Like the post's header states, It's not your fathers target rich environment ... And I'll qualify that statement;

A lot of providers with 267 area code are visiting the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). They come down on a regular basis. They complain that business is bad in the Philadelphia region. Also lets not forget about all the cutbacks in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries the past few years since the 2008/2009 meltdown. In the IT world many NJ and Philadelphia based IT folks migrated down the DC area to make ends meet.  A bunch of them drive back to NJ every weekend to see their families.  

I have to agree,  Philadelphia is really a hit or miss for me, and 2/3 times it is a miss.  I am in no way calling the people themselves cheap,  however,  I can definitely recognize that I have found a far higher number of 1) hagglers 2) "I can no longer afford your rate." 3) Cancelations ...all signs pointing to the economy.  Those who I do see are only able to get together once in a while, and most often I will only come to see someone specific.  I don't actually have these issues at all in other cities, so that is why I spend most of my tIme in NY (and DC and Chicago are favorites also)

I agree with your points 1 and 4.  I think Philly's economy has been slow to recover, and it obviously has a huge impact on guys' ability to hobby.  I also agree that touring girls are taking Philly off their destination list due to a high number of last minute cancellations, but also due to slow demand.  I've heard this from several touring providers.  This is a shame and bad for everyone.

Don't make wild, unsupported accusation about shillers on the PHL board. I haven't seen it. Yes, the PHL/SJ economy still lags. Blame the tax and spenders for sucking the life out of the economic engine this area used to be. Don't blame the ladies for following the money flow elsewhere. Having said that, I note that the current Miss TER visits here, as do current national top ten providers.

I visit all the time and I love the area. Philly has always treated me really really well. Yes sometimes I will have clients that booked ahead cancel, but that happens everywhere. For the most part I alwyas found PA and NJ  a great market.

and I suspect it has nothing to do with "shillers" and "front men(?)".

I have been told by visiting providers of not getting enough prebookings to warrant them coming to Philly. Only speaking for myself, I have a very difficult time prebooking too far in advance (except twice a year) because of work and my personal life. But that may also be the norm for most clients?  
 Zen's stats I think show there is still a pretty good selection of local and visiting ladies.

Times yes have changed and the resources and availability for new girls is very miniscule , Miami Companions and alike are gone and the choices we had in the past ie; the small local agencies ( Philly companions, Lefemmes, and others ) are long gone. And yes I feel your pain as well as my own.

If everyone agrees that the Philly economy is not robust, and incomes are down, then why are provider rates increasing at a rate that is higher than inflation?

While yes, Philadelphia's economy isn't quite as high as nearby cities like New York and D.C., things aren't as bad as you'd think. Personally, I've been here for less than a year and am already doing well enough to become more selective about who I see. Trust me: As someone who identifies as "awesomesexual," I make it my goal to see awesome people only... And they aren't in short supply here in Philly!

...price has a lot to do with it. Anything over 350 per hour,  and the majority of men are not interested/budget does not allow it. I worked in Philadelphia as my home base for 3 years with a lower rate, and my clientele has changed drastically through price alone.

Show me the money. They are gonna follow the money. I remember about 6,7 yrs ago there were anywhere between 100-130 ads on another ad site. This morning, only 68. We are lucky if we hit 80. There are 31 visiting providers which leaves 37 local ladies. I've seen girls completly remove Philly from their schedule. There are ladies who visit Philly regularly. I contacted one lady who was in NYC and going to DC next and she said she will only visit Philly if someone requests her for 6 hours with 50% deposit. Her reason, too many NCNS and cancellations. I've canceled 2x in 10 yrs and both times I've seen the ladies over 5x each and they knew I was dead sick. I scheduled on their next trips. I heard one girl had 5 cancellations / NCNS on Monday and Tuesday and she left on Wednesday and said she will never ever comeback. Can you blame her? Plus, Philly isn't really a travel destination. Unlike NYC. One girl said we are so close to NYC, to come visit her. I hate going to NYC. The biggest reasons are NCNS / cancellations and the economy. We will recover.

-- Modified on 4/11/2015 7:32:35 AM

I am curious about the girl who left because of he NCNS: what was her tariff? I wonder if there is any correlation between price and cancellation rates.

Her rate was $300 which is pretty normal.  

I am aware Philadelphia is not a favorite destination for many reputable touring providers. As mentioned, you can easily see the selection of local and touring ladies listed on top sites such as P411.... Philly only has a fraction of advertising providers in comparison to other cities. One of my favorite doubles partners has crossed off Philadelphia from her tour schedule, sadly..... But still stops in Cherry Hill.  

I believe that there is an abundance of nice ladies in the Philly/SNJ area, they come on the scene and quickly develop a clientele.  Having other pursuits, they don't rely entirely on this profession, but it gives then a nice solid financial base. Not strictly UTR, but you will generally not find them on the ad boards.  

The economy did take a dump and I am not sure if we have yet seen a recovery in the hobbying community.

I'm not privy to that term

I do not agree that top touring  providers don't visit Philadelphia.  One look at my review list will tell you differently.  I will agree that not every lady will hit Philly as a matter of planning, but I've reached out to many who wouldn't have planned on it and many have reconsidered.  

Was it that long ago, that the three of us were having late night martinis in NE Philadelphia....I need a reunion...ASAP

But honestly....all of the above are factors but there is one thing everyone is leaving out....

This is the same ole bs that has been making the boards for years. Go back 10 years when the economy was good you could see the same complaints. But somehow, the same good providers keep coming back to Philly over and over again. why?  Guess they like the cancellations?

I think the issue with Philadelphia is many providers do not like coming into Center City.  They want to be outside where there is free parking.  Center City is where most of those who are coming on business go.  This often leads to problems in coordinating the right time and place.      
Philadelphia is fun but the Center City parking issue creates a limitation of sorts of some of the providers.