Are you paying less?

[Mocha]

I have been noticing lately that across the board....the desire to pay more than $200 seems to have dwindled. I'm not sure whether I can contribute that to location or not, but even after having gone to a considerable 'world-class' city with a steady economy most recently for the holiday...I am finding that guys seem content to pay for just a massage and that does not command more than $100 in most cases. Even when I offer to extend the booking, most seem reluctant to want to do so. I'll rephrase...they are reluctant to want to PAY to do so.

 

Im at the point now where Im just confused about my rates. $200 seems to be the going rate for a good day (lets not include New York because thats pocket change Im sure LOL). But, despite not being able to reach the $200 all week long, I still end up pocketing a good deal of cash by offering alternative rates...something I do not believe would have been possible if I stuck to $200+

 

Is this a sign of the times? Again, not being negative as I feel I fare better off this way...but I tend to get shot down when I put my rates up a bit. I had 2 guys this week email me saying my rates were 'steep' (as if they were driving across the fucking Vail Pass at 11,000 feet on an 8% grade LOL), 1 of whom I met with once. I can't understand what they want from me...

 

The good thing is I'm finding overnights to be holding up fairly well...but they still seem to not want to spend $1,000. In which case I still see them, but I make it clear what will and will not be involved...which still works for me.

 

I'm starting to feel that alot of the $200-300+ rates were originally east coast and California rates that have spread thru the internet...but am finding locals elsewhere moaning about having to pay that amount. Thats not to say I haven't been paid that much for an hour before, and I know very well it exists...but def. not often enough to make a living off of. I know this may sound superficial and I know cars don't equate to spending capabilities, but I had a guy show up in a huge Benz this afternoon and he tried to get more than what he'd paid for. Im just totally confused

[jimboivyo]

I pay more, but I get a lot from the guys I see. hourly, it's $300 plus, but longer trips have their discount in there.

[Guest FTLdude]

I'm booking 2 guys for a couple hours next week. One charges $300 and the other one charges $250 with a discount if you book at least 2 hours. There are people advertising lower rates but I decided to pay more for these particular guys this time, and I would pay even more next time if the guy has and is willing to deliver specifically the goods that I like. I'm not the type of client who will haggle. Wouldn't want the guys coming over here thinking that I'm cheap and not giving me their best service because of it.

[jgoo]

I tend to pay 200-250 range when doing hourly but these are for only very well reviewed guys. I would rather pay these rates, even a bit higher, and hire less frequently but have a greater chance of a wonderful encounter. I guess those are pretty much the going rates for the cities I visit (I tend to usually hire mostly when traveling). I prefer longer meetings so I pay around 500 to 600 for an evening or 1000 for an overnight (and sometimes a bit higher). Every so often there is a very well reviewed escort that is offering an attractive rate for an overnight and I will jump at that opportunity if I can.

[+ azdr0710]

don't overthink it, Mocha!!.....give good customer service, keep an eye on the competition, charge what the market will bare, all basic econ!!

[+ Axiom2001]

I've seen most of my escorts in California where the rate has been a steady $200 and upwards. I've also seen guys in Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City, too, but again the fees that were charged were standard and depended on the location.

 

One of my favorite escorts in the San Francisco Bay area requests $150 per session although he could receive more based on his excellent skills, overall personality and his huge uc endowment. He has two degrees, a day job with a flexible schedule, and usually has one client per day. His given fee has been the same from his beginning. I've been seeing him since 2004 and have reviewed him here.

 

So in reference to your initial question, I think LOCATION is the key which determines what the escorts desire to charge.

 

<When I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in May of 2010, a hot escort who I reviewed charged me $100US. I eagerly and willingly accepted. Most of the rest charged me in their local currency which was much lower than $100US.>

[Electra 225]

In the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio markets--as well as other markets other than NYC and LA--I find that the real going rate for top quality is between $150.00 and $200.00 per hour, with discounts for multiple hours and/or overnights (8 to 12 hours). The asking rates for many providers can be higher--up to $300.00 in some instances, but I understand that the number of bookings they actually get at those rates is substantially less than those in the $150.00 to $2000.00 per hour range. In many markets, especially the ones where I play, it is, to quote a long-ago politician "the economy, stupid". In times like these, disposable cash for luxury items (and this is a luxury item, make no mistake) have fewer customers and price is a factor in the market. To be sure, there are those in the industry who command higher prices and get them--due, primarily, to their "above and beyond" quality, reputation, and reliability (Steven Draker, Benjamin Nicholas, Romann, Kristian, etc. come to mind readily). In the Houston market, I find that $150.00 to $200.00 per hour will result in excellent quality and is a rate that an escort in this market can advertise and build a good and steady client base upon.

