This is the first time I have really been on the board in probably about seven years.  I had a fall in 2008 which laid me up for a time and then the big recession hit which I am still trying to fully recover from as these days it is so hard to get steady full-time employment.  I am one of these people that can only afford to use a provider once in a blue moon.  Am wondering what effect the recession of the past few years has had on the hobby.

I am in financial markets and I have noticed over the years provider prices has followed what the markets are doing almost by the week. there should be a new index, PPI provider price index.
It has been a great indicator to market swings.
my 2 cents, take it for what it is worth(2cents)

Seems like an opportunity here... selling options to hedge against rising costs?

The Girl I'm seeing Texts me at least once a week for me to see her. She tells me a lot of her other Regular Clients don't see her as much as they used to. She says she was very Busy in 2012. These days she's Lucky if she gets 3 or 4 Sessions a week.

I think you're right about hobbyists being in the top 10% but I've wondered (but not asked) why my ATF's (she's with an agency) donation ask went from $275 early summer to $240 now. I suppose it is the economy.

sounds like now is the time to buy!

"It's A Monger's Market."

I see some providers coming in with higher prices but I am not sure they are sticking.

chrisoi812,
Very astute. I agree that this is a very good fundamental market indicator. The best traders I have ever been with are primarily fundamental traders. They use Technical indicators to build positions, but the fundamental indicators dictate the flavor of it. The rest is margin management so one can survive the white noise swings until the trade plays out.
Read “The Big Short” That trade took many dollars and 18 months before it paid off.
I have found another good indicator is how people order in Restaurants. Diners have changed their habits; splitting entrees, limiting cocktails, sharing desserts.  This is why the “Small Plates” concept is so in vogue right now; although for me that concept has “jumped the shark”.

Sorry to hear of your fall. Had a stroke myself in 2008, and have similar difficulties. Hope you are doing better.

In my experience the price per hour has varied very little since the early 90's. In fact do to better price discovery through the internet, prices have come down a bit; The market is more efficient. With this ongoing recession, (yes I know it is technically over), the hobby is attracting more and more providers which increases supply which typically has  a lowering effect on price. IMO providers who compete on price alone have a hard road ahead of them. The providers that are succeeding are the ones who go the extra mile and provide that little extra personalisation which tailors the experience to each client individually.  
Interesting topic

With anything pricing is dictated on your expenses. If one stays in a higher end hotel and does not use a permanent incall location, one has to factor in the average cost of a room. Then you have all your advertising costs, backpage, ter, p411, eros, rs2k, etc., then the gas, parking and tolls to and from the hotel or outcall location, thigh highs, lingerie, snacks, wine etc...All these expenses are factored into the session.

I don't travel so I don't figure a 'cost' and double or triple it.  

Not necessarily about a recession but the fact that our government can't get its act together. The indecisiveness in DC makes us pull back on our willingness to spend on luxuries so we hunker down and forgo luxuries like this hobby. I've cut back and Cece is right about prices going up for everything, not to mention the smaller boxes and cans at the same old prices at the supermarkets. We're getting less products for our money today and I think of this as inflation just the same as if prices were going up rapidly. I know hotel prices are skyrocketing, especially downtown and I've heard that reasonable hotel rates are getting harder to come by.

Me and a Friend had a Session with my Provider. Negotiated a Great Price for both of us. She Texted me that she had no Clients today so she needed Cash Desperately. Awesome Time. Look forward to seeing her again next week.

The rates in BOS have gone up... Providers that used to be in the $250 range are now $350-$400 range. The market here is still active as CHI is with a flood of new talent. They start low, but are the YMMV/ TOFTT type. Some guys are Grandfathered in at previous rates (& I appreciate that woman's option to do so). So IMO, I think she gets the best of both worlds. Meaning..work at 70-75% of the appts she used to take for the same money. In some cases, popularity cause the increased rate, they are a quality provider & business is good for them.

My Girl isn't quite a Spring Chicken. She's been in the Business for a while. I suspect since at least 2007. I just met her in March of this year. So I guess her popularity has gone down a bit since then. Which would explain her other Regular Clients not seeing her as much as they used to. As long as her Business is slow, this is great for me in getting a Great Deal on seeing her.

In the last few months, I've been able to pay the Price I want as opposed to what she charges. The Great thing is she still she does what I want even when I don't pay her Full Price. Am I taking Advantage of her? In a sense I am. I'm definitely getting my Money's Worth with her. My Friend wants to see her again too. I know we'll be getting a Great Price for both of us. She has no choice. She needs the Money.

That she doesn't have to market for or take a risk on... Hey if everyone leaves & their toes are still tapping.... Hat's off and go for it. I think you have a unique situation there.... But go for it... Seems to me, everyone is cool with the arrangement. No complaints..

She's not going to Complain. She needs the Money. She has no other choice. I've been pretty much the only Steady Client that sees her at least once a week or so. Every now and then I bring my Friend along to do a Tag Team on her. She's Happy to get any Business at all these days. With me alone or with me and my friend.

Both. She's a Great Provider. She pretty much does whatever I want. A Total Sweetheart. Like I said her Business has slowed down since last year from what she tells me. Back in 2012 she was making thousands a month. These days she's Happy just to pay her Rent and Bills. I help her out when I can with her Rent and Bills without a Session with her. Last month she was in Tears and didn't have Money for her Rent. I drove to her at 1:00 am to give her Money for her Rent. No Session. She was so Thankful that her Smile and Happiness was enough for me for the Money.

A lot of youngsters are not getting jobs and the youth unemployment is much higher than the average. These youngsters enter the erotic world increasing supply and this brings down prices.  
Recently a provider hiked rates by just $30 and she got no new clients for a week. She had to drop her rates.
A massage provider in Schaumburg ---Bailey used the charge 150 for the hour. Now she charges anything from 100 to 125 depending on her monetary condition. She would get about 3 clients a day earlier, now she is lucky if she get two at the lower rate.  
Saving when going is good is important.

You know something weird too, price doesn't always relate to quality. My worst experience ever with a provider was with someone who was very expensive and very well reviewed, but who had a terrible stuck up attitude, and I felt upon leaving like I'd been to a dental appointment. And one of my best was very cheap years ago off an ad in the Reader where I wound up giving her more just because I thought she was too good to get so little, which he appreciated. She was so into having a good time that she didn't keep track of time, and often had me hang around to talk for a while after. Saw her steadily for a couple of years, told her to raise her prices, but she never would.

-- Modified on 10/25/2013 1:02:26 PM