Massage Envy – UTC

Was looking forward to my first massage at Massage Envy. They took my cc info to make sure I show up. But then they cancelled on me next day! Where am I going to get a last minute appt on s Sunday.

08/​21/​2015
I was VERY disappointed with the lack of client follow-​up and respect that I received during the last few months from ZACH, my massage therapist for the last 2 ½ years at the Massage Envy in UTC…
I can only guess that he does not have a primary client list for the front reception desk to work off of??? When the unexpected closing of the UTC location happened (due to a plumbing problem) I was not notified — I actually showed up for my scheduled massage only to find out THEN that the store was closed down… I also should have been contacted when he decided to leave MEnvy during the UTC closure AND when he decided to return, a few months later. The way that I found out about BOTH of his employment changes was extremely by chance and awkward, to say the very least…
Yes, it was unfortunate, because I received great massages for those 2 ½ years that I was with Zach, but plain and simple, his lack of concern to make sure that I was properly taken care of by his staff when changes occurred is what led me to cancel my membership. LOYAL clients deserve much better!
Happy to go elsewhere… there are a lot of other equally qualified MT’s in San Diego that actually value their clients and make sure that they are properly taken care of.

Awful location, various scheduling issues, billing issues. Esthetician was terrible. Front desk was rude and combative. Lenox, the MT is the only good thing about this location he was worth staying the 6 months. Found the Clairemont location and LOVE them. Don’t waste your time and just go to the Clairemont location– you’ll be much happier.

I booked a massage and left work early to arrive on time. However, they said they did not have an appointment for me. Turns out they booked it in my husbands name and called him asking if he was coming in for his massage. Very apologetically, they offered me a free massage. When I called a month later to redeem my massage, they were unable to find my file and did not have any records. This place was a waste of my time– I would not recommend booking anything here.

Massage was great! HOWEVER, I scheduled a 60 minutes session via phone and they spent 90 min & charged me for 90 min. Was my first & last time here. Dishonesty is a big no.
Then they tried to have me sign up for their membership by telling me about all the cost savings I will get. However, when I asked if I could take the contract home and read it prior to signing the agreement, I was informed they would be happy to go over it right then and there but I can’t take it home. This raised a huge red flag. Then they said they would waive the $ 40 enrollment fee if I sign the contract on the spot. That was strike 3 in my books.
Advice: read the contract in full before signing anything. Also read the terms and conditions online. Remember, once you sign it, your money is gone for 12 sessions. That would be $ 720 + 8% tax: $ 777. If you cancel before 12 months, you will be charged 60 x remaining months left + tax as cancellation fee. They will try to sell it as your are buying 12 sessions up front for $ 60/​session.
If you must go here, verify your session time beforehand and read all the fine print they don’t want you to take home and read through at your own pace without pressure.

Horrible customer service double booked my first massage appointment I thought ok mistakes happen, so we rescheduled for next week and they threw in an extra 30 min I call the day of come to find out they never actually scheduled it…

Amazing. They contacted me and asked me to send them my contact information, so I sent them my email and… Nothing. Speaks volumes.

If I could give more stars I would. Best facial in San Diego. I come to town often for work and always book a facial somewhere. I highly recommend this massage envy because it is relaxing and tranquil the associates are all knowledgeable and really nice. I especially recommend Danitza for your facial.
Danitza is a perfectionist. Very thorough very friendly very professional. I’m so impressed with her service. She is phenomenal. No doubt massage envy is lucky to have her.

Came in for my massage and facial. I was greeted right away with a great attitude from Danny. My massage was with Evelyn and it was a really, really great massage! Much needed after 7 mile morning run. I then had a facial with Chelsea and she was super sweet. I loved every minute of it! I had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to return!

I took my mom here for a massage because her upper back and arm was hurting.
The gal who took care of her, Patricia? Was very nice and my mom had felt better.
Even the man at the reception desk was so nice.
I also had this gift card that was really old and they still took it.
So, I’m a happy camper!
Places like this need three things, great service, good massages and nice ambiance. Check, check and check!

I was given a gift card for a massage here. Beautiful new building, clean rooms. Friendly front desk staff. They asked me to arrive 20 mins early to fill out paperwork. We went over exactly what I wanted out of the massage in detail. Unfortunately the massage therapist didn’t read the information so I had to repeat it to her during the massage.
The massage was ok, but the therapist used short jerky motions that weren’t very relaxing.
The massage therapist said she had allergies when we said hello. She coughed through the session and at one point had to leave the room to cough. With flu season going around it made me nervous.
All in all, it was an ok experience but not a great one.
I usually go to the Healing Arts Massage & Wellness Center in Pacific Beach and highly recommend them. The massages there are a full hour and cheaper than massage envy if you use the occasional 3-​packs of massages they sell. No membership fees either.

