It gets to a point where frugality has to yield...

[JoeyBryant]

I wanted to hold off on this while being 1st time cover boy for the day on rentboy, as to not spoil the good moment. But I think I just need to let this out before bed...

 

OK, I understand the topic of the economy has it's place sometimes...but lately this has just gotten ridiculous. For awhile I was on a decent track as far as meeting clients go but now I'm starting to bend a bit.

 

I recently tried out the backpage.com thing, and in addition I have my regular ads up. But it seems like caller after caller after caller are asking for just ridiculously cheap rates it's driving me nuts. I have even gone so far as to take off $20 from my backpage ad off my normal rates and people are still giving me the most irritating, "that's too rich for my blood" excuse.

 

The other day, I even had a guy show up in a brand new BMW with all the 'bells and whistles', without any money. Like literally, he came to my home and said right off the bat, "I don't have any money"

 

These are the emails I've been getting:

 

1)My meeting is still running so im going to have to reschedule....followed by: I only have a 100 prob not enough I take it

 

2) All I have is 80

 

3) Hi Bryant

 

Thanks for your reply but sorry too rich for my budget.

 

4) Hey guy,

I may be interested in hooking up. Would like to know your rates, what you'll provide and see some more pics. Thanks and looking forward to your reply. (never responded after that)

 

5)Hey Bryant

 

I just saw your email in my spam, sorry. I don't remember not showing up. If I didn't I apologize. I hope you will give me another opportunity.

 

6) All I have is a 25 dollar gift card

 

I'm sorry to say but this broke stuff has got to stop. I'm tired of people treating escort stuff as some cheap bargain type of thing that should be given bare minimum.

 

I understand not everyone is like that because I have had more overnights this year and more longer bookings than all previous years. So in reality this has been a very successful year so far. Better than any of the other 3 years. But in between the success there is this large amount of people who aren't willing to do what it takes to have someone meet their needs. There's no desire to save up for it, or to plan in advance for it. It's just flat out; nope too much above my budget. As if I'm not worth it.

 

I'm just like, I don't know if this is going to involve a change of location or what. But it's certainly tempting. I still have not let go of the desire to relocate overseas once I get my degree at the end of this year. I just feel America has gotten so acclimated to cheap, free fun, cheap porn, and low low prices on every friggin thing that people just expect every thing to come cheaply. I don't know if that's the right assumption or what.

 

It's just that I wish things would go a bit more seamlessly. I get a call, say a rate and get customers. Not all this over the budget stuff. $80 is not going to keep me in business so I can't work on a rate like that.

 

Lest anyone be offended, I am not knocking on anyone's budget. But I just feel some people need to get things in perspective. Even if I was to offer myself for $100, chances are eventually a client would want to make another visit to me or see someone else for $100. That's $200. So why is such a big deal to pay $200 in 1 visit? I'd even be willing to bend things a little and extend the hour a bit.

 

This is exactly why for awhile I got training and did massages almost exclusively. But being a heavy trainer that I am I cannot do massages all day every day...eventually I need a massage too LOL. I'm pretty much sore every single week from working out.

 

I don't know what it's going to take to get things to change. I've taken my backpage ad down because if I answer 1 more call from someone who's not willing to pay a reasonable rate I'm going to yell this whole thread on the next one who does! I know as soon as I travel things tend to get better but I'd like things to be right at home...

[MiamiLooker]

I wanted to hold off on this while being 1st time cover boy for the day on rentboy, as to not spoil the good moment. But I think I just need to let this out before bed...

 

OK, I understand the topic of the economy has it's place sometimes...but lately this has just gotten ridiculous. For awhile I was on a decent track as far as meeting clients go but now I'm starting to bend a bit.

 

I recently tried out the backpage.com thing, and in addition I have my regular ads up. But it seems like caller after caller after caller are asking for just ridiculously cheap rates it's driving me nuts. I have even gone so far as to take off $20 from my backpage ad off my normal rates and people are still giving me the most irritating, "that's too rich for my blood" excuse.

 

The other day, I even had a guy show up in a brand new BMW with all the 'bells and whistles', without any money. Like literally, he came to my home and said right off the bat, "I don't have any money"

 

These are the emails I've been getting:

 

1)My meeting is still running so im going to have to reschedule....followed by: I only have a 100 prob not enough I take it

 

2) All I have is 80

 

3) Hi Bryant

 

Thanks for your reply but sorry too rich for my budget.

