I feel the RM community needs to also go on strike

[Jarrod_Uncut]

With everyone in Hollywood doing their walk outs, I wonder how that would look for us?

I personally feel it’s time. I have emailed to RentMen and RentMasseur, and Adam4Adam (I know, not the greatest for trying to find clients…But there’s still some gems on occasion) my suggestions, but nothing ever seems to get done. I feel we as advertisers need to stop accepting whatever is defaulted and stand up. This isn’t directly an assault towards RM, but they are controlling the ship…and the ship has hit an 🏔️ 🚢 and is filling with water. 

What would a strike benefit? Here’s some changes I would

#1: allow paying escorts to access a private portal of reported clients that we can report (this doesn’t have to compromise client confidentiality). The current “app” for doing this, I find isn’t know by providers in smaller markets. Plus they charge a fee, so some people probably don’t use it as much. It’s also kinda glitchy and vague. We need something like what men4rent offered, before the RB raid scared them into shutting down. I have seen a website offer this option, as explained here.

 

#2: rates need to be reinstated, plainly. Not hidden somewhere. it’s no reason I need to be arguing and fussing and low balling with clients who don’t know my rates before contacting. It should show when the click our number. It also doesn’t need to be in reference to sex, simply: the cost to host you, the cost to travel to you. Period. Nothing else implied .

#3: No more free private gallery/videos. They need to pay for extra content

#4: Cut the “available now” to “available today. Nobody is ever available now unless you’re at a bath house or nudist beach. Unless: a person is indoors for 2 days straight, not stepping out at all and can maintain that consistently: it’s most likely not possible. But I go ahead and put “available now” anyway because I am “available today”.

#5: Educate clients with a simple pop up, showing them a brief tutorial how to book. They should be informed; an escort may ask for your name. Your age, location. Basic details about yourself. Don’t make them have to fish it from you. Too many buffoons hit me up not wanting to share anything about themselves, thinking I’m just going to go to them or open my door to a complete ghost with no info. 

#6: anything else someone can add…should be promoted.

What would a strike look like?

Taking down our numbers, disabling email contact. Let them stare and be unable to book until change is made. Let them know: I am temporarily unavailable while we come up with a better way for providers and clients to establish boundaries on the rentmen platform 🪧 

I know it’s not as simple as that but, even just acknowledging these things and discussing it with RM could make a difference.

 

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[+ nycman]

[DWnyc]

A reminder of free market economics. 

nothing stopping you from going on strike if you feel so strongly, and maybe invite other providers to join you.

Look forward to your reporting back how that’s going for you. 

[maninsoma]

Why not move to a country where sex work is legal, and then start such a website yourself?  (I'm only suggesting leaving the US because of past actions against sites like Rentboy.)  If the things you desire are desired by enough providers, with the right marketing/word of mouth you will surely gain market share and will likely make more as the owner of the website than as a provider.

[maninsoma]

31 minutes ago, arnemgreeves said:

Easier said than done. 

I didn't say it would be easy, but at least it's possible.

Trying to get everyone who does sex work to go "on strike" isn't possible. 

[+ Coolwave35]

I’d encourage you to partner with a gay techy that could build a better mouse trap implementing your adjustments. 

[dbar123]

I notice that escorts post rates on Rentmasseur and Masseurfinder…but invariably they are not the rates quoted when you contact the person directly….

[Monarchy79]

Hollywood’s strike is specific to unionized workers in that industry. 
 

The industry you work in is not regulated, and leans further towards individual entrepreneurship for each individual who works in your line of business. 
 

So if you (and possibly a few others) go on strike, the only major thing  that could possibly happen is this:

The savvy providers (who aren’t on strike)  would capitalize from all of the lost business the strikers gave away and will welcome your past and potential clients with open arms.

Then you’d come back from your strike possible having to start from scratch to rebuild clientele, and secure work. 
 

Strikes are a major gamble. Play wisely. 

 

[+ Coolwave35]

The original owner of rentboy is working on a new site. Should be interesting. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

On 7/22/2023 at 10:30 AM, maninsoma said:

Why not move to a country where sex work is legal, and then start such a website yourself?  (I'm only suggesting leaving the US because of past actions against sites like Rentboy.)  If the things you desire are desired by enough providers, with the right marketing/word of mouth you will surely gain market share and will likely make more as the owner of the website than as a provider.

