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Bartering Massage and Ethics

Yesterday I asked some fellow massage therapists, "How many use massage as a bartering tool? What cool experiences will you share with us?"

In less than a day there were over sixty replies, most of which were simple explanations of what therapists bartered for.

There were a couple who don't barter for one reason or another.

What interested me were the personal messages from therapists who were a bit leary of 'going against the flow,' and making a public statement against the grain in regards to bartering and ethics, as the majority agreed that bartering one's professional massage services was a-ok.

Ethics: A system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.

Is there mention of bartering in the National exams or is this a state by state, school by school 'ethics' discussion? (It's been so long ago that I took the National test and studied for it, I can't recall.)

How do your, "Moral principles or culture" relate to mine? Is there a standard that all massage therapists should observe?

Is this a personal issue from therapist to therapist, between them and their clients?

Personally, I don't have an issue with bartering, although I've done very little of it.

Thoughts?

Kris

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Comment by Nancy Hardesty on December 10, 2009 at 8:52am: Bartering is a great way to create new client bases. Although it is supposed to be reported on your income tax. So I can imagine most would not want to admit they barter.

Personally if the barter is an even exchange I think the government should keep out of it but as we all know, they want every penny they can get. Like a dummy, I pay my taxes and put down every item I sell, every service I perform. It does not mean I agree with the way it is done.

Recently I did 15 minute Reiki sessions in return for food items for the local food pantry at a vitamin store. There were several different therapists that offered massage, reflexology and reiki. It was a pretty successful day for the vitamin store but because it was unorganized (the owner) we didn't get many new clients from it.

I believe that would follow under the barter law but I did not gain anything from it and neither did the store owner. It was to help the community feed the hungry.

I have been burned by bartering but I still feel it is a good way to try something new or help someone out that is needing help.

Comment by rudy m smith on December 8, 2009 at 6:39am: Marissa's comment is quite right about creating and using a contract - I use them and if a party wants to back out they have to pay me in full for the services received. The eye glasses doctors love to barter.

Comment by rudy m smith on December 8, 2009 at 6:35am: The only person/organization that has a real problem with bartering is the IRS/tax collectors for obvious reasons.
Many people have been burnt during the bartering process and steer clear of it. I barter for very expensive art work with very well known artists which I otherwise would not buy.

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on December 2, 2009 at 11:40am: Teresa, look me up on Facebook, Kris Kelley, and scroll down a couple of topics on my wall. All the replies are there ;)

Kris

Comment by Emma Torsey on December 2, 2009 at 7:01am: I can't remember where but I know this subject has been hit on and a lot of people do it.
I really wish I could barter everything and never have to touch money again!

Comment by Teresa Parrish on December 2, 2009 at 6:42am: Where are the responses? I would be curious to see what people are bartering for and the frequency. I trade with a friend who provides a music lesson for my daughter each week. 30 min lesson for 15 min massage. But would be hesitant to trade much more.

Comment by Marissa on December 1, 2009 at 7:43pm: Barter! I trade massages for massages, hair color/cut, and soon to barter for Pilates classes as well. If both parties are satisfied with the barter set in place there should be no issues. If you are going to barter services with someone unknown, I would suggest having something in writing that both parties sign and is witnessed. That way if someone becomes disgruntled, there is no room for foul play. There needs to be an out clause in place. Play nice and make it "legal".