MuscleDaddyRWC

Does anyone else besides me not ask cost in their initial communication with a masseur?  I look at the reviews and see what others have paid so that gives me an approximate budget. 

I just happened to look at Mr Nunber for my own number and see that a provider from last year reported "underpaid. Collect money in advance.". 
This troubles me because I always put the quoted amount of the service folded on one side of my wallet and then add appropriate tip from the other side.  In this case I recall the provider was mediocre at best and I did not tip.  But he did get his full fee.   
I'm a premium subscriber to Mr Number and wish they would alert us on the app when we get a review.  I would have addressed this in the moment with the provider but 9 months later there's little point. I'd also love to be able to respond to a comment.

Luckily for me, before I started the profession I have now, I owned my own small retail business for 25 years (right out of college). I've mentioned it here from time to time. I was / am very proud of it, as it was a success, I enjoyed every day, and met some of the nicest people (including providers). I also gained some 'notoriety' in the local media and national media for being 'unique' in the retail world. 
Because of that, I attracted dozens of people over the year who thought it was A-OK to come to my store (often at the busiest times) , search me out, and then tell me they wanted to 'pick my brain' on how to open a store like the one I had. Seriously.
I guess they thought I would be honored when they would come in - often for the very first time- with a notebook in their hands, and say "I want to open a store just like this ! Can you give me some pointers on how to get started and how to do this ?" with a big smile on their face. Men, women, young couples, retirees - everyone you can imagine. "Where do you find all these great products ? How do you do it ?" And they would get mad when I would refuse them - very mad. They thought I 'owed it to them' to teach them how to open a business.
Finally, I got smart one day and said to this young couple (the guy was awfully sexy) with their pens and notebooks, "I'll be happy to. Let's set an appointment up for an hour consultation, which will cost you $1,000. If you wish to go further after the initial consultation, I charge $500 an hour for business consulting. What day is good for you ?" 
At that point, the gave me the gut-crunching hearty laugh, and reminded me they didn't want to pay for this, they wanted me to teach them for free. I told them I don't offer my services for free. They said I should, as part of 'giving back to the community'.  I asked them, 'Nordstrom has a store in our community. Do you think you two can walk in and ask the manager for his / her time to teach you all about running a department store and getting started with your own ?"  They left.
This was my answer to all after that, and that's how I was able to handle others (including this provider the other day) going forward. 

To the OP : the rate is relative to what you're looking for most of the time. Many men on here simply want the eye candy, and someone competent doing actual massage therapy. For me, I want the eye candy, and some fun to boot. I'm not going to get this usually for around $120 nowadays.
I look to see if the men who intrigue me advertise on sexual platforms in addition to massage platforms. That is a tell-tale sign that hanky-panky is on the table from them, but expect a higher donation for that instead of having him spring a rate increase (which you knew could be coming) thinking that you might be able to get away with a massage rate for an escort experience. 
If you want to see an established porn star, expect to pay close to or double what an "erotic massage" will run you. Some of the best reviews on here are from guys who were lucky enough to catch people before they became household names. I've seen just one, and am happy for him. 

I put the massage fee in one pocket and the tip money in another pocket so for a "just okay" experience, the tip money doesn't see the light of day. 

May I suggest doing what’s worked well for me? I also use an envelope to pay providers which I prepare in advance with just their exact fee. If I choose to tip, I simply add it afterward, it's always easier to put more in than to take some out.

I used one masseur (since retired) repeatedly who always used the same music loop.  I noticed over time little pauses that told him when to switch body parts and when to flip.  Actually pretty clever.
He had it set to allow 10 minutes at the end for genital massage.  I often came quickly and he would use the remaining time to visit muscles that he thought could use a little attention.

I prefer not to use the phrases "I can't afford that" or "It's not worth that", and instead use the phrase "That's not my priority".  I will prioritize spending thousands of dollars for Business or First Class when I travel, but will not pay that much for an overnight escort, even if both the escort and the flight  last a similar length of time.
Some prioritize a model with zero fat.  Others prioritize a big dick.  Yet others prioritize kissing.  There are so many comments from men who will not hire a guy who doesn't kiss, but that's not a priority for me.  I'll pay a premium for other aspects of the man which are my priority.

I’m not sure I’m on board with this (fairly recent) trend of sticking their tongue out for a photo!

I’m not sure I’m on board with this (fairly recent) trend of sticking their tongue out for a photo!

I’m not sure I’m on board with this (fairly recent) trend of sticking their tongue out for a photo!

I’m not sure I’m on board with this (fairly recent) trend of sticking their tongue out for a photo!

I’m not sure I’m on board with this (fairly recent) trend of sticking their tongue out for a photo!

Only about 10% of clients tip me but I’m in the UK and the tipping culture here isn’t like the US. 
This topic has been covered ad infinitum previously….it appears there’s no answer. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Also don’t assume that because someone charges say $300 for an hour that he’s making $2400 a day, $12k a week, $600k a year on an 8 hour a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year gig. All tax free. Some years I only make $500k…
 

There used to be a provider near me that, after massaging down my glutes,  would slide the entire side of his hand across my asshole and up through my crack.  It was so much more sensuous to me than having my asshole fingered.

There used to be a provider near me that, after massaging down my glutes,  would slide the entire side of his hand across my asshole and up through my crack.  It was so much more sensuous to me than having my asshole fingered.

If that’s you in your pic then I can see why he did your sexy🤤

There used to be a provider near me that, after massaging down my glutes,  would slide the entire side of his hand across my asshole and up through my crack.  It was so much more sensuous to me than having my asshole fingered.

This segues into my philosophy:
Paying cash for sex is not acceptable by the majority. Buying someone drinks & dinner and then having sex after *is* acceptable.  But they’re both exchange of value for sex.  
Why can’t we get rid of our puritanical values in the 21st century?

 

I have a good friend and we both hire escorts and masseurs.  We always text appointment details to each other "just in case" for first time encounters.  Plus reviews after & recommendations.

This segues into my philosophy:
Paying cash for sex is not acceptable by the majority. Buying someone drinks & dinner and then having sex after *is* acceptable.  But they’re both exchange of value for sex.  
Why can’t we get rid of our puritanical values in the 21st century?

 

I’m sure if you post a link here you’ll get some good critiques.

This segues into my philosophy:
Paying cash for sex is not acceptable by the majority. Buying someone drinks & dinner and then having sex after *is* acceptable.  But they’re both exchange of value for sex.  
Why can’t we get rid of our puritanical values in the 21st century?

 

This segues into my philosophy:
Paying cash for sex is not acceptable by the majority. Buying someone drinks & dinner and then having sex after *is* acceptable.  But they’re both exchange of value for sex.  
Why can’t we get rid of our puritanical values in the 21st century?

 

This segues into my philosophy:
Paying cash for sex is not acceptable by the majority. Buying someone drinks & dinner and then having sex after *is* acceptable.  But they’re both exchange of value for sex.  
Why can’t we get rid of our puritanical values in the 21st century?