Being in the entertainment industry also, I've gone from working 50-60hrs/wk to 15-20hrs/wk. The first 9 months of the year were fantastic from an income stand point. However, a week after 9/11 everything started drying up. Everyone is expecting it to be slow until after the new year.
I was seeing ladies pretty much anytime I felt like it and now I budget it to once a month. Oh well, it teaches the concept of saving for a rainy day and budgeting.
Tot Ziens!!
SB
HB's News Hour
The current economic condition is bleak, period. I read posts by escorts that go economically unshaken in these times and I find them well, interesting.
The phone is quiet and the calls do come in but just from window shoppers breezing by. From a creative perspective, these are good times. They cause us all to re-evalute things, to come up with new ideas, fresh concepts and to realize that which we value most, family and persistence. I am very greatful for the gentleman helpers I did have over the past year. They were truly a blessing. It's not entirely bad that business took a dive. It has caused me personally, to spend more time with my kids, to make some important personal strides and in time, with hard work, professional as well.
I know a lot of people who are out of work and the economic situation is not something we should take personally. In short, things are tough all over and I just wanted to acknowledge things and say that I am praying for us all that things do look up. I think, in time, consumer confidence will improve and that we'll be flying again. Hopefully, the tables in Vegas will be flooded and that people will find the urge to play again.
I am almost sure that a few ladies will post here saying that they do not see a decline in business and that things have not changed. I am just saying what I see and this be it.
Honestly yours and with much love this holiday season,
Heather Barron
So business is slow?
The time that you spend telling us about it could best be spent doubling you net worth.
Try entrepreneurship. Or devise a strategy to up revenue.
I wonder who blessed us with that little tidbit of wisdom a while back?
Just funnin' (no malice intended). Things are crazy for everyone. Let's all hope for brighter days!
Dear HB. Your honesty is truly appreciated. While some hobbyists and providers may be hiding their heads in the sand, the reality persists.The economy is in a downward spiral....Being in the entertainment industry, the situation is also seriously apparent , from the budgeting for major(and minor) motion pictures to union pay scales.(There is now even a "Low Budget production pay scale for talent") From the vast amount of models,musicians, singers, actors technicians and actresses out of work, who call everyday willing do projects for which last year they were paid in the area of thousand per day, they are now accepting hundreds per day. The budgets for producing an average feature,TV special or commercial has decreased by over 40%. (So have the amount of projects) I,regretfully have, laid off more than half my production staff, as working has come down to "Do it for this amount,or we will go elsewhere". While we held out as long as we could, and productions went elsewhere,for much lower prices, I had to finally give in, and lower fees and take drastic cuts in income. Now WHY AM I MENTIONING ALL THIS HERE ON TER? Because while I used to visit providers who charged "Going Rates" as well as "upscale"fees, I now visit providers who are more aware and understanding of economical factors. Certainly, I leave a gratuity for service provided,even ask the provider if there is anything special she might require.(One stated she would love to have a bouquet of flowers, another an alarm clock , since an angry hobbyst had smashed hers when time ran out.. Nice guy, eh?)I am glad to be part of the experience....I find this helps.We all have expenses, clothing and food to put on the table. Its all relative of how we share the cost, and what we charge for our services. After all.. This too Shall Pass! This is not meant as destructive, nor constructive criiticism. Its just my own experience. Thoughts are welcomed. And honesty is appreciated.
Just my 2 and a half cents.
Appreciate the 1/2 cent. Every bit counts. You really do see them cutting back in budgeting huh? If Invaider did his research, he'd see that I built a second site to boost my earnings. I am building a third as we speak.
I may even built a forth.
On a side note, tootsie roll pops are one of life's simple pleasures. I rediscovered them this month. They keep my sucking mechanism in tact and the chocolate ones are almost as good as oral (I did say almost) 
.
Luv ya,
heather
EOM
too much nyquil. flu like for a solid week. is that a cock or is it a meatloaf?
Being in the entertainment industry also, I've gone from working 50-60hrs/wk to 15-20hrs/wk. The first 9 months of the year were fantastic from an income stand point. However, a week after 9/11 everything started drying up. Everyone is expecting it to be slow until after the new year.
I was seeing ladies pretty much anytime I felt like it and now I budget it to once a month. Oh well, it teaches the concept of saving for a rainy day and budgeting.
Tot Ziens!!
SB
or staying the same??? Wouldn't it make more sense to have 2 clients per day at $200 then 0 at $300 or $400?
During a normal economy, I'd much rather have 1 at $400 every 3 days. It isn't about volume. Most of us don't want to go that route.
Ditto. There are issues that Heather didnt mention, but I will. And I think I speak for several other ladies.
With volume comes:
1)Increased Physical/health exposure. High volume for me means lots of nonoxynol spermicide which does tear down tissues, eventually increasing risk to stds and hiv. I dont care to compromise myself for serious health risks later on by increasing volume now. It's not like we are selling tires. This work does take its toll on our bodies. Of course, if some of you men offer to put the nonoxynol INSIDE the condom, you will find out how much that stuff burns!!!
And up until now, the medical profession has nothing else to offer other than nonoxynol, should that condom break.
2) Psychic craziness. Lots of phones calls, mental craziness, tends to come with volume. Dont expect her not to be a little spaced out, watching the clock, or a little nervous about being robbed or busted, as she does have to think in terms now of volume.
