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

[rvwnsd]

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.

 

When I bought my most recent car, I "built my own" online, located a no-haggle dealer, and still paid less than list price. My previous car was a Saturn, where there was no haggling. Both cars were brand-new when I bought them.

[JoeyBryant]

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.

 

Thanks for the input. I have decided that it's probably best to move on. It was good for a while and I don't regret coming here, but my intuition is telling me there's better things on the horizon. And not just for escorting. But on a personal level as well. There was a reason I signed on to a 6 month lease rather than a 12 LOL.

 

Some people tend to speak out against relocating all the time but I'm the type that feels if I have the means and no real roots holding me down to a particular city then I'm free to move on. Every time I have made a move it's always been better than the previous.

[Michael Wayne]

Just read entire thread. very interesting. My feeling is that I am HONORED when anyone calls/emails or text me from any of my ads. It is a real compliment. I do not fault anyone for seeking a deal especailly in this economy. Generally, in my own experience, if I can have an intelligent conversation with a potential new client they will have no problem with my rates. Now, not everyone books, but over the years I have had some wonderful conversations and/or made friends with guys who never actually became my client. Not everyone is rich or has $200 an hour to lay down all the time. "The New Normal," is that there is a new class of young men escorting on craigslist, backpage, Adam4adam, etc. that are just starting out and for them $60-100 is GOOD money. I used to be one of them years ago so I cannot fault them nor can I fault a client seeking a bargain. There clearly is a PRICE WAR going on and the young guys are trying to force their way into the market. I did it in Miami/Ft.Laud./w.p.b. in the 90's and it PISSED off the older established escorts but, guess what, I would make alot more money than them on VOLUME. Now days I choose to wait for Quality over Quantity. JOEY- you know there are upscale clients out there and they will seek you out. Hang in there and don't let it get you down. all my best to everyone: http://www.rentboy.com/mikey9nola1

[dcguy20]

Sounds like you need to "click" with the particular city you're in both personally and professionally. When you find that place, you'll know, and the desire to move on (so to speak) will probably disappear. Good luck.

[rvwnsd]

Thanks for the input. I have decided that it's probably best to move on. It was good for a while and I don't regret coming here, but my intuition is telling me there's better things on the horizon...

 

If you feel it is time to move on, then move on. I relocated 11 years ago and my adopted city and I just never clicked. I wish I had moved again several years ago, but I didn't. I will finally be moving within the next 12 - 18 months (need to find a job, etc). Follow your gut and you will never go wrong.

[josephga]

Iv started saving so I can move, hoping too do it by late next spring. Wanting too move to Fort Lauderdale.

[jjkrkwood]

Have you forgotten that escorts can pay upwards of $500-$1000 a month for ads? Or when they travel they have $200 a night in hotel bills? Transportation, etc.? Like any business professional, they do have real overhead. And the other thing to keep in mind is that unlike Doctor's or Lawyers, they can't possibly work 8 hours a day on every given day. Taking that into account, an one hour job could breakdown to only $25 per hour. And you probably haven't even thought about how much time time and money an upscale escort spends in gym time, personal trainers, etc. It all adds up.

 

Sorry rossthebosssf, none of what you detail sounds like WORK to me. Kinda sounds like the ultimate party lifestyle, and you didnt have to spend years and money on schooling getting to that point. I certainly agree you Deserve to be paid, but many escorts are asking fees above and beyond their worth. If they get it, Good luck for them. I also understand that escorts need to make their money while they are young, since their appeal is partly attributed to their age. so my advice would be spend less time and money on the gym, and get a better Financial planner.

[JoeyBryant]

Sorry rossthebosssf, none of what you detail sounds like WORK to me. Kinda sounds like the ultimate party lifestyle, and you didnt have to spend years and money on schooling getting to that point. I certainly agree you Deserve to be paid, but many escorts are asking fees above and beyond their worth. If they get it, Good luck for them. I also understand that escorts need to make their money while they are young, since their appeal is partly attributed to their age. so my advice would be spend less time and money on the gym, and get a better Financial planner.

 

Well if you feel that way then maybe you shouldn't be here. That is one of the most degrading comments someone can say. How can you determine what someone's worth is? And how do you define work? Ross the Boss didn't even mention the whole of it. That's just financial overhead. Your statement about it being a party lifestyle is a misconception. I can list a host of other professions that are also seemingly 'workless' that actually do involve work. Like take a personal trainer: they get paid to make other people work! And I wonder how much more they would charge if a client asked to f**k them? Can I justify that I can get 3 sessions for $70 so how ridiculous for them to ask for $500 to have *** with them?

 

People seem to forget that escorts are actually people. Not products. And that's why people seem to have this erroneous idea that what 'they' feel or what they 'choose' to afford is the right price means that's the price they should accept.

 

"The New Normal," is that there is a new class of young men escorting on craigslist, backpage, Adam4adam, etc. that are just starting out and for them $60-100 is GOOD money.

 

Now days I choose to wait for Quality over Quantity. JOEY- you know there are upscale clients out there and they will seek you out. Hang in there and don't let it get you down. all my best to everyone: http://www.rentboy.com/mikey9nola1

 

Well that's what I'm talking about, the Back-page. Even if I were to charge the 80 bucks I don't think I'd be happy with the type of people I'd be attracting. I was advertising on backpage and several times I recall meeting clients who seemed questionable if not downright dangerous. And it was more times than not they'd show up with not even half, sometimes even expecting a free service I just got tired of it. I'm not going to compromise my well-being over people who are wanting to pay the bare minimum. 1 guy, he even asked for a half-hour massage; 2 times and didn't show up, twice. I never do half hour anything and he couldn't even keep his commitment to that.

