Is anyone hiring right now? It's been so slow

[bcohen7719]

Short term effects: The phones are going to be ringing for escorts a whole lot less. It's getting seriously ugly out there. There is some speculation that its more about Europe (specifically shorters trying to take down the Euro by attacking Italy the 7th or so largest economy and 4th or so largest bond market) but the US fundamentals are bad as well (little to no growth if we aren't in recession) and little to no job creation. The FED will continue to print money (because thats all they know) be it QE3 or whatever which will drive up the price of food and oil which comes before discretionary spending on things like escorts. This will lead to much less business for escorts and gone are the days of $200+ hourly and $750+overnights (and if you have any clients left that are willing or able to pay this you should cherish them and worship the ground they walk on). The 'spend your way out of a recession' is no longer an option and with that tool gone the middle class continues to be obliterated.

 

Long term effects: Housing continues to deteriorate, Jobs continue to be scarce and when they are created they are low paying minnimum wage service sector jobs. States and municipalities are forced to cut even more jobs and services driving up the unemployment rate. Nest eggs gone, retirement accounts shot, no jobs means even more turn to escorting. The good news there is that the competition drives down rates even more. Soon (based on what I am seeing now I estimate) $150 hourly and $500 for 24 hours will be the 'new norm' (although rates will range between the extreme and the obscene) and the downward pressure on rates due to competition and reduced incomes will continue possible driving many established escorts out of the biz (like the housing owners who refuse to admit there was a correction in housing prices and continue to list their homes over market and can't sell their homes) but it also will bring many more new people into the business. Then many of the ones that got out will realize that it sucks even more to work for minnimum wage and will try and get back into the escort business.

 

Down-to-Business:

 

Thanks for posting this insightful and detailed financial analysis. It

is enormously appreciated, howsoever grim. It is now 5:08 AM in

New York City, and the early "futures" predictors are all down already.

 

One financial analyst who sounded mainstream and sensible said flatly that there really is no way for the economy to recover unless somebody "invents

a new internet" (meaning, starts a new industry in the USA). "And that is not likely,"

he added.

 

BC

[Decatur Guy]

Stock market's wild swings up and down don't affect my hiring. Except for about $2,000 worth of stock, all of my stock is in retirement accounts that I won't be touching for at least 15 years, if not 20.

 

I'm directly affected by the housing market, and I have to make hiring decisions based on monthly cash flow. I won't hire unless I come in under my monthly budget. Bills and savings come first.

[josephga]

Stock market's wild swings up and down don't affect my hiring. Except for about $2,000 worth of stock, all of my stock is in retirement accounts that I won't be touching for at least 15 years, if not 20.

 

I'm directly affected by the housing market, and I have to make hiring decisions based on monthly cash flow. I won't hire unless I come in under my monthly budget. Bills and savings come first.

 

I read yesterday that the housing market here in Atl ranks at number 4 as one of the worst in the country

[Guest Merlin]

I was in LA for a long weekend last week. Called 8 or so escorts who did not return the call, before I found one. They must not be too hard up.

[josephga]

For some reason massage sales are always down in the summer months. To help boost sales Ive created a 30 minutes session. my fall and winter monthly sales are more than 3 times what I do in late spring and summer.

[BaronArtz]

My friend, a NYPD cop, told me that in this economy, the number of rentboys and rentgirls is WAY up ... in addition to the excellent arguments above, you can count on increasing competition driving prices lower. And you could reasonably expect crimes involving rentboys/girls to go up as well. Maybe that is just a NYC thing ...

[bcohen7719]

It's now Friday, around 2:00 pm EST. The market is still crashing...

we'll know more by the end of the business day.

 

BC

[Decatur Guy]

It's now Friday, around 2:00 pm EST. The market is still crashing...

we'll know more by the end of the business day.

 

BC

 

The Dow is now up over 100 points. Best to hit the sidelines in this volatility.

[Steven_Draker]

Is anyone hiring right now?

 

The market is still crashing...

 

Fuck the stock market. People are horny and I'm busier than ever.

