Inflation, Cost of Living or Booming Economy

[Guest DickHo]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-00 AT 05:26PM (CST)[p]Have you noticed how the escort prices are going up? I'm not talking about porn stars but the regular guys.

 

Christopher#2 in NY is $350/hour

Steven in Munich is $750/2 hours

 

I wonder if I can get my company to include escort prices in the basket of goods we use to calculate cost of living...

[Michael]

As with a lot of other things, the going rate for escorts depends a great deal on the particular location ...

 

In my own case I have noticed that the rate I have to pay per-night for a hotel room is often very close to what I have to pay per-hour for an escort.

[+ Charlie]

When I hired my first escort through an agency in New York in 1979, it cost $35. Prices then went up very fast, but seemed to stabilize around $100-

150 in the mid-1980s; then they started up again. Now I think $200 is the norm in NY, though the best agency in Philadelphia is $140. Europe also seems a little cheaper than NY.

I reached my limit in 1995 when I paid $300 for an escort named Vic (a regular advertiser in Unzipped); when I called him again in 1999, he had gone up to $600! I doubt that he was twice as good as he had been 4 years earlier, and my income certainly didn't double in that time. When I read a review today by someone who paid $2000 for a night with Rick Munro and friend, I thought, "This is crazy: no one night of sex, however hot, is worth more than a very good Dell computer set-up."

I think a good escort should charge what he genuinely thinks he is worth, but some of them seem to have unrealistic appraisals.

[NY Observer]

I noticed Christopher#2's prices and thought oh well. He is very hot looking, but I don't think that any of these guys would be worth that much. If he can get that, more power to him.

 

I guess I'm stubborn, I think $200/hour is plenty. Until someone convinces me otherwise I won't pay more than that.

 

I would love to show my boss the numbers too, it's raise time and I can use all the help I can get

[Guest michaelnnj]

I really have to agree here...the fees for escorts in the NJ/NYC area has gotten way out of hand. I read a review today for a guy in NJ (Josh i think?) and saw that he doesnt kiss and charges $225 (ah, yes, that kissing issue again). And I agree that $2000 for 2 escorts for the night made me dizzy....my mortgage payment isnt that high! I guess as long as there are guys out there who will pay exorbitant fees, the escorts will keep charging them. Its also disconcerting to hear the "a la carte" menu of what an escort will do, as long as you keep shelling out the money. And then after paying these high fees, does one tip on top of that? And does that mean if an escort charges less than the normal fee, does that mean he's not very good? It does help to have Hooboy's "Consumer Reports" edition on escorts handy....I just wish these guys would get a grip on their fees.

[Guest bunglepok]

As an escort, I've learned not to believe anything I read, or half of what I see. Some guys publish escort ads as an exercise in vanity. Their goal may simply be to inspire envy among their friends or ex. Just because an ad says the escort charges $250+ doesn't mean he gets any business.

 

Keep track of the ad. Often those super-priced escorts can't afford to keep publishing their ads, or else the high price disappears. Also, feel free to test your negotiating skills.

 

But escorts charge a lot because some clients are willing to pay a lot. The other night I was meeting with a client for $150. I was having plenty of fun with him, and would have stayed longer for no extra charge. But he volunteered an extra $100 for another hour. Of course I said yes. It never ceases to amaze me that some clients are willing to pay big bucks.

 

You should also understand that escorts are happy to get just 2-3 clients/week. Escorts with a regular job can make serious money. It's easy to experiment with higher prices. Whatever the market allows.

 

It's great work! Now I have to go raise my rate.

[+ Charlie]

I don't believe in negotiating a lower fee than the escort initially asks. My experience when I have done this is that the escort always feels like he has been had or is doing me a favor, and is never as enthusiastic about the sex itself. An escort who accepts less than he thinks he is worth has some self-esteem problems. Of course, it is also true that some escorts ask for more than they think they are worth, or are genuinely trying to gauge the market, but I prefer a guy who knows his value.

[Guest justin]

says the escort charges

>$250+ doesn't mean he gets

>any business.

>

>Keep track of the ad.

>Often those super-priced escorts can't

>afford to keep publishing their

>ads, or else the high

>price disappears. also understand that escorts

>are happy to get just

>2-3 clients/week. Escorts with

>a regular job can make

>serious money.

