I sympathize with your quandry of not many quality providers in Philly, and the good ones always being busy.  Well, not really...but I am sorry that there aren't more great girls for all you great guys.
Since demand is greater than the supply, would it be terribly cruel for a quality provider to take advantage of economics and up her prices, by .5$-.75$?  
Also, would current clients be offended by the rate increase of .5$, if they are not grandfathered at the current rate?
Thanks for the input!

At first I thought we were going to have a polite discourse about about supply and demand.  But then you made the sarcastic comment about "great guys".  So here's where you're wrong.

1.  Good locals in short supply?  Possibly so.  But don't think that the travellers from other areas haven't noticed that this is an opportunity for them, because the locals scene is bad.  In fact your posting was probably seen by travellers who may want to come here, and after seeing the posting may be getting their airline tickets now.  It may come as a surprise to you that there are other cities in this great land where there are alot of girls and competition is tight.  Just ask any of the Fla girls. The higher the prices of the locals becomes, the more opportunity for travellers with more reasonable price expectations. So to the travllers reading this, we'd love to have you here.
2.  Still not convinced?  Let me offer you some more help.  To you, the hobby is a necessity, a living.  But to the client, the hobby is not a necessity.  It is not food / shelter / car, etc.  So when the cost of a luxury competes too much with necessities, guess what most rational people will do?  Then you can stay up-to-date with the soaps every day.
Thanks for the opportunity to be of service.

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Raising prices is always an option. Not seeing the ladies at the price is also an option. No offense, but having traveled throughout the country and especially to Florida, I can't see the ladies of Phialdelphia raising their rates. I know this may sound harsh, but the qualtiy is just not here and the quantiy speaks for itself. I just returned from LA and it is amazing the quality of performance, looks and value.


So by all means, let the ladies raise their rates. Just take a look at eros philly compared to other major cities and you will see that for every pot there is a lid and some of the lids are very hot and a good value.

It's my opinion that Philadelphia is a bit dry.  2.5 is generally where I find myself gravitating toward, not because I can't afford it, but it's a value thing.  My time is more valuable to me than the $$$.  When Veronica Monroe was around, I saw her a bunch of times at her going rate, so it's not the money issue with me.  

There are providers in the area that are charging $$$, I've seen them and frankly, while it's not been bad, it hasn't been stellar either.  I usually leave with a feeling of "not bad, not great".

I don't think it's fair to blame providers for this or to say "You can't charge more than XXX".  It's up to us the clients to bring out business to those who provide the good mix of price and service.

Dan's girls were great and the value was great.  Tatiana is also wonderful at a great value.

I'm sorry to have offended you.  I am not a well-known poster to say the least, so I'm afraid my humor has gone unrecognized.
    Actually my first sentence about sympathizing was the sarcastic one, since of course, I cannot understand your quandry at all as a provider.  (Although as I am typing this I am also realizing this is not true as I have been not been successful in finding a suitable partner for doubles, and for a friend to just be able to relate to.)  My second sentence refering to you great guys was sincere, as I have really enjoyed myself these last couple of months and found a lot of wonderful people in the hobby.  For the hurt little girl in me (no, not physical or sexual abuse), they have restored my faith in men.  
    You're right, for me the hobby is more necessary financially than for you.  One may be able to argue though, that it is more sexually/emotionally/etc necessary for the client than for the provider (although for me, I find it very difficult to NOT work).  I believe the economic may trump the sexual/emotional for many, but for those involved in the hobby, this is often not the case.
    I am not refering to the average escort in Philly, who has been purported to be actually below national average.  I am talking about those women who have been mentioned as always busy because they are so good.  Part of what I am looking to do is slim down the large volume of requests that I recieve, and get to the more serious bunch.  I am wondering if a small price increase will accomplish this.  Also what I am looking to do, is by upping my rates, being able to sustain my standard of living with less dates, thereby also increasing my quality.
    As for the traveling escort seeking refuge from a surplus in her area and taking advantage of the dirth here, good for her!  She's smart to travel to Philly.  But I believe for those who are looking for a regular provider, they will hope to find someone local.
    I hope this clarifies matters and the sincere economic banter can begin!

As far as current clients being offended if they are not grandfathered.  That should not be an issue.  Simply notify them of the rate change at the time of scheduling.  Paying an extra fiddy for an indy only just about equals a tip for an agency girls.  So it all good.  I will tell you in my business, when I raise my rates, I expect everyone to pay the new rates old clients and new.

Another good value for the hobbiest is that if you do what you say.  That is, see further clients per day.  I prefer my provider that way.

great point, butin my business we give good paying repeat clients extra discounts to keep them happy and keep them coming back often.

People like to be rewarded for loyalty....I guess there are many different ways to look at things.

