This time of year can be stressful for many people.  From traveling, entertaining visiting friends and family, acclimating to colder weather, buying the right gift for loved ones and colleagues...

I myself have been a bit stressed along with financially strapped the past two weeks from entertaining family members and organizing some fundraising events.  I would love to spend a day at my favorite spa but because I'm keeping a watch on my discretionary income, I've been putting it off.  Imagine how thrilled I was to receive a text message from my hairdresser announcing some seasonal rate specials!

This got me to thinking about all of those who would like to spend quality time with a special lady but find their wallets to be tight during this time of year for the reasons listed above.  I'm curious how a provider who offers a holiday rate special is viewed?  I've been told by a few providers that her rate is her rate and if a patron can't afford her, he should simply not bother seeing her.  To me, this seems harsh, especially coming from providers who truly enjoy engaging with and pleasing others.   We share a gift with our clients so why not offer a way to say "thank you" without giving them gift baskets or baked goods that can't easily be explained to S.O.s?

I appreciate your thoughts!

(Sidenote...I posted something similar to this late last night but found it was deleted today.  Not sure what I did wrong but I hope this one gets to stay!)

Hi Lynettte Marie,
If you want to spread some holiday joy by offering a discount to the fellows that is up to you but please don't think that it is a money making enterprise for yourself. The guys who want to see you will see you no matter what the fee. Sure, you will be able to meet a few more gents because of the special but you will not be making more money. Infact you will be spreading yourself even thinner than you already are during this busy time of year. Let's say you cut your rate by 50% and this caused 30% more clients to book you. You would be seeing more guys but with each one paying so much less your net income would drop but your days would be much busier.  
I have done this before and found that most of the guys I saw during my "special" would have seen me anyway even without the discount. Sure, maybe I saw one extra guy but he is not the kind of guy who will repeat at the full fare. The guys coming to town have been admiring you for months. They are going to book with you. If you give them a holiday gift by discounting your rates good for them. If it makes you feel better and kinder for giving them a financial break, good for you. But you said you are strapped for cash so maybe you should hold off until you can afford to give the discount. Or maybe not. It is much more selfless to give until it really hurts.
Kisses
Heather
 

I would rather see you give out price breaks to men that see you more often. Good for you and good for them.

END OF MESSAGE

Both were with ladies I most likely would not have booked otherwise.  One was one of my best dates ever. I am so glad i was able to meet her.  

My preference is for additional time as opposed to discounted hours, or discounted loooong dates for shows, dinner or dancing.  

This is how I shop for everything, don't you? If you're a mom I know you do.  I wait for sales to buy cars and book vacations.  I grocery shop on Tuesday to get the senior citizen discount. I clip coupons and joined Groupon.  I don't understand why shopping for specials in the hobby is looked upon so badly.  

And,  I'm still lost in a "fantasy" that some of you girls want to meet "me".  So...... If you want to know what Ishootcraps is all about, a special many times helps me make a decision on who to book.

And if I do, I promise to make to make it a date to remember. I offer the perfect "boy friend experience".  I am clean, thoughtful, considerate, prompt and I have a reasonably good sense of humor.  You will be happy to have offered a special.  

So yes ladies, not all of us are stock brokers, lawyers or CEOs. Some of us are contractors, public servants, or non-profit managers. We are not trying to dis-respect you, or cheapen your value by shopping for specials, we are just trying to stretch the hobby dollar so we can be responsible with our hobby purchases and not go bankrupt having a little vacation fun.  

So offer us a special, tell us when the "slow season" is so we can plan our vacations, grandfather us, throw in a little extra time so we can talk to you, learn about who you are, share in your story and allow you to share in ours.  It may not happen on each of your dates, but I am certain you will meet a few guys that will make you happy you offered a special. And you will spread some happiness and joy to the lives of several guys that work hard all year in our civvie  life just so we can look forward to one evening with you.  

Thank you. It really means a lot

Right on HeatherGFE !! couldn't say it better myself .

someone else made a post that got deleted , don't know why .....
but it was a hobbyist that also brought up a very good point why NO to rate specials
........ maybe he can repost that .

Also maybe it depends how much one's rate is to begin with .

for me I feel my rates are already special all year round .
why ? because since I have been working , I NEVER got a raise .
but every single thing I have to pay for, is way way WAY more then it used to be .

