i posted this on the LA board but i think it is more appropriate for the national board to get more feedback.

wondering if business is so slow that you have ladies calling out of the woodwork for appointments.  makes me wonder if i can start negotiating with the ladies.  i usually do not negotiate at all, but i've gotten 2 phone calls from 2 different ladies over the weekend and after i said i was not interest, they drop their original rate.  that was a first for me, so wondering if others are seeing the same thing.

is the economy/war having an affect on how you spend your $ as a hobbyist?  are you more selective?  or as a provider are you feeling the affects of this slowdown?  i saw chloe black's post on the porn star board and was shocked how low her rates have dropped.

for providers, if this is your main source of income...you might want to rethink your marketing/pricing strategy.  i work in investment banking and the data i have seen indicates the economy is going to get worse as we progress in the year.  the killer is deflation and it is prevalent in the economy.  everyone is hesitant to make big purchases knowing they can possibly get a better price in the future. those national unemployment figures are not realistic.  i always thought that sex will sell but i was recently in amsterdam, and in talking with the RLD girls, they say business is extremely slow and it only cost $50 for a session there.  

I don't think the prices in the RLD have gone down they've actually gone up.  When I was there in 2000, it was 50NLG for 1/2 and 1/2 which, at the exchange rate was around $40.  Since then they've gone to the euro and it seems to be equal to the USD and the going rate is 50euros.

What provider in there right mind would post on the boards that they are hurting for business? IF they do, they would lose leverage strength and almost assure having to lower prices..

The law of Economics apply to this business too.. What I am seeing is actually some high end escorts raising rates for new timers but holding the line on repeat customers. It all depends if you are a high volume provider or low volume provider.. What market you are in...

Sometimes I wonder if all the stress of what is going on in the economy, world, etc, might work in favor of increasing business. I think the key is to look at the web sites and see if gift prices have dropped or have stayed the same. But I think depending on the provider, you try to negotiate and you could kill your chances, then again if you are a regular, you probably do have more negotiating room...

Sorry folks, I'm not geeky enough to know how to link one discussion board with another. But thats not the type of fun I prefer.

One of the best responses I have seen comes from Fortitude on the NYC Board. While the law of supply and demand should rule in this hobby/biz, human nature plays a part in the equation. Certainly deflation should be driving most SPs to lower their rates, but like what another thread mentioned, what lady would admit that she is lowering her rates? I follow the markets too and think that this "recession" is going to hit deeper and harder than most people think. BTW, I'm not talking about the usual s*x positions for those who are so inclined. It is the economy stupid. But like what Fortitude mentioned on the NY Boards, there is a certain level of the market which will be recession proof. And for those SPs who have the list of regulars constantly rolling in, what recession, LOL? It is going to be the middle-market that is going to take the hit. This discussion will be endless w/o some female replies.

Different types of businesses are affected differently by the economy.The demand for some things, such as gasoline and groceries, are completely inelastic. People will give up a lot of things before they give up eating and driving.

On the other hand, other sectors are extremely sensitive to worsening economic conditions: luxury cruises, expensive restaurants, high-priced automobiles, er, and uh, providers.

I don't mean this to be critical of what any lady chooses to charge; it is after all, a free country. But when the cost of a session exceeds a car payment or even a month's rent, one has to set his priorities and determine which budget items are the most important.

I haven't noticed the stated prices going down where I live.   But from some of my recent communications with providers, there does seem to be a little more willingness to negotiate rates.

No offense to anyone who has posted, but . . . some folks haven't yet been affected by the pullback in free spending, the pre-war economy or market convexity.

Some folks have not yet been (nor will be in he foreseeable future) put into a position where they have to scale back their lifestyles and dalliances.  

I’m sure some providers out there target abovementioned financial demographic. In doing so, during the thinner times, they are still able to pull premium rates because their target market remains somewhat unaffected by the country’s fiscal flux, and are still able to indulge themselves.

I would say that in these cases, various and sundry expenses (car payments, house payments, food, etc.) are not determining factors in "entertainment" expenses.

Certainly this is not the majority, nor am I suggesting that it is. Rather, I am saying that the more financially motivated providers latch on to this sector, especially in times of prosperity, and dig in like a Louisiana Tick!

HPG

Business has been a little slower than normal here in Atlanta, but it's to be expected.  Not only are we suffering from a bad economy, but our country is close to going to war.... Also, January and February are by reputation, the slowest months of the year.  Another thing to consider is that we are in the middle of tax season and most hobbyists have to pay taxes rather than get a return because of their tax bracket and have less money to spend on well, let's say, entertainment.  Personally, I'm kind of glad for the rest, although I'm probably gonna need a new vibrator soon.....

Jaclyn

-- Modified on 2/24/2003 8:13:58 PM

In a previous down turn I was talking to an automobile dealer and he said that the market for most cars was off, but Mercedes and Rolls were not effected in an equivilant way.

High end stays low end starts to fiddle with their prices.

Not to be argumentative or anything, but I just posted a special on my local TER board... does that make me low end???  No!!!  It just means that I understand that there are a lot of people that don't have all the money in the world, yet I still want them to have the chance to see me.  I respect that people work for a living and that the money they pay me is hard to earn.  I want everyone to have the chance to savor Atlanta's Sweetheart!!!!!!!

Jaclyn

No matter how terrible the economy may be, I will never lower my rates. Luckily, and very luckily, I have another career that is unaffected by the economy. Call me lazy, but I won't leave my house to see a client for under $xxx. The money I earn from escorting is blown anyway, so I suppose it would do me some good to learn to live within my "real" means.

Not at all, as a provider I always switch up with different looks and I also offer a lot of different services.  When I get a call "I handle my business" which keeps them coming back for more and often times they tell their friends.  Word of mouth is the best form of advertisment!

Loving life

Indigo

I have noticed on EROS Atlanta that they now have about 200 ladies listed up from 120 a year or two ago. That could be that they are getting more or the ladies already in the business listed or more ladies are entering the business. Either way I am seeing prices from $$ specials to $$$.5 in Atlanta. And the ladies are anywhere from 21 yr old hard bodies to 45 yr old housewives. Just an observation. John

Girls who don't want to be contacted by other providers to give a reference, probably won't be selling your info with other providers.

Calling a client out of the blue, unless the provider has an understanding that it is okay, is well...unacceptable and most indiscreet.  The word "discreet" has become so diluted that many really don't fully understand its definition.

True, I have also noticed that a lot of provider advertising just like with any other business.  The key is the quality of provider you wish to chose.  Kinda like shopping, do you bagain shop or shop for quality.  As a provider even though I advertise I do not take all calls, (all money ain't good money) I like clients that know how to roll, what I mean by this is:  They respect my hours of operation,if we see one another out in public they know how to act, I like dicrete clients etc.

For example:  My beautician operates 45 min. from me and there several salons up the street,across the street and very close to me.  I stick with my regular beautician because she knows what she is doing, I never leave disappointed,she works out of private location which allows me to except phone calls with out having 20 eyes in my mix, she is not into gossip, always on time, a pleasant indivdual to be around and again I always leave satisfied.  She's a bit expensive but gives me a discount because I am a regular client but I never leave without giving her a tip because I respect and appreciate her.

Indigo