Let's start with a brief overview of Treatwell. Treatwell is a platform similar to booking.com, Trivago, and Expedia, aggregating various beauty, massage, nail, and aesthetics salons to create a selection for customers.
They offer a marketplace for businesses (their website is www.treatwell.co.uk) along with a booking widget that business owners can integrate into their own sites.
The costs for Relax-therapy to partner with Treatwell!
Monthly fee: £29 + 20% VAT = £34.80 (annual cost £417.60)
New client booking through the marketplace: 35% commission + 20% VAT = 55%
Existing client booking through the marketplace over 12 months: 35% + 20% VAT = 55%
Existing client booking through the marketplace: 2% + 20% VAT = 22%
New and existing clients booking via the Relax-therapy website with the Treatwell widget: 2% + 20% VAT = 22%
For example, instead of receiving £63, I would get £61.49, resulting in an approximate monthly loss of £90 and an annual loss of £1,087
With rising business expenses, losing £1,087 is significant for a small business. That’s why I started asking clients to book directly with me after their treatment and pay by cash or card (though there’s also a card machine fee). I also prefer pre-payments via BACS.
What do I get for these fees?
Since joining Treatwell in 2016, I have seen a decline in their service. Their system experienced outages during Black Friday Weekend in 2024 and early February 2025, with no refunds or compensation available, as they claim it’s not their fault and cannot guarantee flawless software. Support from real people, as customer service is minimal, and there’s no assistance over the weekend. While I might gain a few new clients through the marketplace, they have to pay higher prices to help me cover these fees. To receive £63 for an hour massage, the price on Treatwell’s marketplace would need to be £97. Who would be willing to pay £97 for my service?
They invest millions in advertising, and regrettably, when you search for Relax-therapy, they appear at the top of the results. If you could scroll down a bit to www.relax-therapy.com,
I would greatly appreciate it.
Why do I still use them?
Their booking system is exceptional. I have explored numerous alternatives (Fresha, Booksy, Setmore), but none offer the same level of functionality as Treatwell. So, I feel trapped.
I often wish we could return to the simple pen-and-paper method, but sadly, not all clients can be trusted. I believe having an online diary is beneficial, especially when I'm on holiday or if someone books during the night.
If you’re reading this and planning to book with me, please keep these fees in mind. Consider scheduling directly with me after your treatment, or by texting, calling, or emailing. Alternatively, please use my website (not Treatwell's): www.relax-therapy.com.
If you see this then you are on the right website :)
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