I don't mind being offered a discount, but emailing us and offering $25 off is not going to cut it. If your regualr rate is $400+, $25 will not bring us to your bed.
If you want to give us incentives, by all means, do so. Just get real!
I have added two more addys to my spam box this week.

We like specials. If your rate is $400, and you run a $300 special, that's great. It's a win win.
Personally I don't do half hours and to me that is not a special.

the only reason IMO that guys ask for 30 minutes is because with many providers that's all you get anyway even if you pay for a entire hour. The real 'discount' is not in time, but in $ and quality of service provided stated up front.

my 2 cents

hell most whores ain't worth half their rate to begin with.

Good call MissChloe!

What you are seeing is the disingenuosness nature of what is often posted here.

If one takes careful note of the opnions posted, and who they are from, it becomes clear that most hobbyists opinions shown are from a vocal (and loud and bombastic) minority.

The same perspectives and preferences found in other areas of a persons life and in other areas as a customer or client are going to be reflected in the hobby.

To some a loaf of bread is a loaf of bread is a loaf of bread. $2 spent is better that $4 spent because it is all a loaf of bread!

To others, there is a difference in quality, and they seek that out, finding that the bargain bread or even day-old at $1 will just not do! SO they pay the $4 and are happy to do it. Not only that, but they actually FEEL GOOD about paying the $4 because to them it reinforces that they are buting a quality SPECIAL product. More thatn that, they may have an image to protect and would not want to be seen with anything less than the most expensive loaf in their shopping cart.

To others who have the combined characteristics of being less discerning or less caring of quality AND being frugal (or on a tight budget) the $1 dollar loaf is fine! Depending on how they view life thay may even scoff at the rich snobs who pay $4 a loaf.

Those example represent the two end of the spectrum: Those who pay the most, say that proves they buy the best, and revel in PAYING the most. And those who pay the least, shop only by price, and thing those who pay the most are just rich show offs.

In betwenn those too is the spectrum of folks who balance quality and benefit with price paid and their budget. ON TOP of that is their shopping style. Some people just find what the bread(s) they like at the price they are willing to pay and that is that!

Others, with a propensity for shopping and finding bargains with look for price variations, sales and discounts. They may be a $2-$3 a loaf buyer but when they see the $3 loaf for $2, they will buy it and take advantage. when prices are stable and they only have $2, they will buy the $2... UNLESS...

Maybe they see a $3.50 loaf for $2.50  on sale, so they try it and find that it is the BEST EVER! Now they keep their eye on that and buy whenever they can. If the $3.50 loaf is made available for $3 when buying on a regular basis, they decide they will go ahead and spend $3 everytime staying at the TOP of their spending range.

The saavy bread purveyor understands the range of customers and decides how to market to attract a balance of TYPE of customer and NUMBER of customers they want.

No matter how much the $4 a loaf buyers shout about quality and price, no matter how much they put done the $2 a loaf buyer, no matter how much they disparage a sale or discount, THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY of buyers.

Likewise, no matter matter how many bread seller say different, they all can't be $4 a loaf purveyors.
 
"Everybody loves a bargain!" right? Not always, but enough buyers do to show that few businesses can exist long term without using that marketing technique.

It it no different in the hobby.

I love discounts

HalfHour

discount/specials I thought was a bad thing in your guys minds just like offering a half hour?

Thank you, very well said SolaLove!!!  NO other career and what their wage is can be compared to what we do.

Have to agree with wp55285. The extra time is more of an incentive than saving $40.

Not at all. Discounts/specials are great.  I mean seriously, if a girl's rate is $500 and she offered a $300 special, how is that bad?

Presumably a woman is offering a discount because she feels it will be to her advantage to offer it. Well, if I accept it, then she HAS gained that advantage. It is to our mutual benefit.

I can understand why you think this way. Many clients see it differently.

75% of Civil Engineers make $32/hr or less. Civil engineers are responsible for making sure dams don't break, bridges don't collapse and buildings don't topple. We owe our lives and safety to civil engineers. You need a BS degree at least. $32/hr.