[cany10011]

It's what the market will bear unfortunately...

 

I think this is a recurring topic that has been extensively discussed:)

 

It's all about what the market will bear. Last year in Shanghai, in a massage parlour in the french concession, i was offered full service by a hot guy for 20 US dollars! A regular massage was only 9$ where tea was served as well as snacks....

 

If hobbyists continue to pay the 250 to 300 plus in nyc (my hometown) and elsewhere, then escorts will ask and expect that or even more. I travel a lot for work and agree that most urban cities (Houston, Chicago, San Fran) you can get away with something around 150 to 200 for a completely agreeable and satisfying experience. I think when I was in Toronto last christmas, some guys on craigslist were asking for 125...so, it's probably what people are willing to pay.

 

 

 

 

I have been noticing lately that across the board....the desire to pay more than $200 seems to have dwindled. I'm not sure whether I can contribute that to location or not, but even after having gone to a considerable 'world-class' city with a steady economy most recently for the holiday...I am finding that guys seem content to pay for just a massage and that does not command more than $100 in most cases. Even when I offer to extend the booking, most seem reluctant to want to do so. I'll rephrase...they are reluctant to want to PAY to do so.

 

Im at the point now where Im just confused about my rates. $200 seems to be the going rate for a good day (lets not include New York because thats pocket change Im sure LOL). But, despite not being able to reach the $200 all week long, I still end up pocketing a good deal of cash by offering alternative rates...something I do not believe would have been possible if I stuck to $200+

 

Is this a sign of the times? Again, not being negative as I feel I fare better off this way...but I tend to get shot down when I put my rates up a bit. I had 2 guys this week email me saying my rates were 'steep' (as if they were driving across the fucking Vail Pass at 11,000 feet on an 8% grade LOL), 1 of whom I met with once. I can't understand what they want from me...

 

The good thing is I'm finding overnights to be holding up fairly well...but they still seem to not want to spend $1,000. In which case I still see them, but I make it clear what will and will not be involved...which still works for me.

 

I'm starting to feel that alot of the $200-300+ rates were originally east coast and California rates that have spread thru the internet...but am finding locals elsewhere moaning about having to pay that amount. Thats not to say I haven't been paid that much for an hour before, and I know very well it exists...but def. not often enough to make a living off of. I know this may sound superficial and I know cars don't equate to spending capabilities, but I had a guy show up in a huge Benz this afternoon and he tried to get more than what he'd paid for. Im just totally confused

[Guest greatness]

I agree. You have to be flexible..

 

don't overthink it, Mocha!!.....give good customer service, keep an eye on the competition, charge what the market will bare, all basic econ!!

[Guest FTLdude]

If hobbyists continue to pay the 250 to 300 plus in nyc (my hometown) and elsewhere, then escorts will ask and expect that or even more. I think when I was in Toronto last christmas, some guys on craigslist were asking for 125...so, it's probably what people are willing to pay.

 

I was thinking that the $300 to $500 rates that I was seeing in some ads for my local (east coast) area were on the high side but I thought that this was because there are more tourists down here now for the winter season and the place has gotten a lot busier. Didn't know that these rates were routinely charged by some escorts. 'Off season' I'd do $200 or maybe $250 and a tip, but I wouldn't pay $300 and certainly not $500. The only reason I booked one guy at the 300 rate is because my other choices (who charge lower rates) won't be available for the day and time that I want. I'd pay more in tips but not for the hourly rate. Thats more than I could afford on a regular basis.

[seeker630]

I think all the economic news has resulted in some changes of attitudes toward non-essential spending, for many people. People are more aware and more conscious of how they spend, and getting a 'value' has become more chic than extravagant spending, perhaps.

In the last year or so, we've learned that the future may not be as rosy as we always thought.

 

And location does factor in, as others have said. I'll pay 250 in NY and justify it by the cost of living there, but for local guys, I expect 150-200 (and have a regular guy who still gives me our original rate of 150 for 2 hrs. (Of course, I tip well.)