How about making the client feel appreciated with things like extra emailing, IMs, a little extra time during a session?  And not "turning him into an ATM", by keeping up with the little things and continuing to provide great service?  Does that keep the customer happy at the same time as letting me raise rates across the board?
By the way, thank you for the input thus far.

I only wish you had used your working name here.  Why?  Not so anyone could embarrass you, but because you are obviously very well-educated.  I can tell by the syntax, your choice of words, the way you organized your thoughts, etc, that you have at least some college education, if not a degree.  Am I right?  You held your own on this forum, and not that it means anything what I think, but I'm impressed. And I'm not being sarcastic, either.

So why do I mention this?  A smart woman is a sexy woman, and I'd like to meet you.  Nothing personal ever intended, but this is, and has been, a rotten town.  And probably long before you were even born. So no offense?? ND

Aboutface:  Little things like extra emails and IMs are something I expect from someone whom I've seen multiple times or see on a semi-regular basis.  While it does make one feel appreciated, it's also personal, if not business, courtesy.  However, isn't the client showing appreciation to you as well by being a repeat customer?

I feel you should be able to charge whatever you think your time is worth.  Reviews on you will generally give other prospective clients insight on whether or not the pricing is justified.  When I review, I try to add whether or not I feel price is justified for service rendered.

Just the fact that you are willing to "keeping the customer satisfied" impresses me.  While it sounds like a common sense-thing, tell that to the average Philly provider!  I do like your idea of raising your rate to weed-out or thin-down your client list, but I'm not sure that will do it.  Hobbyists, in general, as has been mentioned a few times above, aren't deciding between hobbying & food, the extra 50 will not mean very much.   In my business we often have to decide what the upside to a client, over the long term, may or may not be.  If we decide that the downside outweighs the upside, we cut them loose.  I guess we are extremely fortunate enough to be able to "cut clients loose" but it would seem that you are in the same situation, right?  I am relatively new to hobbying, and have already learned not to see a provider who does not have excellent reviews.  I guess it's unfortunate that you do not have a client review site, but maybe thoroughly checking references will help?  Just my 2 cents

For me, $$$ is the limit.  I rarely see anyone over $$$ and each time I do I'm disappointed.  It doesn't help either if the provider doesn't DFK or allow DATY.  To me, that is what is required to even approach a review that is 8 or better.

Smart women turn me on too.

Thanks Nick.  You are right, I do have some college education.  I didn't use my professional name because I'm not looking for any new clients right now.  
    No offense taken; I know it's easy to have misunderstandings when you're talking electonically.

Being a native of the Big Apple where competition is mighty large - one can find a greater variety, for less no doubt.  Always an issue of quality and travel time.  Yes, you can save some $$ and if you're there anyway - why not.  But to make a special trip ?  However, I do notice more NYC girls making Philly more of a destination - It's ripe for a little competition and may level things out a bit.  Big Apple ladies, come take a bite out of the city of brotherly love -

AF:
Sent you a private mail in TER.  Yes, of course it's nice.
ND

I am sorry to report but the question that started this whole forum is fundamentally wrong and flat out absurd to begin with. I don't post to this forum but frankly I found ridiculous that some of you should be impressed by the intellectual dimension of the nonsense so much so that this is not even a Marketing 101 question it is Common Sense 101 and nobody seems to notice. Aboutface, whomever she is, is asking the crowd to price her without telling them who she is, what she has to offer, how she is doing in this business presently, to begin with, if with her set prices the demand is already low or high or where regarding her desired level of clientele, that is some of the many obvious absurdity to begin with. To add to all that nonsense, what is the product we are asked to price, is the product the right one for the right market. If you want qality clientele first of all my darling the obvious advise to you is "MOVE". That is if you have something competitive to offer to the quality clientele! I repeat: that is if you have something competitive to offer to the quality clientele! Moreover, she makes a comment about how "great" Philly crowd is, well that is where my stomach turns, that is where I don't even think you desrve the help to answer your question: the obvious insincerity, the obvious shameless a.. kissing, sorry for being so blunt but it seems you need it to wake yourself up from dilusion. Don't you think whatever we do in life for a living we should still keep some integrity? Here's Marketing 101, first course for you: You compare yourself to your competition, you know where you should set yourself in comparison -if you have any common sense that is- Set your price accordingly, the reaction you get from your market will tell you if that is the right price, if you have all Philly crowd knocking on your door -which I seriously doubt- then increase it, if you are watching the clock and waiting for someone to knock on your door then you have been dilusional again, and lower it. As simple as that. Nobody in this forum, without knowing who you are will tell you yes increase or no decrease, you see the nonsense of what you are`asking? Good luck anyway.