When looking at rates, do men associate a provider below market value to be less-quality? More concern regarding it being a scam?

Providers, when setting your rates, what do you take in to consideration?

I'm in the last phases of finally completing my site (after doing two months of research and lurking on the boards) and am debating on the rates. Some items I'm taking in to consideration:

1) I plan on starting out with outcall only
2) I'm an attractive BBW (a petite one, but, one no less)
3) Obviously I'm just starting out and have no client base

For Los Angeles, it seems 400/hr is the mean. For BBWs 260-300. Would 275/hr be logical?

If I price too low, it seems to be a bad reflection of the quality of service I offer. I've read reviews on girls that price significantly lower, and it seems they aren't worth even that tag. Versus girls that charge slightly higher and are worth every penny.

Apologies for the uber-long post.

but even that is not a 100% given.

Sometime Asian gals charge a bit more, but that is not always true either.

More often than not, gals at the lower price level give as good satisfaction as gals at higher levels.

Whether someone lives in an expensive area such as NYC or LA versus less expensive areas is a factor.

In any case, you should price at a level where you feel comfortable with what you charge.

$275/hr would seem to be more than fair.

I definetly noted the difference in regional pricing.

You mentioned age. I'm assuming being younger being a negative rather than a positive?

Being new, you will need to attract clients in order to establish a clientle.  $275 seems logical but you might want to offer some type of incentive, say for TER members, or dates prior to 4 pm.  The incentive is not for the guy to write a review, although you hope they do, but to get started.  Do not offer a discount for a guy to write a review because that is not acceptable (buying a review).

Also, you need to post frequently on your regional board to get guy's attention.  Good luck to you.

It's worth exactly what someone else is willing to pay for it.

Set your rate at what you think men in your area are willing to pay.  If you get so many requests for appointments that you have to turn down business, consider raising them.  If your phone is silent, consider lowering them.

You should pice your services at market rate...  probably not lowest but highest either.  You can offer "Specials" as intro to get started.  You might want to offer a special say to 250 but no lower.  
The biggest thing is to give good service...

WHY BBWs would price their time and services at almost half of going rate.

Let me see if this makes sense.

There are men who are attracted to petite asian spinners.  They will consider 500/h fair fee for a date with such lady.

These men are not attracted to 6 feet tall readheads, or 200lb blondes, or etc etc etc

So if a 200lb blonde runs 150/h special, would these guys see her?  NO WAY!  And the ones who will, won't be the best date ever.  They will go into session with "she is not my type but i had to bust a nut and the price was right" attitude.

Thus, to say that "type A" should be setting rates x times lower or higher than "type B" is not supported by the market in general ..  just by those who prefer type A or type B.


Lina

Just from the totally unscientific study where I've had conversations with my male friends over the years, it seems that the percentage of guys going for the hot young blond is higher than the bigger gal.  Applying the economic supply/demand curve model, since demand is lower, price will drop to find equilibrium.

That's not a value judgment, but an exercise in my geekitude.  

which is a bit off to me as gals get better at erotic arts as they gain experience.

But men being visually driven tend to bid up the market for younger gals.

What I am trying to say that, with rare exceptions, guys go for what they like given that timing and pricing is right for them.

Is market for full figured providers smaller as far as potential pool of clients is conserned?  Of course.  Just like market for any other "type" that does not fall into modern standart of beauty.

I have a friend who considers 6 ft tall size 2 redheads with big nose to be the most beautiful women in the world.  Another who won't see anyone who weights more than 90 pounds.  And I also know men who think that any woman who is smaller than size 10 is anorexic.  Diff't strokes fo diff't folks


What I was saying that in most cases lowering rates to attract gentlemen who are not attracted to this particular type of provider in the first place is not the best approach.

Pick a type of a lady you are NOT attracted to and tell me how low her rates would have to be in order for you to say "heck it is not what i like but I'll book"

I think your research and logic sound fine. Other things to consider.