Btw, A gfe experience is extremely difficult to deliver within an hour, but if she has to make up with volume, please dont expect everything.
3) Traffic. As one who prefers discretion, I have been able to keep an incall location for some time now, as my neighbors are not offended by the traffic. I'll do outcall sometimes, but only for longer sessions.
So to answer the question? More is not better. And it does carry increased undesirable risks of many kinds, unlike other businesses.
xoxo
ff
-- Modified on 11/18/2001 8:00:07 PM
The point of view is well taken. The reality is, that hobbyists are NOT appearing in droves, nor waiting on line due to any price reduction..... My experience and that of my working friends is that even at a "lower"(realistic to the times??) fee, the traffic has slowed down to a trickle, therefore, I wouldnt worry too much about the scenario presented.
FF, you forgot to mention as opposed to providers who see many clients daily, do not always get to clean up after each client before the next one is lining outside the door and buzzing to get in.
Providers such as yourself make the littliest things better, such as taking the time to get ready for us gents, and smoothing out the little details we sometime look for, like an unkempt bed, messy floor, you take the time and hence money to make the place much more comfortable for us.
Felicia you also mentioned traffic, more traffic comes more wear and tear on a body more wear on a body will cause it to 'malfunction' more due to constant use, like a car. And to a provider's body, low volume maintains the peak performance of the body and hence the greater experience for us all.
Guys, if we have to save up just a little bit more to see people such as FF, HB, NOSC, or anybody else, it will be worth the effort and the wait.
Like the code of Hamarabi written long ago, "Treat others as you would like to be treated."
Neutrogena
I know from my experience, especially while on tour, I need a couple of hours between appointments. Between having a leisure bubble bath and redoing myself ( make up, scent, clothing change) and just relaxing so that I am refreshed mentally and physically is a need not a luxury. The revoloving door method is not going to work for me. I also have time limits I will visit with clients ( ex: 9Am-11pm). Gone are 11Am-6Am working days. As it should be. I think as with any other biz, your expectations of that business grows over time. This includes what you will accept ( not accept), wear and tear emotionally and physically, the type of people you will consider seeing ( ex: "partying clients", 1/2 hour quickies, 3 hour minimum visits ect...). As for the question whether to lower rates cause things are slow? It may work for others, but remember, there is always a downside. Lower prices may mean lower service. That includes all of the above metioned with respect to getting ready and being mentally capable of rendering the type of service you may be looking forward to ( GFE, non-clock watching, giving a damn whether you are enjoying each other's company).
Hope this helps.
Love Kym xoxoox
You all make good points about increased volume turning into decreased quality and potential problems for the provider.
I can't help but wonder however, if there are creative ways for providers to maintain the volume level and prices they prefer while offering incentives to the customers?
Example: If one session per day is desired for $$$$$, and traditionally this would be for 2 hours, offer a 2.5 or 3 hour session instead. This would add value to the customer and maintain volume and price levels for providers.
I don't think that adding time is the only way to add value, I bet there are all sorts of creative ways to get the phone ringing. It does take some creative energy however, innovation requires one to think outside the box.
I also bet that many of the folks on this discussion board can come up with ideas of what they would consider "added value" that might get them to play as often as they normally would in a good economy. I'm sure there will be lots of typical remarks about adding specific "acts" to the menu but that's not what I mean (I don't expect any providers to offer something they are not comfortable with).
Good luck to everyone and remember "even this shall pass..."
-Satori-
What absolutely blows my mind is the sheer number of provider ads spread over all the adult malls. There are a heck of a lot of women out there, most of them not reviewed on TER. Must be like actors, 10% of them get 90% of the work. Must be hard to break through to the elite 10%.
When reviewers talk about the phone ringing and ringing and providers answering it, I would bet that most of the time it is guys just asking questions and feeling things out, not booking an appointment. The girls feel they have to answer it, knowing that they must play the law of averages to get an occasional booking.
As far as the prices still rising or staying at the same high levels, in an economic downturn it takes human perception awhile to filter the stages of firstly denial (that there is a downturn or thinking it will be very short), realization (that there is a big slowdown), and capitulation ( giving in and finally lowering prices). Capitulation is often very ugly and drawn out. We are not yet close to that stage.
This whole slowdown could last quite a while longer (IMHO) and given the volume of providers, not to mention the cheaper Russian and Asian element, provider prices could get much cheaper in the months to come.
Link below.
-- Modified on 11/19/2001 9:12:32 PM
-- Modified on 11/19/2001 9:14:09 PM
For me, business remained stable in September. It jumped up some right after the event. People were looking for comfort.
Then in October I lost many regular customers as they tighened their wallets. My phone almost died completely the last two weeks. I got many inquiries about appointments for November. I was panicking.
Once November hit I got tons of calls. Many from people who talked to me back in October and also many new ones.
I read that October had the greatest number of lay-offs ever since 1996.
HB could'nt be more right, right after 9/11, I had a huge number of calls and overnight, dinner dates, and then in Oct...bamm! it was weird and very scary, I do understand that people are now alot more cautious about planning too far in advance. It is hard for me too, to plan tour dates and then hear of some horrific plane crash as I am going to the airport as the one in NY on Nov 12th. So I know that things sometimes have to run their course, but that what Heather said was made me feel somewhat better, knowing that we are not alone in our feelings.
I really have appreciated my clients and their business and will continue to be there for them and give alot of love to my family and others as well. Touche Heather and god bless!
hugs and happy holidays
Gia