Fellow hobbyists and providers, I need your advice.  A favorite provider of mine just started advertising and I see that her rates on her new ad is slightly cheaper than the rate for which I have seen her.

What do I do?  Is there a polite way to ask that she charge me the rate on her ad? Should I keep my mouth shut?  This woman is a great person and a great provider. The last thing I want to do is upset her or make things awkward.  Am I a jerk for wanting to be charged the rate on her ad?  Again, this woman is a great person and a great provider, so please do not interpret this as me coming on here and complaining and whining about her. I'm honestly seeking advice and feedback from more experienced people about how to proceed without being an asshole to this woman.

but now you know that you're NOT a favorite client of hers...sorry

If you see her again let her know before the session that you saw her ad and just want to "confirm" that the new rate is XXX.

If she balks...run...run very fast.

This is simply a business...conduct yourself accordingly.  Would you pay $ 1 a gallon more if the station across the street is selling it for the $ 1 a gallon less?

You don't owe her anything...except the donation in her ad/site.  And if she plans on jacking you up for more, and you go along with that, you better examine why you're here in the first place.

So, are you saying that you saw her, and later saw that she had a different rate on her new ad? It is possible that she is running specials(it's a holiday weekend, & some ladies run specials during holidays). Or, it is possible she posted the ad after your appointment? Or was it there prior to the appointment, and you're wondering why she did not inform you of the cheaper rate?

...you more than a stranger who she's never seen before?  Listen to CPA - he may seem cold and purely about business but if you think about it, that's what your "favorite" is doing.  This is a business to her; if she can get one client to pay more than another for the same product, why wouldn't she do it.

Giving her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she forgot to tell you about the lower rates but it's more likely that she thinks you won't look at her website since you're already a steady customer.  Mention it to her!

Thanks for the advice, guys, and just to clarify, she just recently started advertising.  To answer Nikkey's question, this is a brand new ad that has been posted after my last appointment with her.

If I see her again, I will ask her in a kind and respectful way if I will be charged the rate in her advertisement.  If she insists on charging me the previous rate, I will kindly and respectfully decline, but I will be disappointed, though, because this woman has treated me like a king in my appointments with her, but as CPA said, this is business.....

Indeed this is a business...if her new rate is much cheaper, you should mention it...however you said her new  rate is "slightly "cheaper... slightly how? Like 50 bucks ?you said she treats you like a king...well does it worth it to lose your king " status" for 50 bucks? With the title comes some class obligation...

if you choose carefully. So I disagree with the previous post. Ask about the rates. If she gets pissy, just move on down the road. Yes, I know it can be a pain to find another provider who makes you feel like a "king", however, trust me they're out there.

There's a term "grandfathering" used in the hobby, it usually means keeping a client at a lower rate after a provider has raised rates.
Your situation gives new meaning to "grandfathering" and not in a good way

Grandfathering....I hear you..ha ha it reminds me when Chase Bank converted my grandfathered WaMu free checking  to Chase Extra paying Checking. I just left...for $10 a month...I guess I'm not that king! In this case my cock was not involved...but  my ass was, and I don't like it in my butt!