 

4) Hey guy,

I may be interested in hooking up. Would like to know your rates, what you'll provide and see some more pics. Thanks and looking forward to your reply. (never responded after that)

 

5)Hey Bryant

 

I just saw your email in my spam, sorry. I don't remember not showing up. If I didn't I apologize. I hope you will give me another opportunity.

 

6) All I have is a 25 dollar gift card

 

I'm sorry to say but this broke stuff has got to stop. I'm tired of people treating escort stuff as some cheap bargain type of thing that should be given bare minimum.

 

I understand not everyone is like that because I have had more overnights this year and more longer bookings than all previous years. So in reality this has been a very successful year so far. Better than any of the other 3 years. But in between the success there is this large amount of people who aren't willing to do what it takes to have someone meet their needs. There's no desire to save up for it, or to plan in advance for it. It's just flat out; nope too much above my budget. As if I'm not worth it.

 

I'm just like, I don't know if this is going to involve a change of location or what. But it's certainly tempting. I still have not let go of the desire to relocate overseas once I get my degree at the end of this year. I just feel America has gotten so acclimated to cheap, free fun, cheap porn, and low low prices on every friggin thing that people just expect every thing to come cheaply. I don't know if that's the right assumption or what.

 

It's just that I wish things would go a bit more seamlessly. I get a call, say a rate and get customers. Not all this over the budget stuff. $80 is not going to keep me in business so I can't work on a rate like that.

 

Lest anyone be offended, I am not knocking on anyone's budget. But I just feel some people need to get things in perspective. Even if I was to offer myself for $100, chances are eventually a client would want to make another visit to me or see someone else for $100. That's $200. So why is such a big deal to pay $200 in 1 visit? I'd even be willing to bend things a little and extend the hour a bit.

 

This is exactly why for awhile I got training and did massages almost exclusively. But being a heavy trainer that I am I cannot do massages all day every day...eventually I need a massage too LOL. I'm pretty much sore every single week from working out.

 

I don't know what it's going to take to get things to change. I've taken my backpage ad down because if I answer 1 more call from someone who's not willing to pay a reasonable rate I'm going to yell this whole thread on the next one who does! I know as soon as I travel things tend to get better but I'd like things to be right at home...

 

You've created your own problem if you don't indicate your rate in your ad (I'm assumiing you don't based on the emails you received).

[leigh.bess.toad]

You've created your own problem if you don't indicate your rate in your ad (I'm assumiing you don't based on the emails you received).

 

I would be curious about that Joey. But I've heard the same thing from escorts who DO place their rates in their ads. I guess we're in a culture where everything is negotiable. To me, the idea of trying to negotiate the escorts rates is so "cheap" that even if I did it and the guy accepted, would I be getting the best he has to offer? I wouldn't negotiate with my mechanic or my doctor or my lawyer or my {fill in the professino of your choice}.

 

I guess one way I'd want to put it is "if you were in legal trouble would you hire a top lawyer or go to legal aid"? That guy in the BMW is ridiculous.

 

Sorry you're having the issues Joey, but I'm afraid it does come with the territory. Way too much.

[MiamiLooker]

I wouldn't negotiate with my mechanic or my doctor or my lawyer or my {fill in the professino of your choice}.

 

Car salesmen must love you.

[Samai139]

After reading your post and the few responses, there is, I believe, another perspective, or maybe more.

In our culture, as Americans, we have come to believe through ads, tv, et. al, that we CAN have it all---regardless of our incomes, abilities, etc. The client you referred to with the BMW with all the bells and whistles, either leased the thing or will be paying for it for the next eight years, or maybe it wasn't his at all. Looking at your ad, and others, many men WANT you, and that translates in their heads to: I NEED him and I DESERVE him and the fee becomes a blur or pushed aside.

Having said that, what do you do? Concentrate on those clients who pay what you ask and what you are worth and forget about the others---I know, I know, they are wasting your time, but hopefully once they get the message that you are not a piece of junk in a yard sale, they will disapperar forever.

Good Luck and don't give up on the USA, things must and will change.

[uwsman2]

It sounds like you hit a bad patch of flakes from time to time, Joey. I guess it comes with the territory. I live in NYC and have been hiring escorts since the late 1970s, and I like to think I've been a good client for those whom I've hired. It takes all kinds to make up this world. If Denver isn't doing it for you, time to move. NYC is probably the toughest market, in part because of the high living costs, in part due to the high level of competition with so many escorts (close to 400 on Rentboy), but it seems like quite a few of the working guys are doing reasonably well here. Somebody with your service ethic would probably do quite well here. If you were here, I would be interested.

