Taichi Wellness Spa Plus

I don’t write many reviews, but I thought I’d even things out for this place. I had a Swedish acupressure massage and it was great! Not necessarily relaxing, the masseur went to town on my knots. Hurt so good. Then he adjusted my neck, and I can’t stop thinking about that because it’s the only part of my body I can’t crack on my own. Amazing. They are very professional, though perhaps not with the kind of finesse you’d find at a fancy schmancy type place. But if your body is cramped and knotted, they can fix it. Also, free tea!

I visited this new location because I received a mail invitation with a coupon. The interior is peaceful and quite but my compliments stop there.
When I arrived the hostess asked me to fill out a form with my information and if I had been to one of there locations before. I had not and told her that I received an offer in the mail.
The treatment I selected was a 1 hour reflexology session. I explained that I had shin splint pain in my calves and that the bones were very tender from ankle to knee. I went to relax but the session was PAINFUL. I was repeatedly saying ouch as she pressed on the bone. Not a pleasant experience.
When I approached the counter to pay, I brought out the mailed coupon and the host responded «Oh, I didn’t know you had a coupon.» Although I had mentioned the mailer when I arrived. She then slid an envelope to me and asked that I tip in cash. While tipping is a nice thing to do it is not expected nor required. This gesture created two negative connotations #1 that I was expected to tip #2 that the therapist did not want to be responsible for nor plan on paying income taxes on the cash tips earned. I explained that I did not have cash and the hostess said, «how much do you want to put on your card.» Again assuming that I planned to tip at all. I responded generously (based on experience) $ 6. The hostess turned up her nose and asked «Oh $ 6, you didn’t like the massage?» I stated that it was okay but quite painful. She went on to claim that tips should be about $ 15. WOW! At this point I was appalled! I told her that tipping is optional and at the discretion of the client and reflects customer satisfaction. She obviously did not listen to my response about the massage experience being PAINFUL rather than RELAXING!!! She then explained that she was asking because «the massage therapists don’t make very much money there.» I told her that if she didn’t think they were paying decent wages, they may want to consider giving them a raise rather than trying to pass the burden to the client. She concluded by saying that she needed my email address to send my receipt because they don’t print them out. Further requiring additional time, effort and personal information to verify charges and print if necessary.
As I left, I told her that I would not be back. Marketing 101 will show that for ever customer you lose, you have to market to at least 6 more. They had me in the door but I will not support this business again. And with the location they selected there is very limited foot traffic.
I was the ONLY customer in the store, I came only because of a mailer and had not been to any other locations previously but am a regular for massage therapy. They had a chance to earn my business but thoroughly blew it!
I pay my income tax and I expect others to do the same. I don’t appreciate the attempt to manipulate me into giving a larger tip either! $ 6 = 17% of a $ 35 bill and 10% of a $ 60 bill (had I not had the coupon.) Either way both are decent tips for a service that the client DID NOT ENJOY!!! And regular price for foot reflexology on San Pedro is $ 35 all day every day. So at $ 60, there prices are inflated.