It's amazing what has happened to the price of a B&D session, in L.A. I know several pro-Dommes, personally, and every one says that business is really slow. I asked each one how much they charge, and they all respond that the "going rate" is $250 to $300 per hour. I just laugh.
I've been with pro-Dommes for 30 years. Sure, the rates have increased, but I have never paid more than $150 for an hour for the best Dommes around. I always have wonderful sessions with wonderful Dommes.
This "going rate" that many Dommes seem to like just can't be sustained. And, in fact, many pro-Dommes are suffering. When I have suggested lowering their prices, my friends respond that they don't want to be one of the cheap Dommes. They want to remain among the classy, high priced Dommes.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of nice Dommes who haven't figured out that doing 10 sessions a week at $150 is better than doing 2 sessions a week at $250.
For me, I will continue to patronize the Dommes who are honest, clean, knowledgeable and reasonably priced, i.e. $150 per hour or less.
Any business must determine what the going rate for their service/product is.
Maybe a provider chooses their donation rate taking into consideration whom can afford the price of her services. i would hope that a provider runs a good business and figures in costs of travel, if she is traveling, as opposed to cost of being in business in a location local.
Some providers like to have one or only a couple clients that pay a per diem per month. i haven't heard of any providers selling 10 sessions for a discount rate, and they punch your card as you show up, but if car wash business's find it a good incentive, why not take that business plan?
However, a business owner should never put their product/service on the sale rack because someone can't afford their asking price. Nor should a business be subject to bargaining, haggling, or renegotiation of price from a customer.
Do you walk into 7/11 or Starbuck's and say i don't want to pay your asking price for a cup of coffee, i only want to pay half of what you are wanting for your product. Surely, Starbuck's could charge less for that soy latte you want, and if they did, they could sell even more of their product at that discounted rate, but they don't, do they? Nor would you think of asking them.
So if you don't ask Starbuck's to lower their rate, why would you ask a BDSM provider to lower hers? Is she no less deserving of your respect?
Yes, you can always make your own coffee at home if you want, but it isn't quite the same sometimes. Sometimes you want to dine out and perhaps that is what you are paying for.
~a
$100 to $200 per hour seems to be about the going rate for the professional dungeons, and bear in mind that the Dommes there have to split their revenues with "the house".
There might also be major difference in rates between those Dommes who provide more sexually oriented services than those who are just "tease & denial".
Before you throw stones, bear in mind that some newer Dommes might also be trying to recoup money spent on building their dungeons, play equipment, fetish attire, etc. (That shit ain't cheap!)
I do tend to agree that those providers (including sex providers) who charge more reasonable rates probably tend to ENJOY WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING more than those providers who charge a higher rate, the keep volume lower. That said, a lower-volume play partner might give your fantasies more attention than someone who has to keep track of multiple clients in the same day.
"I do tend to agree that those providers (including sex providers) who charge more reasonable rates probably tend to ENJOY WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING more than those providers who charge a higher rate, the keep volume lower. That said, a lower-volume play partner might give your fantasies more attention than someone who has to keep track of multiple clients in the same day."
I do not believe the rate any provider charges relates to their enjoyment, but does reflect their marketing and targeting efforts.
I've been with pro-Dommes for 30 years. Sure, the rates have increased, but I have never paid more than $150 for an hour for the best Dommes around. I always have wonderful sessions with wonderful Dommes.
Of course, if one owns their own space, I can understand being able to do a session for that tribute, being that they have no overhead (no commute, no dungeon rental). But for those that rent from a third party dungeon space, on the other hand, at 75-100/hr rental fees...
The ladies (Dommes) are quite efficient at setting their own rates without your "expert" assistance. And I am sure that not one of them asked for your "input".
You're happy paying whatever it is that you are comfortable with, and that is great. Stick to that formula. But just because some of the Dommes you would like to see are out of your price range, do you honestly think that by "suggesting to them" that their business (from you) will suffer, that they would consider you "generous offer". Apparently you do, as you posted in as much.
Just be a tad careful here, as the BDSM community is small...and word travels quickly. If you want to make sure that all of your Dommes avoid you, keep on "helping them". You're far from new to this, and you should know better. At least in my opinion.
One would think that the internal market forces of supply and demand would be at work. If business is slow, rates should decline. Not sure if that is the case.
But $150 bucks? My attorney charges $250 an hour and the Dommes I know are way more talented and actually deliver a service I want.
That's awesome!
I agree, and I question daninla's original premise -- possibly just trying to be an agent provocateur here (and not the sexy lingerie kind!) -- that the economy has negatively impacted BDSM professionals in major cities. From what I've heard, demand is actually greater, as the stress from this recession is weighing on people and then feel an even greater need for release. Still, it's an interesting thread, and I enjoyed everyone's opinions about pricing. Hopefully, the rest of you did as well.
make you bend over and take it better than a lawyer !!