$300 versus $150/$200…

[DWnyc]

2 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

Has anyone experienced  a provider quoting one price “safe” with condoms and another higher price for bareback? Always makes me shake my head, usually a $100-$150 up charge. Makes me wonder. Any thoughts or experience with this up charge?

I’ve seen the opposite actually (higher price with condoms as “it’s much harder to perform”) though not that much of a markup. I’ve also seen more than one provider refuse to meet at all if that was a requirement.

 

 

[Jaroslav]

4 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

Has anyone experienced  a provider quoting one price “safe” with condoms and another higher price for bareback? Always makes me shake my head, usually a $100-$150 up charge. Makes me wonder. Any thoughts or experience with this up charge?

That hasn’t been my experience. I used to be hesitant to ask about bareback, especially if it’s posted safe only, but I have yet to have a guy say no to it or charge more.

[Spiritualadvisor]

It baffles me why people would risk their lives for a few hundred dollars. I understand why those already infected with STDs wouldn’t mind unprotected sex, but why would healthy providers risk it? 
 

'Out Of Control' STDs Found In New York State Than Most Of US

HUDSONVALLEYPOST.COM

---

You are more likely to get a sexually transmitted disease living in New York State than in most of the United States.

 

[DWnyc]

1 hour ago, Jaroslav said:

That hasn’t been my experience. I used to be hesitant to ask about bareback, especially if it’s posted safe only, but I have yet to have a guy say no to it or charge more.

My anecdotal experience is that culturally (on the US east coast at least) things have shifted from bare being a hushed secret ask, to the norm. This applies to both the provider scene and hookup culture in general.

Safe now seems something you have to request when making an appointment, bare being the assumed preference. 

Won’t be apparent if people are filtering for “safe only” to begin with. 

[DWnyc]

22 minutes ago, Spiritualadvisor said:

It baffles me why people would risk their lives for a few hundred dollars. I understand why those already infected with STDs wouldn’t mind unprotected sex, but why would healthy providers risk it? 
 

'Out Of Control' STDs Found In New York State Than Most Of US

HUDSONVALLEYPOST.COM

---

You are more likely to get a sexually transmitted disease living in New York State than in most of the United States.

 

A provider’s personal preferences aside, I think it’s not just a matter of a few hundred dollars, but their calculation of their entire livelihood, given prevailing client norms.

 

[+ jessmapex]

10 minutes ago, DWnyc said:

A provider’s personal preferences aside, I think it’s not just a matter of a few hundred dollars, but their calculation of their entire livelihood, given prevailing client norms.

 

Oh wow.. prevailing client norm is barebacking? Looks like I have some catching up to do (and catching something too 😜)!

[Jaroslav]

Perhaps it’s a bit foolhardy, but to my knowledge, treated STDs (not just HIV) are quite manageable and no longer a death sentence. Given the cost of hiring, it’s probably safe to assume that guys who are engaging escorts can afford treatment for an STD if they should contract one. Add to that that many providers are also on PreP and take other precautions for other STDs, it’s hardly a life risk to go bareback. It’s some risk. Of course. So is walking across the street downtown, but people do it. Or taking your mask off in public now with COVID still among us. It’s a (consciously) calculated risk, but not one that carries with it the danger it once did.

Edited April 11, 2023 by Jaroslav

[Jaroslav]

8 hours ago, jessmapex said:

(and catching something too 😜)!

Doubtful if you and the provider are doing other precautions aside from a condom. 

[Jaroslav]

9 hours ago, Spiritualadvisor said:

It baffles me why people would risk their lives for a few hundred dollars. I understand why those already infected with STDs wouldn’t mind unprotected sex, but why would healthy providers risk it? 
 

'Out Of Control' STDs Found In New York State Than Most Of US

HUDSONVALLEYPOST.COM

---

You are more likely to get a sexually transmitted disease living in New York State than in most of the United States.

 

All these are treatable. Even HIV. And in a city of 10 million, 2000 cases is small.

 I’m not saying that you should ignore the potential for STDs nor take them seriously. But I don’t wear a hazmat suit to go out into the plant at work simply because there’s dangerous chemicals about. When approached appropriately, we can be okay. Absent a spill, hazmat suit unneeded. Absent a known infection, or if you’re on PreP and so is he, all you’re really protecting is your peace of mind. 

[DWnyc]

To reiterate what has been said many times before, so not an original thought:

Just don’t rely on anyone (provider, client, hookup, partner etc) telling you they’re on PREP or that they have a health status that influences your behavior.

People don’t often know their actual status, or they may be lying for whatever reason etc and you have to take responsibility for your own health, on the metrics important to you.

