I've been wondering what the perception is regarding a  scenario where i have seen a provider and the rate was $$$. Then I plan on seeing her again and I see on her site that she has raised her rates to $$$$.  How does this get addressed from provider and hobbyist perspective?  Do you "grandfather" folks who have seen you at the original rate?  I know some ladies address it by stating that for existing clients the rate stays the same but not all address it.  It can potentially create an awkward situations.  The obvious answer is to ask her but that can be awkward as it can also be if I assume my rate doesn't change and she thinks I am shorting her by leaving the original rate.  Anybody else ever wonder about the etiquette for this situation?

she will tell you.

I raised my rates by $50 a couple of years ago, and I only grandfathered 3 or 4 clients who had been exceptionally loyal to me. The others were expected to roll with the increase, and did.

Please do not assume that you are grandfathered and put the old amount in the envelope. You will create a very awkward situation for both of you.

I think you have every right to ask.  I did that with one gal, and she quoted a slightly higher rate than she charged me previously, but sufficiently less than her current rate.  I will see her at what she asked me, but not at her new rate, which btw is double what I paid originally.  If you don't want to ask, then go ahead and pay the new rate or don't see her if it's out of your budget.

Swim

Absolutely agreed. If she's worth more, you should have been picking up on that from the start, paying what she's worth, and not worrying about what a great deal everyone else got. That is how to get what you really want from a lady. Make her feel special, and you will be king. If sh'e not worth it, find someone who is.

ASK, and discuss it like the adults we all are.  as awkward as that conversation can be, the alternative is worse - when assumptions are made, someone always ends up feeling shortchanged.  eventually those hard feelings can fester and erode what had heretofore been a good thing.

love the link, DD; it's a perfect example of what "may" be in a lady's mind.  

...or hey, maybe its the other way around.  maybe she intended for you to be grandfathered, but never said so in so many words.  of course she's happy if you're paying the increase, but YOU'RE feeling taken advantage of.  now you're visiting less frequently, and she doesn't know why.  she feels slighted, or maybe wonders if she's doing something "wrong".

ugh.  money is the root of all evil.  if theres ANY doubt, just ask.  clear the air, you'll both breathe easier, and then you can get back to the fun!

Either party can be at fault for caring about money more than caring for people. Money's not bad, it's inanimate, but the love of it sure changes people.

You stated that you have visited with this particular provider.  Now her rate has gone up.  Have you seen her frequently?  Are you a regular client?  If not then I would assume that you should expect to pay her current donation.  If you saw her once in 2010 at $$$ when she first began providing, and now she has a great following and a great reputation and it's almost 2013, and her rate is $$$$ or double, then I would expect to pay her current rate.

You left a bit of a grey area.

If you are a great client and have been visiting her on a regular basis then I would say yes, expect that grandfather special.  But if you had one visit years ago, good luck trying.   But never assume and simply drop her an email, see if she remembers you and ask her if her rate is still at $$$ or if it has changed.  It's that easy and nobody gets offended.

Hope this helped a bit

Kisses from your angel

Elle Vegas

Good point Elle.  I've experienced the former, where I have been a regular long standing client where the provider did "grandfather" me.  Your take on the other scenario makes complete sense.  If I had seen someone once I would not expect to be given any preferential treatment.

Just wanted to say thanks for the feedback.  I appreciated the views from both sides of the aisle.  DD the blog was great.

Your a sweetheart DollhouseMechanic85... just ask the girl!

If I see you under a certain rate - (if I am running a special rate) I will always keep that rate with you .... I just believe that's good business ..... That way, it doesn't raelly matter what my rates may be, those that I hav e already seen always know what thier rate is .... Just sayin"
Kiss kiss,
Torre

There are times where you see a provider regularly at a certain rate and she  may offer specials that are lower than the rate you normally pay. If you pay the same rate that you normally pay, is the provider going to bring it up that your session occurred during her special?
I would still pay the same that I normally paid even though I saw ads posted and that she was trying to generate business.

In my profession I run across customers paying a grandfathered amount even though the company had improved itself and is providing more service. As well as customers that are overpaying for the services that they are using. And from a business standpoint there are 3 ways to look at it

1) Is my business better off focusing on my new clients that are paying the companies new rates and allowing the grandfathered customers to churn?
2) Do I recognize the value of a repeat customer vs the potential customer and essentially eat the loss in new revenue?
3)Do I keep my existing customer base at the set rates, but try and migrate them to the new rates & adjust my price point so that new customers are paying a price that will offset the customers that do not migrate to my new rates.

The variable as it relates to the hobby is time. and a providers time being the deterrent to keeping customers that are paying a low rate and using to much time. And new customers that can use that same time at a higher rate.
But when business is slow and competition is high, there is something to be said about the repeat customer.

( sorry if that was a lot, I can be wordy)

I agree that communication is best, and I am still learning so I really don't even know when and what is ok to ask.

more money, but I would never go up on a gent who has already invested in me, especially someone who has done so on a regular basis. Just ask her if the new rate applies. Using the low volume excuse as a reason to not give regulars a lower rate is bs. NOT every damn regular or newbie is going to call you in the same day or week lol. If they do, all you have to do is explain to the low rate guys that you will have to fit them in. If they want the lower rate, they may have to wait a bit.

If your new rate is 3 times that of your old one, you're still not going to see that many damn people and if you are, raise them AGAIN, but I don't think it's a good business move to go up on a guy who paid you for the last 2 or 3 years. Without THEM, we probably would not be able to charge what we do now.


-- Modified on 12/13/2012 12:26:55 AM

I always maintained that they had everyright to bump me for a full rate session.  Then I would try to fit in at  a different time.  That seems to work for all that I have dealt with in the past and present.

xxx
Jinni