Rentmen offers freezing memberships and Covid safe mode.

[marylander1940]

Could be.

 

Then again I checked the small markets. There still guys in bigger cities advertising available now.

 

In DC now less than 150 guy, usually is 220 or more.

[marylander1940]

Just curious to see if you've noticed a significant decrease in the number of escort ads in your city. In Denver, I'd say it's about a third fewer ads than before the COVID-19 pandemic on Rent.Men at least. Still some of the regulars are sticking it out, which is interesting.

 

How is it in your city/town?

 

Yes, guys are freezing their ads for a world after Covid-19 and in the meantime they won't be charged but their ads won't be visible in searches.

 

I think it's worth paying the monthly fee for 2 or 3 months just to get some attention and potential clients later.

[orville]

Yes, guys are freezing their ads for a world after Covid-19 and in the meantime they won't be charged but their ads won't be visible in searches.

 

I think it's worth paying the monthly fee for 2 or 3 months just to get some attention and potential clients later.

Number of Rentmen pages in big expensive cities were slayed by half or so, but I've seen few ads reappearing. I'm gonna say those guys got sick and scared, froze their ads, and when recovered got back to work (you can see recent reviews) to pay the rent cause there's no money saved. Some people just like playing the Russian Roulette.

Edited April 18, 2020 by orville

[Jarrod_Uncut]

Yes, guys are freezing their ads for a world after Covid-19 and in the meantime they won't be charged but their ads won't be visible in searches.

 

I think it's worth paying the monthly fee for 2 or 3 months just to get some attention and potential clients later.

 

Exactly. Hell I'm doing it now to get clients now. With less competition on the forefront, this could potentially be a buffet in the Serengeti.

 

The drawback is there is still some folks out of work. Business owners are taking the time to renovate and remodel. However, my belief is, people like to use natural disasters and mass layoffs as a reason they can't afford something. But in reality, they would be giving the same ole tired excuse whether they were working or not.

 

Like one guy said yesterday, "i wish i could afford you". Well my rates aren't even listed. How you just automatically assume anything?

 

Number of Rentmen pages in big expensive cities were slayed by half or so, but I've seen few ads reappearing. I'm gonna say those guys got sick and scared, froze their ads, and when recovered got back to work (you can see recent reviews) to pay the rent cause there's no money saved. Some people just like playing the Russian Roulette.

 

And that's what I'm not going to do. I'm not going to run off scared, and then come crawling back. I might as well stay immersed in the game, that way I won't be scared to come back.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Jarrod_Uncut

[marylander1940]

Exactly. Hell I'm doing it now to get clients now. With less competition on the forefront, this could potentially be a buffet in the Serengeti.

 

 

I meant it as a way for escorts to promote themselves for later, you (according to what you posted on other threads) are still available to be hired.

[Jarrod_Uncut]

I meant it as a way for escorts to promote themselves for later, you (according to what you posted on other threads) are still available to be hired.

 

I haven’t put “available now” in my ads for a good little while. However, I do see plenty of other providers doing so. For me, it’s more of just I am rarely “available now”, so I’m not going to go out of my way to do so. I’m not going around passing out flyers and cold calling. I’m just sitting here having a glass of wine, alone, as I do everyday. I can’t control what other people want to do.

 

If someone is going to judge, judge the others who are out having get togethers and private, with less than 10 people meetups. There’s no if ands or buts about it. People often want to say, “well that’s different”. But it’s not.

[marylander1940]

I haven’t put “available now” in my ads for a good little while. However, I do see plenty of other providers doing so. For me, it’s more of just I am rarely “available now”, so I’m not going to go out of my way to do so. I’m not going around passing out flyers and cold calling. I’m just sitting here having a glass of wine, alone, as I do everyday. I can’t control what other people want to do.

 

If someone is going to judge, judge the others who are out having get togethers and private, with less than 10 people meetups. There’s no if ands or buts about it. People often want to say, “well that’s different”. But it’s not.

 

Pardon me but I read post number 30 of this thread and others and I simply assumed you were still escorting.

[MikeBiDude]

It’s unfortunate that so many escorts (and masseurs?) consider escorting a lark and just some fun vs. a business. Back in the day (and it’s been a long time since I’ve done this) I helped a couple twenty-something escorts establish “legitimate” tax/income reporting, savings, business license on one occasion, SEP- IRA on one occasion. Encouraged 90 days savings. A couple of guys really got into this and prospered, they appreciated the mentoring. A few others took the “I’m young nothing can happen to me, there’s time...” attitude.

 

One thought that keeps popping into my mind here....if more providers took this professional route they would today have access to unemployment, SBA loans, and other government relief instead of begging/relying on clients for advances.

