First of all -- thanks TER for providing an excellent service! I a much happier hobbyist ever since I discovered TER.

Now a question I've been wondering about -- how's the economy affecting you all?

I know I've starting paying more attention to price, going for the $150-$300 range (30 to 45 min where available) rather than $400 to $500 (and an hour) which is what I used to spend. Also, I'm seeing providers less often than I used to.

I've seen prices come down and provider availability go up. Providers who needed bookings way in advance are now available with hardly any notice. Girls are offering "daytime discounts" and 30 minute sessions for half price.

Also, I'm seeing more flexibility on services (e.g. CIM thrown in) and less clock-watching.

Guys, are you seeing the same trends? Are you also reducing your hobby spending?

Ladies, what are you seeing?

I saw a GFE provider (greek, french kissing, daty) for $200/hour in Northern Virginia back in October. She was glad I booked 2 hours.

Today (maryland) I saw an ad on CL for $85/hour. If you pay $100 you get the see the provider for 2 hours.

I saw another ad for overnight rate for $400 for a provider in the Baltimore area.

I have less time time hobby because I am glued to the market and media to see what is going on. Yes I am spending less.

Hopefully things will recover and pick back up so I don't have to save so much to revover losses in the market.

There are many highly regarded (by me) providers running specials now in Texas.  $125/$150 down from $200/$250 and $350/$400 down from $500/$600.  There also seems to be an influx of new providers, both full time and part time.

Now that CL is charging $5/ad we are going to see many many more ladies hitting these board.  My hope is that it will just be the ladies, not all the pimps.

.02

I don't know how this will sound, but once a price drops, it is hard to get it back up.  I would never pay $500 for one hour anyway (I just dont have that kind of doe) but now that we are seeing $200 dollars  I hardly look for anything above that.  if a girl is offering a special for a day, i dont take it, I dont want service cut and imho that is what happens.  just charge me what you normally do and give me the great service that made me chose you.  I realize my limits from the cash flow of things, but still the better you are the less you should have to worry about price.... just my .05 cents worth

I've taken advantage of a special twice. One was by luck, not even knowing until booking that she was running a special, and the other was a repeat. If anything, service was even better on the repeat as she was somewhat more comfortable with me the second time (at least I think that was the case).

I have less time to play because of increased work demands.  Also less discretionary income remains for play time.

Status Quo, I do offer specials but ......

Dear SheerUtopia:
I was wondering if you find yourself offering specials more often in the last quarter due to the failing economy and that people are tending to pinch their pennies more? Also since this is mentioned due you also make you money on the volume with respect to clients booking multiple hours with you? A penny for your thoughts

I am in NOVA and I am a provider and we have NO CHOICE but to lower our prices I am currently doing 100hh just to get by.

My favs say it's slow.
skb

...just spoke to one of my ATF's this morning who was lamenting the lack of calls. And her phone should be ringing off the hook.

but I've handled it by sticking with my ATF and cutting out new exploration (besides, most of the CL cut-raters are unreviewed and therefore risky IMHO), and not trying to negotiate a rate cut (we have a reasonable arrangment anyway); Its a very enjoyable relationship and she depends on the income thus i would feel bad trying to bargain her down, so I'm just maintaining the relationship with her at close to old rates (actually knowing its a poor economy I've left extra on several occassions)  - and she's never been a clockwatcher anyway.  The downside is I'm going to have to pay to get back to VIP status to see reviews when I decide to explore.

I think that most men don't get that they are for the most part the only action a provider gets, too. I love my clients because I don't remember the last time I was horny and could do someone about it=)
but most ladies offer pricing commensurate with what they offer, for me, it is a clean secluded upscale incall. upscale toiletries, Fresh sheets for every incall date, trojan(not durex,lol), wine or your fav drink if you told me, candles, and jazz. So I don't offer half o hours or anything like that. I could reduce my performance, but I do get enjoyment too.And you can't put a price on a simultaneous O!!