75% of Attorneys make less than $90/hr. Attorneys are responsible for everything from keeping you out of jail when unjustly accused of a crime to making you whole if you experience damage through negligence. Requires at least 7 years of education plus continuing education. $90/hr.

75% of Associate Professors make less than $75.hr. Requires at least 7 years of education.

75% of biochemists make less than $38/hr. Requires at least 6 years of education. Biochemists are responsible for the healthcare breakthroughs on which you depend for quality of life.

75% of airline pilot captains (flying large jets) make less than $71/hr. Think about how much you depend on them.

75% of auto mechanics make less than $31/hr.

All data from salary.com indexed to a greater boston zip code.

I don't see any problem with offering a special every now and then.Whatever the lady is comfortable with offering that is her business.I,myself do not offer half hour rates just not enough time IMHO.I do offer discounts off of multiple hrs.Right now I am offering a special off my 2hr rate.I do not have any issues with this.I do not see why gentleman would not like a discount every now and then from the ladies who do offer them.If the lady only offers $25 off and that is not a big enough discount then look for a provider that has a lower rate or a better deal.I have seen ladies offer discounts if you belong to certain verification sites.Everyone has their own business model that they follow to each her own if she does not want to offer a special,but I do not agree that offering a discount every now and then devalues the fun that is received.If the gentleman did not take advantage of the special offered that was his choice,but I have never had a gentleman be upset because he missed the special so now he can't see me.If a gentleman wants to see you discount or not he will!

I am a newbie. I don't make millions of dollars each year.  I look for girls in the $300 range simply because I perceive them more as call-girls than as whores. I hope the $300 girls are low volume providers, that they are more discriminating in who their clients are. I am not a rich snob but I'm not riff raff either. I don't want to be # 12 of the day. I would like to be able to afford the $1000  top shelf girls but my budget doesn't allow that but if they offered a discount I would jump on it. If a $150/hr girl offered a discount, I would still pass. BTW I am in Florida where everything is a bit cheaper.

There is absolutely NO context in those comparisons.  Most of the occupations you listed are long term careers.  How likely is it that the average escort can expect continued wages into their 60's?  We are business owners, not employees.  As such, we do not work 40+ hours a week (well, if you count the time cleaning, prep, shopping, self-maintenance, advertising, screening, etc... yeah, many of us do... we just don't get paid for it), we have no benefits such as vacation, sick days, health care subsidy, etc.  Comparing this work to anything other than owner-operator contract-pay businesses is asinine.

Now, if we were to compare to other owner-operator contract-pay businesses... there is a huge disparity still.  How many other businesses have the short-time earnings potential and require that the owner put their health, physical safety and social/legal standing on the line?  One bad experience in this business and a lady can be emotionally and physically damaged for years, lose her children, compromise her ability to ever find other gainful employment, and/or wind up dead.  Ever hear of hazard pay?

I do not understand.  I can find many good things to do with $25 that says in my pocket.

Using your logic would you complain if she raised her prices $25?

You enjoy a special but wouldn't take a half hour which is in my case at least exactly the same as an hour service and quality wise just a little shorter and less expensive.

that negative mentality does not correlate?

but since we are on TER contradiction planet I guess its okay!

I have a feeling schitthead is a heavy hitter on here who shows his true colors with posts like this and many more. He couldn't act this way and get anyone that is conscious to see him. The mods know who he really is and let him go about his hateful business.

I'd much rather get 90 minutes for 400 than save 40 bucks!  Shoot, I just had a date today where I took 50 bucks of fruit and snacks. Besides, does an extra 30 minutes really eat into a lady's budget like having to cut the cash? I'm much more inclined to respond to a "90 minutes for 60 minute price" than Save 10%.

Hi Sola,

I never said that providers are under/overpaid, don't face risk, etc.  In fact, I provided no commentary at all. So your refutation is interesting, but applies to things I never said. You assumed all of that.

Now let me tell you my point.

This thread is about discounts.

Those wages are pre-tax. Post tax, you can reduce them by 30-40%.