And there’s that heat of the moment thing as well … 

[Jaroslav]

One is ultimately responsible for oneself. We forget that. But I’m not going to disbelieve an escort who says he’s on PreP either. I’m on it so I’m not too concerned, at least about HIV. Monitoring your health and condition should be something you’re doing even if you haven’t been fucking escorts. If you develop a strange rash, see a doctor, regardless of sexual history. That seems self-evident to me.

[+ DrownedBoy]

7 hours ago, Jaroslav said:

Perhaps it’s a bit foolhardy, but to my knowledge, treated STDs (not just HIV) are quite manageable and no longer a death sentence.

Only as long as you don't mind all the side effects from the treatment. 

And dealing with the fact that, no matter how much science says undetectable = safe, you'll still be a pariah to many potential partners. 

[+ Coolwave35]

I wanna talk about stds now lol. Anyone wanna start a new topic?  Before we get “strongly encouraged” to do so? 

Edited April 11, 2023 by Coolwave35

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

5 hours ago, DrownedBoy said:

Only as long as you don't mind all the side effects from the treatment. 

And dealing with the fact that, no matter how much science says undetectable = safe, you'll still be a pariah to many potential partners. 

A one pill a day regime has nearly zero side effects. This isn't 1992 and we're not talking about AZT. 

Those who still use 'pariah' and 'HIV positive' in the same breath are also usually the same backward shitheads who can't embrace, nor even understand, modern medical science. 

Fuck those people. They're luddites.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here: Always be aware of the full arsenal of medical tools at your disposal to protect yourself and your longterm health.  It's your responsibility and yours alone. 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by BenjaminNicholas

[Jarrod_Uncut]

We’ve gone so far off the topic of price versus price, I had to recheck the title to make sure I didn’t click in the wrong thread 😆 

I have however found a compromise: I’m going to start offering different prices for those who book twice within a month or 2, or who become regular - regulars (as in booking once or twice per couple months, not coming around every 3-6 years lol). I find it seems to get more back in the door. 
 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[marylander1940]

Asking for a discount in a first encounter is like showing a coupon while ordering, you know you'll get more rice, potatoes, etc. Having said that I've had a few arrangements when I would see someone weekly for a lower rate. 

When craigslist got rid of the personals all of the sudden many escorts were flooded with bargain seekers.

 

[Medin]

On 4/17/2023 at 8:24 PM, marylander1940 said:

Asking for a discount in a first encounter is like showing a coupon while ordering, you know you'll get more rice, potatoes, etc. Having said that I've had a few arrangements when I would see someone weekly for a lower rate. 

When craigslist got rid of the personals all of the sudden many escorts were flooded with bargain seekers.

 

I haven't found that to be true, but the escorts are glad some people feel that way.  Some providers start out at ridiculously high rates and when I ask for a discount they drop the price significantly.  I don't think the service I'm provided at $300 is any different than if I had paid the $400 they originally quoted.  A lot/most of the escorts try to charge the same rate regardless of what city they're in.   Too often the guy who charges $400 in NYC is shocked to find out he can't get that in the Midwest or smaller cities.  Nothing about this industry is a bargain.  An hourly rate of $300+ if definitely more than the vast majority of us clients make.  I wish I could bill my clients $300/hour.  

[DWnyc]

1 hour ago, Medin said:

.An hourly rate of $300+ if definitely more than the vast majority of us clients make.  I wish I could bill my clients $300/hour.  

The flip side is as I’ve often said in the never ending discussion on here to complaining providers, if there are clients willing to pay those rates, the market is saying that works. 

However I’d be laughed out of the room if I applied some of the logic seen on these boards regarding pricing calculations, customer service, marketing, strategy etc from the provider side to my company’s decisions on these matters.

[marylander1940]

5 hours ago, Medin said:

I haven't found that to be true, but the escorts are glad some people feel that way.  Some providers start out at ridiculously high rates and when I ask for a discount they drop the price significantly.  I don't think the service I'm provided at $300 is any different than if I had paid the $400 they originally quoted.  A lot/most of the escorts try to charge the same rate regardless of what city they're in.   Too often the guy who charges $400 in NYC is shocked to find out he can't get that in the Midwest or smaller cities.  Nothing about this industry is a bargain.  An hourly rate of $300+ if definitely more than the vast majority of us clients make.  I wish I could bill my clients $300/hour.  

The escorts are glad some people want to bargain/work on the price?

I don't know if you ever run a business but put yourself in their place. 

Someone who successfully charges 400 in New York doesn't have to go to the Midwest to make a living adding paying airfare and hotel room to their expenses. Taking this slightly of subject I know escorts who target small markets because of less competition.

What's the percentage of escorts you approach who significantly drop the price to you? 

