... if the day is seized for all it is worth!  

..."suck out all the marrow of life", as H. D. Thoreau says.

is when i have an experience that so far exceeds any fair expectation i may have had that "value" becomes irrelevant.  in other words, i value feeling that i have truly experienced with a provider an encounter--no matter how long, but usually the longer the better--i do not believe can be duplicated.  (this has nothing to do with the essential "sameness" of most physical acts.)  or in yet other words, i experience value when the connection i experience is "real" for me, at least, if not both.  so . . .
practically speaking, the more open the menu, the less constricted the experience.
so, finally, i have valued a fair number of providers the past 8 years; and i value you, kate.  

when discussing the value of my adventures within this hobby. For Example:  

On two separate occasions, I have seen two different providers who just happened to command significantly less (blank) then I am used to. Both times I was brought to my final destination in an efficient and speedy fashion. However, I would not see either of them again. Why? Because the journey wasn't very memorable. I can get to THAT place by myself, for zero (I forget).

On the other hand. I have had many adventures that were at least 20 times more (whatever). These experiences were and ARE burned into my memory as some of the absolute best times of my life. On these 2nd examples, the path traveled was far more important then the final outcome. Adventures of this nature I will seek out and repeat as often as I am able.  

I guess, for me, the short answer is: The journey is way more important than the destination!!! I can't even compare these two examples in terms of value. I am certain that others disagree with my POV. To each their own.

YMMV.

PS. Oops - I didn't answer the OP's question about menu, scheduling and duration. All three are important, but longer duration is a common component in my most memorable experiences. However, mutually shared chemistry is not mentioned - This is by far and away my most VALUED ingredient.

                                                               

-- Modified on 6/30/2014 1:19:30 PM

more to come

I know there are many different rates out there, but $350 seems fairly common. Using that amount, $350.00 will pay for each of the following in my simple lifestyle:

1 month mortgage payment plus one viagra
Heat and electricity for the past December, January and February combined.
Auto insurance for 6 months on two vehicles (one fully covered, the other liability) plus 1/2 a viagra
3 years of trash/recycling, plus one viagra
10 tanks of gas for my car
3 tanks of gas for my truck
17 Friday nights out with friends
Live stock feed for half a year

I guess what all this means is that when I spend time with a lady I value it greatly. The ladies I have met in that price range (give or take $50) have so far offered me better value on my money than two dates with those who charge half

Earlier in my "career" I usually did 30 or 60 minutes (depending on whether the provider was GFE or not).  These days, I have found 90 minutes with a GFE provider leaves me feeling the most satisfied even though I could have 2-3 sessions with a low priced provider for the same amount of money.  I aim to find a provider whose company I enjoy for the entire time we are together and it becomes a quasi-relationship for those 90 minutes; we can just pick up where we left off the next time.  Physically, the sensations are stronger as we have spent enough time together to be more comfortable and relaxed with one another.

Higher is it many expect less no's to what do you/allow/like and maybe you'd be easier to book with since lower costs usually attracts more customers.

Value means different things to everyone, but i'll try to give my opinion.  

Duration;  A good value should be the full time agreed to.  This time should include any pre or post session clean up the hobbyist my require.  One exception is if the client is late then it would be understandable for the session to be shortened a bit.    

Service Menu;  All providers have limitations to their menu.  I prefer the provider to be up front on what will of will not be allowed.  But if your menu is very limited, then your rates should be below the  average market rates in your area.  

Ease of Scheduling;  This is a big one for me.  Nothing is more frustrating than waiting for a reply.  All appointment request should be answered within 24 hours (taking additional time on holidays is acceptable).  Even if the request for appointment is turned down, the hobbyist should receive an answer.  

I hope this helps.

When you could walk into the relax a lounge.    Pick your girl. And relax.

  At one time had a list of coded activities on a chalk board.

  One of my favorite girls was a waitress during the day.  I know because she would serve me breakfast

  And the price..... Way more reasonable  then today.  All things considered .

wow - when you put it that way you make some of these girls sound so expensive - they really aren't but if you really think about it.....

Oh yes!!!  What a memory.  Great place to relax.  Thanks for reminding me.

...to make a coherent reply.  

It's not insignificant that the terms "GFE" and "menu" are essentially opposites.  Still, I peruse menus to find the woman who will be GGG and present and playful and enjoys herself, because most of those things are necessary for me to enjoy myself too.  There is no value without those things.

In real terms, I find it very hard to justify the money I spend hobbying.  My experience is similar to everyone else's -- some good, some bad.  I enjoy most of the women I meet, but at least half the time the "value for money" is not great.  

