Interesting Post.  I myself lately have felt like prices are going the other direction.  Seeing a lot more ladies in the 3$ to 5$ range as opposed to the 2$ to 3$ range.  I do try to stick independent and see only quality reviewed ladies so maybe that's the difference.  If you're seeing rock bottom prices, please do share where you are looking.

As far as my thoughts on a price war, I'd say wishful thinking.  As bad as the economy is, we are in a fairly sheltered place in DC with plenty of high rollers to keep the wheels turning (not one myself).  My other thoughts are that a price war will only draw unwanted attention to the hobby and would most likely not have the positive affect us hobbiest would like it to have.  

Just my .02 cents, but good interesting topic for discussion.

BTW, I agree.  DC is pretty insulated from the regular economy.  However, if hobbyists do their due diligence, I am sure there are deals to be found.

I have been wondering why I am seeing a lot of higher prices compared to last year remember this is a hobby for most and their "mad money" is for playing but bills come first

the women would come out and say they are thinking of havinga prie war.

I also doubt that this thread will inspire one.

Maybe the economic reality is a little more personal.

I've been in the hobby for double digit years with my activity headquartered in the DC area.  IMHO the DMV has never seen a price war.   Pricing in my view has remained stable.  With the DMV being in the news regularly noting that the economy is stable I have seen an uptick in the $400 plus ladies.  

In my expereince the "VIP" and over $400 types rarely provide an experience that is better by any significant or measurable degree.  Hence I typically stick with market priced providers.  The times I have invested above the standard DMV market rate has been for providers who have a true "10" appearance ALONG with the PERESONALITY to match whereby a "connection/vibe" could be achieved.

I know one bp provider that was charging $300. She is down to $200/hour now. She is retiring because she can't compete with the other BP providers charging $150-$180/hour. I saw 2 different ones that charge $150/hour that provider better service than the retiring provider. They provide bbbj without extra charge, greek, dfk, better hotel, better attitude, etc. I will admit the more expensive provider is better looking.

I know several high rollers who spend 50K on the hobby a year. The would see $300-$400/hour providers a few years ago. Now they go for the half hour appointments or for providers who charge $200/less.  

The other providers who stick to TER and not BP had a temporary price drop. Their prices are back up to what they were before the recession hit. Much of their price drop came due to the drop in demand because of unbelievable LE crackdowns of lifetime that we have had since 2009. These providers had huge cash reserves and rode out the storm. Many had a set of repeat clients to keep them funded. Others went around the us to places like New England to get their $300/hour rates. It is beneath them to charge anything lower than $300/hour.

I use to spend $250-$300/hour. Upon recommendation from my hobby buddies from providers they had seen before I tried out the $150/hour providers and have been pretty happy with their services. I have actually overspent because of the lower prices and have had to cut back due to the lower prices for BP providers. You have to be very selective in what you chose on BP. One thing that I will not do is have 1/2 hour appointments.

Providers from other regions told me they won't visit our region because our region is saturated. There is always new talent coming in. Many get upset when they see providers offer $100/hour rates.

I am always getting unsolicited requests from $300/hour providers that I have not seen before or seen in the past to set up appointments. That is an indication that demand is down. The ones that I have not seen before get my info from other provider/review sites.

I have noticed that providers today are more willing to try new things out in hopes of getting you to come back. Services that offered regularly are greek, video of sessions, allowing guys to put them in restraints, camel toe (I refuse to do that), etc.

After a Provider has increased her rates, there is an extreme reluctance to roll them back.
I guess it's a matter of self-worth, although not good business sense.
I am one who now rarely partakes [as a result of LE fear in this area], and I know I am not alone.
Therefore, demand must be down; rates should logically fall.

I know of a few ladies who have reduced their rates as a consequence of aging, weight gain, etc.
Credit to them for being realistic.

Prices have never dropped off significantly.  During the 90's the price was ~250 on avg.  Today it is 300.  

I suspect if it has stayed at 300 during the last few years it will not be dropping anytime soon.  

I also agree that you are seeing more women develop themselves into "higher" end escorts (500+ range).  A lot more are spending money on Scott Church and Santillo shoots and procuring high end web design services.  There is definitely a scramble by the ladies to lock in the top tier of this industry. Time will tell whether there is enough room up there for all of them.  

Finally, I have seen more women offering specials from time to time which advertise 25-50 off a session.  This might be due to the economic climate, but could also simply be marketing strategies utilizing the increased visibility the web is offering them.

Providers can offer specials or discounts.  There's a provider on this DC board who runs "specials" every single week.  It seems like she is offering these discounts in perpetuity.....almost like these are her usual rates except she markets it as a "special" discount.  This has been going on for months.  I find it funny.

Among lower tier of providers as well as among "just gone pro" ladies who are entering the market without real comprehension of what it takes to run successful business.

In Texas they priced each other out of making reasonable living entirely.

Medium and upper level providers realize that upping the volume to make up for lower prices is not sustainable business model.  They also happen to have enough cash reserves to "ride out the storm".

Finally, I see a lot of ladies explore other options.  Of course, those are the ladies who have them to begin with.

One way gals can increase their income is to schedule longer sessions. With a nominal additional charge for 90 minutes or 2 hr meeting they can collect larger sums from fewer clients and usually not have to work as hard. I for one like to have a more relaxed encounter whenever possible.

ladies come to DMV.  In the posting up above there is a 21 year old asking for 700.  Now that is laughable to say the least.  But some will probably pay it.

Which is also just my opinion:

As guys run low on money, they spend overall less time with girls. They become more discriminating and typically only see known good providers. The girls who dont provide great service cant make enough money to pay the bills so they stop escorting entirely and leave the business. That means fewer overall women in the business but also helps ensure only the best quality providers.
But its still a sellers market, the handful of girls left can now afford to be picky with their clients and work situation. They dont have to put up with as much nonsense and can even increase their rates a little.

At least thats what I got from my economics teacher when discussing a rough economy. You would think that when money is tight prices on certain goods & services go down.
Nope. Cuz now its that much more important that the seller makes money which means cutting back on production AND raising prices at the same time. Now it may not seem like the smartest thing, but its what happens naturally. This is aggregate supply and demand we are looking at, not supply and demand.
As for regular supply and demand, you have to remember that the supply is kinda weird. ANY woman could do this job, simply by virtue of being a woman. But most wont even consider it unless they are desperate for cash. So supply max is theoretically unlimited but in reality its strictly limited by morality and ethics (which dont affect supply and demand for most other goods or services).

Now, if guys just flat out stopped seeing women in opposition to high prices, one of two things could happen. Supply would disappear cuz many women could just do other things, deciding they dont wanna sell their bodies for table scraps.
OR, they could each slowly start to reduce their prices a little bit until guys started calling up again. Of course, thats the kinda thing that makes the girls feel special, the guys get hooked on nookie again, and demand is seen to rise quickly. Prices go back up again.

For all intents and purposes the curve is working fine. We are at equilibrium. The funny thing about equilibrium prices is even thought the consumer often complains about them, the reason they rest there at all is because he's willing to pay that price.
If people are buying gas at 4 bucks a gallon, then obviously they are perfectly fine with it even though they piss and moan every day.

And the women do not want a price war, in the end that only hurts them. As with all price wars the manufacturer suffers and goes out of business and that means supply drops, well I think you can guess what happens from there.

As the prices of other things changed? Recession doesn't mean prices will go down that just means people don't make as much money or there's less jobs. Do the price for illegal drugs go down because of a recession? You better believe not. Or has McDonalds lowered the price of burgers? Gas has ONLY GONE UP!!! Wrong place to be asking for a discount any way , LOL