alienating providers, I will agree.
My biz has suffered and I will not/ can not push past that magical $300 threshold knowing the local talent ( Don't forget Geisha Girls) is available.
Just my .02

Re: Marketing Tip

I meant at $325 not $350. An MBA that can't multiply!

customers capping the market.

i dunno

maybe we should talk the agencies into raising their prices to $400, whatcha think ?

have you ever banged 12-13 guys?  Once you hit that 12th gent, it's like hittin the wall and the 13th is a bitch

I guess we have the genius a few threads down who decided he knows more about escorting than escorts do for inspiring this new tidbit of useless information.

Gentlemen(?), hobby at whatever price level you wish...or don't hobby at all if you can't afford it.  The ladies who are providing the service are perfectly capable of deciding how much their time is worth both to them and on the open market.

.....350+ and above are doing just fine and are out of your league and probably have more business sense than you.  They don't need to see you, but thanks for playing!

Re: Marketing Tip

A woman makes her rate based on a lot of things.  Some woman put their price up to cover expenses, others only like to see a small number of guys others just don't want to deal with guys that are wanting to play "Lets Make A Deal" and others think their pussy is gold plated  I guess what you fail to realize that if someone is charging that much and has been through the recession it works for them.  If someone chooses to lower there rates to reach more clients that's their choice.  Comparing rates on providers is like comparing apples and oranges.  No two providers are alike.  Are you getting the same thing from a provider charging 150 dollars verses 350 I doubt it they may both score 9's in service but are they truly both 9's?  Guys want it all they want GFE not a clock watcher and they want it all for less. Black Friday is in November until then if you want to pay less there are many quality providers with rates that meet your needs.  If you want one that's in a different price bracket save your pennies

I've worked at a blistering pace for three years.
I've been available through high volume agencies, I've provided half hours, I've been largely negotiable in terms of rates and generous with time.

After a summer of very intense touring I returned home this month; I have entertained fewer people over the course of August than I am accustomed to seeing in a span of two or three days.

My senses are heightened and I feel things in session that I haven't felt in quite sometime.

It is very clear to me that I am refreshed and my perspective is continuing to develop with my experience.
Burnout is a very real thing and I've teetered precariously close to the precipice twice in my time as a provider.  

In a profession which hinges largely upon the physical health and sanity of the service provider, I would think that any seasoned observer could discern between greed and the need for a structural change.
Greed is a trap that I was previously caught in, obsessively attempting to meet every single price point in the market for fear of losing one potential client.  I don't need that anymore- what I do need is to respect myself and return this aspect of my life to what it was previously...and when I began, providing wasn't about treating my body and mind like an ATM.

Think about that whenever some of you are number crunching and making comments like "well you could make the same amount of money if you saw 13 guys at this rate versus 12 at that rate"-

When was the last time that you provided companionship to twelve or thirteen strangers, sight unseen?  When was the last time that you attempted to match the needs and desires of twelve or thirteen individuals with varying tastes and interests?
Its ludicrous how some trivialize the physical and emotional toll on providers to the point that its a non-issue.  

I've decided to raise my rates to intentionally slow down the current of new guests.

I have seen longtime clients beg me down to $175 or $200 hours personally and use me as a reference for a $300-$600 hour provider the very next week.  I have experienced new clients readily abusing my time, forcing themselves upon me for spans of two or three hours at a time on an hour donation because of what they had read in reviews and come to expect.  I've experienced new clients refusing to pay my listed donation, hanging out in my inbox harassing me & waiting sometimes spans of months for the price point that they like.

All of these things take a psychic toll on a good provider. Instead of shutting down or becoming angry, I am simply cognizant of it and have finally absorbed the fact that clients will pay for what they want and pass on what they do not want.  I can no longer internalize the complaints of the person who says that they cannot afford to "hobby" with providers over $250 per hour, while hobbying four times a month.  

I saw someone recently who legitimately cannot afford to do this more than two or three times a year.  We spent two wonderful hours together for less than my previous hour donation.  He made me aware of his situation with honesty and without burdening me; he is a gentleman and I consider him a real friend.
He is an exception.
At the risk of angering someone I must say-
There is a big difference between him and the person who loudly complains and badgers providers for not being able to afford to hobby at $300+, while using these services multiple times in a month.  Instead of checking providers on their business savvy, perhaps an internal check on your own priorities?  If you are happy with the selection of providers at $250 or $300 why complain so much when you see providers who are only slightly higher?

I have taken care to:

-Grandfather clients at their former rate, acknowledging this on my website and advertisements
-Continue offering time-based incentives and accepting reasonable bids for time in exceptional situations
-Offer discounts of $50 - $100 on hour and multiple hour appointments respectively for Date-Check, RS2000K and White Listed TER members to acknowledge systems of verification that aid my screening process and contribute to networks of trust

Rate increases are not always a show of ego or a misguided business moves.
I am financially stable, fully capable of making sound business decisions and aware of the consequences (or should I say benefits) of raising rates.
The service is expensive for clients, but its even more expensive (figuratively and literally) for provider to offer- everyone just remember that.

Why is it so hard for some guys to understand that this is a very simple transactional relationship?

A woman posts X amount.  A man decides to pay X or not.  Sure there is more nuance to an actual arrangement but that's the bottom line.

I don't go to Whole Foods and tell them that they could sell more of their fresh bread if they met Stop & Shop's prices.  At the same time I don't buy all of my groceries at Whole Foods.  Sometimes I go to Stop & Shop, sometimes to BJ's and sometimes I just do without.  If it is beyond your means, shut up or save up.

Me, I'm not paying what I think are high rates but my definition of high is low to some and exorbitant to others.

And for the record, I don't want to be # 13 of the day just so some cheap bastard can save $50.

well said ganainm.

Men who tell women what to do and what they are worth.

The same take? Can you say, "cynical"? At least you had the balls to put it right out there in front of your potential clients and clients alike. I'll give you props for that.

Different strokes for different folks.  Your suggestion, while a good one would not work for me.  I don't think any lady should base her business model on advice that a hobbyist or provider gives her.  While she can consider the ideas presented, she has to do what works and feels right for her.

My name, my rate (2 hours for 3 roses), my reputation (low volume), and my style have been the same for many years.  I believe that the slow and easy approach is best for me and the stability minimizes burn out and allows the quality of my encounters to remain consistent.  You cannot be a heavy hitter without eventual consequences.

But that's just my opinion and what has worked for me obviously does not work for others.  We don't walk in one another's shoes, so I'm not being judgmental - just more of a concerned mother hen.  

I hope that all the ladies making pots of money are investing it wisely; be it in education or other ways that enable them to have a wonderful future.

Best wishes to all.

'Classic Kate'

I went to Boston 3 times... My rate was 400. I was completely booked with a wait list....

Lol