There was a post today about rates and I thought I'd add in my thoughts.

I have talked to a few girls that have seen a drop in business. Some of them run specials to make up for it. Unlike some gusy, I'm pretty rate sensitive.

If I see a girl I like but her rate is too high, I don't call and try to negotiate. I assume that each business sets prices where that are for a reason (Rolex vs. Seiko)

Some girls have dropped rates or have run specials to get more business or meet new clients. IMHO this is a smart move as $$ in hand is way better than the potnetial $$$$ that never calls.

Another point for the boys is to stay active. Maybe $$$$ is no longer in your budget but something else could be. I have found that by being easy to screen, some ladies are happy to offer a lower rate or approve me quickly for a special.

I guess the point is if a provider indicates that rates are not set in stone and you have a rick solid reputation, a discussion of rates should not be a show stopper. I recently paid my usual rate for more time and I think that worked out great for both of us. A credible provider and a credible client should be able to discuss options. Do you think that Tiffany's never negotiates price with DeBeers for diamonds? I guess that they do.

I don't like discussing - much less negotiating - rates. I have had to cut back on hobbying. I have reduced the number of times I partake on average per month. And I have been seeing girls who set their rates, or offer specials, under $$$. This is what's working for me these days, and I don't have to get into asking for discounts.

I don't negotiate but I do verify specials.

Just makes me uncomfortable.  I do look at the various rates ladies post and am puzzled by the position some of them take on that given the state of the economy.  However, it's their call.  Other ladies are showing more flexibility with lower rates, specials, or other ways to provide improved service.  I have to say that makes sense to me.

Once again.  It comes down to why should a girl change her rates?

Do you go to a restaurant and try and talk them down on their menu prices?

I think the girls should stick with the rates they have and not offer a discount.  IMHO. I think it demeans them.  If a lady thinks she was worth $$$$ a couple of years ago shouldn't she still be worth as much.  These women are not cars where they depreciate in value as the times and economy dictate.  

You providers need to hold yourself in a higher light.  If a guy wants to see a $$$ or a $$$$$ girl he will make it happen.  Its that simple.  

My favorite is a $$$$$$ girl and i make the payment when ever I can.  One reason is my business is not affected by the economy.  So i am going to continue my spending.  Some of the guys know better also.  They just want a fucking break.  Stop being so cheap.  If you and your favorite work something out good for you.  but don't expect all girls to do it.

So you think the ladies should just ignore economics and keep their rates the same even if it costs them business and income?  Where's the logic in that?  They are, after all, still running a business.

I recently saw a lady in the $$$$ hour range, for 2 hours. I typically will never go that high, but considering the girls reviews and the incredible time she showed me for those 2 hours, I do not have any complaints. I am not rich and hobby only when I can afford it and when I can I usually try to shoot for quality. In  my opinion, it should not be about the economy that everybody is whining about, let the lady set her rates, it is after all her business. Have the decency to let her run it her way. If she is worth it, her business will obviously prosper. If not, then her reviews will reflect that as well and her buisness will suffer.

As far as the hobbyist goes, are you getting the quality of service to be expected for the dollars that you are dropping? If not there are plenty of providers out there, just look around. Yes the economy sucks, deal with it the  best way you can. But whining about the cost of services portrays you as a rather immature whining child. Having spent my youth working in retail and dealing with petty customers trying to negotiate on prices for goods that I had no control over their prices generally pissed me off. Its unprofessional, especially when several ladies on their websites specify that their rates are non-negotiable.

The lady I dropped eight bills on last week, at the end of our time together I told her that she was incredible, worth every penny but that I probably would'nt repeat due too her price point. I was honest, yet at the same time I complimented on her obvious skills as a $$$$ provider. Who knows, she may drop her price point for those who act professional and treat her as something other than a McDonalds Happy meal. If not well I am just glad I spent a couple of quality hours with a great gal.

Why should a provider change her rates? Supply and demand.  

Let's say that in a good economy the average hobbyist spends $300 every month for a provider, but they can only afford $200 per month in a poor economy.  In this situation, a decent number of people will decide to start seeing providers with a lower donation (your assumption that a hobbyist will "make it happen" no matter the price is not borne out in reality).  In this example, that translates to more than a 1/3 drop in income for girls that charge $300/hr (for the hobbyists that do save up, it takes 33% longer than usual, while others will stop seeing $300/hr providers altogether).  