Most of the jobs I listed are serious upper-middle to upper-class professional jobs that have status and reputation associated with them. People are impressed that you are an attorney, pilot, civil engineer, biochemist, etc. These are certainly people that most providers would like as clients.

I gave their wages so that people could understand the value of a discount for those people, and the difference it could make in their ability to pay.

I'll use a hypothetical provider charging $400 for an hour as my example.

After tax, a civil engineer has to work 18 hours to afford one hour. An associate professor has to work 8 hours. A pilot has to work 9 hours. A lawyer has to work 7.4 hours. A biochemist has to work 15 hours.

Knocking $25 off the price hardly affects those numbers. But knocking $100 off the price makes a big difference. Instead of having to work more than two days to see a provider for an hour, now a civil engineer only has to work a day and a half. Instead of having to work more than a day to see a provider for an hour, now a pilot only has to work 3/4ths of a day.

In other words, providing a discount expands the pool of clients to whom a provider is accessible financially, WITHIN the realm of highly educated professionals. Such a discount won't make her available to someone working at Walmart.

Obviously, this may not be a goal for some providers. Some provider wish to be very exclusive -- mainly preferring wealthy individuals. Some providers are only interested in seeing clients with certain professions, etc. Obviously, providers at price points where a lawyer would have to work a couple of days to see them aren't in a realm where they'd be interested in offering discounts because they aren't interested in seeing junior partners -- they want to see senior partners. Which is fine.

Likewise, some providers have elasticity of demand that is on a par with addictive drugs and gasoline. There are some that have raised their rates about 70% in the past year and have actually had an increase in business. Obviously, what I'm talking about wouldn't apply to them either.

But for the providers out there who are NOT priced at exclusive rates (i.e. they are priced at less than $500 for a visit), and are not exactly having their phone ring off the hook; my point is that a discount can indeed widen the pool of potential clients able to pay, and thus get some more calls on the phone. It won't widen it enough to make them accessible to bag boys at the supermarket, but it could certainly make a difference to a pilot, lawyer or biochemist.

Now, I want to make it clear I'm not telling anyone how to run their business. I have simply given some economic facts.

Provider pricing is complex. It involves all sorts of stuff. Sometimes it involves ego. Sometimes as you mentioned it involves hazard pay. Sometimes it is affected by demand. Some providers are already wealthy and can charge whatever they please. Sometimes a group of providers across the country all mysteriously simultaneously raise their prices. It's all very complicated so I am NOT saying that any individual provider should or shouldn't offer discounts.

All I was pointing out is that the wages of the men who book providers in the average price range are low enough that a discount can make a difference in bookings.

So don't be mad at me over things I didn't say; but you can certainly feel free to be mad (if warranted) over things that I did say.

I agree a little bit just a little bit .... i'm thinking like a consumer right now if I see something quality but a bit pricey but then "the store" has a sale/giving discounts not even being cheap I might not budge unless I felt the discount was worth it to buy lol *oh sh-t*. In the end if you plan to give a discount just think like them for a second would discount look worth it to you?

Thank you for your clarification.  Your post had absolutely no context... and it was just after I'd read the comment from another poster about most of the ladies not being worth half of what they charge.  (Or whatever it was, I refuse to dignify that post with another read, or reply.)  I'd assumed an agenda behind your list of wage figures, my apologies

You are correct - the more significant the discount the more it would widen the potential client pool.

{I gave their wages so that people could understand the value of a discount for those people, and the difference it could make in their ability to pay."
Using your example, a lady would have to discount her rate by 25% to "make a big difference."  Yes, it would make a big difference... and the lady would have to try to make up for it by increasing the number of appointments that she books.  Something which increases her risk and something she might not be willing or able to do.  As with pricing in general - discounts (rates) are set by the lady, it's up to the gent to decide for himself if it is or isn't good enough for him.  If the (rate) discount doesn't work as hoped, a lady gives it up or revises it.  It strikes me as pretty flippin' ungracious to see men here (not your post specific) complain at the offer of a discount simply as it is not enough of a discount.  

I'm not sure where you got "mad" out of my post.  
xoxo,
Sola

Have you ever heard Apple or Bentley offering discounts? if they do I would never buy one again.

