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

"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.

$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.

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.

Olivia...the OP is NOT interested in knowing any of the facts (opinions) you/I have stated here.

What he is interested in is finding Dommes who will perform for $ 150...period.  And when he finds one that wants more, well it seems his solution is to "tell her she should only charge $ 150"...because it is "good for buisness...HIS".

In all probability the OP is having cash flow issues now...perhaps recently retired and now doesn't have the same hobby money he had previously.  But still wants to play the same as before...but can't.  I've seen this comment so often on the GD boards, and the OP's all have the same rationale.

Perhaps he will take stock in what you/I have said to him, and perhaps others have PM'd him similar comments.  Or not?

I prefer quality over quantity & less traffic because I am a very busy woman.  Thanks for sharing, but you would not appeal to me just, like us higher caliber Domina's would not tickle your fancy.  No worries good thing not every man feels the way you do!  Chemistry is everything!  Every aspect of BDSM play is not on the same level across the board.  I, do what  most Mistresses won't, or don't never to be confused, or categorized with your typical Domme.

Superior Lady Temptress!

why do subs think they call the shots that's what they call us for we are the goddess' that merely allow them a slice of our time and experience lol

I completely agree with Olivia. 4-5 sessions a week is plenty for me, some sessions take a lot of mental preparation and others are so physical that doing more than one of them in a day would be too much. Some days I just don't want to play, but even on days where I am super psyched for sessions, one or two in that day is really more than enough.

I also think location plays a huge part in what Dommes can charge. Here in Phoenix, the 150-200 range is average (although I must admit I don't know what the rates are at DOI) and really that suits me just fine. I know I could relocate, or travel to other areas where my services would be much more in demand, and I could ask higher rates, but I am fine doing what I do where I do it. The lovely ladies in NYC or LA who get $300 an hour are not only good at what they do, but they are also in prime locations to do it.

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.

I would have to agree with Mistress Kiley.  The average rate per hour for a Domina in our area is 160-225/hr, with most near the 160-180 mark.  I love what I do with a passion, and I'd also love to be able to ask for $300 and still do the same volume of business that I do now, but it's just not feasible here in AZ.  I've noticed that many gentlemen who visit the higher tribute ladies come away saying they enjoyed themselves greatly, but they were just too expensive.   There's not a very large client base here, and there's been an upsurge in escorts crossing over into the "kink" realm and asking for less tribute than we do.  So, there's a whole lot of fishermen standing around a rather small pond right now.  I've been doing professional BDSM for 4+ years now, and I've always asked for 160-200/hr, depending on the economy, the season, and the # of ladies out there offering much lower tributes than the rest of us.  

I've also heard from other Dominas around the country who have spent time in AZ that our clientele differs from the clientele in other major cities such as LA, NYC, D.C., etc.  It seems that out here there's more of a demand for the more sensual "tie and tickle" kind of kink whereas in the other areas, there are more requests for the more extreme/exotic facets of BDSM, such as suspensions, encasements, etc.  I don't know whether this is a cultural difference between cities, or is simply because there are smaller numbers of kinky people here so the range of interests isn't as wide.

make you bend over and take it better than a lawyer !!