was only five minutes. But if it starts late, it's obviously going to run late.

I have another booked for Tuesday, a different therapist, so will see how that goes.

It's something I'll keep an eye out for now, but it somewhat spoils the experience if you're expecting to be shortchanged. They've been really friendly though so I'm sure I could mention something if necessary. And I'm probably going to spend a fortune there....

Ha, was going to say YABU off your thread title until I read what happened!

No, YANBU, that's ridiculous. I used to be a massage therapist (still am, just not practising at the mo) and yes, it would be about 5 minutes to catch up on how they've been, minute or so for them to get undressed, and then ~50 minutes massage, leaving a few minutes at the end for them to dress, say anything about how they're feeling now, and have a glass of water.
Also, I quite frequently over-ran by a few minutes - never under though. And yes, there was a clock on the wall so I could see the time!

I had a cleaner once who sat around drinking tea because they thought they'd "finished" ahead of time. Didn't last long.

Yes , that s happens to me when I go for a massage, usually only half an hour appointment so an extra few mins either end eats into the time. I've been too scared to say anything though

I've located another place nearby that I may try if this continues.

I understood that on my first session at this place that some of the appointment time would be taken up with assessing my health, taking details of anything in particular I was concerned about, but those details would then be available to anyone else in the practice that may treat me. But that was a one off.

I go for massages regularly. The deciding factor in whether I become a repeat customer is whether I get the properly allotted time. I do notice that the ones who don't shortchange you are always have plenty of repeat customers, so think this is a common thing.

Oldisthenew - in my case, I used to allocate an extra half hour to a new client, but this was not charged for (yes, I'm probably a mug but it was to cover my own back - some people would try and refuse it if they had to pay for it and, to me, getting the health history was an important part of the treatment, so I sucked up the free half hour)

YANBU. I've had the full time everywhere I've gone, minus five minutes for changing and getting comfortable. The lady I now go to regularly always gives 20-30 minutes extra unless she has another client booked in right after me. Part of the reason I'm a regular!

Yes I would be very peeved, it's false advertising! But if the blurb/ad says 60 minute massage I would expect and want just that - it means they would have to make appointments accordingly - say my 60 minute appt was at 10am, then their next one would be at 11.10 or 11.15 etc ... and so on throughout the day. I teach privately and if I advertise a lesson as 1 hour then it is just that - one full hour of teaching. Many teachers offer lessons of 45 minutes, so they have have one every hour with 15 mins 'changeover' time. Fair enough if people accept, and at least it's honest.

I would expect 50-55 mins. One of the reasons I see my therapist regularly and have been going for years - she doesn't short change you on the time!

I'm so glad to hear what others have to say about this - it's reassuring. I've been trying to add up the time for undressing, etc, and there's no way it amounted to 15 minutes. In fact, the other massages I've had, the therapist has been outside the door and both said "just shout me when you're ready" but this one seemed to go off somewhere. I did say "ok, ready" when I was on the table but as there was no response I presume she'd wandered off!