I’m sorry to downgrade this location but they don’t honor Unilocal check-​in specials. Twice I’ve come in for a massage and when I check in on Unilocal,they offer a free Aroma Therapy add-​on ($ 10 value). However, they turn around and charge me $ 10 for it! Since I’m a member of Massage Envy and they have my credit card on file, they just willy-​nilly add the $ 10 charge. They did this to me in July and I was able to get them to reverse the charge and they promised to not do this again. Well, guess what? Yep, they did it again. I went in for a massage on ¹²⁄₂₁ and again checked in on Unilocal and was offered the freebie. I specifically reminded the dimwit receptionist that the add-​on was a Unilocal offer. She acknowledged the offer, but of course when I checked my credit card bill a couple of weeks later, they had charged me again. While the charge was still pending, I called them and was assured they would fix this. Well, guess what? Yep, they didn’t! This time, I’ve disputed the charge on my credit card AND filed a complaint for deceptive advertising practices on the BBB. That ought to get their feeble minded attention. I won’t EVER go back to this location again and will cancel my next appointment. The Serra Mesa location doesn’t offer the Unilocal check-​in add-​on, but at least they don’t overcharge my credit card. Meh! I’ll cancel my Massage Envy membership just as soon as I can. Buyer beware!

I have been a client with Massage Envy at the UTC location for about half a year now. My first two experiences were great. I had a good massage therapist, and I felt real benefits from her massages. I also thought that the location was clean, and seemed professional.
Then I learned that I was pregnant, so I could only continue with prenatal massages, which meant I had to switch therapists. The new massage therapist was fine. She did a good job, she was friendly, and I felt comfortable with her. The only catch was that she talked for the entire duration of the massage, to the point where I sometimes would open my eyes and get up just to hear what she was saying. So, after two massages like that, I decided it was probably a pattern and that I would prefer less talking. Massage Envy allows for reviews of their services so I submitted a polite and overall positive review of my therapist with the only suggestion that I would get more out of the massage if there was a bit less talking. To my surprise, when I went again, the therapist asked me if I had requested her (in a bit of an aggressive tone), she no longer chatted at all, and was altogether quite noticeably unfriendly. At one point she hurt me during the massage (which I don’t blame on her but on my changing pregnant body) but she did not express any concern when I brought it to her attention, she just raised her eyebrows. I surmised (perhaps incorrectly) that she must have gotten wind of my evaluation, and that, though overall positive, she must have felt offended by my one suggestion (but then again, maybe she just had a bad day).
So, I decided that going back was a bit uncomfortable (they don’t have that many certified therapists for prenatal), so I thought I would send my husband instead to use up some of the massages I had already paid for. We called for an appointment, but when he showed up for his appointment, they simply told him that there was no record of his appointment, and that there was no availability and that he would have to reschedule. When he came home, and told me, I felt a bit annoyed about it, because I had made the call myself to schedule the appointment for him. So, I called myself and was given the same story, in quite a belligerent tone. I can understand that mistakes happen, but that does not mean the customer service person has to be so rude (especially so since the mistake had been on their end).
So, anyways, to cut a long story short, although Massage Envy at UTC does offer some good massage services, their customer service is not always that good. And given that you sign up for a year, and have to spend more than 700 dollars, I think that good customer service is the least you should be able to expect, especially since it is a massage place where you supposedly go to relax and not to be made uncomfortable.

We had an introductory massage session with Ray and Lenox. They may seem like big burly men (lol) but did a great job! Ray did my massage and he had the most gentle hands. Lenox did a sports massage on my husband and he was very satisfied. Thank you guys!

had my facial done here. the girl was awsome. I couldn’t have asked for a better facial in all my life. I have very sensitive skin and break out easily but she gave me awsome sensible advice. too bad I don’t live here

I have been to the Clairemont Massage Envy a few times and have been satisfied with their service. The Clairemont location was booked all day for facials, so was able to get in with the UTC location. The receptionist was very nice and professional and transferred the membership from the Clairemont location.
I have had hundreds of facials over 25 years, so I feel qualified to give feedback. Cecelia was my esthetician. She had great technique! However their were a few issues. After I was escorted to the room, I waited for about 8 minutes for her to return (I looked at the clock). At the time when she applied the first mask, she massaged my arms. It was very nice. However, after she finished the arm massage, she started flipping through some pages reading for about 5 minutes while my mask finished. In my experience, the massage finishes when the mask is finished or the esthetician is doing something preparing for another part of the facial. It was very annoying hearing her flip through pages. Also, when she applied the second mask-​she did the same thing. She massaged my chest and shoulders for a few minutes then spent another 5 minutes noisily flipping through papers.
Cecilia was a good esthetician, but maybe in the future she will spend more time on the client than reading.