[Jarrod_Uncut]

It’s unfortunate that so many escorts (and masseurs?) consider escorting a lark and just some fun vs. a business. Back in the day (and it’s been a long time since I’ve done this) I helped a couple twenty-something escorts establish “legitimate” tax/income reporting, savings, business license on one occasion, SEP- IRA on one occasion. Encouraged 90 days savings. A couple of guys really got into this and prospered, they appreciated the mentoring. A few others took the “I’m young nothing can happen to me, there’s time...” attitude.

 

One thought that keeps popping into my mind here....if more providers took this professional route they would today have access to unemployment, SBA loans, and other government relief instead of begging/relying on clients for advances.

 

That’s good that you’ve shared some of your financial savvy. However, I think your message was directed for another thread, sir. Perhaps it was more geared towards the other thread that talks about advance deposits, which I’ve clarified here

 

That said, I can briefly just address what you’ve said now. 90 days of savings assumes an escort is getting clients steadily, few cancellations OR rescheduled cancellations. Unfortunately, in the real world, that doesn’t happen. That also doesn’t compensate the fact that one escort may have the demand to reach many more clients (whether that be looks, ability to host/travel, being in a favorable market, able to command the price desired etc etc).

 

It’s easy to talk money when you’ve got money. But not everyone has it. You can have all the financial savvy skills at your disposal, but if you ain’t making X amount more times your bills (which we might as well assume, are unavoidable), you can’t save. And with escorts just recently coming out of FOSTA/SESTA, numerous website closures (rentboy, men4rent, backpage, hour boy, Craigslist, and now: very few sites allow rates to be posted) this whole situation is just another setback in the setbacks that have ALREADY occurred in the last 2-5 years. So last thing I need to hear, is somebody telling me what I should of, coulda or, would of done. Not when the odds have been stacked against us every 2 years.

 

In addition, those SBA loans, explicitly disqualified those businesses of a “sexual nature”:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/blavity.com/amp/adult-entertainment-businesses-ineligible-for-finacial-aid-amid-global-pandemic

 

Businesses and self-employed individuals within the legal sex industry aren't eligible for loans or grants from the Small Business Administration (SBA) following the passing of a milestone $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Jarrod_Uncut

[Jarrod_Uncut]

It’s unfortunate that so many escorts (and masseurs?) consider escorting a lark and just some fun vs. a business. Back in the day (and it’s been a long time since I’ve done this) I helped a couple twenty-something escorts establish “legitimate” tax/income reporting, savings, business license on one occasion, SEP- IRA on one occasion. Encouraged 90 days savings. A couple of guys really got into this and prospered, they appreciated the mentoring. A few others took the “I’m young nothing can happen to me, there’s time...” attitude.

 

One thought that keeps popping into my mind here....if more providers took this professional route they would today have access to unemployment, SBA loans, and other government relief instead of begging/relying on clients for advances.

 

That’s good that you’ve shared some of your financial savvy. However, I think your message was directed for another thread, sir. Perhaps it was more geared towards the other thread that talks about advance deposits, which I’ve clarified here

 

That said, I can briefly just address what you’ve said now. 90 days of savings assumes an escort is getting clients steadily, few cancellations OR rescheduled cancellations. Unfortunately, in the real world, that doesn’t happen. That also doesn’t compensate the fact that one escort may have the demand to reach many more clients (whether that be looks, ability to host/travel, being in a favorable market, able to command the price desired etc etc).

 

It’s easy to talk money when you’ve got money. But not everyone has it. You can have all the financial savvy skills at your disposal, but if you ain’t making X amount more times your bills (which we might as well assume, are unavoidable), you can’t save. And with escorts just recently coming out of FOSTA/SESTA, numerous website closures (rentboy, men4rent, backpage, hour boy, Craigslist, and now: very few sites allow rates to be posted) this whole situation is just another setback in the setbacks that have ALREADY occurred in the last 2-5 years. So last thing I need to hear, is somebody telling me what I should of, coulda or, would of done. Not when the odds have been stacked against us every 2 years.

 

In addition, those SBA loans, explicitly disqualified those businesses of a “sexual nature”:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/blavity.com/amp/adult-entertainment-businesses-ineligible-for-finacial-aid-amid-global-pandemic

 

Businesses and self-employed individuals within the legal sex industry aren't eligible for loans or grants from the Small Business Administration (SBA) following the passing of a milestone $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Jarrod_Uncut

[Aaron_Bauder]

And with escorts just recently coming out of FOSTA/SESTA, numerous website closures (rentboy, men4rent, backpage, hour boy, Craigslist, and now: very few sites allow rates to be posted) this whole situation is just another setback in the setbacks that have ALREADY occurred in the last 2-5 years. So last thing I need to hear, is somebody telling me what I should of, coulda or, would of done. Not when the odds have been stacked against us every 2 years.

