Ponz...

I can understand your frustration, but then, hey, its Bmore, the home of Peter (The Slug) Angelos and it's gods way of getting even for his determined fight to the death to prevent DC from getting a baseball team.  And as you know, god works in mysterious ways..! hahaha

OK, well, here's MY, albeit odd view, of the hobby..

The problem, as I see it, is simple.  Ladies are pricing themselves out of range for way too many of us.  Charging $$$ or more for 1 hour is a CAR PAYMENT, and by the time you include a tip, you can spend $$$$ !! That's worse than a night at Camden Yards!  And while your argument may be valid that these uber-hot ladies are smokin and worth it, the cash has to be there to spend it.  And unless you're making shitloads of dough and can afford those rates, I think they're simply out-priced for too many people.

I have the concept that charging $$.5 is the ideal amount as it's certainly not a bad hourly rate, but it leaves a little opening for the extra .5 as a tip if you're so inclined.  I usually automatically put $$$ in an envelope when her rate is $$.5.. Just works out nicely.  With MC charging over $$$, then it's now starting to creep into the mentality of 'is this REALLY worth it' game and self-doubt kicks in.  Remember, as a hobby, it's VERY expensive already, and once you exceed your own personal comfort level, then you second guess if she's really worth it.  Some of us could drive a Jag based on hobbying payments! Maybe those who see a lot of ladies DO drive those Jags already.  But those of us who make 'normal' incomes have to budget for playtime.  

If MC tried (and this goes for everyone) lowering pricing to $$.5, and assuming most guys just do the 3 $$$'s.. they'd come out almost the same anyway, AND probably see more people.  This is a service industry, and price is a factor.  

If a lady wants to see 10 guys a day (YIKES), and there aren't enough interested parties, then like any business, there needs to be a review of why.  Odds are price will be a part.

Seeing those 7 you mentioned at her rate would total slmost $2300 for the day.. That's really not shabby cash in anyone's book.. But.. if she wants to be busier, and did it for $$.5 and netted $$$ she'd do $3k for the day only seeing 3 more people but making a lot more dough..

Damn, I feel like an accountant.. Anyway.. See how numbers can play a vital role in this?  I've never used MC, almost did on one occaision and realized I had to be somewhere else and had to cancel.. But if the ladies want to be booked heavier, try my concept and see if it works.  Advertise it as a SPECIAL RATE even.. Those things work in mainstream business, why wouldn't it work here.. ?? Some ladies do it now, and some offer lunch rates, etc.. MC could save the premium rates for 'after 6pm' for example and charge less BEFORE 6.. lots of options, all could work, and maybe none would.  

As I said, it's my skewed view of the world.  Guys who can afford to see ladies at their pricing will continue to do so, I just think to have them happy with the results is more dependant on price than they suspect...

--JB

Ponzone - Thanks, this is good information to have.

I saw Sofia during her last visit to Baltimore, and would have bet that she would have been fully booked on her visit. Baltimore is very convenient for many of us to visit and it would be  shame if the some of the top quality visitors stopped making the trip. Will try to squeeze in a few more business appts. in Baltimore the next few weeks.

Thanks again, JC

-- Modified on 10/4/2004 8:51:21 AM

I also was quite appreciative when the reputable Florida agencies started sending their providers to Charm City. I have been hobbying for quite a awile, and just can't afford the extra time to fight the traffic to go down to DC.
I saw Sofia on Saturday (haven't posted my review yet, but had a good time). I think there are a couple of reasons for the lack of customers. First, as others have pointed out - her rate was higher. $$$ is already more than a lot of guys around here will pay, since some of the best area talent only charge 2.5. I don't have a problem with the $$$ from most of the Florida providers as they generally are the hotter looking, young hard body types. (Not always, and no disrespect intneded to the locals!). But that extra .5 saort of breaks a barrier that a lot of guys I know won't cross. I probably wouldn't have seen Sofia at that rate if other plans with someone else hadn't fallen through.