 

Joey Bryant/Mocha might take a look at "Escorting 101" or the "The Male Escort's Handbook" ... Seriously

[mansniffing]

Poolboy:

 

I think you hit on something important. Sometimes, I see products and services priced very high because the seller figures there is a shrinking pool of richer buyers. Statistically, it seems we're a nation with an increasing wealthy class; an increasing poverty class; and shrinking middle class. In this case, the prices may be "floating higher" because it is better to get the fewer available clients willing to pay more. I'm not sure if gay demographics follow those exactly of general demographics. I'm sure there are others on the forum who know more about this topic than myself.

BC

 

Sounds reasonable as clients paying for service through RB seem to have deeper pockets. Yet higher priced escorts may be pricing themselves out of repeat business because in this economy the pockets aren't as deep as they used to be. "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush."

[Decatur Guy]

I read yesterday that the housing market here in Atl ranks at number 4 as one of the worst in the country

 

I rent here in Georgia. But never was able to sell my place in another state. So I rent that place out. It's a pain, being an out-of-state landlord. I don't make money, but at least when it's rented I don't lose very much.

[jackboy48]

Fuck the stock market. People are horny and I'm busier than ever.

 

Joey Bryant/Mocha might take a look at "Escorting 101" or the "The Male Escort's Handbook" ... Seriously[/color]

 

I think Steven is probably being a little harsh, but he has a point. I've been wanting to reply to Joey/Mocha for some time, particularly to ask him the question "Maybe "they" (the clients) are just not that into you?" I don't think another geographic cure will be the answer, but I think he should find a place where he really likes living, finds a good steady "straight" job, and then maybe does a little business on the side, since it seems to be something he enjoys. I hadn't realized how very young Joey was until I read about his car wreck, and it just seemed so sad that he has to keep on learning about life the hard way. I think if he had a more secure life, he would be much happier. Few men can be another Steven, and even he must have some sort of alternative plan for that eventual "day."

[Guest Connoisseur]

Based on some advice from members of this site (which was very helpful so thanks again), seeing a continuation of poor economic times and controlling my own urges for very near term fulfillment I have found at least two very good guys that also charge fees that are in line with this economy and not the one from (is it now) four years ago. This has also meant at the end of a night/session/weekend I'm feeling much better about the whole experience and up for repeats with them. I don't ask guys to lower their rates and I don't tell them rates were a reason I didn't book an appointment. I just don't feel comfortable telling a guy his rates are too high in my opinion (repeat its my opinion as others may be totally fine with the amounts). The two with good rates I accepted right away and both have pushed me to meet again. Those that were higher assumed on their own quoted rates were a stumbling block and dropped them on their own but there were no meetings.

[bcohen7719]

Based on some advice from members of this site (which was very helpful so thanks again), seeing a continuation of poor economic times and controlling my own urges for very near term fulfillment I have found at least two very good guys that also charge fees that are in line with this economy and not the one from (is it now) four years ago. This has also meant at the end of a night/session/weekend I'm feeling much better about the whole experience and up for repeats with them. I don't ask guys to lower their rates and I don't tell them rates were a reason I didn't book an appointment. I just don't feel comfortable telling a guy his rates are too high in my opinion (repeat its my opinion as others may be totally fine with the amounts). The two with good rates I accepted right away and both have pushed me to meet again. Those that were higher assumed on their own quoted rates were a stumbling block and dropped them on their own but there were no meetings.

 

Connoisseur:

 

I agree with you that (if I'm reading you correctly) it is best to just go with any professional whose rates match your budget, and not to ask for anyone for a decrease.

 

At the time of this writing, Standard & Poor's has just downrated the credit rating of US Treasuries. Probably on Monday, the stock market will go on another roller coaster. I wonder if there is some polite and acceptable way to ask an escort if he, at his end, might think about a rate to encourage a continuing relationship for the future. I'm not even sure what this might be worth to an escort or masseur.

 

BC

[Steven_Draker]

Do you always let the fluctuations of the stock market take control of your life?

 

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5436/reason.gif

[down_to_business]

Do you always let the fluctuations of the stock market take control of your life?[/color]

 

If you continually deny economic reality do the problems just go away?

