Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

How exactly do they make you feel uncomfortable? If they are acting inappropriately or being suggestive then it's always a good idea to make clear from the startthat the service you are offering is a complimentary health massage and that the client-therapist relationship is strictly on professional terms only. However it sounds like you have been treating them on more than one occasion, so how about reminding them of the above, and then clarifying it by saying that if they would like to find another therapist that might offer an 'alternative service' more in line with what they are looking for, then that is perfectly OK with you.

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

I agree with Azalia.. if you aren't comfortable with a client, don't treat them. If you have had a few sessions with them and they are there for something specific, you may want to refer them elsewhere and say you feel the treatment isn't working for them and another practitioner may have more luck in getting results. It's a tough one. I've only ever had one client I didn't want to come back and fortunately, once he realised his mistake in coming to me (and not getting any extras) and that he had a boring old seated and clothed indian head massage - he never came back.

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

If either of them has already booked an appointment, call and say that you will not be available (do not give a reason) and tell him/them that you will call later to reschedule.Conveniently forget to call. If he/they call back, you can always fumble through your diary and say that you do not have any appointments untilmid December(or even later).

If you work from home, do you have anyone else in the building at any time? Could you schedule male clients for when you have someone in the house with you? I always did that when I first started working. Nowadays Iwork from a rental office in a local town;I rarely do evenings and weekends, and am too long in the tooth to put up with inappropriate behaviour!!

Do not put up with any nonsense.

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

You could call a business that offers "extras" and ask if they would take some clients from you for a commission fee? Could work to all parties' benefits.

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

You're encourageable Darren!

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Thanks for all the advice

Darren your post made me laugh 😉

Well I've done about 4 massages for him so far and there are a couple of reasons that I don't feel comfortable with him.

First off - while this customer hasn't made inappropriate suggestions he recommended a friend for massage who did ask and I subsequently didn't treat. Intially I didn't want to tar this bloke with the same brush but he becomes increasingly strange and my instinct is making me feel uncomfortable.
Second off he'sa big big guy, tall and very large so I'm a little concerned that he may break my couch. He's prob over 20 stone.
He's also a little bit odd. This comes across in some of the stuff he says during his massages, the only way I can really describe is that he's appears terribly random and doesn't seem to have any grasp on general social ettiquette.
Another thing that seemed strangewas when his wife called to book his second appointment she said I'd worked wonders for him and he's sung my praises all month etc etc. But when he came along for his second appointment and I asked how his back had been he told me he'd been in agony and cursing me. I thought this was a little odd considering what his wife had said. So, concerned about him I went through his consultation again and asked about where the pain had been in his back, he said 'all over really', when I psuhed for specifics they weren't forthcoming. And since his original massage had been quite light I must admit to feeling he was making it up. Why who knows? But he is so random who knows.
These things probably don't sound much but that's why I've put lots of detail here, it's like an instinct of all these things adding up and I just don't want to treat him anymore.
I was thinking about calling and saying I'm not treatment men anymore. He may find out I was lying though at a later date. I do think Jabba's idea is good but I already tried not replying to answer phone messages in the hope that my 'bad customer service' might send him elsewhere but no such luck he's quite persistent.
My husband is usually home when I treat men but I still really don't want to treat him ... does that sounds really unfair?

Sally

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

not at all! It's your business who you choose to treat (or not). If you are uncomfortable, trust your gut instincts - it is almost conditioned out of us through politeness. There is probably a very good reason why you are picking up negative vibrations so listen to your intuition, and don't book another appointment. He has given you the perfect excuse; his first treatment didn't help him (so he says) so just tell him you do not want to waste anymore of his time or money, and don't rebook.

x

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Hi again Sally,

I don't think your making a fuss at all, and from what you say I can see why you feel a littleuneasy. If it was me, I wouldn't try ignoring his calls and delay his appointments, because that's probably not the most effective way to deal with the situation, and if he's persistant then things could get even more uncomfortable[&o]However, because he isn't exactly acting out of line it is slightly more difficult to deal with. How about this: next time you see him you can say that after the initialfew treatments with your clients you like to do a quick review to check how the treament is progressing and whether they are happy with how things are going. You could just ask general questions such as 'do you feel [the condition that he came for] is improving? ' etc. If he mentions the bad back thingy (and it sounds very like he was making it up to me!!) then you could act quite concerned and say that it might be worth you consulting the doctor to see if any alterations to treatment could be made. This tather strict no-nonsense approach might just be enough to scare him off.

If you still feel uncomfortable, then you have every right to stop treating this client. The standard professional procedure is to refer him to another therapist.

Good luck!

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

EDIT: accidental duplicate post.

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Hi Azalia,

thanks for the support I feel better that someone can see why I might be concerned. I can't help but question whether I'm doing the right thing.

Can you recommend what to say to him to refer him to another therapist? I wish I could come up with something direct and non-negotiable. I know that if I just recommended someone else he wouldn't go anywhere. I also think that if I suggested treatment wasn't working and therefore a waste of his money he wouldn't go away either as at the end of the day massage is wonderfully relaxing so even if he felt it wasn't 'curing' him he'd still want one.

Also if I refer to another therapist isn't that a bit mean on them? I mean I'm quite sure no-one would want him?

He currently has an appointment booked in for 2 weeks away and I'd feel so much better if I didn't have to do it.

Sally

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Sally - you sound in a fix and I have been thinking to try and come up with something plausible. How about saying that you are cutting back your working hours at the moment to do some studying, but refer the client on to a professional body for a list of local therapists? I had to refuse treating a client last year although for different reasons. I was working with a really big chap and I was suffering at the time with repetitive strain so referred him on to another therapist. I have to say that I found it very difficult to do, but at the time I had to for my own sake. Anyway, I hope you find a solution to your problem. Good luck.

Vivien

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

[sm=dance.gif]

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Heya Sally,

Having met you I have to say that you'regood looking, but even so I certainly wouldn't try anything with your hubby around cos he looks like he could easily flatten me (not that I'd try anything anyway but you know what I mean).

If you've already given this guy four massages, you could perhaps say to him that really he should be noticing a great improvement in his problem by now; and perhaps your technique of massage is not the one that is suitable for his complaint. Say that you don't think any more massages will be of any benefit to him and you wouldn't want to take his money just for the sake of it, and if he likes then you can find him some other massage therapists in the area who he could try out instead. Say you'll get back to him when you've managed to find someone who you think would be suitable.

😉

Love and Reiki Hugs

RE: Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

Or why not just say that you'verecently had a bad experience with a male client, and you're REALLY sorry but you've had to stop working with men? It would be the truth - you don't have to tell him HE is the man...
Point him in the direction of a list of therapists, so you needn't feel bad about pushing him towards anyone particular.
And don't worry about him finding out if you have any other male clients. Hewill accept your word, go elsewhere and forget about you. Unless, of course, he's a stalker - in which case you were proved right in the first place!