I don't get paid vacation days , or paid sick days . I don't get any type of benefits ,
I have to create my own retirement plan.

I don't think it is harsh if a provider says - my rate is my rate .
because what's next ? how low do you go ?  
there are people out there who can only afford 100-200 ...... so would you drop your rate to that ?
or there is a guy who only has 50 .........I mean where does it end ??

We all enjoy very much what we do . I wish I could share my talents with everyone .
I would love to add a smile to everyone's day .
But it has to make sense .  
You have to make sure that you are covering your costs of doing business , with a profit to pay your bills and have savings .......otherwise it is pointless .

My hairdresser or nail lady never offered me a special rate .  
I have been with them for 10 years. but I would NEVER expect them to offer a lower rate .  
Even if they did offer , I would never accept it , because they have grandfathered me into a rate and I do know that their costs have also gone up . I even give more .
I don't feel they have to say to me Thank You for your business .
I come back over and over because they are great at what they do.

The way I say Thank You and show appreciation to repeat gents is - I give them extra time .  
That is the best gift and is a win win for everyone .

Yes many of our gents are not millionaires , but neither am I .
There are tons of stuff I would love to do or buy but I can't afford to.

You have to have a business plan , and stick to it ....... that is how business works.
xoxo CindySpice

I thought about you the other night! Stepped up to the craps table and on my friends first roll.. (My first and only play) he hit a 5 point fire bet!

5 x 250! Woohoo!!!

It's been a topic I've become sensitive to recently.  

And Cindy I appreciate your honest responses, even though we are speaking on "kinda" different sides of this issues.  I appreciate being able to post on this topic with you in this way.    

I'll be honest, it's a little scary.  So many times I've seen threads turn into train wrecks over relatively silly stuff.  I would never want to be part of a discussion like that.  It is good to know we can discuss different viewpoints with respect and still be friends.

 

I hope.

I have met several wonderful ladies from this site and appreciate the way they all have treated me. As much as I consider them my friends, l understand this is their business. Discounts are appreciated but never asked for or expected. The biggest compliment they can give to me is to spend extra time and that too is
never expected. I can only afford what I can afford so I try to match that with the right lady. So far, it's worked well for me.

I think if providers had these specials you would end up seeing them down the escort isle at your local Walmart

Thanks for sharing your points of view with me.

While I've never considered offering "specials" to bring me more income, I was more interested in offering these "specials" to those special gents who spend quality time with me, whether a dinner date a month or a week away every few months out of the year or etc...

My nail, hair artists, aestheticians and even physicians have offered me "specials" in the past, especially around this time of year and my birthday.  Maybe because I spend so much money on them and we truly have connections with each other...For whatever reason, I'd like to offer the same to my fabulous patrons who I truly care about!

I have made up my mind and I thank you all for giving me thoughts to process.

Cheers!

Lynette

mine are offered as a discount with a donation of canned goods. Mine are offered exclusively to get canned good donations for Three Square here in Vegas.

I want to be with. Rates can have a factor especially at the high end. Specials have little meaning to me if not interested in the begining.

Of course it is possible to discuss things and have different point of views and still be GREAT friends  
because there is respect between people .
Just because I like you , doesn't mean you have to agree with me .
or that you can't have a different opinion .

The reason some threads turn into Train Wrecks is lack of respect of some people or they start lying and BSing ........then they are called out on the lie or BS .........and then they start to name call and that's when you get a train wreck  

There is a difference between expressing your opinion or thought or just flat out being an ass.
You keep it real and honest , so there is nothing to worry (  or be scared )  about .

Friendship doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. You will always be my friend .
and I always respect and enjoy your point of views .

On another note - the needy , need all year round . I don't understand why people seem to make more of an effort for the needy around the holidays...........
Like the people in front of the supermarket asking for donations around the holiday .
My help/donations to charity is year round.  

Just saying
xoxo CindySpice    

 

     
 It's been a topic I've become sensitive to recently.  
   
 And Cindy I appreciate your honest responses, even though we are speaking on "kinda" different sides of this issues.  I appreciate being able to post on this topic with you in this way.    
   
 I'll be honest, it's a little scary.  So many times I've seen threads turn into train wrecks over relatively silly stuff.  I would never want to be part of a discussion like that.  It is good to know we can discuss different viewpoints with respect and still be friends.  
   
   
   
 I hope.