[leigh.bess.toad]

Car salesmen must love you.

 

First of all, car salesman are selling a good, not a service. Big difference.and second, I haven't bought a "new" car in decades. One word: CarMax.

[Guest Merlin]

Some escorts put "$200 non negotiable" in their ads. I suggest it is time for you to consider it as well.

[Guest Spanker01]

Hi Joey,

 

I agree with Merlin, above, do it today. You might loose some inquiries, but if they can't pay your fee, so what.

 

Spanker

[leigh.bess.toad]

Joey -I would also agree with Merlin and Spanker. I think it's a great idea.

[josephga]

unless it for multiple hours I think its rude too ask a escort to take less than what they are charging. Hiring an escort is a luxury item like going to the tanning salon. I don't go over to hollywood tan and whine for a discount. the moment I can't afford it I stop going. If you can't afford the listing rate then find someone you can afford. I get calls few times a week asking If i'll lower my 75 massage rate. I point out to them that I spent allot of education while there people advertising much hire rates with absolutely no training what so ever If they can't afford the listed rate then move on.

[Guest Rich.]

...I'm sorry to say but this broke stuff has got to stop. I'm tired of people treating escort stuff as some cheap bargain type of thing that should be given bare minimum...

 

...As if I'm not worth it...

 

...Not all this over the budget stuff. $80 is not going to keep me in business so I can't work on a rate like that...

 

...I've taken my backpage ad down because if I answer 1 more call from someone who's not willing to pay a reasonable rate I'm going to yell this whole thread on the next one who does! I know as soon as I travel things tend to get better but I'd like things to be right at home...

 

Joey, I'm sorry but is any of this really the Hirer's fault?

 

You, like many, advertise on Rentboy. If you'll forgive the analogy, for me as a prospective client, it's like going into a steak house and the menu offers both pastrami-on-rye and tournedos de filet mignon, OK, both are beef but at very difference price points!

 

I recently hired a very handsome student at $60 for half-an-hour, it wasn't really my thing but it wasn't a bad experience. I paid him double as I wanted to chat to him afterwards (I had to laugh, he thought I wanted to talk dirty!) but I learnt that he's earning between $500-$1,000 a week, cash-in-hand for probably 10-15 hours of his time. He's delighted, as he'd be lucky to make $250 after tax as a bus-boy for 20+ hours in a bar.

 

If I won the Euro Millions Lottery next week ($100m+) I'd be chartering something seaworthy at $1m a week for the next 12 weeks for a world cruise so that I could check out some of the places I still have an ambition to visit, such as the Marquesas. So, who would I book to accompany me? OK, with that kind of money, there'd be no problem making an Indecent Proposal to Falcon's 'Roman', Sean Cody's 'Jamie', Corbin Fisher's 'Trey', or Bound Gods' 'Vince'.

 

Nope. OK, I admit those 'fantasies' would cross my mind. But it kills me (!) to type this. My first call would be to Rick Munroe, to check his availability.

 

I've only been posting on this Board for the last month or so, but in that time I know enough that he'd show me a fantastic time, both in and out of bed. He teases (and equally loves being teased), is generous and kind to someone he may never receive a red-cent from, and has sent gorgeous PMs to a guy he may never meet. Oh, and I have no idea what he looks like. Honestly. None.

 

And whether I call him Munroe, Babs or Wuckfit, the man recognises that my British sense-of-humour means that those are terms of endearment, not insults.

 

So, Joey, what are you doing to position yourself in what has become a fragmented marketplace? If I go into a shop and it has Prada and Amarni Prive alongside Gap and A&F, plus some used Levi's, what is my expectation?

 

This is brutal, but it's your job to position yourself in regard to your target audience, not bitch and whine about the quality of your current prospective clients because you expect them to discriminate based on a few poor quality ads in a general store.

 

Richard

[RockHard]

Business 101: F-

 

You've created your own problem...

I'll say. Bemoaning cheap customers on the internet is about the dumbest marketing campaign I've ever seen. Honestly, how do you define success?

 

This tacky rant is a complete turn-off to any potential customer with money in his wallet and brains in his head. It seems to me, you just shot yourself in the foot, or maybe, in the balls, which is never a good thing for the escort business.

