Reviews seem to be all over the place and it takes several to get a real sense of a lady and her performance/looks beyond the pics. That's obvious, but I wonder how other hobbyist approach ratings and donations? For instance, my rule of thumb is for a minimum of a 7/7 (which is the lowest I would see) would be 200; minimum 8/8- 250; minimum 9/9- 300. The sky is the limit above that, which is usually out of my league except in special cases. I saw that a lady with a 7 rating on a review getting 300. If a lady is a 7 appearance average but delivered a knockout performance would you do 300+? I guess that the longer I hobby I need a combo of appearance and performance above 8/8 in review average. I find that if I'm going to see someone regularly, her rating needs to be above 8.5. If you feel really comfortable with a lady, would the rating of appearance matter as much to you? I guess that I am surprised to find out that it still matters to me more than I expected it would. I have made very positive connections with ladies that I like but do not see because of appearance even though in several instances I could have given them a 10 performance. I'm interested in your thoughts- I've certainly noticed of late that the average donation for 8.5 and above is going up while others below that seem to remain the same. Maybe donation doesn't matter to many but I do try to stay on a budget with the hobby so that I can make 3 appts a month. I guess that the fantasy of a beautiful woman still holds more sway on me than I would have expected of myself before I started to hobby. I know that many different type of ladies appear beautiful to one guy but not the next, that is why I went with the average rating of several reviews over time.

Maybe certain ladies are just asking more because THEY can be more selective.  Is everyone paying the same as you, maybe some more and some less than you.  It may be just you that is paying more for some reason.  I am sure there are those that are paying more than you because you are a regular.  Many things come into play.  In the end, they hold the cards. You want to play, ante up.
Maybe as we get older, we should lower our standards or up our donations.  :- )

Ratings don't do anything for me, they are way out of whack with my standards; and by in large the standards of most guys I know. Seems to me guys too often let their opinions of appearance be swayed by the performance and/or their fucking confused feelings of "love", and vice-versa. If she was a 4 when she opened the door, she does not become a 9 because she sucked your dick while doing a handstand and told you she loves you.  

What most review writers call a 7 is a 5 in my book. I wouldn't give a 5 the time of day if I met her in a bar, and if I wouldn't even bag a chick in the parking lot of a shitty dive, I sure as hell am not going to offer her any incentives, except maybe to move the fuck out of the way so as not to block my view of all the hot ones.

Beyond letting me know that she's legit and "as advertised" I don't have a lot of use for reviews - they all think she came 20 times, they all think she really loves her job, they all think she truly likes them, and then they all insist that we "treat her right" because *add cliche here*. Blah. Most of these guys would get sprung off a pittbull if it humped their leg with enough affection.  

So no, the "rating" of her looks means jack shit to me. What I think of her looks, if photos are agreed to be accurate is what matters, and if I arrive to find a major discrepancy she can feel free to kiss my ass as I turn and exit if she so chooses.  

No amount of "options" can make up for a troll in a dress. Would you do Betty White for $300 if she offered every acronym in the hobby manual? I don't think so. If she offered ME $300 I might let her rub my back if I'm feeling generous...but she'd have to tell me some good jokes.  

On the flip side, I've walked into a room with a girl who had enigmatic scores - mostly on the down side - and had a break-bed call-the-fire-department fuck fling that trumped anything that had ever been written about her. I took that plunge because she was THAT fine, and well, I'm shallow like that. I want to fuck pretty girls and so I do, and don't waste my time otherwise.

What will I pay? It has everything to do with how badly I want to fuck her at that moment and nothing to do with anything else. Yeah, I'm highly suggestable.  

Frankly, a number of the girls I've met via P4P, had I met them under different circumstances, I probably could have fucked for "free" - and I use "free" very losely because it is NEVER really "free" - but you get my point. Because the thing is, P4P is a matter of convenience for me, always, and in the right moment, in a pinch, with my mind in the right (er...wrong) place, who knows what I'd pay for some ass?!? The figure is high, because I want what I want when I want it and don't give a FUCK what it takes to get it - that always costs.

I sometimes regret the choice, but I never regret being a slave to my vices - it keeps life interesting.  

The other part of it is that I'm not a guy that watches shows at their scheduled times, I use on-demand - for all things in life. Most of the girls who hit the ceiling with their scores aren't the ones who you can call up on a whim, thus I'm restricted by being the breezy type that I am.

I'm sure I've paid $300 for a chick you probably wouldn't throw a crumpled franklin at while running out the door screaming, and at the same time probably wouldn't fuck some of the girls you think are a 10 if they paid me. We all have our moments.    

The first is the no frills, non-GFE providers.  Here, appearance is very big because these are girls I see for half hour appointments and when I'm done, it is time to clean up and go.  This is not to say other things don't matter; I've met some quite pleasant girls with nice personalities who are in this category.

The second is the GFE type providers.  I'm still very interested in appearance but I'm also looking for a more open menu and how well she handles the business side of things.  If during the session we also can get along and enjoy each other's company then the odds go up that I will keep trying to see her.

You're a wise man.
This response is so accurate and such food for thought for some.