Massage, legitimate

[V]

I'm not referring to massage in high wage countries, where it may make sense to charge large, hourly rates, I'm talking about Mexico, where 20 pesos an hour is what cashiers at Costco are paid, and where my maid was happy to get all the ten centavo coins we'd collected over the last four-five months.

Why are massages so expensive here, even outside the HZ (where it makes sense, owing to the high overhead)?

I spent a year in Thailand (Hat Yai) where there were large massage parlors (legitimate) in which you paid the equivalent of $5 USD for a two hour massage, and it was done by a well trained person.

The least expensive massages I've seen in Cancun were 250 pesos/hour (except for one I got in the jail for 50 pesos, in a project to teach inmates skills they could use when they got out).

Something is grossly out of whack, here, in this very straightforward personal service business.

[GONZO]

I find it funny that when you come onto this post there are ads for "hot full body massages and "Find 100's of Costa Rica ladies"

Probably not legit.....

[BruceWedding]

I hear you and don't understand it either. In Lima, Peru, they come to your house and massage you for $5 for an entire hour.

[rawkus]

Im with V when it comes to Thailand: Great massage for amazing prices.

[V]

This massage business reminds me of the strolling minstrels of Mexico. There is no overhead in them singing a song, but they would rather keep walking than do you a set of three songs for 50 pesos.

The cheapest massage I've found here was a woman who would do a one hour massage in her home for 250 pesos. I'm all for people making money, but where's the balance in this? 250 is a day's wages for many people with full time jobs.

[Cancunscorpio]

The cheapest legitimate massage you can get in Canada will cost you anywhere around 50-60$ and hour, but mostly in the range from 90 to 125$ per hour.
so 250 pesos is peanuts compared to that....

[V]

so 250 pesos is peanuts compared to that....

So are wages of 20 pesos per hour compared to what full time employees of businesses in Canada make.

The point of this query is the disproportionality of the charges for some things; what may cause the prices of some things to be disproportionate, and why those who have no overhead would rather not perform their service than to accept less money- though it means not working at all.

How many times have you seen a strolling minstrel approach customer after customer and not play a single song- but when offered money for a song, refuse to play at all, and move on. (I've offered 50 pesos for one song, and been turned down. It's a good return on three minutes of "work".)

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by Cancunscorpio

The cheapest legitimate massage you can get in Canada will cost you anywhere around 50-60$ and hour, but mostly in the range from 90 to 125$ per hour.
so 250 pesos is peanuts compared to that....

Yes, it is peanuts but it doesn't address the question. We are not IN Canada. We are in a country where the minimum wage is what... about $5 USD/day? The idea of a more than likely uneducated, uncertified person commanding $21/hr here is absurd.

I pay my administrative assistant, an educated, very knowledgeable woman $100/week here and she's happy to get it. When I hired her, she was working in the sun, spraying insecticide on plants for $50/week.

Anyway, as a copywriter, I understand the market commands what it will bear. If they are charging $250/pesos for a massage, it is because they can get it, or assume they can get it.

This whole concept of "gringo" pricing pisses me off to no end. I will not shop where the prices are not clearly marked. And if I HAVE to buy a service, I send my Mexican assistant. Its the only way to keep from getting ripped off.

Hey... there's an idea Find a Mexican to hire the massage therapist at the Mexican price and then let them be surprised when they show up

[Gringation]

I'm no expert, but my guess is because most locals aren't in the habit of getting massages. A "spa day" just isn't really heard of here (except for some particularly colorful mani pedis, of course).

This would lead me to think that most of the people getting massages in Cancun are expats or maybe some well-traveled upper class locals, meaning the masseuses can charge more.

In other words, I doubt charging less would get them more customers because they'd be moving into a market that isn't at all interested in massages.

I might be wrong, just thinking out loud here.

[GONZO]

I know here in southeastern MN they are getting between 35 for 1/2 hour and 56 per hour for (legitimate) massages.

https://www.secure-booker.com/bodykn.../Services.aspx

I dont think its that out of line compared to these^ prices.

[matkirk]

Just out of interest how do those prices of 250 to 500 pesos compare with those of illegitimate massages?