I wish I had a rural budget but I don't -- so here's my yardstick:  $350 will get me most of an air ticket to visit my child at school.  I try not to use that measure, because the hour with the provider will almost never match up.  On Friday, after paying $300, my beautiful, sexy new friend remarked that we had 15 minutes left and I knew that I had wasted my money again.

And then rarely, I meet someone who is engaged enough in the moment, easy enough in her own identity, that the encounter is hot, simple and fulfilling.  Like the wonderful East African woman who I could call on a whim, and if she was available, be round there in 20 minutes, drop the envelope, move slowly to the bedroom and enjoy each other generously, hard or soft, until we were finished.  Menus or clocks were nowhere to be found.  

So that's what I hope for, I think -- someone (an encounter) I value enough to see again.   And I look and look, with some optimism, a perpetual hard on and a smile, at least when I walk in the door.  But I know I should be buying a plane ticket instead.  L

"And then rarely, I meet someone who is engaged enough in the moment, easy enough in her own identity, that the encounter is hot, simple and fulfilling." for me Lockstock- that says it all.  I ask for what I feel comfortable with and I don't pay attention to what others do. If someone gets the impression by what I ask that it may be a lower level of service, well  I believe they are pleasantly surprised and heck most of the time I am also pleasantly surprised haha. If they get the impression that I am lower level of service and never contact me-so be it, its ok too. I think I get that I get what you are asking lovely Katherine, but then again, I'm a simple gal, not simple minded, just simple- so maybe I don't even fit into this thread at all, but I find it interesting and respect all of the other opinions, to each their own, different strokes for different folks- geez that reminds me of that show-ugh! anyway, Peace and Love, J. xxoo

Some of us have a great deal of disposable income, some of us do not.
Some of us will seek a price point so that we can hobby once every month or two, some will seek a price where we can hobby twice per week.
$300 at least requires perfect cleanliness, safety, discretion.

Given how hard it is to schedule, any price requires reliable fast responses to communications about meetings.  Any delay or no-show dramatically decreases a provider's value because it is often a lost opportunity for a wonderful time.

And then value goes the other way too.
How much does a provider require  
    to make it worthwhile to see an obnoxious, unclean client?
    to attract new clients or retain regulars?
    for the extra material costs for rooms, equipment?

Competition I think has little to do with it unless one has very special needs.  There are many providers of most kinds providing most services.  
Finally, there is novelty. Some clients do pay for novelty most just naturally move on after a while--perhaps the end of a LTR can be put off by some discounting but who knows

Couple of things for me...as a Non-FS hobbyist...

1. I will see a FS provider at her normal rate or if she is running special...just to get to know them and they know me...after that first session, if we hit it off...I will gently discuss what a French Lesson, DFK and DATY only in a session is worth to them and if they are interested in something like that...

2. FBSM providers that provide what I am looking for, (love those juicy detail), are typical IMHO, are a great value in the $140-$220 range...the time element of this type of service is not that important to me, as long as that time is intimate and hot...from 30 to 60 minutes

3. Some FS providers are now providing a FBSM type session with the extras that I am looking for...this has given me an opportunity to see them for less than their FS rate...these providers are typically in the $250 to $350 or more for the FS hour...the key here is they lesson their rate based on services provided verses time...for me this is wonderful...

4. My goal (s), is to have a few of these providers, (FS and FBSM), that I like and they like me; to get to the point, I can schedule a BNG, (blow and go) on short notice...this session is typically from 30-60 minutes and worth $140-$200 IMHO...

All of the above is subjective to how a provider determines their time verses services...I have no animosity towards providers where time is time and NOT service dependent...I get that and respect their preferences...
thanks
Kra

My average rating for the Bloomington Asian gals I've met is probably 7.5/looks and 7.9/performance at $200/hour.  So if you compare the ratings of other escorts I would like to see and the price they charge, I would be difficult to find any that would equal the value of the Bloomington Asians.  

If Poppy is a 10 and 10, using the BlA calculator her price point would have to be $260/hr to have equal value.  10/7.7=1.3x200=260

Katherine Astor, going by her first page of reviews, would need to come in at about $230.

Obviously an imperfect system but I'm really glad the BlA's are around.

Not sure if this answers the question but:

Value for me means I got what I came for and expected.  If I want a blow-n-go and that's what I got, 100% value.  If I wanted a full-hour GFE and got a blow-n-go, not so much.

So to answer: (I'll try to be brief)

Duration:

If I sched an hour, please give me that hour of your undivided, engaged attention.  No phones, TVs etc during the session and allow me that full hour.  That should include shower(s)/prep etc if that's available, but one hour means one hour.  