 

hmmmmmmm.....i guess i would be one of those escorts with the high rates that is being complained about here. reading your email though definitely has NEVER been my experience. I am in NYC though(you didnt say where you were) No place else in the USA can compare to NYC for escorting. you said most ecorts are happy to get 2-3 clients a week???? with my rates i get 2-3 a DAY. your business can be very successful with those rates if you remember two important things: ALWAYS treat your clients with RESPECT and be personable 2. for god sakes put some EFFORT into advertising. i am also not one of those guys who expects a client to be satisfied by only allowing them to look at me. being interactive is important to most guys. im not sure where im going with this email other than to say that your comment about escorts who charge higher rates not making $$$$$ is way off the mark. at least from my experience. and if people are irritated with me for being a good businessman, than so be it. me have brain too.........lol have a great week everyone

[Guest RockyLA]

Supply and demand

 

Escorts are hardly to blame for this rather amazing inflation, since no one could charge $350 an hour, or $2,000 a night, unless they could find clients willing to pay that much.

 

If every potential client simply refused and said nope, sorry, $200 is my limit, that would be end of story.

 

The entire engine for this situation comes from us, the clients. We determine the rates, not the escorts. As long as there are plenty of us who want to impress escorts with our limitless wealth (real or imagined), they'd be nuts not to take advantage.

[Guest leandream1]

RE: Supply and demand

 

A lot of clients have accused me of laughing all the way to the bank (I'm priced about average for a high quality non-porn escort in LA 200/hr 220/hr incall, $1000 SoCal overnight). But this just isn't true. We do well, but I honestly do not understand how escorts who do not have day jobs-I am an engineer-get by. There is a lot more overhead in escorting than one might imagine. My ad in Unzipped runs about $150 every other week; about $4000/year. Frontiers is about the same (I have a bigger ad in that periodical. it's practically BURSTING at the seams with ads). I also advertise in IN, $40/issue and edge 40/issue. The few internet sites that charge to advertise run about $1100/year total. My website costs about $75/month. AOL is not enitirely a deductable expense, but i do use it more for escorting than the casual sex hookups I sought out before I was an escort, so lets say $120/year to AOL for escorting. I spend at least $200/month on long distance phone calls to clients, most of whom i never see but i would never call someone collect even if they said it was alright; that's just uncouth. 80% of my cell phone bill is for escorting, conservativley $2000/year. pager is almost incidental, but it let's me know whne i missed a call at home, so $120/year. gas, $1100-2000/year. safe sex parephanelia (lube, condoms) $300/year, king sized bed sheets, LOTS OF TOWELS, and laundry service for those linens, $500/year total. for obvious reasons one could argue that health insurance is a necessary business-expense. fortunately my day job covers that. all told i probably have a 16-21k annual overhead as an escort, but no guaranteed escorting pay check (even after all that preparation!). thank goodness this is a tax free endeavor!! :-)

[Paul Revere]

RE: Supply and demand

 

Its a free market thing. If an escort can get his asking price, then more power to him. I agree with Justin, if the escort is good and offers good service, he will get his price, and build a business with repeat customers. If the escort does not deliver excellent service, he will not succeed in the long run. Thank god for Hooboy and this site to protect clients from the rip-off hustlers.

 

I am usually happy to pay the $200 and usually I can afford it. I am frustrated by the super-rich guys who drive the prices up. I am comfortable, but I have to budget for entrtainment. Some escorts have told me beleivable stories about outrageous amounts of money or gifts recieved from super rich clients. I guess if you are rich its easier to get what you want: they eat in better restraunts and stay in better hotels and have better vacations than I do. I do not blame an escort for catering to the very wealthy clients.

 

(I was happy that one of my regular guys was charging me $200, but when in L.A., was charging $1000 to some big name Hollywood types. I know I was getting more for $200 than they were getting for $1000, so maybe the rich don't always win). Respect actually goes a long way to.

 

And Justin, I hope we get to hook up the next time I am in New York.

[Paul Revere]

RE: Supply and demand

 

Oh, and one other note for those who have to watch their budgets. Go to Montreal. The dollar gets you much more up there. And oh the French men are beautiful and fun and cost much less than New York. The same dancers that are $200 at the Gaiety might be had for $C100 (about $70 U.S.), and even at $C200, thats only $140 U.S. And you can stay in a nice hotel in Montreal for four nights for what one night will run you in New York.

 

Have an international adventure and save money, but you may want to wait until the Spring.

[Guest javad]

RE: Supply and demand

 

thank goodness this is a tax free endeavor!!

 

Maybe not for long leandream...if the National Sales Tax passes. And from where I sit, it has a great chance.

 

There is a staggering amount of Americans who feel that people who make money by escorting, construction (i.e., paid under the table work) and drugs are getting away with not paying their share of the burden. The National Sales Tax will take care of that.