Second,the ad for Sofia just went up a couple of days before her visit. That was a bit strange, as some of MC's forthcoming visitors are listed on their site and on EROS for a week or more in advance. I know a lot of guys who really have to do planning to schdeule a visit and need more advance notice. I was actually going to send that info to Laurie, but I suspect she may read this.

There is no separate section for Baltimore amongst the Discussion Boards.

Frankly, Baltimore does not have the market share like DC, Chicago or even Philadelphia.

Travelling gals can be supported by the gents here in Baltimore. But this will happen if the gents stay in the $$$/hour range.

However, the expectation that you are going to see the upper level of provider (in terms of looks/service) for $$ is not realistic.

Several agencies have "tested" the Baltimore market. Some have been relatively successful and continue to visit.

But it has been several months since BDJ has sent anyone and Flawless skipped many weeks and may not return in the future.

Some of us gents were very active in getting the agencies here in the first place to supplement the few local Baltimore ladies. But it is up to the remainder of the gents in the area to continue to book their appointments in order to "keep 'em coming" to Baltimore.

wow.. this thread really took off.!

All I can say is I know DC and Baltimore is no DC..

I read all the comments with interest, and while I can understand the financial aspects of any business, I really had a hard time not laughing a little at the idea that anything under $300/hr will cause an agency to lose money.

Lets be real here.  That's rediculous.  Maybe it's not enough to make them happy, but lose money?  Lets do the most rudimentary math..

A lady visits Baltimore for 5 days.. Hmm.. I could do a mastercard joke.. about making all of baltimore happy = Priceless, but I won't.. and i digress..

Airfare from Miami to Bmore (very high but..)  $250.00
5 days in a decent hotel..       $150.00 x 5 = $750.00
Decent meals.. although most of these girls probably eat about a teaspoonful a day, lets rate it really generously!
                                $100.00 x 5 = $500.00
Paying off miscellaneous bribes..              $300.00
Stuff like Astroglide and condoms              $200.00
Car rental to do outcalls                      $400.00
Stuff I can't think of                         $500.00
Total                                          $2900.00
Income.. Assuming she books 6 hours a day at $300 per hour with NO overnights or longer sessions, she'd be making somewhere around                                         $9000.00
If she books even one night she'd add another  $1500.00
Which now puts this well over a 3 time profit! $10,500.00

Note, I'm not even doing the math at $325.. Add another $750 or so.  Add in another $1000 in tips and gee, we're now up to over $12,000 for the week.. How many of us do that? There's no way the math at $300 won't work.  

I know it's not necessarily in good taste to talk about cash in here, but i'm not referring to any individual, just a concept of money involved here.  And making the point that an agency can make enough on this sorta thing, and indies can really clean up on these little excursions..

Certainly, if someone's going to the Hamptons or Marthas Vineyard where average income is in 7 digits, the rates they charge are irrelevant, but in Balmer, which is a working class city, it's not as easy to find those 6 digit incomes.

DC isn't much different, although incomes are higher, so are expenses. There are homes here starting at $900k and there's not even a backyard!   My point is if a lady is good, she'll book enough clients to make a lotta dough for a week and yes, a week of hard work.  Let's not lose sight of what they're doing, and while the arguments can be made it's only sex, doing it all day with different people you really have no intimate relationship with it can be a very stressful job and I'm sure the burnout rate is very high.  Most of us are probably nice to the ladies and would not hurt them or do anything they don't want, but I'd bet on most visits, they run into at least 1 or 2 total flaming assholes who are rude and condescending to them and maybe even borderline dangerous.

Without downplaying what the ladies go through, I think there are all sorts of alternatives to how high they set their prices.  And clearly, they can still make more than a decent return on their investment.  

And it's a trend that's clearly on the rise.

--JB

I did my part and traveled to Baltimore to see Cathia, although I did have a nice time, I should of waited for her to come to Baltimore.  I also had two ladies from MC cancel on me, so it goes both ways.