I'll I'm new to this hobby and recently contact a provider that looked interesting to me. I informed her I was new and after talking for a little while she informed me what her rates are. The rates she provided me I came to find out later are significantly higher than the rates she advertises. Like I said I'm new and should have done my research before, but does this sound normal or is it a newbie mistake on my part?

Because in the old carnival days, when a rube came wandering onto the grounds with cash falling out of his pockets and a vacant look in his eyes, a carny would place a subtle "mark" on his back to let everyone else know he was ripe for plucking.

You've been marked, my friend.

A reputable provider won't take advantage of you just because you are new, although she may use it as an opportunity to boss you around a little. But this ocean is filled with less-than-reputables, so do your homework and don't count on the people you are paying to manage your money.

I consider myself an honest guy, and if you sat down at my poker table and said "take it easy on me, I'm new" - you are going home with nothing but newspaper wrapped around your waist, and cabfare if I'm feeling exceedingly generous.

New or not, you should have done your research on her prior to contacting her.  If she has reviews, her base rate, at least, is on her profile, although you do need VIP membership to see it.  If you don't have VIP, get it, it's worth it.  To have a profile, she must have either an ad on an ad site, or a personal website.  Rates are usually on the ad or her website.

IMHO, she was trying to take of advantage of you, probably figuring that if you had to ask for her rates, you had not looked at her ad or website.  OTOH, there are some providers that do put on their site that you must contact them for rates, which is very irritating in my book.  I would not see this provider, there are plenty of quality ones out there that will not treat you as she did.

Swim

The rate you pay (unless she is running a special) is the rate you see on her website. If her rate said 300 an hour, and she told you 4 on the phone....pass. Some women charge more for certain things like outcalls or greek...be sure what you want is in the "base rate."

Thanks everyone for the reply. A special thanks to you clarence37 for your cander! I actually experienced what you said today about a provider trying to "Boss you around". I contacted and escort who looked very interesting to me. After she asked for a provider reference, i give her a FBSM reference who has a lot of reviews, since that's the only reference I had, I also gave her my full name which I wouldn't normally do but she looks absolutely delicious, and my phone number. At this point I'm thinking I'm good, she then starts asking for my work information, I'm thinking WTF? Do you want my social security number as well? Needless to say I passed. I guess I need not look so gullible?

**Correction** More specifically she wanted to know if she could call me at my job.

but may include full name & a work phone if you don't have referances, especially...  it's for her protection to know you are who you say you are.  However, if you're not comfortable giving the information, don't.  Know that she likely won't see you...  but others may.  
Every provider has her own screening tricks (including Google, reverse phone look up, etc to know you are who you say).  
There are reliable professional screening services...   supposedly giving the screening info only once instead of multiple times.  

@harbor_view I respect that. Can't fault her for being safe.

Calling you at your job verifies that you do, in fact, work there.  This lessens the chance that you are LE.  More often than not, the provider will just ask for you, and when the operator forwards the call to your extension, she will hang up, as she now knows you do work there.  That's all she needs.

Swim