To try to maintain her pre-recession income, a provider might have to offer specials and/or a lower rate to accommodate people on a budget below her normal donation.   That is why I think you are way off base when you say having specials or altering rates is demeaning.  Oh, and it certainly doesn't mean that a provider has "depreciated" in value.  Frankly, talking about rates in terms of "value" is what sounds demeaning.

That said, I just assume that when a rate is posted the girl has figured out that is what works for her so I don't try to negotiate.  That wastes her time and mine-plus it seems insulting (although like Riley, I feel it is appropriate to confirm specials).

Stop to the Ferrari dealer tomorrow and ask if they can lower the price because of the economy...guess what they will kick me out since in the first 3 months of 2009 they recorded record sales....stop using the economy as an excuse to pay less all in all is not that bad..the pricier ladies in Minneapolis are booked most of the time. If you have managed to keep your job I guess you are still paid the same money as before the downturn so what is the big deal???

Rates are up to the lady, it is that simple.  If I had to cut back on my hobby spending, I would not cut quality and I would not negotiate a cheaper rate.  I feel that would destroy the session for me, and her performance would have be affected.  I would have to simply space my visits out a little more.

If a special is to be offered, great, if not that is OK too.  Rates are her at her discretion, how often I visit is my discretion.  The lady is the only one that knows her situation.

I as much as any man on here would to get $$$$ service for $, but it is just not going to happen.

Why do we keep having these threads?

As usual JMHO

BLG

BLG wrote
"Why do we keep having these threads?"

This is the real question here.

No matter how or what the individual hobbyist or provider says or feels. This topic always ends in the provider will charge what their business model dictates, and a hobbyist will pay what they will pay.
Which is the way that it should be.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I picked up the phone and called a provider who wasn't offering a special.  The reality is that the economy sucks, and it sucks for the vast majority of us.

Personally, I don't ever haggle over price, but I DO NOT call providers that are still asking for $$$/hour.  When my home value is back up to 2006 levels, I'll be happy to pay 2006 prices for companionship.  Until then, I'll troll the bargain bin for gems.

While its nice that some guys here are still buying Ferraris, its hard to make a living off of one sale a year.

Some guys have said that they won't go to a lower priced girl, they'll just go less often. This is exactly what the providers have been telling me is happening.

Now, imagine your business is based on 10 sales a week and now you're only making 5 sales a week. Your industry is very price conscious. Why wouldn't you try some things like Sofie mentioned to get your revenue back closer to where it was?

We all know that there is huge range of variety of tastes in this business. Some guys like a rub and tug while others aren't happy unless the girl brings out a strap-on and a bull whip. The CA boards have sections for guys seeking Street Walker action and those guys live for the deal. Negotiating is part of the thrill.

So while some here are still lighting cigars with $100 bills, the vast majority of us have cut back in one way or another.

To each thier own but I'm with the guy that hasn't booked with a provider not offering a special. I suggest that struggling providers take note. For girls turning away dates, please ignore this entire thread.

...you know, because of the rotten economy. "Yea, and I'll see you in HELL!!!" he growled back. Next, I asked my doctor the same thing. She laughed and scheduled me for anal reduction surgery next week! Yow!

Like Riley and others, I wouldn't try to negotiate a lower rate with a provider. I trust that she's smart enough to make her own business decisions and I just won't call her if her rates are too high for me. I feel that doing so would be rude and low class. It seems to me that just a couple or three years ago the going hourly rate was around $350 and some $360 and more. A typical rate is now around $300 and often lower with many offering significant extended time discounts. I think most providers are already in touch with the existing economic situation.

I'm glad that we have these ongoing dicussions about rates and stuff. It's better that we do this in a separate thread than when someone feels they need to hijack a visiting provider's thread and advise her that her rates are higher than the going local rate. I share the collective cringe of the embarassment of this board whenever that happens and I hope that newbies will take note.

You can make the argument that all providers should lower their rates for the existing economy, but the fact is, if they can get whatever they are asking, whether low or high, why should they change?  

A Cadillic did not drop 40% in price over the past 3 years, nor did a Chevy or a Kia.  Sure, they may offer some discounts but the sticker price remains the same.  If you can't afford a Cadillac anymore, you can't bitch because the price didn't change. The adjustment has to be made on the consumer's side.