Most Americans can't afford $300 but that's an amount of money that won't break the bank either. I have a retired friends who drives Uber and dedicates that money to hire escorts, most folks who own a car and work 8 hours a day could do the same. 

Edited May 3, 2023 by marylander1940

[Medin]

6 hours ago, DWnyc said:

The flip side is as I’ve often said in the never ending discussion on here to complaining providers, if there are clients willing to pay those rates, the market is saying that works. 

However I’d be laughed out of the room if I applied some of the logic seen on these boards regarding pricing calculations, customer service, marketing, strategy etc from the provider side to my company’s decisions on these matters.

100% agree.  The market will set the rates but as you mentioned, the "logic" being used by so many of the providers would never fly in any other industry.  I don't expect the providers to all have MBAs but some basic business knowledge may not be a bad idea.  

[DWnyc]

I think some travelers from high price markets to lower price ones are traveling anyway and it’s a way to make money while on vacation or funding their trip, so they’re not traveling solely to earn in another market.

I always find it interesting to hear perspectives from providers visiting my geography on how it differs from theirs, each market seems very different.

 

[DWnyc]

1 minute ago, Medin said:

100% agree.  The market will set the rates but as you mentioned, the "logic" being used by so many of the providers would never fly in any other industry.  I don't expect the providers to all have MBAs but some basic business knowledge may not be a bad idea.  

The providers can do whatever they want of course but it baffles me that so many seem so stubborn in maintaining practices that clearly aren’t working for them, but refuse to consider other options and complain about … not sure what. 

[Medin]

3 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

The escorts are glad some people want to bargain/work on the price?

I don't know if you ever run a business but put yourself in their place. 

Someone who successfully charges 400 in New York doesn't have to go to the Midwest to make a living adding paying airfare and hotel room to their expenses. Taking this slightly of subject I know escorts who target small markets because of less competition.

What's the percentage of escorts you approach who significantly drop the price to you? 

Most Americans can't afford $300 but that's an amount of money that won't break the bank either. I have a retired friends who drives Uber and dedicates that money to hire escorts, most folks who own a car and work 8 hours a day could do the same. 

No.  The escorts are glad that clients think they will get a lower level of service if they are paying $300 vs $400.   I haven't found that to be the case.  In regards to your next question; yes I have in fact.  I have a MBA from Michigan and have run a very successful business for 35 years.  $300+/hour (tax free!) is nothing to sneeze at regardless of your market.  Driving for Uber won't get you anywhere close to that.  At that rate, I expect some level of professionalism.  Unfortunately that is often lacking.  

[DWnyc]

3 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

Someone who successfully charges 400 in New York doesn't have to go to the Midwest to make a living 

 

Only caveat would be … are they charging and getting that rate for just a few or all their bookings -  and for as much volume as they would like. I think some providers get giddy or overconfident after one or two successful bites at a price that is actually premium in their market (assuming this means they themselves are premium whatever that means) without realizing the rest of the market doesn’t price them that way. Then they interpret those unwilling to pay that amount as cheap, nefarious etc.

Difficult to fix without a clear service differential that justifies pricing tiers.

3 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

What's the percentage of escorts you approach who significantly drop the price to you? 

 

On average I would say 50% of those I approach who are prepared to have a conversation (remembering that many don’t reply at all) … and then I don’t proceed with (not only because of price but they may assume that’s the reason) come back with a revised price offer. 

typical reductions are $300 to $250 and anything above $300 to 275 or $300.

Some providers can complain till they’re blue in the face that it doesn’t happen so frequently or that this is the result of haggling on my part (it never is but even if it was, if the price reduction is voluntarily offered, where’s the problem?). 

 

[marylander1940]

20 minutes ago, DWnyc said:

Only caveat would be … are they charging and getting that rate for just a few or all their bookings -  and for as much volume as they would like. I think some providers get giddy or overconfident after one or two successful bites at a price that is actually premium in their market (assuming this means they themselves are premium whatever that means) without realizing the rest of the market doesn’t price them that way. Then they interpret those unwilling to pay that amount as cheap, nefarious etc.

Difficult to fix without a clear service differential that justifies pricing tiers.

On average I would say 50% of those I approach who are prepared to have a conversation (remembering that many don’t reply at all) … and then I don’t proceed with (not only because of price but they may assume that’s the reason) come back with a revised price offer. 

typical reductions are $300 to $250 and anything above $300 to 275 or $300.

Some providers can complain till they’re blue in the face that it doesn’t happen so frequently or that this is the result of haggling on my part (it never is but even if it was, if the price reduction is voluntarily offered, where’s the problem?). 

 

I have a feeling some folks will PM you asking you to name names...