News

New Self-Service Massage Chair Lets Consumers Pamper Themselves While They Wait

September 20, 2005

West Chester, Pa., September 20, 2005 - MEI, the world's leading developer of electronic payment systems, announced that its cash acceptor has been integrated into Massage Concept's self-service Massage Chair. The chairs are deployed in retail and other locations where waiting is commonplace, such as beauty salons, car washes, mechanic shops, bowling alleys, doctor's offices and taxi stations.

The Massage Chair is an affordable means for retailers to distract and relax today's impatient consumers while they wait, offering a competitive edge. Consumers insert a $1 or $5 bill into the chair's cash acceptor, key in their massage selection, and receive a 3-15 minute shiatsu massage in an S-back, all-leather chair. Four flexible massage rollers imitate the feel of a professional masseuse.

The chairs have been deployed in nearly 80 locations throughout New York City with a total of 420 chairs scheduled to be shipped to various outlets in the metro area over the next 12 to 15 months. Trials are currently being conducted in Brazil and Mexico.

Massage Concepts evaluated three cash acceptor brands before selecting MEI as the product with a record of superior performance in the field. There have been no reports of bill jamming or other problems since the chairs were deployed five months ago.

"New Yorkers are notoriously stressed and impatient, so this self-service chair provides a soothing solution," said Pavel Pasha, spokesperson for Massage Concepts. "The cash acceptor is a key component of the chair, because the chairs run on cash. When the cash acceptor malfunctions, the chair begins costing us in maintenance charges, lost transaction revenue and frustrated customers."