I know I, and I have heard others, express concern over gals advertising half-hour rates. The upshot here is that these gals tend to be one-and-done, get the F outta here.

You can certainly advertise a special intro rate for TER VIP members, which will provide a greater likelihood of a review. You can have intro rates for anyone, but part of your goal, I assume is reviews to generate legitimacy.

Also, sometimes it's easier to offer a good discount rate for an extended session. As a newbie, I doubt anyone will go for a multi-hour deal, but 90 minutes is kind of a nice compromise. Not too rushed and not too much of an outlay to risk.

"Pick a type of a lady you are NOT attracted to and tell me how low her rates would have to be in order for you to say "heck it is not what i like but I'll book""


A lady I was NOT attracted to would have to pay me to book with her!  Is that not part of the reason why we pay Provider to see us ?  It is the $$$ that make us attractive enough to be intimate with!  

BUT it can also make you popular with lots of hot ,hung younger guys who can't spend as much.
There will eventually be some totally great person who makes you glad you ran that special.

I had my rate on the higher end but I got so bored with just older overweight guys that I had to mix it up a bit with half hours and specials.

At first my higher rate made the guys want every penny out of me so it made the sessions very passionate and interesting.They made me earn it and I loved it!

I also have lowered my rates substantially when I was so busy that I needed a huge number of guys to choose from since I barely had time to do sessions.
With the lowered rate I could fit them in here and there.


Just be careful because some guys expect the lowest rate they ever saw to be your SET rate and will complain.
I have had clients that couldn't handle a $5 ( my laundry was too expensive for the lower rate)rate hike when it was still 100 less that the original rate.

Another thing I tried in the past was when I got a bunch of weirdos calling I would raise my rate and they would all stop bothering me.

Just be sure to say adimitly (sp) that your rates are non negotiable.
Best wishes to you!

Here are my thoughts on rates......the only difference between someone who has a $1,000 rate and someone who has a $100.00 rate is the one who is asking 1K has the balls to ask for that rate. Once you know where your strengths and weaknesses are you will be on the road to being a solid BUSINESS WOMAN. You are not just selling ass...... you are branding and selling an EXPERIENCE with Little Miss________.  What is it that you do so well it cannot be duplicated? That is what will justify your rates.

I think a huge difference in services should be noticed between the woman charging $100.00 and the woman charging $1000.00....HOWSOMEEVER that is not always the case. I have seen women who charge 1K and as an occasional female hobbyist I would not walk 5 feet from my couch to see them or fork over a plug nickel. THEY SUCK AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY!

I have very good friends in the business who charge 250.00 and have been charging 250.00 for years they are solid and very consistent. They could EASILY raise their rates and no one would complain. They see no logic in fixing something that is not broke. They have managed their businesses well, stayed out of serious drama, paid taxes, paid off their debts, and are saving up for retirement.

I cannot stress enough that it is not just ass for sale.....anyone can put a "for sale" sign on their ass and go into business. It is (or should be) an EXPERIENCE. Not everyone has the mentality to sell the total package....it takes patience and brain power...plus you have to LOVE MEN AND SEX!!!! TER guys are some CHARACTERS GIRL!!

Find your niche master it and charge whatever you want to charge. Consumers love businesses that think outside the box, acknowledge their weaknesses and capitalize on their weak points.

I am 43 and black....do the research....I am almost alone in my category...that would scare most females in my age and race off from being here....but I have my own niche...and a very serious dedicated client base.

There are providers who have the bodies and faces of super models, but they are HORRIBLE providers and don't last long. They no call no show, get hooked on some shit, or think they need a "manager" (pimp)...fall in love with every hobbyist in the world.......a lot of times they are simply not cut out for this business. Even the very pretty girls have to have VERY thick skin. Some girls ruin their own reputation beyond repair and have to fade off the scene.

Then there are solid BUSINESS women who manage their time, health, and wealth well....treat their clients with respect, put it down on each and every session, and EARN their reputation......some of the busiest providers in the country are BBW's and bi-sexual men...don't let anyone tell you differently.