 

Although I must say that I never contemplated the amount of money you do put into the advertising of your services. However, as a bookkeeper, I must ask if your cell phone bill and AOL are 100% client related and the sheet/towel thing does sound a bit high (just teasing)!!

[Guest Sean]

RE: Supply and demand

 

Lean Baby you took the words right out of my mouth. Not to mention that if this is your only job as it is mine you charge the going rate for your area. Some are higher than others. Rents in NYC are outragous, not to mention cab fare for those of you who actually get in those disgusting things. I prefer my limo to get around So it all depends on where you live and the cost of living. 200 in 225/250 out 1000 over night is pretty reasonable in NYC as far as I'm concerned! And for those of you who are bitching at prices go stand on 42 street or the Train station and pick up a 40 dollar hooker and see what ya get!

[Guest leandream1]

RE: Supply and demand

 

>Maybe not for long leandream...if the

>National Sales Tax passes.

>And from where I sit,

>it has a great chance.

 

more eveidence that all good things must come to an end, sigh...

 

> as a bookkeeper,

>I must ask if your

>cell phone bill and AOL

>are 100% client related

 

from earlier post:

"80% of my cell phone bill is for escorting"

 

from earlier post:

"AOL is not enitirely a deductable expense, but i do use it more for escorting than...so lets say $120/year to AOL for escorting"

 

>andthe sheet/towel thing does sound

>a bit high (just teasing)!!

 

sadly, cal king sized 100$ cotton, 220 thread count sheets run at least $120/set, and that's clearance price. i require at least 6 sets to last b/w launderings; i'd never expect clients to stew in some other clients bodily secretions. EWWWW

 

and i completely forgot rent. you have to have a decent place for incalls, but i prefer a decent place, so i think 20% of my rent rate should be bore by escorting. $225/month. now im up to $18-23k annualy for escorting overhead. wait, you also have to have a working and insured car for outcalls, one that the client wont be afraid to ride in if you go to dinner, now its 22-28k/annual i am putting toward escorting. wow, i quit :-)!

[Guest Ale]

What about Jeff Palmer, Kevin Williams and Billy Brandt!

I am not fool to pay $450 for one hour of nothing. And $ 750. They maybe are crazy or simply don't want to be hire.

[Guest DickHo]

FYI, I noticed that Christopher#2's rate have gone down to $250/hour.

 

I wonder if we had anything to do with it?

[Guest michaelnnj]

I realize that business is business; I am in business too (altho not an escort). I have a limited entertainment budget, and it is unfortunate that many escorts are pricing themselves out of my league. And in my experience, when Ive told an escort that his rate is too high for me, Ive been told to go find someone else. My only regret is that I will not have the chance to experience some of the really good escorts that are reviewed here because they can get more than I am able to cough up. And I guess if they get enough clients that can pay their high fees, they don't have time for me anyway. Just please don't tell me you get what you pay for...high prices don't make you good.

[Guest Blade of Houston]

I agree that location is a whole lot of it. Here in Houston, the highest paid male escorts are only $200! So come on down!

And a note: I have worked for several years here with the alternative papers, fee weeklies, whatever you want to call them. The gay papers charge the same here for a classified, whatever it's about, buy the general market weeklies charge double for an escort ad what they charge for, say, a licensed massage ad of the same size. I've also seen that same situation in Colorado. So it's not just here.

[+ Charlie]

Actually, the most expensive escorts I've hired have rarely been the best sexual experiences, nor have the cheapest been so good. It's usually the average priced escort who has been around a while, knows the market and prices himself to make a reasonable income over the long haul who is most comfortable to be with. I also don't understand how anyone can make a decent living out of escorting as his only job; I do consulting work for an hourly fee for extra income, but I wouldn't want to make a career out of it, because as one of the escorts pointed out, it is too uncertain. Anyone who thinks he can make a career of it isn't planning rationally: where's the health insurance, disability benefits, and pension plan? (And early retirement is a must, but there won't even be a social security record.)

 

By the way, when someone quotes me a higher price than I have already decided I want to pay, I just say "Thanks, but I think that's too much for me right now," and pleasantly say good-bye. After all, at some point in the future I may be willing

or able to pay, and I may still want that person.