 

Well one thing for sure, a full time change of market for me is definitely. I can’t move overseas. I have too much to move, and moving overseas would be starting from scratch. Plus visa and all the stuff involved with immigration. I had discussed this with someone via DMs the other day. There’s other cities here in the USA I know I’ll be more appreciated in, versus sitting around dealing with cheap, emotionally laborious men.

I just spent over an hour in discussion with a client friend across the country about it. Living in a counterproductive city threatens the ability to even stay in business. Granted a strike wouldn’t seem reasonable to those who may be in areas with a good supply of clients, and few advertisers competing for those same ones. But I feel I’m in an area where not only is there a handful of local and traveling advertisers, but it’s not enough clients to work with. And because of that, it would help having some extra resources. Resources that need to be implemented into the RM platforms to save us time, money, and frustration.

And I’m just telling myself, if I have to pick up and leave by any means necessarily..I am ready. I just had to do another loan just to pay for some urgent expenses, because it’s been that bad since I came home from tour earlier this month. I shouldn’t have to do that. But I have to do that because that’s what the reality is here.
 

In Kansas City, all I see is dudes hooking up for free left and right and everybody on the apps. If you do it that way, you’re guaranteed to get laid most the time. On top of that, you have to be in and around the main gay district, which I don’t reside in…And lots of hanging around doing spur of the moment quickies, which is not my style.

Most of the “pay” inquiries come off rude, unreliable, half the time just string along or play games. And the timewasters here go out their way to waste my time every few months, until they are blocked. I almost fault myself for not blocking them when they show their colors on the initial messages, such as not responding or giving negative replies when asked for basic details like a name and deposit. But the moment I drop my  guard and attempt to meet them: they won’t come thru.

 

11 hours ago, Monarchy79 said:

Hollywood’s strike is specific to unionized workers in that industry. 
 

The industry you work in is not regulated, and leans further towards individual entrepreneurship for each individual who works in your line of business. 
 

So if you (and possibly a few others) go on strike, the only major thing  that could possibly happen is this:

The savvy providers (who aren’t on strike)  would capitalize from all of the lost business the strikers gave away and will welcome your past and potential clients with open arms.

Then you’d come back from your strike possible having to start from scratch to rebuild clientele, and secure work. 
 

Strikes are a major gamble. Play wisely. 

 

Well, who’s to say someone can’t do their individual strike in a way that suits them? I’ve already started doing that. There are times that I remove my number and disable email on my ads, and see who’s attentive enough to read the ad and go to my website.

 

And of course you have the ones who take breaks and leave the industry quietly without explanation or warning as well.

I wouldn’t concern about lost business being given away. Because it’s no guarantee there’s going to be some big surplus of clients within a 1 week time frame. which is the longest time I’d go for a hypothetical RM strike. That would still allows 3 weeks of paid time.  
 

There’s also the option of freezing ads, but that wouldn’t give the chance to be visible in the process. Though if one has a website or Twitter page, that can be the announcement platform.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[crazyivan]

I don't think you work for RM, so you can't go on strike. You can try a boycott, but I don't think that will go anywhere.

[Jarrod_Uncut]

12 hours ago, crazyivan said:

I don't think you work for RM, so you can't go on strike. You can try a boycott, but I don't think that will go anywhere.

Can we step away from what the technical requirement/definition of a strike has to be? We may not “work” for them, but we still pay monthly memberships to them. 
 

I also didn’t advocate for a boycott, but moreso a plan of change. Just because I want something to be better or different doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be a rebellion. 

I just sent them a message basically going over the same things I mentioned here. Hopefully they’re open to consider the suggestions.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[EZEtoGRU]

On 7/22/2023 at 1:51 PM, Coolwave35 said:

I’d encourage you to partner with a gay techy that could build a better mouse trap implementing your adjustments. 

Yes but can a smart techy fix a lousy attitude?

[+ Coolwave35]

38 minutes ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Yes but can a smart techy fix a lousy attitude?

Nothing can fix a lousy attitude. My hope was that a smart techy could have a touch of autism or Asperger’s and not notice. 

