One can demand all they want. And, hopefully we all know what supply and demand is. The market decides what one is worth at any specific time. I as the merchant can charge 1 billion dollars for something that worths &10.00 and this will only get me to close up shop.

We all need to face reality and may have to swallow our pride from time to time to survive economic hardtime.

Supply and demand is a prime tenant of capitalism and the last time I looked, we were a capitalist society here in the US. I can understand why the provider was offended about negotiating rates. Haggling with a lady over her rates IS offensive because the haggler is implying that she's not worth what she thinks she is. It's the implication that's personally offensive to her. But - she's operating in a market with plenty of competition so she'll know very quickly if she's too high by the drop in business. IMHO, providers always have the right to demand whatever they like and hobbyists always have the right to deny them business. Hobbyists don't like the upsell and providers don't like the downsell. Pretty simple from my perspective.

I have seen so many "economical" conversations both on the provider and hobbiest side.  I think its to bad that you cant mention something without receiveing that response.  The Economy is what it is and nothing is "recession proof" and if it is you should be able to question it.

As someone who has managed to survive this economy on the business side, I can only tell you that I have watched many competitors fall by the wayside with the attitude that the provider has.  My survival was based on promotion, specials, customer relations, maintaining my customer base and stealing other company's customers.

This formula is valid for hardware stores, car dealers, public relation firms and providers.  No matter how good looking or how skilled you are, there are always others out there hungry enough to get your share of the market if you fail to do your part.  I'm sure the provider in question has her masters in business and the rest of us are just screwing the economic world up by not following her methods.

By the way, I think my time is worth $1000 per hour, but unfortunately no one is willing to pay it.  I can hold fast to my priciples and simply complain about bad business or I can continue my aggressive techniques and keep my business, house and only slightly cut-back life style.

. . . I either lower my rates or bill fewer hours.  Having said that, hourly services of any kind are expensive and it's hard to lower the rate to a point where it isn't.

An interesting argument.

However, even therapists and doctors don't get as intimate as a provider does with her patrons.  You cannot compare industries and products that have incomparable context. You can't remove the human equation from what something that is based on intimate human interaction.

Whether she is emotionally investing or not, the simple act of being sexual is indeed an emotionally and psychically intimate one. In fact I argue that seeking to be detached is a reaction to the intimate nature of what's happening.  The stock market doesn't reach the same levels of human degradation and human elevation that the sex industry can inspire.  

Unlike gentlemen who are only participating in the culture during the craving, time of booking and date, for women it's a constant consideration. She enters this lifestyle with thoughtfulness, aware of how ugly it can be if she is not careful in how she pursues her life.   There is a lot of time invested outside of the date, it is a constant consideration, it's a real part of her life no matter how much she tries to compartmentalize it.

So it is not beyond common sense to understand that a lady does indeed link her self worth with the style in which she approaches her Companionship Identity.  

Therefore to remove the human element, by comparing us and our patrons to the exchange of money for widgets or stocks, is literally dehumanizing. Something I think both lady and gentleman can do without.

Indeed the link between self wroth and price is not due to the actual number, but the relation it has to volume.  Many with higher then average expectations are in fact making less overall when compared to their sisters, who have a lower rates and are meet with more fellows.   Their emotional energy, the well being of their body, and minimizing safety issues is a strong consideration when a lady is choosing her rates - more so then market.

So to say that women base things on market only in silly.  Many start at market hoping only to get their footing, and then personalize their experience based on what's right for their lifestyle and expectations.  Don't forget that not all women are full time companions, they have other income avenues, interests and commitments.

Generally when a woman decides her rates market is only one thought, and not the ruling one. The real fear is pricing you self so far up that it's long spans between dates, or it takes a long time to make those essential regulars. Usually a woman decides her target income, how often she is willing to meet with friends, how many introductions she'd like to make per week (or for even lower volume per month), compared with her existing income if she already has one.  

Now negotiations can take place in a variety of ways, however during early stages of a relationship is nearly always insulting.  However, once you've gotten to know a woman well, it is quite common for a lady to make special considerations. Often leaving an open ended suggestion, where the lady can choose to make an offer if much more considerate.   It is commonly accepted that what happens between a companion and a regular she is fond of, is only between the two of them and applies to no one else.    

-- Modified on 3/14/2010 1:14:14 PM

Price is an important aspect of any product or service marketing plan.  Pricing usually helps determine target markets (main stream, niche, or price only.

However, it is not the only aspect.  Many products or services differentiate themselves by offering unique or value added services.

I am a believer that there are products and services that are out of my price range, either too high or too low.  I also recognize that the pricing discussion often difficult and is involved in the self image of the individuals involved.

When prices are set the market will determine whether the business fails, survives or thrives.

Here is a toast to those who are willing to provide worthwhile services(as the market defines them.)

Aw hell...this isn't rocket science...

Pricing is about what the market will *bear*.  Sometimes this has to do with the economy, but when you are talking about ~personalized services~ and ~niche markets~, not always.  

I personally don't think either one of you (the OP or the provider in question) is on target, but ultimately why would you care what I  think??  I have my reality, and everyone else has theirs...

*kiss-kiss*

xoMegan