On-Ship Massage , How to Politely, yet Firmly, Decline Additional Offers?

[LEMJMcC]

The wife scheduled a couple's massage for the first day.  If my memory serves me, after the massage, they try to sell more services and products, taking up time that can be used for more enjoyable activities.

 

How have you successfully and politely refused these offers in a very definite and timely manner?  I don't like to be rude, but I also don't mind to just get up and walk out if they are insistent in making their pitch.

 

Any advice to a guy who wants to be nice, but...

[crazyank]

A firm "No Thanks" usually works.  If the pitch continues then walk out.

[brillohead]

When filling out the questionnaire before the massage, write DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELL PRODUCTS on the top of it in big letters.

 

[BirdTravels]

Just now, LEMJMcC said:

The wife scheduled a couple's massage for the first day.  If my memory serves me, after the massage, they try to sell more services and products, taking up time that can be used for more enjoyable activities. How have you successfully and politely refused these offers in a very definite and timely manner?  I don't like to be rude, but I also don't mind to just get up and walk out if they are insistent in making their pitch. Any advice to a guy who wants to be nice, but...

Just say "No, I am not interested". That's their job. The Spa personnel get rated and keep their job based on the amount of product they sell. Getting an upsell is all part of the massage experience. Expect it. Don't be a hater. Same when I go to my salon at home... always the upsell. Don't be rude, just say "I am not interested",,, repeatedly. Simple. 

 

Long, long, long ago in the dark ages, I worked at McDonalds and back in the day, I got penalized if I didn't upsell on every order "Is that a large french fry?" "How about an apple pie for dessert?"

[msuspartabigten]

Just now, BirdTravels said:

Just say "No, I am not interested". That's their job. The Spa personnel get rated and keep their job based on the amount of product they sell. Getting an upsell is all part of the massage experience. Expect it. Don't be a hater. Same when I go to my salon at home... always the upsell. Don't be rude, just say "I am not interested",,, repeatedly. Simple. 

 

Long, long, long ago in the dark ages, I worked at McDonalds and back in the day, I got penalized if I didn't upsell on every order "Is that a large french fry?" "How about an apple pie for dessert?"

"Would you like to supersize that meal?" Of course I do!

[John&LaLa]

Never been an issue for me

[fsufancc]

Listen, and understand. That Spa Staff is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you agree to buy overpriced products.  😂

 

Mrs Fan who is an introvert by nature asked the spa person to not do the upsell and she did it anyway.  Now she won't go to the spa anymore.  What should be a relaxing time is now a huge sales hassle and it is a shame.

[davekathy]

Like anything being sold on the ship I'm not interested in. No thank you. Have a good day. 

[Peachy59]

Tell them you are traveling with a carry-on and can't take any products home.

Edited January 31, 2023 by Peachy59
typo

[Ourusualbeach]

Do what my wife did, bought a whole bunch of stuff and then had me return it.

[fabby50]

I have found the tip about writing I'm not interested in hearing about or purchasing any products on the slip to be the most effective method.  Trying to stop them mid-stream has never worked for me.

[pcur]

Tell the spa staff their tip will be larger if they don't attempt to sell you anything else.

Edited January 31, 2023 by pcur

[Mum2Mercury]

On one of our recent cruises, spa staff were in the stairwells asking people if they wanted to sign up for a massage.  I think they're under great pressure to sell /upsell.  

 

Personally, I have no problem saying no.  

[brillohead]

Just now, Mum2Mercury said:

On one of our recent cruises, spa staff were in the stairwells asking people if they wanted to sign up for a massage.  I think they're under great pressure to sell /upsell.  

 

Personally, I have no problem saying no.  

I saw them in the Solarium on Explorer, giving $2/minute massages and trying to drum up business.  

Maybe if their massages didn't cost three to four times what a massage costs back home, they'd get more takers!  

[Mum2Mercury]

1 minute ago, brillohead said:

I saw them in the Solarium on Explorer, giving $2/minute massages and trying to drum up business.  

Maybe if their massages didn't cost three to four times what a massage costs back home, they'd get more takers!  

Well, their on-the-beach competition gives massages for about 1/3 of their price, so it's a tough sell.  I really wonder how the spa can afford to stay in business. 

[gatour]

I simply say no, I am not interested.  On all of the cruises I have been where I  had a massage this has worked.

[mjkacmom]

21 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Well, their on-the-beach competition gives massages for about 1/3 of their price, so it's a tough sell.  I really wonder how the spa can afford to stay in business. 

By selling expensive products to customers, that’s where the profits are, which is the reason for the hard sell.

[DallasGuy75219]

 

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Well, their on-the-beach competition gives massages for about 1/3 of their price, so it's a tough sell.  I really wonder how the spa can afford to stay in 

1. People with more disposable income than most who don't care that they're paying significantly more than they would pay for the same thing on land.

2. People looking to splurge on while on vacation.

 

In over 60 cruises, I used the spa a whopping 3 times: 1. Carnival gave me a spa gift card for my birthday that covered most of the cost of my service. 2. I won a $200 spa credit in Carnival's casino.  3. I won a large jackpot in Princess' casino so didn't feel guilty about splurging on something for myself.

[DallasGuy75219]

2 hours ago, Peachy59 said:

Tell them you are traveling with a carry-on and can't take any products home.

...At which point they tell you they have a special, this cruise only, to ship it to you at no additional cost😀

[jalves]

A simple no thanks is all it takes

[LittleJoefromKokomo]

3 hours ago, fsufancc said:

It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you agree to buy overpriced products.  😂

 

I love the Terminator 1 reference here🙂

[neverbeenhere]

Tell anyone at the spa that you only use special prescription products. If they ask you the brand, say; "The brand is Nunofyorebusiness".

[Sunshine3601]

I tell them upfront when entering the room, Please do Not try to upsell me on your products after a nice relaxing massage.    I will ask them to write down the name of a product I may like then go home and shop for it online for a cheaper price.

[Mum2Mercury]

I have problems with Eczema and Rosacea.  I could honestly tell them I only use products approved by my determatologist.  

[Daghis]

I think it's perfectly reasonable when starting the session to set expectations by letting the crew member know that you're aware they're supposed to recommend products but you're really not interested and you thought you'd save them the trouble and time. By acknowledging their situation (it's not like they necessarily want to be upwelling), I think it becomes quite non-confrontational.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Daghis