 

 

Many peoples income are directly tied to the stock market. Even more people who depend on annuities or pensions to live off of and who's monthly checks directly go up or down on a monthly basis based on the stock markets performance in effect do let it control their lives to some extent.

 

I have no problem if you want to charge 100 an hour or 1000 an hour. Great for you if you have a stable of millionaires and billionaires beating down your door to hire you. What I do have a problem with is you dismissing the concerns of a whole lot of people who are basically just trying to tell you guys that we really like you, we really want to hire you, but economic realities are forcing us to cut back on spending because our incomes are dropping, our savings and net worth is evaporating, we have to spend more of every paycheck on basic necessities like food and fuel, and your denial of this reality and unwillingness to correct your rates are forcing us to either hire a whole lot less or not at all and/or turn to the craigslist and backpage etc people who are charging 50-90% less than you.

[Steven_Draker]

I'm sorry if I hit a nerve, "down_to_business" (an alias, I wasn't familiar with).

 

I do realize that in this economy many people are hurting. I have compassion for all my friends and clients who are striving in these hard times for many.

 

I have no problem if you want to charge 100 an hour or 1000 an hour. Great for you if you have a stable of millionaires and billionaires beating down your door to hire you . . .

 

your unwillingness to correct your rates are forcing us to either hire a whole lot less or not at all and/or turn to the craigslist and backpage etc people who are charging 50-90% less than you.

 

I honestly think that the supply and demand will take care of "my" rates or anyone else's rates for that matter.

 

I won't let you turn this thread into a private war. Furthermore I don't address issues about rates in the Message Center.

 

I hope you're having a nice day and sorry again if I hit a nerve.

 

http://mulattodiaries.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/happiness-is-like-a-butterfly.jpg

[down_to_business]

I'm sorry if I hit a nerve, "down_to_business" (an alias, I wasn't familiar with).

 

 

I am not sure what you are implying but this is the ONLY name I ever post under. I had no idea that expressing my opinion was starting a war with you. I have no desire to fight with you in public or private so a good day to you as well and we will agree to disagree.

[uwsman2]

At the risk of stepping into a heated conversation here - guys, take it private. The message center loses its usefulness when exchanges degenerate into personal arguments.

 

Back to the main question that started this string. Based on a bunch of positive reviews and a rentboy listing that suggested a really cool, intelligent guy, I hired a traveler visiting NYC this week who was charging above my usual limits - and emerged satisfied and feeling that he was well worth the fee he was charging. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have been hiring less frequently in recent years, for a variety of reasons, not directly related to the state of the economy but somewhat (I have an institutional employer whose response to the economy has been a base salary freeze for several years but occasional bonuses if the institution's financial position warrants it, as compared to predictable annual increases prior to the recession, and up to now we have enjoyed bonuses under this regime, although the latest figures suggest we won't get another one this year). I went outside my usual economic comfort zone because this young man has done such a magnificent job of presenting himself and won such sterling reviews that I couldn't resist. And if he turns out to be a regular NYC visitor, I will turn out to be a return client, provided a find I can afford it.

[Decatur Guy]

I'm not close enough to retirement age to let stock market fluctuations influence my hiring decisions. I'm almost all cash outside of retirement funds. I started pulling out of non-retirement stock investing about 10 years ago during the tech bubble. My hiring decisions are based on cash flow for that month and if I have enough money left over after bills and putting $$$ away in savings.

 

But it certainly makes a heap of common sense that a lot of clients, many of whom are near or are at retirement age and who do derive monthly income from the stock market, would indeed have their spending decisions directly influenced by the ups and downs of the market.

 

The only thing that strikes me as odd is that the rather obviousness of that situation would be up for heated debate.

[jimboivyo]

I have no problem if you want to charge 100 an hour or 1000 an hour. Great for you if you have a stable of millionaires and billionaires beating down your door to hire you. What I do have a problem with is you dismissing the concerns of a whole lot of people who are basically just trying to tell you guys that we really like you, we really want to hire you, but economic realities are forcing us to cut back on spending because our incomes are dropping, our savings and net worth is evaporating, we have to spend more of every paycheck on basic necessities like food and fuel, and your denial of this reality and unwillingness to correct your rates are forcing us to either hire a whole lot less or not at all and/or turn to the craigslist and backpage etc people who are charging 50-90% less than you.