[Guest leandream1]

I do not negotiate prices, but I am much more willing to work with someone to find a time frame that works for them fiscally, eg 2 hour appointment versus the overnight, if they don't immediatly start whining about my fee. Interestingly, I find that people from different regions (and thus perhaps, differnt ancestories) complain much more than others. New Yorkers either agree to the fee or move on, some local SoCalers without previous experience hiring escorts may be initially shocked, but wont whine about it. Same goes with men from San Fran, Chicago and Miami. Men from Minneapolis, and this I do not understand, have in my experience been the most whiney, the most apt to say something like: "I dont understand why you boys on the coasts feel you can charge such ridiculous fees for the use of your body, I'm a lawyer and if I ever took on a new client at such a ridiculous fee..." This is of course just my own experience, and being a misplaced Minnesotan myself I find it intriguing. Perhaps we scandinavians and germans (Minnesota is actually more german, than scandinavian; most people dont know that-or care) are genetically inclined to try to bargain through complaining. As a biologist I see this as a tactic similiar to that taken by the whiniest chic in the nest. This one often receives the most food from the mother; yell loud enough, and someone will give in :-) I do not wish to disparage the people of my home state, I miss them so much my heart aches daily. I am merely imparting some personal history.

 

Maintaining escorting as a second job is a very wise strategy. From 7-4 I earn my health insurance and 401k, essential benefits now days as the previous writer indicated. The challenge is WHAT TO DO with the escorting cash if it is your second source of income (or even if it is your only source-how do you boys do that?). Something that has worked well for some (see IRS i didnt say me, i mean im not even really an escort, i just stumbled onto this web site, and...) is to wire money to your credit cards. You will be debt free and eventually you will "overpay" and actually have a credit on your cards. they will hate you because all banks want you to carry a huge balance, but you will have successfully outsmarted them and wont have excess cash lying around the apartment that may go straight to a new sony dvd player with bose speakers (or in my case a new titanium frame mountain bike, and a new surfboard). I do not recommend paying off school loans in this fashion, as those debts are more significant in size (i hope) than your credit card debt and presumably more apt to send up red flags if handled in the above fashion. Most likely you can safely give a broker about 5-10k a year to play with and not receive to many questions, if you have the legit job you can point to. this Any other suggestions on what do do with escorting money, or should i open a new Discussion? thanks.

[Guest leandream1]

I took my own advise and opened a new topic in the DELI "Any CPAs out there....? "

[Guest brianrj]

As a Minnesotan of 1/2 Swedish & 1/2 German descent, I can honestly say I wouldn't be whining about your fee. Must just be those penny pinching lawyers here. (More likely they just can't afford it after paying those monopolistic air fares out of MSP?)

 

Seriously though, I have a friend in a similar business to me, that received a "friendly greeting" from the IRS about a review of his personal taxes. Started out due to some form that was either incomplete or completed improperly - I don't remember which. It mushroomed into a very long, drawn out audit. In the end - he was quite fortunate - and did not owe much. The lesson I took away from hearing this experience is to make very sure that whoever I get to prepare my taxes does them correctly. While you can get caught in the random sample that are audited each year - it seems a good idea to make sure your tax return is as "perfect" as possible - at least with respect to your non-escorting activities. Good luck!

 

And if you're ever back in whiny Minnesota...

[Guest leandream1]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-09-00 AT 02:08PM (CST)[p]Thanks Brian, I have already made myself an enemy of Germans, Scandinavians, Minnesotans and apparantly RO (see deli "Any CPAs out there...") now the lawyers are going to hate me too. Thanks a lot! :-) UFFDA

 

Bringing this back to the original post, would anybody be interested in the REAL average escort hourly and overnight fees, based on information from this website, for several major American cities (off the top of my head NYC, SoCal, Chicago, MPLS, Miami, SanFran, Monreal, boston, Vegas....)? that way the next time during the interview process a client says "I have hired dozens of guys in your city for half of what you are asking", or an escort claims that $xxx is the average in boston, you can yell "bullshit" or nod your head (why are you nodding to the phone in your hand?) in agreement. get back to me. if enough people say yes, i should have it computed soon.

[Guest REGINA]

This truly is a situation of reaping the benefits of what the market offers. Unfortunately, a very close friend of mine contacted an escort based upon a review and tried to make arrangements for his services. When the fee quoted was different from that listed on the review--by $100--he withdrew his request, stating he simply didn't have that much. The escort in return berated him for being cheap and continued to harrass him over the next few days with one-lined e-mails, commenting on his lack of resources. This was his first attemp to hire and escort and will most likely be his last. I called a very good friend of mine who is an escort; he said my friend was better off not hooking up with such a bastard but his self-esteem has hit rock bottom. I hope he contacts someone else with higher standards and more compassion for an embarrassing situation all around. As for escorts who require photos of their clients before meeting, well, that's another forum! P.S. My friend is very expensive but I understand he is very very good. I've never been with him; it would be like sleeping with my sister!