Complaint Review: Massage Envy - Beachwood Ohio

Let’s face it there are nearly 200 reports about the predatory nature of this company listed on ripoff report… That alone should be enough for you not to sign up. But for those who think that these are just nitpicky clients who are looking for a reason to complain read my experience and decide for yourself.

Massage envy is a national franchise that spends a great deal of money building out very nice strip center massage "therapy" clinics. They advertise in a huge marketing blitz when they first open, $39 massages which everyone knows is just an introductory rate. When you come in there is an almost a 1990s health club fitness style high-pressure sales approach to sign a one-year commitment... Just tell them no. Tell them you would like to come in for a few massages and then decide if it's worth it. If they tell you how much money you're wasting tell them that you don't care about the additional cost and that’s if it’s a problem you're more than happy to go someplace else. 

That’s what I should've done but didn't… I signed the contract in 2008, today is June 9, 2014 and I have been charged over $50 a month every month for services I don't use. Why don't I just cancel? Simple, I will lose over $1700 in prepaid massages which they make nearly impossible to transfer to friends and family even though I've already paid for them. Think about that, they charged me every month for massage that I don't use and when I want to use it there are all kinds of restrictions. Companies are permitted to have their own rules and if you choose to agree to them then you're bound by them… I understand that. But what about dealing with the mind-numbing incompetence of the incredibly lowbrow people that they employ? 

At least five times in as many years I have arrived for the appointment only to be told that "you must have misunderstood, your appointment is not until tomorrow". The first time this happened I was annoyed but let's be honest mistakes happen. When it happens repeatedly it simply obnoxious. What's truly obnoxious is that they don't even offer a perfunctory apology, they basically stand there and say you made a mistake. The problem you face is that the three people standing behind the desk had a collective IQ of around 130 and probably have to remind each other to breath or they might die. You might think I'm trying to be funny however these are truly stupid people.

The most egregious problem is that much like Walmart or any other discount store when you pay less, they pay less. If you are so fortunate as to find a qualified therapist who actually cares about their job you will quickly see them depart for a better opportunity at a more legitimate salon. Let's face it; a one-hour deep tissue massage simply cost more than 60 bucks. If you're paying $60 for massage therapist might be making $20 and is relying on your gratuity like a waitress. At this particular location there are a couple of therapists that are truly exceptional but very miserable. Getting appointment with them is almost impossible unless you don't work and can come in for massage at 10 AM or 2 PM. So you will always be at the mercy of the front desk assigning you to whatever therapist started three days earler and has no idea what they're doing.

Just like brand-new restaurant that is the hottest thing at the moment once poor management sets in and the good employees leave you wind up with trash. I don't mean to be pretentious; I don't want a scumbag massaging me. Only after I became dissatisfied with the service did I realize that part of the problem is that a employ therapists with absolutely no experience right out of school. Would you go to a dental college to get your teeth fixed? At least they're actually doctors or will be soon… These people have no idea what they're doing and still believe that they can cure cancer by getting a massage. You know, by releasing toxins and such lol.

Here's the bottom line, don't ever sign a long-term commitment for services. Any company that requires its knows you will leave them unless they trap you. The gymI belong to cost $75 a month and they don't require any sort of contract. As long as you pay you’re welcome to come. Health clubs who require a one-year contract are fading away as they should. If you like the product you buy it, just like if you like the landscaper you'll keep them. If massage envy provided a valuable service people would voluntarily go and not be forced to the predatory contract.

So in summary here's the deal… Cell phone companies don't even require contracts anymore unless they're giving you a phone for free. Anyone requiring you to sign a contract for their service knows that you will be unhappy with it and will likely go someplace else. If you can't use every single one of the massages you paid for you will lose it if you cancel the program. I am going to walk away from nearly $2,000 worth of prepaid massages, don't do what I did… You’re not saving money, you're wasting it.