Earlier in the year I came across a Therapist on a web site forum who decided that instead of asking for a fee from a client - She asked the client to decide for themselves what they wanted to pay her.

She didn't really know what to expect, she wanted to go with the concept of knowing that we are always looked after if we can only trust in the greater good.

It was early days but so far she experienced that on the whole clients gave her more than she would have asked for!
One person brought her a jar of home made marmalade- which she was happy to accept, and then they paid her money for the next appointment they had.
Someone suggested that a way around this is to have a minimum charge, but she seemed to be cool with the marmalade!

I am very familiar with 'swaps' but this is usually between myself and another Therapist

Has anyone had any experiences with this unusual charging arrangment... Either as a Therapist or a client?

Last edited: 17-11-2006 04:01:49 PM

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In my experience, the greater good always seems to get mugged on the way over and a poverty-conscious, free-loader turns up in its place keen to take advantage of someone embarrassed about stating their worth!

Don't do it! It embarrasses people too. Money was created for convenience. Decide what you're worth and ask for it. And of course, always help anyone in true need who really "can't afford it".

Last edited: 17-11-2006 08:50:04 PM

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I've wanted to experiment with this myself. I haven't done so yet. However, I was at a local Farmers Market in Columbia, Missouri USA, last summer and one farmer sold his produce priced by what he called the "hat" method. He had an old straw hat there and asked people to take what produce they wanted and just put what they thought it was worth in the hat. When I asked him how that was working for him, he replied that in general, he got more for his produce than he would have asked and also more that his competitors.

Has anyone else experimented with this?

Charles

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I think its definately a risk but maybe its your intention/expectations that is crucial to its success.
As I said the Therapist was pleasantly surprised that people actually paid her over the odds -not under.
Charles also says the market trader received more( and more than the other traders)
( Mind you I don't know what she would have asked as her normal rate....will have to try and find it again and ask her!)

I like the idea but not sure how it would work for everyone.....

Jayne

Last edited: 21-11-2006 06:42:19 PM

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This is a very interesting issue and one that I am faced with right now. I have self-published my book, 'The Shaman's Last Apprentice' and do all the distribution and marketing etc myself. I sell the electronic version for £8 + one free to a friend. I also have the first 4 chapters free to download on my site www.rebekita.com.

I decided that for a xmas promotion I would just send the PDF of the book out on the internet for free so people could read the whole lot. Instead of charging I would ask people to pay a donation if they liked the book or to send it on!! The book seems to attract those that understand the principle of abundance but it has also been a tough decision because of the dichotomy between value and worth...

The sign that convinced me it was the right thing to do was when, the day after making a decision, someone emailed me saying he couldn't open the ebook in Mac but was happy to donate £8 just for the first four chapters.........!!

Any thoughts......................

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I think that it is a fantastic idea and solution to offer pay what you can as most people are honest and would give what they feel is deserved. Also it allows for the people who are a bit poor to be able to share what others can.

Love n light
Christina

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(No, I'm not 'from the United States' but I do live in America) There have been so many opinions about all this and I don't believe that there's one 'right way' of doing this. As a practitioner, I do have set fees (depending on how long of a session one wants with me), but I also allow for trades and invite individuals who are on limited incomes to pay less.

One school of thought is that if you establish your fees, and not have them too low, you're broadcasting to the world that you and your services are worth the fees and are of good quality.

I've also had the issue where some people did try to take advantage of my services and try to take up more time without paying or just expect that, because I answered the telephone, that one could start seeking advice without offering to pay. I realise that what transpires varies upon the individual practitioner and the particular client as well. It's a mixed bag, to be sure.

I tend to feel most comfortable having my set fees and also be more than willing to do barters or trades, by all means. Everything needn't translate exclusively to revenue. Yet, when we need revenue, there's nothing wrong with setting and establishing fees and people are willing to pay.

Because of the increase in the cost of living everywhere, I had to finally raise my fees this year -- after having kept them the same for years -- and no one has complained at all.

I've always been very fair and generous, yet I, too, have got to pay my rent and bills, so I've got to charge fees for my services.

Having said all this, I am finishing an article about creating a new economy that isn't centred in revenue only, but allowing for the exchange of goods and services. Our world shouldn't just be about the acquiring of revenue, but honouring that people have got a wealth of talents and skills that they can offer when revenue is lacking.