[+ ThroatCummer]

Sadly I don't think you have any influence over Rent Men and more than a seller has influence over Amazon.com.  You'd have to have critical mass in order to make them even listen to you. Although as a business owner, I know that ALL feedback is received and analyzed, so keep talking to them and making suggestions.  

The only way to make a change is to build a better mouse trap and make it so compelling that people use a new platform over Rent Men because it makes sense, can drive additional business, and has the features they want (providers and clients).  That can happen, but you're looking at a bank roll of about $1M to $3M to actually try to compete with Rent Men. 

I have ideas where you could secure the capital for something like this, but don't really have the time to get involved. There are tons of investors out there who will jump at the chance to compete with a company that has a monopoly on something -- which Rent Men has on the largest market in the world (USA). 

Good luck. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

17 hours ago, ThroatCummer said:

Sadly I don't think you have any influence over Rent Men and more than a seller has influence over Amazon.com.  You'd have to have critical mass in order to make them even listen to you. Although as a business owner, I know that ALL feedback is received and analyzed, so keep talking to them and making suggestions.  

The only way to make a change is to build a better mouse trap and make it so compelling that people use a new platform over Rent Men because it makes sense, can drive additional business, and has the features they want (providers and clients).  That can happen, but you're looking at a bank roll of about $1M to $3M to actually try to compete with Rent Men. 

I have ideas where you could secure the capital for something like this, but don't really have the time to get involved. There are tons of investors out there who will jump at the chance to compete with a company that has a monopoly on something -- which Rent Men has on the largest market in the world (USA). 

Good luck. 

that’s a good analysis, however I just want to clarify I’m not really interested in running a new escort site. I have my private site that I’m running, and it’s the furthest I want to take it for the time being. 

 

However I feel, since I’ve been with RentM since they started in 2009ish, I do hold some level of loyalty with them. I understand some of my suggestions might not be possible (I discussed the paying for content thing before, and there was an explanation for that. And rates obviously, that’s something that would need to be carefully implemented as well). 
 

I just want a few simple changes, that can make a big difference. Having a site myself, I know how easy…yet tedious it can be to make basic changes. 

Edited July 26, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[Simon Suraci]

On 7/23/2023 at 5:12 PM, Jarrod_Uncut said:

There’s other cities here in the USA I know I’ll be more appreciated in, versus sitting around dealing with cheap, emotionally laborious men.

@Jarrod_Uncut What’s stopping you from moving to a different market?

[+ DrownedBoy]

On 7/24/2023 at 2:48 PM, Coolwave35 said:

Nothing can fix a lousy attitude. My hope was that a smart techy could have a touch of autism or Asperger’s and not notice. 

We're more likely not to notice our own (expressed) attitude than another's.

It's more likely that we already know how it is to be perceived as having a bad attitude even when we don't mean it, so we're more tolerant of people with similar trouble.

[marylander1940]

On 7/24/2023 at 3:48 PM, Coolwave35 said:

Nothing can fix a lousy attitude. My hope was that a smart techy could have a touch of autism or Asperger’s and not notice. 

C'mon!

 

[+ tassojunior]

On 7/25/2023 at 8:09 AM, ThroatCummer said:

Sadly I don't think you have any influence over Rent Men and more than a seller has influence over Amazon.com.  You'd have to have critical mass in order to make them even listen to you. Although as a business owner, I know that ALL feedback is received and analyzed, so keep talking to them and making suggestions.  

The only way to make a change is to build a better mouse trap and make it so compelling that people use a new platform over Rent Men because it makes sense, can drive additional business, and has the features they want (providers and clients).  That can happen, but you're looking at a bank roll of about $1M to $3M to actually try to compete with Rent Men. 

I have ideas where you could secure the capital for something like this, but don't really have the time to get involved. There are tons of investors out there who will jump at the chance to compete with a company that has a monopoly on something -- which Rent Men has on the largest market in the world (USA). 

Good luck. 

Good luck

Edited July 29, 2023 by tassojunior

[EZEtoGRU]

5 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

@Jarrod_Uncut What’s stopping you from moving to a different market?

Ask him how many times he has complained about his home market and then moved to a new market...and then complained about the new market😉.

