I have been seeing a provider for about 6 months now. I see her about 3 times a month. 1 hour for 300.00 USD. Suddenly, she says she is going to start charging 500.00 USD. When I asked why she is asking more from a regular, she says "Oh, I'm worth it. Inflation is making prices go up. I'm the best out there."  I was speechless at this. The economy is bad where I live and I know guys are not spending a lot right now.

This lady is no spring chicken either. I mean she did do a Playboy Lingerie layout in 1992, but she is now 37 years old. Maybe she sees the end of her working days and thinks charging more will allow her to save some money. She hasn't saved any so far, I know that!

I just don't understand why she is now trying to upsell me. Someone who has been a regular and tipped generously.

I have heard of some providers doing this with other guys too.  It is baffling to see a provider risk a regular income for nothing.

TET

If she is not able to "grandfathering" you in at the normal rate, then maybe it's time for you to move on? Also, as we ladies get older, we get better, baby 35 here and going strong..purr purr..

Good Luck

Mel

I'll drink to that!
GG

Yes, there are times when a provider can increase her fees, but not for a regular and she shouldn't increase it that much.

Don't worry, her business will go right into the toilet.

Sorry to hear your problem, that sucks.

Shaye

Businesses sell their products at the highest price that the market will support.  It's 100% about the money.  They don't care about you.  She is acting like a business.  She thought she could get more money for her services, and decided to make that change.

If you keep seeing her at the new higher price, you will be confirming that she made the right choice.

Some providers do give discounts to regulars, or let regulars keep the original price, after an increase.  There are 2 possibilities there.  Either they really do like you, or they recognize that there is more potential safe income in keeping you around at the lower price, than in possible scaring you off at the higher price.  You get to choose which you believe.

Why does a dog lick his balls?  Because he can!

That being said, if you don't like it take your business elsewhere.  There are more fish in the sea.

Seems pretty fooish for her to do that to a regular.  I would suggest moving on, and letting her know why!

This size 4 jump says one thing.  Time for you to give her the answer.  There are more out there who will treat you well.

All very good points of view. But another which is more painful is she doesn't want to see you or for that matter others unless they are willing to take the rate hike. Like others have said - let her know you are or are not willing to take this rate hike and move on. Good Luck. Would be interested to know what the outcome of this is.

This has happened to me before and I stopped seeing the provider out of principle.  Most providers grandfather their regular customers.

I am truly sorry to hear about your recent experience. I know several ladies not only offer a discount to regulars, as well as offer specials during the day or specials during certain days of the week or for birthdays.  For those who do raise their rates I don't know of one...until now who doesn't keep their previous rate for their regulars. Most will have it on their site as well. Hope this is of some help!
Kisses ~CarleeofArizona

But that's not entirely true. Where a busness does increase its fees I've NEVER heard of one increasing them by 661/3% unless they were extremely low to begin with. Too, it is usual practice to keep regular customers/clients at the lower price unless cost have gone up, then the price reflects those increases. My company charges new clients more than the ones that have been with us for 3-4 years. There have been small increases as supply prices have gone up but we are still competative with the rest of the market. An increase of this magnitude generaly prices you out of the market. She was already charging what seems to be the avg. with this increase her busness will suffer. She maybe running it as a busness but she's doing a poor job as a CEO/CFO. If my company raised their prices this much within 6 mos. I'd be sending out resumes or starting my own busness.

Seldom

There are so many reasons why it's wrong for her to increase her fee with a regular that I can't begin to list them.  But my favorite reason is: In a tough economy, don't screw with another's wallet!

Thank her for her service in the past 6 months, wish her well and say good-bye.  There are plenty of other providers to see and enjoy.  Good luck.

This lady obviously has no care or respect for your regular business. Wish her well, then take your $900+/month elsewhere.

I think that is a really silly decision with a regular but, hey, it's her call. I would tell her that I would be willing to continue seeing her at the current rate. If that won't work for her - then just move on - lots of lovely ladies out there. Who knows, you might find something a lot better for the same or lower price. It happens all the time. I have seen many a provider get a little full of herself, jack her rates up and then complain that her overall business went down. Well, DUH!

If your provider has raised her fee 60%, you have the option of no longer using this provider. $500USD is serious money for an hr. I'd be looking elsewhere...

As someone suggested, maybe for whatever reason she just doesn't want to see you anymore.  YOu might inform her that inflation has been extremely low.  Even Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has stated that there is little inflation fear on the horizon.

I would just inform her that old rate works for you, but not the new rate, and be prepared to walk.

I would just not book any more appointments with the lady and start booking appointments with new ladies.  

Contrary to what some others have said I would not call to inform her that you are willing to see her at $300 per hour but not $500 per hour.  She has either told all of her regulars that the rate is now $500 or she has just told you that the rate is $500.  If she only told you then it means she is trying lose you as a client.  If she has told this to all of her regulars then she would be unlikely to give you a price break and if she did agree there is a good chance the service would suffer because she would feel cheated.  Also If she has told this to all of her regulars she is about to lose most of them but it will take time for her to realize that she has lost them.  Until she realizes that she has made a mistake you are better looking for greener pastures.  In time she may realize her mistake and contact you.  At that point you can decide whether you want to see her again or just continue with your new ATF.

Thanks to all the replies.

The consensus is that I should blow her off one way or another. It is difficult to do that with so much water that has flowed under the bridge. I don;t care if it is just a business, but some emotions creep into a 6 month regular connection.

Suffice it to say, I will have to tell her no at that price and move own.

Any suggestions on how to stop it, but not burn a bridge?


TET

Be straightforward and honest about it with her and do it in a non-confrontative, non-hostile or abusive manner.

Some other advice my friend, it is not wise to get "overly" connected emotionally with any provider. Most are going to leave the business sooner or later and your heart is going to be "hanging" on each of those occassions. This is a business relationship afterall and not a "love" relationship. Avoid the pain!

-- Modified on 1/25/2004 11:23:53 AM

I would never do that to one of my long time respected clients..  Sounds to me like it's time to find a new lady.  Why would you want to be with someone who is so full of herself anyway?  Find someone who appreciates the $$ you pay and looks forward to and enjoys your time together as well...

xoxo toni

My experience with this type situation, regardless of what the service is, is that once it gets into this situation, resentment on one or both parties side sets in,and regardless of whether you agree to the rate increase, the quality and feel of the service will decrease.
   In a simple phrase, "THE EMOTIONS/FEELINGS ARE BROKEN AND THERE IS THE APSOLUTE HIGHEST PROBABILITY THAT THEY CAN NEVER BE REPAIRED, ESPECAILLY FOR THIS TYPE SERVICE." Sorry to say it won't be fun with her any more.

Dude, dump her. What the F$@k, she isn't your wife!!

If a provider decides to raise her prices, it should have nothing to do with her regulars, THAT IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ii've been in this business 5 years and have traveled quite a bit and recently I did raise my prices once I became an independent. (i used to live in Houston and worked with a couple of services and a few spas so when i did have my own private ads out guys would get upset saying they'd rather see me at the spa or through the service for 225-250 instead of paying the 300-350 on my indy ads so i had to honor them at my agency rates)
I have alot of regulars in different cities and they get past rates, not current ones! that is not fair what shes doing to you, do not see her anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!