Menu:

Please let me know at least the basics of the menu.  I'm not super picky and prefer to work within the lady's comfort zone as it tends to make a better session, but if I pay for a PSE and get a HJ, I'm not going to be happy.

Scheduling:

I haven't had much trouble with scheduling, but:

Emails:  Don't say you're going to answer them right away, then answer 3 days later and...  If you don't check them, don't put them in your ad!

Voice mails:  Same.  If your mailbox is full, I move on because there's very little chance you're going to call me back.

Lead time:  Please state the amount of lead time you need.  24/7 is great, but 24/7, please give me 1 hour prior to the appointment is better.  I'd rather you not be rushed, but if you want 24 hours, I'd like to know that so I don't try for something sooner.

References:  Be reasonable please.  Discretion is key on both sides as we both have something to lose, but I'm not giving you my home address and phone number, my license plate number or a photo.  I've been on one too many visit where client info was on a notepad in clear view.

Oh and if you ask for references, be prepared to provide a reference, even if it's only a TER whitelisting saying "I saw the guy, he's kosher" that's a value add right there.

Hopefully that answers the question in some way, but bottom line is that if I get what I expected to get, it's a decent value in my eyes.  If I get a surprise, not so much

The menus in town are diverse and to some extent determine longevity and marketing niche.
DIY is the most inexplicable to me--but apparently some women have a price point, appearance and patter to compete in this but it does not seem to me that they last very long.

Then, beyond BJ, there are the non-FS total erotic encounter (I won't name names but many clients have fond memories of the still-working provider who introduced this session type to the area. She now has imitators who have added various twists--more greek for example. However she is still doing very well because she is such a wonderful human being.

Then there are specialists in uncommon arts. Many providers won't go there. They survive.

Your point (In other words, competition makes it difficult for most providers to generate strong growth and profits over an extended period of time since any advantage is always at risk of imitation.)  is true for the clients who see a session as a simple business transaction for service.  But a provider also makes "chemistry" available and that elusive quality is the real economic moat for extended periods of time for the clients who seek it and are not too jaded to realize when it is there.

One of the beauties of an agency like the BlA is the amount of "strange" they provide.  A new average girl for me is still far more exciting then an outstanding repeat.  Sure, with the repeate I'll have a good time, but it's one less notch on the bed post.

Assumption one hour
BA rate=  $A  
Performance score correction factor   7 or less =1, 8=1.1, 9=1.3, 10=1.5  
Menu correction factor: Anal, strong SM,  1.3
Independent (vs spa) correction factor 1.2

Hobbyist 1: if A=200  Seeks an independent (x1.2) with a score of 8 (1.1). Session rate would be $264 (excluding lucky TOFTT). If hobbyist has $300 per month available, frequency rate at that quality would be every 26 days.

Hobbyist 2;  Seeks scores of 10 from independent provider.  A rate =200.  Performance correction of rate = 1.5.  Independent correction of 1.2. Therefore hour session rate of $360.  If hobbyist has $500 per month available, frequency rate at that quality would be every 18 days.

Hobbyist 3:  Seeks scores of 9 with anal from an independent.  A rate =200.  Performance correction of rate = 1.3 hour.  independent correction 1.2 Menu correction 1.3  Therefore session rate of $405.  

Of course all this assumes that hobbyists think with the left side of their big heads

END OF MESSAGE

Reading all the fine replies to Katherine's original question.  Spendingtime has it all in verbiage and I agree.  Also other replies were well composed.  Thanks everyone, especially Katherine for the starting point.

While price point is a consideration it doesn't determine value. I don't walk in with a list of things I need to do, so menu doesn't determine value. For me, if I walk out of a session with a smile on my face thinking I need to see her again I found good value. If I walk out thinking that was fun but I payed an awful lot for that, the value wasn't there for me.

This whole thread is so interesting to me, I love that you talk about the difference between value and expense.  
I understand what you mean about "taking away something if you would miss it when it's gone"..  

It gets me thinking of risk/reward For instance I would never think my vagina, breasts, legs and ass  
and getting to caress, lick and be inside of them are worth a mere 300 dollars  

That being said: getting to know who I am as a person, my sense of empathy, intuition, humor and all that makes up my personality is also worth a lot more. So that's one thing women have to consider when they put a price on their time. Those of us who have a healthy respect for ourselves are simply not going to try to be a bargain. We all feel unique in what we have to offer.  
          Then I consider risk, humiliation of getting publicly outed, arrested or endangering my health...  
(all of which is of some danger of no matter how cautious we are) and I then think there is an element of  
"there's not enough money in the world" so as a women in this industry I weigh these thoughts, life is full of checks and balances and that's how I view the risk reward -price/payoff  
I love any kind of topic that offers some insight into our thoughts & why we do the things we do.
       