[marylander1940]

13 minutes ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Ask him how many times he has complained about his home market and then moved to a new market...and then complained about the new market😉.

Well @Jarrod_Uncut is an honest poster! 

Unfortunately people like him (providers) can't hide in a public forum and don't have the privacy that we have.

I would suggest not making fun of subjects like autism, Asperger,  etc. reminds me of a big orange bully!

Edited July 29, 2023 by marylander1940

[NJF]

6 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

@Jarrod_Uncut What’s stopping you from moving to a different market?

The same dilemma like everyone faces: cheap housing and living expenses vs high expenses but greater opportunities. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

12 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

@Jarrod_Uncut What’s stopping you from moving to a different market?

 

I am aiming to do that, however it’s not as easy as just dropping everything and going. I used to be able to do that more readily in my 20s, but now I realize doing that means making concessions for change of license, health insurance, car insurance.
 

Example: I always had the desire to move to Arizona, but when I brought a used car there one year: I didn’t realize how hectic it is to get a tag. Such as: won’t pass emissions if your check engine light is on. Then that’s a rabbit hole of additional expenses to pay.

Then when I took the car to Florida, I was hit with another surprise in change of insurance rate and “one time new resident” fee. Which fortunately I was able to bypass, considering I had a license plate from there previously. But it took multiple trips to the DMW to figure that out. 

Of course non of that is unattainable, however: that makes it take more time. In the meantime however, I travel my ass (and other parts) as much as I can. But, I’m not able to consistently stay on the road long enough, to always be the new guy in town. Especially in the summer, I have a tropical garden that I can’t always rely on it to get rain, and it’s been close to 100 degrees everyday. 

So I usually have to come back and regroup in between trips, but that often means not being in a position to immediately travel again. And this month, has been exactly that. After sashaying in a few cities during May, June and early part of July: I’m beat from the heat and expensive hotel rooms. Not to mention, lot of areas this summer can be slow anyway due to vacations, kids out etc.
 

6 hours ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Ask him how many times he has complained about his home market and then moved to a new market...and then complained about the new market😉.

Gurl, have a seat 🪑 

I have moved to different markets HOWEVER: I have also seen markets CHANGE. For example, Nashville was once a somewhat lucrative market for me. Wasn’t always the best. But it was better than what it is now. The amount of ads have tripled, and the prices of living have skyrocketed. My last trip there last month, I stayed for a week and earned less than $300. Minus the amount I spent on the hotel…It was horrible. But not surprising. It’s too saturated.

Just because I’ve switched markets doesn’t necessarily mean it was the market I chose. Most times I’ve moved, it’s been due to a reason not related to the business, or to be closer to relatives. Exceptions were Denver, which I first moved back in 2011. It used to be a gold mine, but similar to nashville: it became overpriced, overnight; and saturated with sex workers: When I moved there, it was only like 5-10 of us.
 

Cities change all the time. What was hot in 2016 might not be popping in 2023. Making mocking statements isn’t necessary. It takes a bit more understanding of these things.
 

6 hours ago, NJF said:

The same dilemma like everyone faces: cheap housing and living expenses vs high expenses but greater opportunities. 

Exactly! And even high expenses doesn’t guarantee more opportunities in the industry either. So many guys getting into it, it’s not the same it seems.

The good news is, there’s opportunities still in crowded cities. Sometimes it just depends on where one’s look will sell the best.

Even though I complained a little bit about San Diego earlier this year, overall I did GREAT because all my visit were $250+, sent deposits without fuss, and were fun during the session. But I only met 4 during my 2-3 weeks there. I had wanted like 2-3 during the week, and 1-2 on the weekend. It just wasn’t as busy as I wanted it to be, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have a good time. And the nightlife…was giving everything lol. Not to mention the beach:

I’d move to San Diego if I had the means to do so. However I can’t just up and go without a couple thousands to drop on a place or a roommate who already has a place. It’s just not a joke to move there on a limited budget. I need $5,000. 
 

How much income is required to afford rent in San Diego?

FOX5SANDIEGO.COM

---

As rent prices continue to climb across the country, San Diego appears to be no exception.

 

Edited July 30, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[blck37]

Maybe try do an Asia-tour....seems to be a trend lately