 

This.

 

It's a little too glib to say "well if escorts had setup like a proper business they'd be better off." One, the legal issues, fluctuating demand, and lack of support for sex work and workers reflected in the Rentboy and FOSTA attacks place barriers to business incorporation. Two, small businesses of all kinds are struggling right now, not just sex workers.

 

Unemployment is going broke and unemployment systems are crashing, affecting all unemployed workers. In addition, most non-W2 workers are waiting for the new unemployment process specific to them. Not just sex workers.

 

Due to the 2008 crash, our current economic safety net was redesigned to quickly help Wall Street financial markets and large corporations, but we still have not created a way to quickly help Main Street shops. The IRS is overwhelmed with stimulus and tax chaos, so banks were used as a middleman to help the SBA rush out loans. Banks didn't stop to consider the money wasn't meant for the "low-risk," high-capital, large-profit applicants banks prioritize in normal times. Thus most freelancers, sole proprietors, independent contractors, and mom-and-pop businesses with less than 100 employees ended up shut out of SBA Round One, not just sex workers.

 

And outdated SBA rules from decades ago excluded "purient" adult entertainment businesses (sex shops, strip clubs, porn studios etc) and their employees (porn stars, strip club waitresses/doormen/bartenders, porn actors and admin staff) from SBA and PPP. Traditional corporate structures did not help them.

 

I *am* one of the ones setup fairly professionally as a sole proprietorship and have, for years, paid taxes accordingly. The small business Facebook groups I'm in have frustrated people across industries.

 

I agree though on learning the "diversify income streams, spend less, and save more" lesson. I was already stepping in that direction due to the post-Rentboy, post-FOSTA/SESTA recession. Those steps are the only reason I'm not starving rn. I'm seeing why my Depression-bred grandparents were so frugal and savings-obsessed.

Edited April 27, 2020 by Aaron_Bauder

[Jarrod_Uncut]

This.

 

I agree though on learning the "diversify income streams, spend less, and save more" lesson. I was already stepping in that direction due to the post-Rentboy, post-FOSTA/SESTA recession. Those steps are the only reason I'm not starving rn. I'm seeing why my Depression-bred grandparents were so frugal and savings-obsessed.

 

Thanks for adding to the message I was making, you definitely seem to have an understanding of the current plight from an escorts perspective.

 

However, despite the recommendation by some on the forum saying to be “frugal” and “thrifty” and budget minded, I think the government stimulus checks are designed to do just the opposite lol.

 

Part of the reason why these stem ? checks are going out, is because the government (and other businesses) want us to spend money on stuff we don’t truly need lol. It helps fuel the American economy and dream, to spend money. It generates tax revenue, and opens new opportunities.

 

Me personally: I still cash out coins at coin star, but at the same time...I like to buy nice things. Like when I’m in Palm Springs or Dallas, I like to buy $30 leather wrist bands, and $20 tank tops. A few Andrews at a gay owned underwear store is a good investment. But I tend to spend based on the way business is going. If I’m getting clients and expecting more, I’m apt to spend some here and there...because in this business; there’s a bit of unspoken pressure to dress nice, have nice things, and drive nice cars.

 

It’s kind of why I drive a luxury brand car, even though I don’t particularly like how much it costs to service (or the attention it gets as I seem like an easy target to salesmen lol).

 

But it’s like fuck. Many times I’m going to 4 and 5 star hotels, and prestigious neighborhoods to see clients. I desire to be seen in a luxury vehicle. Nothing wrong with Toyota and Nissan, or Ford and Chevy. But, considering I can’t afford the “brand new” models of those cars, I opted to go for an older luxury car. A 2001 Rolls Royce will exude a different character than a 2020 RAV4, so to speak lol.

 

I recently had an Uber pick me up in a Mercedes that a client ordered (car dealers are being coy with their loaner cars right now, another COVID excuse). I was surprised at how plastic and un-original the interior felt. I know Uber has car-age limits, but I just feel the late 90s and early 2000s luxury cars really went out their way to feel like a 747 ✈️

Edited April 28, 2020 by Jarrod_Uncut

[AJ Doyle]

Number of Rentmen pages in big expensive cities were slayed by half or so, but I've seen few ads reappearing. I'm gonna say those guys got sick and scared, froze their ads, and when recovered got back to work (you can see recent reviews) to pay the rent cause there's no money saved. Some people just like playing the Russian Roulette.

