Going rates? (And other first timer questions)

[ncc1701d]

On 1/20/2026 at 6:43 PM, jusmeinbr said:

Just my own approach:

Once quoted a rate, I either agree or decline.

On a couple of occasions, a provider has immediately dropped the rate (which I neither expected nor wanted), with one dropping it almost in half.  

When that happened about seven months ago entailing ale_aleman who’d also been VERY deceitful with me about where he even was when we began corresponding two hours prior, I did respond in a terse manner.

Thereafter, I was utterly lampooned by members of this forum (about 32 such entries with high fives and one member praising another member for “calling it like I see it” regarding me — he “called” a very obvious ball a strike — and one member posting a tutorial on rate negotiation which I neither asked for nor wanted).

Accordingly, I deleted the entire post.  The only comment I thought that was appropriate did come from @Jamie21, who basically said rate negotiation is very unlikely to result in a pleasing and fulfilling subsequent meeting.  I did feel vindicated when @johnwhatelse made this post on the individual in question.

You do what you feel comfortable with, but for me, a final “yes” or “no” upon being quoted a rate has served me well for 22 years, and I plan to stick with that firm policy no matter how many unsolicited (and unwanted) tutorials on “rate negotiation” may surface on any future post which I originate.

Agree...that's my "rule " too...I either agree or don't agree and move on. Never negotiated. For longer time appointments (greater than 2 hrs) but not Overnight I ask them flat out to tell me, and same i either agree and book, or say no. Similarly in those situatons some have come right back after i said I'll pass with a different and lower rate. 

[realestateguy75]

I've come to recognize at least for me that providers who charge less than 400 an hour are subpar to those model types. Some of the very hot model quality type have attitudes that match the stereotype, yes, but back in the day the 150 an hour guys seemed to have more attitude and not deliver anything close to a good service. A higher fee isn't always the mark of a better service but in my experience usually the ones that charge a higher fee have more often than not delivered a better quality service with a better attitude.