[Mocha]

I guess that is the most important part...it just depends on location. Because of that, it can be tricky setting rates. In addition, I tend to travel out to places that aren't really known or spoken about...but even then rates can vary. I had 1 guy who hired me as his 1st timer off of men4rent, and then he said $180 was all he could afford but I seemed to be worth it. Even at that, it still a fairly easy booking. I tend to stay away from large major cities where $250 is the norm because then you still have to compete with 50 million other escorts. I wouldn't want to just get 2 clients a month at $500 total to add to my rent because then it'd just be something to do on my spare time. At one point I did briefly charge $240...but I would get guys asking for $200, 180...at my current rates I haven't gotten a haggler yet except for those odd 2 guys the other day.

 

In addition, some guys actually believe in raising their rates to $250-300 to leave room for negotiation. To do like Best buy and make it seem like the computer was $3,000 but its only $2,000 now. Personally, that type of talking down bargaining would irritate me. My rate is whats listed and its not negotiable. Only thing thats negotiable is multi-hours and overnights/weekends. And an answer does not come right away.

 

I notice another thing, why does it seem that its always the same working guys being mentioned over and over? I'm sure people can name other guys who command those type of rates and get them as well right?

[+ deej]

While location is an important factor, it will never be the only one.

 

Just to look at this through a bit of historical lens, when Hooboy started his site (late 1990s) clients were grumblingly accepting the newly established "going rate" (if there can ever be such a thing) of $150. At that time, $300 was the OHMYGOD rate charged only by A-list pornstars.

 

Over the years, we've crept up into the $200 and $250 range. (Oddly, the pornstar rate hasn't increased as much although admittedly the day of the A-list pornstar is pretty much over). $300 isn't an unusual asking price these days for a guy nobody has ever heard of.

 

That's a near 100% increase in just about a decade. Economists might call that a bubble!

 

Over that same decade-or-so we've seen the burst and correction of the dot-com bubble, the real estate bubble, and the damn near collapse of the financial system, among other corrections. Bubbles always self-correct, eventually.

 

We may just be seeing a bit of that in escort rates. Rates will always reflect what the market will bear. It might be bearing less these days.

[Decatur Guy]

I found a great escort who charges $180 for first hour and $300 for two. He's terrific. So after that, I see no reason to pay $250 or $300 for one hour with someone else.

[jawjateck]

My impression (anecdotal, no figures to back this up) is that I have been paying less for higher quality experiences than I did 5-10 years ago. I certainly don't think I am being gouged. When I compare the level of service and the evening/overnight rates of the guys I hired in the first five years to the last five years, I am getting a better bang for the buck these days. Of course, I have also adapted and refined what (and who) I like, so I am less likely to hire a marginal performer. Let the good times roll.

[instudiocity]

HA, Funny, but some want to be GOUGED!

[CowboyUp]

Mocha, You pose an interesting question. All three gents I regularly hire charge between $200 and $250 for an outcall to my place. I am happy to pay this amount because I'm confident I'm getting a consistently well-reviewed, professional, gorgeous guy and great sex/companionship every time. Over the years, I've tried a few discount guys charging in the range of $125 to $175. Most often (but not always) I've been disappointed and have learned there is usually a good reason why these lower-rate fellows charge less for their services. That said, I've never paid more than $250 for a one-hour session here in Dallas and probably never will.

[JoeyBryant]

Mocha, You pose an interesting question. All three gents I regularly hire charge between $200 and $250 for an outcall to my place. I am happy to pay this amount because I'm confident I'm getting a consistently well-reviewed, professional, gorgeous guy and great sex/companionship every time. Over the years, I've tried a few discount guys charging in the range of $125 to $175. Most often (but not always) I've been disappointed and have learned there is usually a good reason why these lower-rate fellows charge less for their services. That said, I've never paid more than $250 for a one-hour session here in Dallas and probably never will.

 

Well again, I think it boils down to a couple of things. The guy charging $125-175 may prefer to have more clients. I know for a fact that if I were to charge $250 solid I would not have the same amount of clients nor would it be possible to reach everyone on short notice. However, I find far easier charging $300, even upwards of $1,200 for longer bookings.

 

The price shouldn't be a barometer of value. It should be a barometer of whether the escort prefers to see more or less clients, and even that doesn't always explain it. As a baseline, advertising on rentboy or men4rent in naturally going to command 200 minimum average, and to list for less than that MIGHT stick out like a sore thumb in SOME cities, BUT...

 

When I was in Denver, I didn't even charge $200. The cost of business there was cheaper (I was getting extended stay brand hotels for $25 a night), and the clients generally prefered to pay less. Its a frugal city in many aspects so I didn't want to limit myself by charging $250, even if I could get it.