  I consider each visit with my trusted friends extremely valuable, for the feelings that I get during these times, for the stories I listen to,the laughs we share, and the thought that we brightened each other's day.

               When someone new reaches out to me I put a great deal of value: on them offering me my requested screening requirements right away. (that be as simple as reading my auto reply & answering as many of the questions as possible)
I place value on understanding, and above all else honesty.
  So there's some thoughts of mine. Thank you Katherine for starting such a thought provoking topic, your such an intelligent  lady. (I also value learning.)  


-- Modified on 7/1/2014 3:27:50 PM

END OF MESSAGE

You can find them at the library. Written by a brilliant U of C Economics Professor. He looks at the economics of day to day things. In both books, but particularly Super he deals with prostitution. An interesting case regarding a Chicago escort Allie, is discussed. How she got in the business. It talks about when she raised her price, business went up.

It's a fun read unlike most Econ books.

Your monthly mortgage is around $350?  I'm moving to Minnesota.

From what I have read or seen the bloomington asians are meh but yah guys love them because they are a great value. Now if Poppy or Katherine were at 250 an hour no one would ever be able to get ahold of them as they would be by far the most popular girls in the state. I have seen some girls have been lowering there rates a few times on ad boards because they jumped up too high too quick (they are somewhat new). You do what you think you can get but if no guys are willing to pay your price you make it more reasonable.

...for each of those months. I need to conserve more, I guess...    

END OF MESSAGE

The house is very small.
Electric heat keeps the place 45 degrees when I'm not there; wood makes up the most of my heat. I have enough acreage to supply wood forever.
Last month my electric bill was $15.00

In speaking for myself. I find the "value" is a combination of many different things.  
When I'm ready to try meeting someone new, I look at certain set of combinations and when I've seen someone before, I may look at another set of combinations.

Usually when it will be the 1st time, I look at things like duration, price, menu, reviews and pictures. I'm looking for someone I'm physically attracted to, people say their encounters have been fun and the price range is around "market value" for the menu provided. The value in this initial meeting for me is that I received what I expected and that both parties were smiling when we parted ways.

Once I've met a person, the combinations change. I look more at chemistry, honesty and response along with the menu. Seeing as how I've seen them already, the reviews and physical appearance hold little value anymore.  
The chemistry must have been there the 1st time since I'm coming back, but I value it becoming more apparent. I'm looking for a more personal response and not a simple "I have a 10am tomorrow for 1hr at $xxx".  
And honesty is important to me. I know it seems like an oxymoron. "Honesty" is something that seems out of place. In the hobby people have to hide their real identities, and some may have to hide their actions from friends and family. But there should be some honesty in the relationship. And yes I called it a relationship. Because that is what it has become in some sort of fashion. Maybe I'm too sensitive, but I don't understand why people need to be dishonest besides the obvious safety items. If you can't make an appointment, don't make up a story. If you want someone to come back again, be honest and just say it, don't make it some elaborate "lip service". People need to understand lying begets more lying and soon enough the lies don't match. This is my hardest part to swallow in this hobby. Maybe for this reason I don't belong in the hobby.
The menu of course has to be a defining category. But for me, the menu is simple and a variable menu is a higher value for me. Not saying a larger menu, but one that is fluid. Maybe one day it's a lot of action in an hour, and another time it is more conversation, caressing and ending in a mutual oral delight for a longer date.  
I hope this makes sense, it just all of a sudden sounded like a lot of rambling. LOL
I guess in short I'm trying to say, "Value" is a culmination of many different things for me.
(None of the above statements are directed at anyone personally and not meant to clump everyone in one general profile. Just observations over my time here).

Every provider-hobbyist combination has its own unique dynamic in my opinion although the differences may be small.  Two providers who are similar in appearance, menu, rate, and general competence at running their business may end up having significantly different sets of regulars because of relatively small differences in their physical appearance, sexual practices, overall personality, etc.  How all that combines with any given hobbyists preferences, both conscious and unconscious, can be difficult to predict but so long as she continues to do what made her successful in the first place, she stands an excellent chance of continuing to be successful, subject of course to the influence of external events such as the state of the economy, etc.

What a compliment dear Katherine, I'd love to check out your "staying power" in person someday, it would be an honor..thanks dear. J. xxox