I signed on for the monthly credit card billing and was highly satisfied with the massages. The practitioners were mostly young, and given their business model, I was quite content with their service UNTIL it came time to cancel I was traveling for the summer and they tried to persuade me to put it on hold, but I told them I would just rather cancel. I had to go in and fill out and sign a form. Okay, fine. BUT, then I get a call a few months later letting me know that my credit card is no longer valid. WELL DUH! We worked it out on the phone, or SO I THOUGHT UNTIL A COLLECTIONS LETTER ARRIVED TODAY from Benjamin Michael Associates in New York. NEW YORK???
I am hopping mad and I need a massage to calm me down. This is supposed to be about RELIEVING stress. I have again called the local spa, whose employees are gracious and polite but I cannot say the same for Benjamiin Michael Associates. I guess it is a loop of mutual benefit. You get all worked up because collection agencies are well… you know, and then you need a massage.
So the massage and the locals earn 4 stars but the business office earns a big fat RASPBERRY!

I have been coming to this Massage Envy for a few years now. I always have a good (usually not great) experience. It is definitely not a «spa» experience. If you want to do a facial them a massage you have to get dressed to move rooms.
My knock against (all Massage Envy’s in general) is that many masseuse’s do not customize their massages. I might ask to have more time on my forearms or upper back. But they usually spend the same time no matter what. I think they all just have their routine and remembered amount of time spent on each part that they are almost on autopilot. For the price I can’t fault them too much. Even with tip it is still less than most spa’s.

Horrible and disappointing. I booked a 1.5 hour massage, but got about 1 hour and 5 minutes. I arrived early, but they made me wait in the waiting room for over 10 minutes into my massage time. The therapist left me in the room to change way too long, and she finished the massage a few minutes early on top of all the waiting that was deducted from my massage.
The massage was lacking, and the therapist wore rubber gloves that were distracting.
I had to hear a sales pitch twice during my massage, which was super tacky and made me cringe.
Had to hear another sales pitch at the front desk.
I would never buy a membership or ever go back. Felt ripped off when I left.

I enjoyed my massage at Massage Envy. Kristin (I believe) was my masseuse, and she did a great job. She really seemed to understand that as an athlete, I needed some tough love on my shoulders and back :) It was painful, but in a good way that means she got out tons of knots that had been building since the last time I could afford a massage.
The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the sales pitch at the end. Now, I understand that the women at the desk are supposed to convince people to get a membership, but I was just annoyed at how persistant one girl was. The woman helping me at the desk was really understanding and nice about the fact that as a poor grad student, I just can’t afford a monthly membership of 57 $, plus 39 $ massages. I understand that it pays for itself after 1 massage, but still – its 96 $ that I just don’t have. I’ll be lucky if I can afford 1 massage every 3 months.
However, the other woman at the desk (not directly helping me), didn’t seem to understand that no matter what they said, I simply CAN’T afford it. Its not a matter of convincing me, its a matter of money. So the girl helping me said «I understand, its hard as a grad student, I’ve been there», and was ready to drop it, until the other woman working decided to butt in and «remind» her of all the other benefits of the membership (extra half hour, shorter membership options, etc etc).
I just felt bad, because the girl helping me understood that continuing to tell me about benefits wouldn’t make me any more likely to become a member, and just seemed embarrassed – but still had to tell me all these extra details. Come on, woman #2 – give the woman helping me a break. Nothing she can say will sell me, just let it go! I hate these pushy type sales people, and just end up feeling idiotic as I sit there listening to more info, all the while knowing that I still can’t buy it!
Anyway, long story short: the woman helping me was very nice, the other one working was more aggressive about sales than I’d like.
Overall it was a really relaxing and nice experience, and I’ll try to go back in 2 – 3 months. I recommend this place, but beware of the potentially annoying sales pitch at the end.