 

I used to live in Dallas too, and I had a client who I met before I was even Joey. I charged him a certain rate (it wasn't 250 or 200) and he stuck with it for about a dozen times until I moved. However, that was all he could afford every week (plus tip) and I wasn't going to fall into the rat race and charge $250 like everyone else.

[azhiker]

I was seeing an escort in Phoenix annually for the last couple of years. To be honest, I did not hire him more often because he was on the high side of what I wanted to pay. Last September I was looking for a birthday present online and he offered a 40% reduction after I explained I had been out of work quite some time. Was a great time and I began seeing him at least monthly. Since then I have gone back to full time work and am now paying him more. His strategy worked out well for both of us I think.

[JT Brooklyn]

$250 1 Hour...$400 2 Hours That's my Deal which in this Economy Works well for most "Working Guys" I Deal with. But then again they ain't "Travelers" with Overhead either!

 

I do get an even "Better Deal" with a guy I have been "Doing" for a couple of years! That's where Customer Service Pays off at BOTH ends.

 

BUT I can also understand the guys who think they are "Working It" for the Short Haul also with the Make it while you can attitude...

 

But after all these year's I have learned it keeps guys inTHE BIZ alot LONGER due to the Easy Money for some.....

[Rapaz]

This is one of the instances I really, really hate being a New Yorker... and a middle class one at that. NYers get charged so much money from rent to rentBOYS. It makes me want to pack up and move but there isn't any place as accommodating right now for my career. Such unfortunately, I rarely, rarely see guys that charge that are in New York. I am always very horny though so I have to do the whole "search on a4a/at the gym/in the clubs" thing..blah.

[mattb]

Great thread w/ a lot of good info, leading me to a related question guys. I'm extremely new to hiring and have only seen a single escort (out of LA) who does not advertise and really doesn't do much other than with myself and 1-2 other regulars. I'd like to fly him out for a Friday night arrival/Sunday morning departure to my home location, but we're both struggling on what the cost should be. We have agreed in the past for $250/hour for our individual sessions, but I am completely lost on what I should tell him I'll pay for what basically equates to 2 overnights. Am I out of line to offer $1,500 (along with buying flight, meals, etc)? Should it be $2k? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

As always, thanks for the feedback fellas.

[Guest greatness]

You pay for his flights, meals and fees for his entertainments so if he says 1500 is ok then go with it. Just communicate with him. I used to get some discounts from my previous hires whenever I did a long term engagement. One time I only paid 1000 for two overnights and he was ok with it because he got free time to do his own things and we did something very nice together. For a 7 day trip I gave the escort free time to travel by himself during the trip and he gave me a nice discount in return. It worked out well for both of us. Just communicate with your escort.

 

 

Great thread w/ a lot of good info, leading me to a related question guys. I'm extremely new to hiring and have only seen a single escort (out of LA) who does not advertise and really doesn't do much other than with myself and 1-2 other regulars. I'd like to fly him out for a Friday night arrival/Sunday morning departure to my home location, but we're both struggling on what the cost should be. We have agreed in the past for $250/hour for our individual sessions, but I am completely lost on what I should tell him I'll pay for what basically equates to 2 overnights. Am I out of line to offer $1,500 (along with buying flight, meals, etc)? Should it be $2k? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

As always, thanks for the feedback fellas.

[bcohen7719]

If hiring prices are being perceived as trending downwards, does this have anything to do with any increase in both: 1) more escorts entering the field; 2) availability of more escort internet sites? I'm not sure if "Rentboy" has a "lock" on the market, or if others are becoming cost-effective. I know some academics are trying to study these issues.

 

BC

[Guest greatness]

I'm not sure whether the price is trending downwards but I think people are more wise about their spending and they are saving more. One thing that surprises me is that I pay the same salary to a chinese intern (non- US citizen) and an american intern but the Chinese intern saves enough money to support himself and then sends money back to China. He prepares his meal and brings lunch to work everyday. I thought he couldn't eat well because he doesn't have enough money to buy food after sending back all those money. He goes to a local farmer's market with friends and splits the cost, however. For 5 dollars a day he eats much better than I do and they are much healthier. No credit card debit whatsoever. I am not saying we should live like that but my point is some people are saving and I think it's heading to that direction so probably people are hiring less.

 

 

If hiring prices are being perceived as trending downwards, does this have anything to do with any increase in both: 1) more escorts entering the field; 2) availability of more escort internet sites? I'm not sure if "Rentboy" has a "lock" on the market, or if others are becoming cost-effective. I know some academics are trying to study these issues.

 

BC