 

Atleast by advertising on men4rent and rentboy I weed out some of those types. But lately it seems like even those have been plagued by the madness of the dog days of summer I think next summer I'm just going to have to work in South Africa, Australia or Peru

[josephga]

To family & friends you are a person with feelings but to allot of clients you are just a product. No one cares what a doctor dentist or lawyer looks like just the quality of service. I even think of myself as a product. A personal trainers a product no one would hire a fat personal trainer they want the best looking one and in the best shape to recreate that look on them. If I was over weight bad hygiene no one would buy a massage from me. I was talking the other day with someone and they said they noticed id lost weight and had put on muscle. I commented yes I have too keep the product looking its best.

[MiamiLooker]

Well if you feel that way then maybe you shouldn't be here. That is one of the most degrading comments someone can say. How can you determine what someone's worth is?

 

It seems you're confusing the client's perceived worth of the service you provide with your sense of worth as an individual. These are two separate and distinct things.

[KMEM]

For once (at least) I agree with you.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[JoeyBryant]

To family & friends you are a person with feelings but to allot of clients you are just a product. No one cares what a doctor dentist or lawyer looks like just the quality of service. I even think of myself as a product. A personal trainers a product no one would hire a fat personal trainer they want the best looking one and in the best shape to recreate that look on them. If I was over weight bad hygiene no one would buy a massage from me. I was talking the other day with someone and they said they noticed id lost weight and had put on muscle. I commented yes I have too keep the product looking its best.

 

I agree with that. Yes, we are a product...the product being our services, like Miamilooker stated.

 

But I wasn't referring to looks. I was referring to an experience, which is not a product to expect someone to want to provide for bare minimum. You can get 50% off of a Luxor Gas Grill that costs over $4,000 but it's not going to treat you any different than if you'd paid full price. Whereas, someone offering an experience; is directly connected to price 'on the tag'.

[seeker630]

I agree with that. Yes, we are a product...the product being our services, like Miamilooker stated.

 

But I wasn't referring to looks. I was referring to an experience, which is not a product to expect someone to want to provide for bare minimum. You can get 50% off of a Luxor Gas Grill that costs over $4,000 but it's not going to treat you any different than if you'd paid full price. Whereas, someone offering an experience; is directly connected to price 'on the tag'.

 

Joey, I fully agree that you should hold out what for what you think you're worth IF the market supports that decision.

 

The truth is, I think, that 'frugality' is 'in' these days, and people are coming to expect deals. I subscribe to 3 different online programs that email me daily offers of 50% or greater discounts on both goods AND services - restaurants, spas, beauty treatments, massages, carpet cleaning, paddleboard classes, etc. And as far as I am aware, you get the same good or service at the discount price as if you paid full price.

 

I myself am not a haggler - if an escort's rate is more than I'm willing to pay, I simply look elsewhere.

[josephga]

I understand what your saying and how you feel. I spent 10,000 on massage school and

supply's and been doing it since 1998. I feel that I'm worth more than someone that runs out buys a table tosses it up in the middle of the living room and calls what they do massage. And there's clients that respect that and look for that. While theres others that simply just don't give a shit and just want the cheapest bang for the buck.

[JoeyBryant]

I understand what your saying and how you feel. I spent 10,000 on massage school and

supply's and been doing it since 1998. I feel that I'm worth more than someone that runs out buys a table tosses it up in the middle of the living room and calls what they do massage. And there's clients that respect that and look for that. While theres others that simply just don't give a shit and just want the cheapest bang for the buck.

 

Well, Toyota spends millions of dollars on big screen TVs, a beautifully designed waiting room, Factory parts from Japan, and EXCELLENT customer service but I still rather take my car to the guy who works out of his backyard. Not just because he charges less but because I can actually see what the hell is going on LOL.

 

I say we all have to start somewhere LOL. The guy who tosses a massage table in the livingroom may not be looking for the same amount of income thru massages as you are getting. Maybe they just want to do it a few times a week or so for extra money???

[josephga]

there's actually a big difference. its illegal in most states to give a massage without a license. I might want to be a dr or a lawyer but i cant just toss up a sign and call myself one just because i feel like it.

[Decatur Guy]

 

I myself am not a haggler - if an escort's rate is more than I'm willing to pay, I simply look elsewhere.

 

That's me too. I hate to haggle. There are two escorts in Atlanta I'd like to hire, but they both charge $300 an hour. I've found great ones that charge $150 to $180 an hour. I'm simply not going to even contact them until I see a lower price. It does amaze me they are $100 or more above good, quality local escorts.

[mansniffing]

From the prospective of a New Yorker:

You can get to your destination by using a taxi or a private car. A taxi's meter ticks while you ride and the private car charges by the destination of your zone. With a 9.2% unemployment rate, part- and full-time "escorts" and "masseurs" are plentiful and they're all competing for your business. "Asking isn't always getting." A "professional" on the Internet is smart enough to look the market over and offer services at a price he speculates are neither too high or too low and will work for him. Like any business or "service" there is competitive pricing among the "servers." And the competition on the Internet to sell the same products at reduced prices is a good example of getting want you want or "need" at a price that appeals to you. It's subjective for both "escort" and "client." Before the Internet an awful lot of time and shoe leather was spent cruising the known pickup areas. The difference between now and then is that the client and the escort had some interaction before a fee was agreed upon and the deal was sealed. Nowadays with the Internet an escort can do quite well with one or more bookings a day. What hasn't changed for many is "haggling."