Either that, or I'm better at finding deals, or I've already seen all the higher priced girls.

And the ladies I see here don't have a problem getting their rates. They don't raise them, and have many regulars. They're content, as far as I know.

One did the BP deal, which pissed me off because she's better than that, and she hasn't done it since.

Not because of me. Admittedly she got greedy and found out that wasn't a way to go.

It's easy to kick back and pass judgement on what a lady does with her business.

But when you spend so much time with them, and become friends, you care for their welfare and don't want to see them hurt.

That's my train of thought anyway.

I don't know where your market is but in the major cities I don't see a drop in the avarage.

I see less gals raising their rates, I chose to NOT raise mine 2yrs ago when the economy went belly up but no need to drop them or to run specials. My egulars have no problem spending $$$ and they see me as often as they like but some less often than a few yrs ago.
This business is always going to be hit by the economy like any other business but for the most part it stays the test of time.

And from what I can tell, they still get enough business to justify holding the line.  This area has taken a hit from the downturn, but clearly not as bad as many other cities and regions.

In my location, where I seldom hobby anyway, prices are pretty low even for highly rated ladies -- maybe $250 tops. Lots in the $175 range.

Of course, "low" should be put into perspective. The annualized hourly rate for a neurosurgeon in my area is $240/hr; so a lady collecting that much or nearly so is not really collecting a "low" rate.

But where I usually hobby, which is metro Boston, rates have generally stayed about the same. Of course, most often the ladies I see are touring, too. I have seen a few such specials as you describe by ladies in the area; but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Every area is going to be different because of the economic differences.

In DC, most of the money used for hobbying comes from government. (i.e. my taxes) Government is a growth industry -- and a monopoly to boot. So don't expect rates to ever drop there.

Las Vegas is a place where people go from all over the country for the specific purpose of finding and seeing providers. Yes, there are a lot of providers there -- but demand is extremely high. Nothing short of a major depression is going to drop rates there. A guy with money in Syracuse, NY might not want to hobby in his own backyard, but will travel to Vegas. So a lot of demand gets concentrated there.

Certain major hubs of commerce are concentration points for all of the nation's wealth -- because it all travels through there. A lot of the money made in such places isn't even made on productivity per se, but rather on commissions for facilitating trades, lawsuit payouts, etc. One example of such a place is NYC. It is more affected by the overall economy than Washington or Las Vegas; but still maintains a very high degree of wealth concentration.

Same thing goes for certain other areas where people who have already made their money may go to retire or maintain winter homes, etc. If managed wisely, short of utter economic collapse, their demand will be unaffected by the overall economy.

Then there are specific industries that, again, short of absolute economic collapse are practically recession-proof. Anything having to do with TV entertainment and movies. Even during the recession, there have been numerous block-buster movies netting hundreds of millions each. Instead of going out, people might stay in and order a movie "on demand." $4 here and $4 there adds up to gobs of money taken in aggregate over time.

My point here is that location makes a big difference. And even if someone isn't directly engaged in a primary recession-hardy industry in a given location, he benefits directly or indirectly for serving that industry. An independent CPA helping with the books of a Hollywood producer, or the guy who makes an expensive meal for a Wall Street high flyer makes money too.

So the fact that rates are down in some areas may mean very little about rates in others.

ALSO -- touring serves to keep rates from falling.

Say a lady works in CityX where her rate is usually $300. Pretend that business volume has dropped in CityX due to manufacturing layoffs.

She *could* lower her rate, but that might not be wise. Sure, it would likely increase her volume, but she would also end up with current customers at her usual $300 rate paying her less.

Instead, she takes 2-3 tours a year. She makes certain on such tours to hit places like NYC, Washington, DC and the like. Keep in mind that a lot of hobbying is based on novelty, so the mere fact she is touring can net her bookings she might not otherwise get if she typically provided in that city.

If she planned well, she grabbed a lot of money on tour. Enough that when she goes back to CityX, she can still charge her normal rate. Even better, those guys who see her regularly miss her after she has been gone for a couple of months and might book longer dates than usual when she returns.

Touring is a key ingredient for ladies who charge higher than average rates to keep those rates above average, particularly if they live in an area affected by the recession. Not all the wealth is geographically concentrated in a few spots. By going from place to place like a honeybee collecting pollen from flowers, she is able to get a part of that wealth from all over where it is spread.

Also -- decommoditization is a factor.

Many providers don't sell sex per-se. Rather, they sell their own unique attributes. Whether they are extremely pretty, have an exotic look, have unique skills, have super-high intelligence or whatnot -- many providers capitalize on these traits such that men who value those traits will seek them out and won't lightly accept substitutes.

This serves as a buffer against economic pressures to lower price.

Finally, a factor that few hobbyists consider is the "day job."

Many providers have day jobs that cover the bills. Whether they are in sales, media, or whatnot -- they cover their bills with their clothes on.

For some women, what they charge is a point of pride. They would rather go without a client for six months than see a client for even $1 less than their stated rate. And the day job enables them to do this. Do not hold your breath waiting for that rate to drop.

So, for the next couple of years, do not expect to see rates dropping; particularly for women in financial or prostitution nexus points, ladies capable of travel, and those with day jobs.

More than a couple of years down the road, ALL of their rates will drop. But the macroeconomic forces that will be driving that are a subject for another day.

Regarless of rates, I have been hit hard recently by the economic down turn and will be forced to find a new hobby, but I have noticed more specials out there. Wish I could take advantge of them.

The economic downturn has flooded  my local market with new ladies which if not decrease the rate has suppressed any increase in the rates.  Many ladies have maintain their official rates  but are privately or openly offering specials or have started offering 30 min sessions.  One lady friend of 3 years has frankly level with me in an e-mail that in the current market she is having trouble staying afloat and offer me a 1/3 discount. I do feel a little uneasy of about taking advantage of the situation. However I have a limited hobby budget of 2% of my net worth per year and my net worth has decline 20% in the economic downturn.  So far my response is to leave a less generous tip and to do more shorter 2 hour sessions as compared to my usual 4 hour or more session. I suspect the situation for both hobbyist and provider will get worst with a double dip recession and even depression an increasing probability with the end of the Feds stimulation money due to the increasing concern about the huge debt.

about our date fees

Years ago, I was earning a 3 to 4 dollar figure every week.. that was back in 2002 when i got into this profession.. with the economy now?  most of my dates see my site, we agree on the donation that's it..

I offer a established client donation after say you have seen me 3x.  I have known clients since 2004 and i set their specific donation and thats theirs.. Each hobbyist is different in my book.  

I have browsed providers websites thru ter and some are high priced and some aren't.. I think date fees for 90 minutes are way too high. But that's my opinion..

Have a good week guys
SweetPeach
New to TER here
NW Indiana Provider