I dont know about the others, but for me I froze my account for fear potential clients would try to shame me for having my profile active. Some people are going into Karen mode and being very judgmental if we advertise during this pandemic, so I just shut it down as I didn't want any DRAMA! Plus my roommate didn't want me working during the pandemic for fear I'd bring something home. He gives me a gift each week I don't work as incentive. This last week I got a massage gun as reward for not working. lol. So a escort freezing their account doesn't necessarily mean they caught Covid-19. They might just be respecting the shut down.... My state is suppose to open up in a week, so I am planning to unfreeze my ad in the upcoming days....

[orville]

I dont know about the others, but for me I froze my account for fear potential clients would try to shame me for having my profile active. Some people are going into Karen mode and being very judgmental if we advertise during this pandemic, so I just shut it down as I didn't want any DRAMA! Plus my roommate didn't want me working during the pandemic for fear I'd bring something home. He gives me a gift each week I don't work as incentive. This last week I got a massage gun as reward for not working. lol. So a escort freezing their account doesn't necessarily mean they caught Covid-19. They might just be respecting the shut down.... My state is suppose to open up in a week, so I am planning to unfreeze my ad in the upcoming days....

You are right. By the time I made that comment the situation was completely different and it seems like (except for NY) the situation is progressively getting under control. I also think it will help a lot to if more people (escorts and clients) proactively get tested and mark themselves positive for antibodies (immunity) so they can go for service without fearing Covid infection. The few cases that were reported as reinfection or relapse in Asia were demonstrated as false negatives by scientists in China and South Korea. Covid is a virus way trickier than others so the sensitivity had to be calibrated to provide the correct results. What is concerning is that a good chunk of clients are in the high risk group of 50+ who took precautions from the start and might never hire again until a reliable vaccine for them launches to market.

[+ honcho]

My state is suppose to open up in a week, so I am planning to unfreeze my ad in the upcoming days....

 

Your rentmen ad suggests that you're living in Orange County, CA. Govenor Newsom was asked about Nail Salons in his daily briefing a few hours ago, and said that they would likely not be allowed for a few more *weeks* even with proper sanitation and PPE. I would assume that giving a massage involves at least as much proximity and time as manicures.

[AJ Doyle]

You are right. By the time I made that comment the situation was completely different and it seems like (except for NY) the situation is progressively getting under control. I also think it will help a lot to if more people (escorts and clients) proactively get tested and mark themselves positive for antibodies (immunity) so they can go for service without fearing Covid infection. The few cases that were reported as reinfection or relapse in Asia were demonstrated as false negatives by scientists in China and South Korea. Covid is a virus way trickier than others so the sensitivity had to be calibrated to provide the correct results. What is concerning is that a good chunk of clients are in the high risk group of 50+ who took precautions from the start and might never hire again until a reliable vaccine for them launches to market.

Yeah I have wondered that myself. I still get requests though, so I think they will hire again. Up till now I've been declining to take appointments though. I don't want anyone accusing me of not honoring the shut down and going off on me.

[AJ Doyle]

Your rentmen ad suggests that you're living in Orange County, CA. Govenor Newsom was asked about Nail Salons in his daily briefing a few hours ago, and said that they would likely not be allowed for a few more *weeks* even with proper sanitation and PPE. I would assume that giving a massage involves at least as much proximity and time as manicures.

I don't listen to anything Gavin says. One week he says it spreads in the gym (Not True) and then he is attacking nail salons. I don't wanna respond to that question any further though as I don't wanna risk having what I said used against me. LOL. Or upsetting anyone by sharing my personal opinions about Gavin any further.

[AJ Doyle]

I'm sure Trump has hired more than his fair share of escorts in the past:)

 

Makes sense though they dropped the rates, I'm surprised they still allow escorts to list what they are into sexually.

 

Is this law the same reason rentmen won't display detailed reviews in the US but will if you look at the reviews from a country outside the us?

For detailed reviews you can find those in the US on Daddys Reviews. Like mine: http://www.daddysreviews.com/review/aj_doyle_oc

I don't know why RM doesn't offer detailed reviews though.

[orville]

Yeah I have wondered that myself. I still get requests though, so I think they will hire again. Up till now I've been declining to take appointments though. I don't want anyone accusing me of not honoring the shut down and going off on me.

I think that at this point if you test positive for antibodies, meaning that you got Covid wheter you developed symptoms or not, and you screen clients 40 yo or less who also tested positive for antibodies, as everything seems to indicate that immunity is built after recovery, you should be able to take clients again at some point. It's a tedious screening process but it will give A LOT of peace of mind.