 

Gay men on average may declare some hefty annual incomes but it is a well-known fact, they can be the most discerning shoppers. And when it comes to paying for sex, many can be downright cheap because free gay sex is so easy to find, even for the uglys.

 

If I were a smart escort, I would never discuss or rant about negative marketplace behavior on the internet or in public forums. When you are in a service business, it is extremely self-destructive to criticize customers, any customer, out loud and out in the open for all to see. Not only does it show bad manners and possibly contempt, it shows stupidity.

 

Rather than use your time to vent your frustration on this board, I recommend you spend a little money and invest in some business education. In a short time, you might realize your past mistakes and finally figure out how to make a business venture extremely profitable. In the meantime, if I were you, I would write Daddy and ask that this thread be pulled. You didn't do yourself any business favors by posting this.

[MiamiLooker]

First of all, car salesman are selling a good, not a service. Big difference.and second, I haven't bought a "new" car in decades. One word: CarMax.

 

What's the "big difference?" The car salesman is providing a service. Negotiating for a lower price ultimately lowers their commission. In any transaction, not paying the requested price lowers the return of the seller (whether it's a large corporation or an individual).

[leigh.bess.toad]

With a salesman, by negotiating a lower price you are saying the good is not worth the price. You are making no comment on the salesman's worth. By trying to negotiate a lower price for a personal services person, be it lawyer, accountant or escort, you are saying that THEY are not worth what they are asking. And teams the big difference.

[MiamiLooker]

With a salesman, by negotiating a lower price you are saying the good is not worth the price. You are making no comment on the salesman's worth. By trying to negotiate a lower price for a personal services person, be it lawyer, accountant or escort, you are saying that THEY are not worth what they are asking. And teams the big difference.

 

Escorts aren't selling themselves; they're selling their time.

[leigh.bess.toad]

Yes they are. As are lawyers and plumbers and other services personnel who charge by the hour. All bring certain skills and abilities. And you would be saying their time isn't worth that much. Why would I expect to get a person's best if I say they aren't worth what they think they are worth.

[jjkrkwood]

Well Joey, I think the perception is "why should these guys be charging more than a doctor does" ??? Afterall, all you are providing is time, the client is usually doing most of the work. Please dont get me wrong. I am NOT saying your time isnt valuable, but $200-300 per hour to stand there and get sucked, or stick your cock up some guys ass is a bit steep and inconceivable for alot of guys, eventhough they value the FANTASY of hiring an escort.

Its just the way it is..... No hard feelings buddy !

[MiamiLooker]

Yes they are. As are lawyers and plumbers and other services personnel who charge by the hour. All bring certain skills and abilities. And you would be saying their time isn't worth that much. Why would I expect to get a person's best if I say they aren't worth what they think they are worth.

 

I suppose you can rationalize why you pay what you do in any situation. What skills and abilities does a $300/hr escort have that a $60/hr escort doesn't have? I've not found any difference in my experience.

[jjkrkwood]

Sorry Joseph, I am not totally agreeing with you. Yes escorts may be a luxury, but surely you cant equate it to a business that has overhead, payroll, expenses, supplies, etc. All you need is some soap, toothpaste, hair gel which are items you would normally use in your day to day life.... All you are investing is TIME. Sure you should get paid, but escorts that ask for $200-$300 for an hour of time is ludicrous. They are not doctors, or lawyers. they are not saving lives or improving the world in any way. They are just giving people SEXUAL and emotional satisfaction. YES, they should get paid, but in my opinion, not at the rates they charge. AND I do use escorts, before you start to chastise me. I do also realize you are a massage therapist and speaking from that viewpoint so my comments are not directed about YOU,

[josephga]

one thing id disagree with we all know the selling of time is just legal shtick.

[Guest Rich.]

Sadly Josephga, us Brits have learnt to live with the vagaries of American English.

 

Richard.

[jjkrkwood]

You always negotiate a contract for services, and a negotiation includes bargaining. If a negotiation is NOT in your universe, then say so in your Ad so you wont have to deal with it. There of course will be some that will still try to "get you to go down" in price, but if you feel strongly about it, stand your ground. Another bus will always come along.

[Guest Rich.]

Another bus will always come along.

 

In this context, I'd lay dosh on a Hearst!

 

Richard

[jjkrkwood]

In this context, I'd lay dosh on a Hearst!

 

Richard

 

Not if you practice SAFE SEX Rich. LOLOLOL