I saw part of Cathouse http://www.hbo.com/NASApp/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=93675 on HBO tonight, which takes place at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch.  Got me thinking about the old saying that if the industry were legalized, pricing would come down.  The prices at the Bunny Ranch seemed as high as any, and the Ranch, of course, operate within the confines of the law.  If the industry were legalized nationwide, is there any reason to think that pricing would drop?  Would the hobbyists all of the sudden be receiving less value or would the cost structure change dramatically for the provider?  I just don't see why prices would decrease.

-Hoot.





-- Modified on 12/8/2002 11:24:06 PM

I think that if the industry was legalized on a national basis there would probably be some pricing changes.  There would still be a variety of prices but I suspect that there would be more women going into and out of the market.  In general I believe there would be some price reductions.  I believe there would be more ladies engaged in the business on a part time basis or for a short period while they made extra money for a house, car, etc.  Many would not work in a brothel where 50% of the take goes to the house.  The only way to know for sure is if it actually happens.

I noticed the quality of the clientele, or of those who were on-camera were pretty dismal.  My clients are soooo much better than those guys on film.  The only one that seemed decent was the 19 year old virgin who was very shy and sweet.

If any client treated me the way those guys treated those girls, I would kick him out of my home.  You cannot do that in a legal brothel.  You have to smile (though you hate the jerk) and play along, like that one girl did with the dirty disgusting pimp who tried to recruit her.  After doing him, (she said he was rough) I bet she needed to self-medicate with booze...poor girl!  Can you imagine the stress of putting up with that?

Since the girls in a legal brothel have to put up with such creeps, they are going to demand more money or they won't work in the biz.  If brothels don't have girls, they don't have income so they money has to be there for the girls to attract them into the work.  

Did you notice the way those girls "worked" those guys during negotiations?  They got their fee because they wouldn't give all to the guy for less...maybe less time but it sounded like a lot less service too...and I thought the girl's pitch was manipulative though I know a lot of guys dig that.  I mean $500 to watch a girl squeeze her boobs and diddle her cookie?????????  You see that in a porn for cheaper. Or even live in one of those sex booths in adult clubs.

Don't forget, if the money ain't there, the girls won't go there to work and the girls split 50/50 with the house plus pay for room and board and weekly medical tests.  

Legalization = Higher Costs for client because of the middle man.

Look to countries where it is legal and you will get a better idea of what it will cost if legalized here. Check Canada or Holland you will see the prices are 20 to 50% less if you take the legal element out of the picture. If we can get to the point where the social stigma has been removed you will find the cost getting even lower. It will probably never get to the price of a massage therapist, but it will eventually be less than a good attourny.

Much lower prices also prevail in Austrialia, where escorting is legal.

There is a built-in risk premium for escorts in the U.S. due to the fact that these "alleged" activities are illegal. This premium may also be viewed as a society tax on hobbyists. Since a provider arrest by LE is career-threatening, it's not suprising that this tax is rather steep; just guessing, it may be as much as $100 per encounter. If providers were able to save this much, then they would be fairly-well positioned for eventual legal costs and retirement (forced or otherwise).

Should prostitution ever be legalized in the U.S. (yeah, right), it would probably look more like that seen in Canada, Holland and Australia, than the dismal and pathetic Bunny Ranch-type operations in Nevada.

-- Modified on 12/9/2002 1:01:43 PM

Hoot,

I would think that there would be some price decline as leaglization/decriminalization spread, since there would be more legal options out there.

I think one should take some of the information in the documentary with a grain of salt.  They seemed to concentrate on stars, who tend to charge high rates.  I also noticed that there was not one customer shown who negotiated the rates down.  I suspect that there was a vested interest for the brothel and the girls not to have any hard negotiating scenes aired.

Finally there was a disclosure in the credits that some of the people were compensated, so perhaps some of the customers had their sessions subsidized and therefor were more amiable to the session.

I couldn't believe that the two brothers were going to pay $500 just to watch a masturbation session!!!

caguy

Keep in mind the house gets a 50% cut of all revenue, so for a clearer picture on rates had they been independent would be to divide the quoted prices in that program by 2.  When the house takes half of your earnings, and then Uncle Sam takes his share, that'll lead to inflated rates to make up the difference.

How about the stupid f*ck willing to shell out $15k for a couple hours of "partying".  That guy must have inherited a fortune.  He somehow accumulated more money than sense.  Sure hope for his sake that someone is riding herd over it.  

Those prices were outrageous.  $1000 to $1500 per hour?  $500 to watch her masterbate?

About time someone brought that up.  

I was waiting for someone to mention the prices these girls were getting. Does anyone think they were worth the $1,000 per/hr.?

The $15k guy had to be playing to cameras (which I may have done too. I could have given him the names of a few Long Island providers that were much better looking and would have been with him for a few days. Alcohol, money and naughty women = light pockets.

You see what happens when you're not a TER member.

I understand the prices for the Sunset Thomas --- I wouldn't do it myself, but I understand.  It's the star power.