I hope this helped...now I am off to bed!

-- Modified on 4/22/2010 10:33:24 PM

When I started out, I under priced myself by A LOT! My phone and email was blowing up and I found myself having to turn away numerous clients. Within a short amount of time, I started getting established, with reviews, and my rates went up. (supply and demand) Then again, after another year and more great reviews, I bumped my rates up again. I work less and make more, giving me ample time for my personal life and the ability to be fresh for the gentlemen.

The following paragraphs are my opinion, from my own personal experience. I have found that it's better to start out by not pricing yourself out of the ball park. After-all, you have no reviews. So, you'll need to establish yourself initially. After you've gained a reputation, then it leaves room to increase your rates as necessary. In my opinion, it's easier to raise your rates than lower them. In addition, I don't offer specials of any kind. When you start fluctuating your rates up and down and running specials, it shows that your desperate for business and/or your an indecisive entrepreneur. Some may disagree with me and that's fine, however I have found this to be true for my business.

One more note I'd like to touch base on, is the type of clientèle you spend time with according to your consideration. Again...in my experience, I've found that when my consideration was on the lower end...so was some of the gentlemen that I was seeing. For instance, most only booked one hour appointments and they had the attitude of "Bitch, I'm paying for your time...so, I'm going to get every pennies worth and then some if I can." I'm not saying that all clients had that attitude. However, I did find it more prominent than it is for me today. Currently, I'm at $350.00 per hour. Which isn't low end, nor is it high end for my area. I would consider myself in the upper middle. The type of clientèle that I spend time with now, is totally different than when I started. The gentlemen seem to respect me more, I have a lot of dinner dates and overnight rendezvous' and I find their company intellectually stimulating.

Good luck!
Paris

Charge what you think your services are worth, and what the market will bare in regards to the serices you are providing.  What the market averages are in your area should be factored in, but you should price yourself accordingly based on your ability to maximize earnings, while minimizing risks....

While I completely understand your train of thought, I personally see it more as though I'm pricing myself in line with other females that live in my region and look similar to me. Those men who prefer Type B girls and are paying 260-300, wouldn't expect me to charge a suddenly higher price in line with Type A girls that charge 300-400.

By the way, erm, your site was one of the first I started checking out when my interest in the hobby turned serious. So, consequently, I'm slightly a fangirl of yours.

I can't quite respond to every post, but rest assured I read every one. Thank you so much for all the feedback!

Go figure.

From all my research (aka lurking), it seems like the men overwhelmingly agree that providers with some experience are significantly better. You'd assume they'd merit a higher rate.

knowledge to run a very successful business.  Yes, newbies it is a business.

Fantastic response. Thank you!

I'm actually rather confident that I'll fit into this community rather well. I'm a talented businesswoman (I work 45-50 hours a week in my civvie job and rock at it!) and I've always been wickedly sexual. Also, while I absolutely adore sex, it's never meant emotional attachment for me. At my age (24), my female friends are just beginning to discover the virtues of long term casual sexual relationships; meanwhile, I've had casual lovers since I was 19.

Now, the thick skin part is something I will have to work on. But, I know that going in to this and your post reiterated it. Thank you.

-Zaftig Zoe

but I will suggest that the TER crowd is only 10% or less of the entire hobby market, and the other 90% is mostly attracted to the young set, and pays accordingly.

It's not unlike people's taste in food or music:

The best food is savored by only a small part of the dining market. The masses go to McDonalds for an overpriced hocky puck of congealed fat slathered in mayonaise sauce instead of going to a small family owned diner where they will craft you a tasty dinner for about the same price.

Same with music:  People pay big bucks for big name musicians with questionable talent who will be long gone in a few years while long term talented artists play small venues with very appreciative audiences.

It's the general malaise of the entire world, I'm afraid.

(Stepping down off of my cyber-soapbox.)

I don't agree at all. I like young women and have have met many that are great at what they do.