 

from another clients view, you're comparing apples to oranges. guys like steven have created a business model for themselves where they don't NEED to go onto sites like craigslist or backpage. It's the same thing with the primary escort that I see, benjamin nicholas. Economic realities aren't the same for all of us. It's not denial of of reality. It's just life- Some people can always afford steak while others can only afford mcdonalds.

 

don't blame the escort for your financial downfalls. supply and demand. for Steven and Benjamin, the demand is there. My demand, for one

[Decatur Guy]

Addressing the other part of this discussion: Prices.

 

I don't make enough money to simply hire someone and not factor in the price as part of my hiring decision. I've found several escorts in the $150 to $200 range who are fantastic. Having set that bar, I'm not going to hire someone at $300 an hour, and I'll have to think hard about hiring someone at $250, though that's still within my affordability.

 

If someone can charge the higher end of the scale and make all the money they want, I have no issue with it. I simply won't be part of that escort's customer base is all. And since this is a forum where we exchange ideas and thoughts about escorting, I don't see anything wrong with saying so. (And I don't see anything wrong with someone else saying he's glad to pay escorts on the high end of the scale).

 

But I don't negotiate with escorts. Not in my blood to negotiate prices on anything, much to my detriment over the years. If someone charges $300 an hour and up, I simply don't call to set an appointment. But they are missing out $200 or $250 bucks from me.

[down_to_business]

Lol.. Look charge what you want to charge ..spend what you want to spend.. post what you want to post..advertise where you want to advertise

 

I would personally like to see more escorts to cater to the middle class instead of only the top 10% of incomes, but they are free to do whatever the hell they want to. Maybe they don't realize how much business they are missing. Maybe they don't care. Maybe they do.

 

I do not blame anyone for my finances on this board or anywhere else. I don't attempt to tell your favorite escorts where they should advertise or what they should charge.

 

My point was, we all need to live within our means. Don't let some of these escorts intimidate you into paying more than you can afford. There are plenty of reasonably priced escorts out there that will cater to you and supply exceeds demand and is growing. Some of the reasonably priced escorts are as good as or even exceed the quality of service provided by the most expensive and price does not correspond to quality on a dollar for dollar basis and never has in the escort business- no matter what some will try and force you or intimidate you to believe.

 

I think this is a good topic and we can all learn alot about a discussion on hiring and the effect of rates on that decision.

[Guest Connoisseur]

So, I'll step in it one more time. "F**K the stock market" set me off when people are trying to have a serious discourse that worrying about their economics is something they haven't had to do for a while and they are uncertain about if/when a turnaround will occur. Its sort of like me, part of the top 5% of earners if I said I don't care that effectively 16 million people are unemployed and don't care (ala Eric Cantor on CNBC yesterday). I do care and believe in "My" country we should have a reasonable safety net so people have housing, food and basic health care. Go ahead and raise my too low taxes and provide my fellow citizens who need that net. Those referencing the stock market were making a point beyond just those investments. There are significantly more people having tough times economically today than in my entire lifetime. More than ever, get value for the money you pay and whether towards your escort or your fellow forum member be sensitive, respectful and empathetic. I don't have to go out of my way to make the guys I meet comfortable, treat them with respect and spend some money on them (sporting events, theater, food and accommodations) because that's just my nature. I am never arrogant with them, I answer their calls and emails promptly. Likewise, if they don't respond I pass. I'd like to think if they have given me a rate fairly well below others that all these other elements somehow reinforces to them that that decision was a good one. It may be that the only good thing coming out of these crappy economic times is that more very appealing guys will want to escort, they'll charge good towards their clients rates and the supply will balloon as will my demand for their time

[Steven_Draker]

Great for you if you have a stable of millionaires and billionaires beating down your door to hire you

 

I think there's always a polite and respectful way to state one's opinion even if you're anonymous poster (only escorts are semipublic figures here).

 

I apologize if the statement I made earlier about the stock market came as harsh. I learned a long time ago not to rely on the stock market.

 

 

over and out