Of course, all US automakers are going into bankruptcy so there goes my argument out the window...  Pay for what you can afford or save up to splurge.  Times are tough for everyone.

First off, I am not using the economy as an excuse to pay less.  I was merely trying to explain to Blackjack6 (who seems to have his head in the clouds in regards to some issues) some of the reasoning behind lowering prices.  I wouldn’t say that is making a big deal of anything, just discussing the issue.  

Anyway, I’ll just point out that keeping your job and being paid the same doesn’t necessarily ensure a steady “hobby budget.”  The lack of business growth and lowered profits can lead to a freeze in bonuses and/or wage increases (and less money directly in your pocket for business owners).  I think the point that a lot of people are trying to make is that when this happens on a large scale, providers have to be aware of this and evaluate whether or not having a high rate maximizes their income.  I don’t recall anyone saying that it would be appropriate to ask a provider to lower her rate though.


-- Modified on 4/10/2009 2:07:55 PM

Car and truck prices are way, way down.  There are many 4 wheel deals to be had as a result of this economy.

I'm not pointing out any specific provider here, nor am I trying to tell any provider what to charge, but I AM suggesting that my fellow mongers, who are also cash-poor, might want to hold out for specials.

If a provider is getting enough volume at $$$ or more, and/or enough volume with a 2 hour first session requirement....good for them!  But I suspect there are fewer and fewer providers that fall under that category.

Specials and revised rates are the order of the day for many of us hobbyists.  No worries though, I am sure that most providers will be happy to raise their rates when the  economy turns around!

LMAO.. Ya, my attorney would bill me his $500/hour + expenses for the response letter telling me to Go To Hell.

I do agree, the rate crap in a ladies ad has to stop.  They only get 1 per week, and it is just rude.

Yes, again this is JMHO

BLG

Because people want to talk about it.  So long as we steer clear of doing it in a lady's ad, what's the problem?  Yes, so it's not a new topic.  Neither are most of the threads here.  People talk about the price of everything so why should this be any different?

Yes, it boils down to the ladies will charge what they want and the guys will decide if they want to pay it.  That doesn't mean the discussion won't provide something useful to some of the people who read it.

"It's better that we do this in a separate thread than when someone feels they need to hijack a visiting provider's thread and advise her that her rates are higher than the going local rate. I share the collective cringe of the embarassment of this board whenever that happens and I hope that newbies will take note."



"...the rate crap in a ladies ad has to stop.  They only get 1 per week, and it is just rude."

I agree. What gets into these guy's heads that they make the assumption that they are in the position to speak for the whole hobbying community in the TC area?
I think what happens is, say a provider announces a visit for, say hypothetically, a grand an hour. A guy sees her pics, gets interested, sees her rates, knows he'll never go that high, and feels that he has to say something out of resentment over the fact that she just made herself unavailable to him by setting her rates at that level.

But what he doesn't realize is, despite the fact that he has the need to point out to her her apparent lack of judgement for her decision to be a grand-an-hour-provider, its all for naught. Because there is no such thing as a grand-an-hour provider, or a 500-an-hour provider, or even 100-an-hour provider.

There ARE, however, such things as grand-an-hour clients, 500-an-hour clients, 100-an-hour clients, etc....

None of us can tell how much the stranger next to us is willing to pay to spend some time with a certain someone.

So when someone hijacks a thread, he's just showing his lack of understanding of this. And yeah, the rest of us cringe in embarassment.

Sorry, I don't post here very often, and this post is a bit off the original topic of the thread, but I just had to get that off my chest.

Price negotiation is an art form. The majority of people who say they never negotiate because they consider it beneath them- bullshit. The real reason is negotiation makes them feel uncomfortable because they are timid or are simply no good at it. ANYTHING can be negotiated by a pro negotiator without raising the hackles of the seller.

Well, I never negotiate/haggle when it comes to rates, with providers.  What is posted is what I would pay.  No questions asked.  

However, I simply don't consider providers whose business models allows them to charge more than I am willing to pay.  Simple as that.  

Ultimately, it is all a matter of supply and demand.  If the demand is there, why would they lower their rates ?  However, if the demand has dried up under these adverse economic conditions, and they continue to charge their old rates, sooner or later they will have to alter their business model (lower rates for more volume or provide more duration for current rates) or be compelled to move onto some other activity.  JMHO.