By most accounts the economy is slowly picking up.  I've noticed myself that there is more traffic on my commute to work, and restaurants are a little busier.

When will the escorts go up to reflect this new reality?

There were a ton of threads posted by various and sundry mongers that escort rates were too high in a recession.  

I'm waiting for those mongers now to say that the rates are just too low now.

The ability of the traffic to bear costs in the wake of a recession.....often lags by several years.

Do not base any idea of an improved economy on GDP, the stock market, or jobless claims (which by the way unexpectedly increased today)

rather

base it on net earnings / disposible income.

That being said, the economy is largely irrelevant with respect to escort "pricing".

Escorts place values on their time in accordance with their own values and needs and (sometimes) adjust them using various strategies in order to maintain the volume versus income dynamic that suits them. Ie offering specials, creating offerings at reduced rates (FBSM, shorter appointments, discounts for mult hours etc)

in other words - escort pricing is a matter of the interaction of her business model with microeconomics, not at all a matter of macroeconomics

the value of my house only went down 10% instead of 12% from the month before!  Goldman Sachs profits are up, who could ask for a better recovery?  I think that heavier traffic is the new first time unemplyment benefit seekers, but it might just be all the new millionaires!
Rates are rates!  They didn't change much, and guys quit stretching to pay 5-$600 per hour and went to the ladies who have always been in a a bit more realistic.  Know what?  Most are just as damn good too!
Personally, I won't need to worry about money...I got a new rowboat and some buckets.  I'm heading to the Gulf and going to become an oil tycoon!

Hourly rate=desired annual income/(predicted hrs of work per wk*work wks per yr)

A lot of educated-guesswork, but no consideration of the general state of the economy in there...

Some years back, there was this girl offering the same kind of services I do - charging half of my rates.
During a chat, I asked her why. She could ask for double amount and still get tons of clients.
She explained to me that her overhead was very low, she worked from her own place (hers, paid off) and she didn't need many clients or much money to make a good income on her comfortable zone.
Now - years later - I am in the same situation. I own my place (paid off) and my overhead is low.
I don't need to make $$$$ a day or I will be doomed.
The ladies with similar looks and services working around me charges double of what I ask. They need to pay for so much: nice hotels, transportation, meals, tips, etc - which makes strictly necessary to charge $$$$ to cover for all and make a profit during their stay.
So, if sometimes you wonder about this lady charging $$$$$ and this other with the same looks/services asking for just $$$ - now you know WHY.

I think it was the late Congressman Tip O'Neal who said all politics are local. Well the same holds to true for escorts. As a previous post mentioned rates are rates. And honestly, all of the previous economic babble is boring!

Please let me pay more for pussy!!!

... since I never complained that rates were too high; you'll not hear me complaining that they are too low.

You really are missing a TON of information in your economic analysis of provider pricing. A ton.

Whether their pricing should go up or down is up to them. They react to market conditions.

However, I should point out that you have an easy solution in hand.

I always reserve the right to include extra in the envelope if that is my choice. So do you.

If you feel a woman's rate is too low; just include extra in the envelope.

There! Problem solved.

As with escort rates and politics... all economies are local. I'm looking to change employers and have turned down several nice offers. DC simply has a different economy than the rest of the country.

I am sure that a tough economy will affect some escorts and rates, but only SOME. I think this economy has largely affected two things:
 - lower wage employment such as services, construction, etc.
 - people's retirement accounts due to the market variations

I tend to see MOST hobbying as something done by folks with some disposable income, and I think those folks have been impacted less by the economic downturn. Yes, they may hobby less due to the market, or general uncertainty.

I would also wager that hobbying by new folks may be down some, as well as folks might be sticking with more well known and reliable providers.

IMO...

A lot of the providers I have met are only providing temporarily while they look for a job because they are unemployed. They are willing to work for low amounts just to make some extra cash in the meantime to pay their rent. More providers means more supply so even with constant demand rates should go down and won't likely go back up until the economy has really turned around. Most of us don't give a damn about the stock market and it's daily fluctuations don't effect our lives in the slightest despite what some here might lead you to believe.

What do you think we are...stupid?  

The ladies charge what they do, and that is cool.

I've been told a few times mine are too low or they were too low to be sw@llowing or c@tching anyone's anything lol *shrugs*...even though I wish I could though I don't feel right about charging 1/5 of a man's paycheck for 1hr of fun lol.

I have to say i'm not the hottest walking but i've seen some not as thick and/or attractive charging crazy high amounts. I've seen girls charging 1k for AN HR and let's just say she was ok looking. *shrugs* and I've seen stupid hot girls charge sorta low prices.

Well said 'Johngaltnh'..... I never understand the guys who state, 'Why is your rate $$ amount, you should be charging $$$ amount'... but make no effort to tip you what THEY think you should be charging initially???? Why even bother to mention it... to the guys who do throw that extra in sometimes, kudos to you and always much appreciated!