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I was recently on a forum where this was discussed, and I found that there were quite a few who were paid by donation. When I asked them if their work was their sole income, the silence was deafening. I believe that if you have spent a lot of money learnig your 'trade', then I believe that you need to have enough confidence in your work to charge a fee reflecting your training and ability, particularly if your practice is your sole form of employment.
Now on the other side of the coin, is it possible for anyone to trust the universe, god, highest self, etc, to look after you and just ask for a donation?
If you do that, does that mean you are not taking responsibility for what you are doing?
I can argue with myself for days about this.
However, in the end, I charge $100 for a first session with me, takes about 75 mins, and then divide the next sessions into session times based on $80 per hour. I do this, simply because I am booked till Feb next year, and I am trying to keep control of my diary. But I still do swaps as well.

Last edited: 19-11-2006 10:26:50 AM

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I agree with everything you say. I charge/barter/trade for the paperback because it costs me money to publish. However, the PDF only cost me in a little time!!! This makes it a bit easier to make the distinction. The easiest thing I have found is to just trust the flow. Sometimes it is right to charge money and at other times it is right to give, knowing it will be repaid in another way. The more we live in right intention, the easier it is to recognise it!!!

I would love to read your article, it sounds fascinating, could you send it to rebekita@rebekita.com - thanks

Love and blessings
Rebekita xxxx

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Rebekita and Everyone,

I've included the article that I wrote as a blog here on HL. I hope you enjoy it!

Love & Light to All,

JN
TowardTheLight.org

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To do the occasional potlatching or give-away is quite handy..

Not that I do it all the time ...but sometimes I used to get more out of giving some jewellery Id made or soaps by giving them away.

I suppose it is usually governed by how you sense the need of the other person and whether as a gift it will be received in the right manner.

Sometimes it is what I need to do as an exercise in not getting too precious but without deprecating myself at the same time....(I do that as well mind you)

Sometimes I am aware of being ' owned' by my 'stuff '...or things ,and a great way of 'owning them' instead is to give it away.

Not recommended all of the time ................but on the odd occasion


John.... ps can anyone lend me a £5?

Last edited: 20-11-2006 10:44:23 AM

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Howdy,

A couple of points out of the many one could make. Another way of looking at fees is that they are in place not only so that you get a return, but so that the client has an incentive to make a firm commitment to the session and demonstrates that they did indeed wish to 'change'.

Also, because this is an emergent field of enterprise with little precedent, I suspect that most people do not have a reference point by which to perceive the value of what you are offering them. Thus it is perhaps beneficial to clients to at least suggest a price, and then determine your own level of flexibility. I ask people to pay £60 a session, on the condition that both they and I are satisfied it has been of benefit to them.

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Hi All,
on balance I think I agree with everything you say here James.
For reasons of practicality and clarity I feel its best to have the fee's in black and white.

Its always good to be flexible though and for Ribekita it was certainly a very positive thing to do as a one off.

I think the donation approach works well though for newly qualified Therapists( for a trial period) as it can be daunting for some people to start charging when they're used to practising with case studies for free.
As a moderator on the HK courses it helped to build their confidence and showed the importance in the healing process for there to be a fair exchange. They were advised to have a minimum rate which they were prepared to accept.
It helped with their confidence as a Therapist as many clients paid over the minimum amount showing they were more that satisfied with the treatment session.

(You could also call it market research!)

Jayne

Last edited: 20-11-2006 07:29:03 PM

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the bottom line of sales is to make it easy for the client to buy from you

when you don't clearly articulate prices, you can make it uncomfortable for people to pay

and when you ask people to 'pay what they think it's worth' there is often an [un]intentional form of manipulation going on

most people probably think its worth far more than they can afford to pay, and so feel they might need to justify paying a small amount [i actually think its worth much more, i'm sorry, this is all i have]

stating a price clearly will generally eliminate any discomfort for the client, and will keep you clear that you're getting paid what you need

it also removes the stink of hippy that many professional people will steer away from [and if they have the money to pay you, why not just simply ask for it]

when you make a session 'by donation' you had best be clear that there is nothing on it for you if people decide that it is worth nothing

cameron

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Nuovon makes a good point. Time and again I have a client come in with a really bad pain, somewhere, and sometimes it takes 10 mins to allieviate. Now I charge $20 for that, and everyone, and I mean everyone says, 'is that all'. Basicaly because the relief they feel is worth ten times that, so the effect is important to the client.
There always has to be energy exchange, when there's no energy exchange you run into trouble.

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