Successful providers never offer discounts..

Discounted hours are good for me, though I do not take advantage of them that often. But I often wish I had. Any discount less than $50 is no factor, and really it has to either be close to $100, or take your rate to $300 or less to really catch my attention. Mostly, though, there are women I want to see who are in a price range that has worked for me, and I am not going to go elsewhere.

But what about last minute discounts? After all, a provider is really selling time (no joke, we are buying an hour of entertainment), and the time is worth nothing if it is not sold. So what about some sort of last minute deal thing, like they do with all sorts of airplane and theater tickets, hotel rooms, and cruises and tours. They get something for what would otherwise become worthless inventory and you get a good deal if you can be flexible.

There are lots of ways to do this. Simplest is just to say I have this open time and I will sell it for half off, or whatever. Might be more interesting, though, to put it up for bid. Just say my normal rate is $400, but make me an offer - no reasonable offers refused, and I will reply to all offers by some cut off time. Might even result in a rate increase if you could get hobbyists to bid against each other. Auctions make people crazy.

Then you can balance the offer with who is making the offer and decide whether any of them look good. This offers some degree of control over pricing, and I think it does not cheapen the provider to the degree a straight discount does. After all, when the hobbyist inevitably asks to see you again at the same price, you can easily say - "wait for the next auction, honey, and see if you can make a winning bid. Or just call me and pay my rate if you can't wait."

Having said all that, I would not think a provider would want to do this more than once a month, but it sure could build some traffic and buzz, IMO. I bet that supporting this for the providers would also be good for the traffic at TER.

Another crazy idea from Zig, who really does live in his own, parallel, universe

Because you are a rather formidable lady!

We pretty much agree on all you said except the increase in volume.

I'm not sure how to express this idea except using some math.

Pretend a lady charges $400/$600 and usually has 5 customers a week, 3 for one hour and 2 for 2 hours. So she usually makes (before costs) $2400.

But for the past three months business has been way down in spite of advertising, new pictures, etc. Now she has only 2 customers a week, one for one hour and one for two hours. So now, before costs, she only has $1000.

Pretend she offers a discount and her rate is temporarily $300/$500, and she now gets 4 clients a week; 2 for one hour and 2 for 2 hours. So now before costs she has $1600.

Her volume is still not what it was and her income before expenses is lower than it used to be; but it is still an improvement over what it was during the doldrums without excessive volume.

Obviously, I've oversimplified and made a lot of assumptions. Maybe with the discount, the phone rings a lot and she is able to get 6 clients in a week, etc. But the gist is that I think a discount would only be offered generally if volume was low to start with, and a discount in the 25% range would certainly increase volume, but maybe not dramatically.

Where we definitely agree on volume is that added volume is always added risk in all respects.

In an ideal world, from a risk perspective, a provider would have only one client and he would be monogamous and support her lifestyle entirely. That's usually called marriage. (*grin*) The rest of providers have to deviate from that ideal, but the further they deviate from it, the more risks they face.




I've accepted some discounts here or there as long as they have been generally offered.

Of those that have been personally offered, it is a hit or miss thing whether or not I accept for a variety of reasons. Generally

From a risk perspective, and from my experience in various marketing strategies, offering more time for the same rate is much safer (no need to increase bookings) and much more effective in bringing the clients in.  If I ever feel like offering a special discount I do it only to known and returning gents... thus, even if I work more for the same income, I have not increased my risk.

The original message was obviously written by a gent.  Perhaps some day you guys will get that there is usually rhyme to our reason and accept that your pricing advice will often fall on deaf ears, and it's not because we don't care about our business... it's because we know better than you do what the effect of our actions is.

Damn! After seeing your reviews and pics, what gentleman in your area could pass on a deal like that!??

I offered up a special this September
I called it September Morn
Schedule a September Morn hour get one free.
And I never emailed any previous clients. Should I email them and offer up September Morn?

I don't book a lady unless I like her for non-sex reasons anyway; so for me, more time is a serious enticement.

Plus all the rest makes sense.