Two providers that I have communicated with over the past 6 months or so but have not yet seen have recently raised their rates.  Groan!  One was $300 per hour with good pricing for additional time.  She raised her rates by $100 across the board a couple of months ago.  I may still see her.  I just saw that another one raised her rate from $400 to $500.  I was ambivalent at $400, because the menu is limited and the ratings for service were not especially high, though she does look DDG.

I know this has been discussed recently, but it became more concrete for me today.  I think I'm venting some, but I'll probably look elsewhere and/or reduce the frequency of hobbying.  There are only a few providers I have seen where I thought, even for $100 more, it would still be a good choice.  With that large a jump, they move down my priority queue.

I understand the economics from the providers' side, but 25-33% rate increases are not nominal.  That's nearly a decade's worth of overall inflation.

Thoughts from the guys and ladies?

I raised my rates when I did not want to work, but once a month.  Now I am bored, so this Summer I am offering fun specials for everyone's economic level.  I want to make new friends.  I think the donation can be a reflection of how highly a provider feels her company is worth, and does she really want to see lots of clients...

 
I have the pussy, so I make the rules!

 
If screening is easy & your a respected member of the community I think that should account for something special.  Bottom line is she worth it?  I have heard men state they will pay whatever because she makes me feel, like a king!

Priceless.

Everyone has different needs & wants, so what are your priorities?

There are lots of great providers who are reasonable.  Hope you feel better venting!

Is it poor form to mention a budget of any kind?  Meaning, say a person has a "play fund", but it's only so much every so often.  Does it cheapen the experience or the time spent to talk about the "budget topic"?  I feel awkward even bringing it up, respecting you and not wanting to make someone feel like their time is being devalued...???

I am sure there are other more sensitive topics...but, this one seems to be a biggie...lol

How do others handle it?  How do you like to be approached about it

She says no!

Who cares you may get a yes!  Someone will always appreciate your business.

Thanks.  Yes, venting helps.  

For someone I have not yet seen, it's really hard to answer the question of what I'd be willing to pay.  I've had mostly good experiences, but I have had a few where I wouldn't repeat (at any price).  Particularly if a rate was near my upper range and I was just getting comfortable with spending that much, seeing the rate increase makes me back away.

I try really hard not to put it in terms of whether or not someone is "worth" a particular rate.  That's too personal and offensive.  The problem is on my end--a limited and perhaps modest hobby budget.  Generally speaking, I think we get what we pay for, but there are exceptions.  Would I be better off, for example, with three dates a month at $300-400 each or two at $500-600?  It depends on the specifics.  If I have good experiences at $300-400, I'll probably choose that most of the time.  If I'm not satisfied and need to go higher, I will, because the providers with the lower rates are not doing it for me.  As we all know, YMMV, and I try to make choices that give me the best chance of high mileage.  Can I get that in a C-Class or do I need to move up to the E-Class or S-Class?

call me confused.  And use PM's as well. Who are you referring to.

I'm a frequent SD visitor planning to move there by Labor Day.

... a free market economy. Donts buys the ticket if you donts like the flight.

What do they have in common?  they provide services which only they can perform and the ones I see are tops in what they do.  I haven't quibbled over the rate increases but do notice them and have had honest discussions about thier buisness.  While I don't necessarily like it, I understand it and quite frankly I know them and trust them and like the work they perfom.  Because of our rapport I get a few speacial considerations.  We both know that if the price or quality of service does not meet my satisfaction, I am free to go else where, and I have from time to time.  Would I dare ask any of the three of them to lower thier fee's for me? Hell no, what type of  service would I get then?  Just an observation...

You will love San Diego as your permanent home!  So much to do and the beaches are fantastic!

Thanks.  I've visited about 50 times over the years.  I look forward to being there about Labor Day.

I do understand that rates do need to up once a person's skill sets (services) do get better and the demand is there.

Cost of advertising for ladies have gone up, they could post on women seeking men on bp for $2, instead of $12. It's essentially the same thing, women are seeking men. (That's a freebie idea for the providers to use)

I've never met Madame Patricia, but I know of her.  She eloquently puts it:
"I have the pussy, so I make the rules! "

This is true, but not all "pussies" are made the same.  

Back to loyalty though, it all boils down to how many times does someone use a service?  If I go to my favorite coffee shop, snack, or whatever. They give me a frequent buyers card, or frequent customer program.  I helped one of my clients out with this angle, and it's working well for her.

I think this will alleviate some of the increasingly high costs.

There are some providers who've turned the other way, because there are women getting into this business, that are offering better services at the same rate.  Those are the hard ones to find IMHO

END OF MESSAGE