[TraceyUk]

I do massage- from my home. I charge 350 pesos for an hour and I think Its cheap. I am certified and paid alot for my training. I Learned in Thailand and Hong Kong- where I used to live. I mostly massage fellow tennis players , triathletes and pregnant women(which is a specialised skill)I used to get paid alot more in the UK. Massages in hotel spas are way more expensive.

[CancunNurse]

Well, V, I have 2 massage therapists in my office. They charge $400 pesos for the hour. You pay that...they give me 1/2 and that pays for the room, secretary, gardener, a/c, secretary and other services associated with an office. They get $200 peosos (approximately $17usd) for their time. I can{t fault them for wanting to make enough money...$5.00/hour might be acceptable in Thailand, but not here. Just my thoughts...

[kathy_caribe]

I have never been more disappointed with a massage than those I get here in Mexico. Just when they're getting to the good part and they are just starting to approach pain, they will back off. Drives me insane. I'm paying good money and I expect to be crying like a baby begging you to stop and instead it is just a tease. They just *begin* to approach the pain and then totally back off. Talk about frustrating. Just recently a chiropractor came from the US and gave me an adjustment and worked my legs. Oh, mama. I wanted to cry. I was able to walk home afterwards but I am a little sore today in my problem spots. I can't tell you how good it feels to know that the adhesions have been released and the muscles are rebuilding.

I really don't care what they charge if I can expect to be in a good deal of hurt and am willing to pay for that. It is all but impossible to find someone who really knows how to massage without damage here.

[TraceyUk]

Kathy
there is always me !

[V]

Save your money, Kathy, I'll put a hurt on ya for even less....

Seriously, that sounds like a nice offer, Tracey.

As for the people working in your offices, Cancun Nurse, it seems the main value they are getting from the arrangement is access to your customers: this gives them a potential pool of customers for their services that they might find impossible to access, on their own.

And, this gets to G.'s suggestion, not every Mexican is looking for a massage, at any price; whereas, in Thailand, it is a long-standing part of the culture, and considered good for the physical and spiritual health of everyone.

By the way, Tracey, where in Thailand did you live, and for how long?

[TraceyUk]

V I lived in Bangkok for 2 years- I loved it before moving to Hong Kong - which I did not love !
Everyone in Thailnd knows how to massge- it is just part of normal every day life.

[V]

I lived just off Convent Rd- and Lumphini Park, Thanon Witthayu and the Chao Phraya are representative of the city for me. We used to enjoy going to the top of the Banyan Tree Hotel on Sathorn, to the Vertigo Bar, for it's unbelieveable views of the city.

For the readers who may not have been there, the Vertigo Bar was an apparent afterthought, and was literally perched on top of the hotel. This may give you the flavor of it- think warm tropical night, and nothing but air around you, 57 stories up....

'Take 5 Tour' - Vertigo Bar Bangkok - YouTube

'Take 5 Tour' - Vertigo Bar Bangkok - YouTube

[kathy_caribe]

Originally Posted by TraceyUk

Kathy
there is always me !

Darlin, were you not 80 km away, I'd be living on your doorstep. but srsly, I will avail myself before my next triathlon. Thanks!

[johndish]

When I arrived in 2003 I found estetica nader. Have gone to Sylvia ever since. She is now in the tall building on Nader with the underground parking. She and her partner rent space, pay the bills, take the risks, pay advertising. When I get a massage I think it is 270 pesos it is an absolute bargain. I am sure there margin is very small.

[T.J.]

I go to Cassan Chiropractic and it is $400 for like 50 minutes. Sometimes they offer a Friday special for $350. Never had a bad one from Sarah Cassan.

As V points out though, it is deadly expensive for Cancun, in my opinion, based on what construction workers earn for example.

I would love a weekly massage at somewhere between Thailand and Cancun prices. Now I just get them periodically.

Want a seriously therapuetic massage. They have a German fellow, Tomas, who is about 1.98 M / 6'6". That is $400 for 30 minutes and he will make you cry for sure Kathy.

How often would you guys get a one hour massage if it cost $150 or $200? I would get one weekly at that price. Maybe more some weeks.