-Hoot.

if my experience in amsterdam (forget how many guiders or what the excgange rate was)is any indication, you get far less bs, much more variety, and far smaller fees.  some of the best ive ever had, and some of the worst.  the free market at work.  wonder why republicans dont support it....
also consider the sick fact that you can literally buy a human being for $50 in many of the poorest countries (see grant road in bombay).

I'd draw a distinction between places where brothels are legal, to places where prostitution itself is legal, and SPs are pretty much treated the same as any other professional practice - like Amsterdam, or other European cities (lots in Germany,) that have a red light district.  It's the same difference as between big business and small business, where the small business/independent is allowed, I think it does change the market considerably.

And yes, you'd think all the free enterprise capitalists would be right behind this!

-Anya

It will never be cheap here, like , say Spain, because of the history, which has tolerated prostitution, and the economy, which generally makes Spain a cheaper place than US. Also consider a country with a stronger economy, like Germany, but has had a long history and actually is famous for its sex clubs and brothels.

Bottom line is sexual repression makes things more expensive. Over there, it's just a job, not an adventure, like it is here. It really should just be a job, but then, that wouldn't make TER so interesting, wouldn't it?

Slavery situations and abject poverty further reduce the rate and many on this board have used places where it is prevelant and the great rates they provide has been a disturbing element on this board from time to time. It is rarely mentioned in posts why you can get laid for ten bucks in costa rica or get an all nighter in rio for $100 from a beautiful young girl.

holland has been a shining example of freedom in the sex industry. I have heard with the increase in slavery sex trade in europe holland has had problems as well and they are the first country to organize and to actively try to stop it.

Austraila in some parts has legalized brothels and a recent poll estimated that more than %10 of the college student population was paying their way by working in the sex industry. The prices are affordable and the places are great for bringing in good clientele so the ladies make a good living.


Next time one of you guys goes to an MP and the lady has no english skills and is obviously fresh off the boat I hope she is there of her own free will and not being horribly exploited by the establishment and ultimately you , the hobbyist as well.

If you want to help her out just give her money and leave. if you want to have sex do it with a certified consenting adult. If you are not part of the solution you are just part of the problem

Places like the Bunny ranch provide a safe humane place for every one and eliminates all of the social problems associated with the profession.

I don't think i would work there as my approach is quite  a bit more casual but i can't think of one bad thing to say about that establishment except for the inflated prices. All they need is more competition of the same level and they will be lowering them. I hope it happens soon

I would say the prices are so high at the bunny ranch because there as so few "legal" places.  ie: no competition.  If it were legalized nation wide there would be much more competition among independents because more ladies would probably work.  Of course, more men might also partake if it were legal too.  

Love and Lust,
Krista
XXXOO

I have worked at a brothel in Nevada.  Sheri's Ranch just outside of Las Vegas. There is a whole other side to the working at a brothel that they did not mention. i.e... price varies greatly by product. simply put must brothel workers are divided into four groups 1.) Playboy or pornstar type 2.) The girl next door 3.) The over the hill stripper 4.) the cheap ho (usually has a pimp or addicted to drugs) and as you can guess catagorie one makes the most $$$, like I said price varies by product.  I don't think the prices would come down if it were legal everywhere.  I think most people realize that they get what they pay for.

Looked like an infomercial. They did everything but give directions. Did the Bunny Ranch suggest and pay for part of the production so it would air?

Also, they are marketing a brand name as you would shirts with a Ralph Lauren polo logo and selling it for a premuim price. Then, the price goes even higher because clients are not screened. Anyone can come in off the street and those shown didn't look or act like the types most high price providers will normally see. Add the fact that most of the women shown were their best, ie. porno stars, and the price seemed absurd except guys are paying it! Must be Las Vegas mentality for throwing money away. Also, I bet it attracts loads of guys who have never done this before and don't know pricing in general, legit or otherwise.

I did like the menu idea. Maybe they could have separate areas posted for a French restaurant, another for Greek, buffet for all you can eat, Asian specialties.

I agree, the prices were very high at this legal location.  The legal locations in Nevada are at least 30 minutes outside of the Las Vegas and Reno metro areas, and there doesn't appear to be a lot of competition.  The legal ranches are pretty far apart from one another.  Legalization may artifically raise/maintain high prices.

Notice a number of the girls on the HBO show were not overly attractive?  I have visited some Nevada ranches, and was very unimpressed with the the majority of the girls.

You know 1way, in the early 70's my friends and I would visit the Moonlight Ranch, as well as Mustang Ranch and the Kit Kat Club after skiing all day in Tahoe. We were in our teens then and AID's was unknown. Back then you could get a 20 min half and half session for $15-$20 dollars. And the girls at the time were very nice. I was amazed that the prices were so high now. What a rip-off.

Sorry, I guess I am spoiled by living in NYC or visting other cities and enjoying my hobby where for $300, I can enjoy the very best there is to offer. Oh, and if I want to spend "Nevada brothel" prices, I can enjoy a PSE with a real PS.

...are spoiled living in the NYC area. I think the HBO special turned more people off than "on".