"Ask me" rates . . .

[+ WhamIAm]

I'm curious -- could someone explain to me the thinking behind "ask me" rate postings for hourly in/out call fees? Possibly makes sense for overnight/weekend charges, but I'm wondering if there's anything I should know/be wary of if contacting a guy advertising such rates on an hourly basis. Risk averse to potential legal issues? Ala carte charges? Trying to charge the most the individual client will bear? Willing to negotiate? My first reaction is that it's someone to avoid. I welcome being corrected/educated if I'm wrong.

[Electra225]

When it comes to "Ask Me", I usually don't and pass. The exception is if I know the provider and know what his rate(s) is/are. I usually don't engage in a transaction of any kind unless I at least know the sticker (asking) price. I make it a practice not to negotiate with providers on their hourly rate as I feel that negotiating a lower fee will result in a less than satisfactory engagement. Therefore, if the "list price" is acceptable to me, I will go ahead with the engagement and proceed to other, more intimate, details.

[jimboivyo]

I'm curious -- could someone explain to me the thinking behind "ask me" rate postings for hourly in/out call fees? Possibly makes sense for overnight/weekend charges, but I'm wondering if there's anything I should know/be wary of if contacting a guy advertising such rates on an hourly basis. Risk averse to potential legal issues? Ala carte charges? Trying to charge the most the individual client will bear? Willing to negotiate? My first reaction is that it's someone to avoid. I welcome being corrected/educated if I'm wrong.

 

 

you're assuming everything

 

the rate is 'ask me,' so ask. email or call, it's not tough. even with posted rates, that doesn't mean the escort will stick to it.

[TruHart1]

True in some cases

 

I'm curious -- could someone explain to me the thinking behind "ask me" rate postings for hourly in/out call fees? Possibly makes sense for overnight/weekend charges, but I'm wondering if there's anything I should know/be wary of if contacting a guy advertising such rates on an hourly basis. Risk averse to potential legal issues? Ala carte charges? Trying to charge the most the individual client will bear? Willing to negotiate? My first reaction is that it's someone to avoid. I welcome being corrected/educated if I'm wrong.

 

I have found with some escorts, especially those who do a lot of traveling, they may charge a bit more per hour in a bigger market like NYC as opposed to a smaller market like Des Moines, IA where they might lower their hourly fee.

 

TruHart1

[nynakedtop]

I totally agree with WhamIAm... if the way I am forced to start a discussion with a guy is to figure out a rate, I know from the start it is not someone I want to meet up with. And all too many times, a person who does not post a rate will respond to my inquiry with "What are you willing to pay...?" Buzz-kill 101.

[bigvalboy]

I'm curious -- could someone explain to me the thinking behind "ask me" rate postings for hourly in/out call fees? Possibly makes sense for overnight/weekend charges, but I'm wondering if there's anything I should know/be wary of if contacting a guy advertising such rates on an hourly basis. Risk averse to potential legal issues? Ala carte charges? Trying to charge the most the individual client will bear? Willing to negotiate? My first reaction is that it's someone to avoid. I welcome being corrected/educated if I'm wrong.

 

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....if it is too much, simply thank him and move one, but remember, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I think assuming the escort is trying to get the highest rate from the client isn't really an argument. When you call, he knows nothing about you. Most likely his rate varies because of his personal circumstances. I think people read too much into this.. IMHO of course.

[+ newatthis]

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....if it is too much, simply thank him and move one, but remember, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I think assuming the escort is trying to get the highest rate from the client isn't really an argument. When you call, he knows nothing about you. Most likely his rate varies because of his personal circumstances. I think people read too much into this.. IMHO of course.

+1

 

On the other hand, I do understand that some people (myself included) shy away from negotiations, either because they shy away from negotiations in general, or because the implied negotiation of "ask me" kills the enjoyment for them. In a very horny mood and against my normal inclination, I once texted an "ask me" guy who was "actively looking." He responded immediately with a price above my limit and I politely told him so. About 5 minutes later (after I had set up something up with someone else), he texted back "what would you be willing to pay?" Although hiring in that circumstance would have gone against all my rules, I regretted not being able to do -- he was so cute, I would have taken the chance.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

The "Ask Me" lets the escort state communicate his fees if his billing preferences do not fit the website's options. For example, Escort A may charge every client the same fee for every appointment and can use the site's options. Escort B may have one rate when providing massage services and another rate when providing escort services. Escort C may charge a higher rate for late night appointments.

[rvwnsd]

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....if it is too much, simply thank him and move one, but remember, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I think assuming the escort is trying to get the highest rate from the client isn't really an argument. When you call, he knows nothing about you. Most likely his rate varies because of his personal circumstances. I think people read too much into this.. IMHO of course.

 

+12

 

When I see "ask me" I do not assume the escort is trying to negotiate a rate. I assume he wants me to ask him for his rate. In fact, even when an escort quotes a rate I still ask or, at the very least, confirm.

[BaronArtz]

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....if it is too much, simply thank him and move one, but remember, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I think assuming the escort is trying to get the highest rate from the client isn't really an argument. When you call, he knows nothing about you. Most likely his rate varies because of his personal circumstances. I think people read too much into this.. IMHO of course.

 

I agree. What's the big deal? From a client's perspective, it can be a pleasant surprise. From the escort's perspective, I totally understand that he wants to have a 'feel' for what the client is like and what he is into. Let's be honest, some clients are more WORK than others ...

[down_to_business]

I agree. What's the big deal? ...

 

For starters:

 

1) It's an invitation to entrapment getting some unsuspecting client into a discussion about rates and services.

 

2) It's a colossal waste of time for a prospective client. If a client is looking for a Ford Fusion, why make him waste his time shopping in a Ferrari dealership. Why make him feel bad that he can't afford a Ferrari. He shouldn't have to walk into a generic store just to find out that he shouldn't be shopping there in the first place. Also there is nothing like having to email someone and wait for a week or two to get a reply on rates just so you can email back and wait another week or two for the answer to your next question.

 

3) It's an invitation to negotiate and many clients have expressed a preference not to negotiate.

 

4) I wouldn't shop in any place without posted prices. We are generally hard wired to make decisions on price and many of us comparison shop. That several websites are designed to compare prices, sort by prices, and even notify us when the item we are looking for is available at our targeted price should give you some general idea of how important this piece of the puzzle is. Would you really want to go into a restaurant and have to ask how much every single item is on the menu?

 

5) Nothing like some of the response I have gotten to the "ask me" which include general stuff like "you can't afford it if you have to ask" and the VERY COMMON "I am sick and tired of people like you emailing and asking my rates when you have no intention of hiring me" only to get back some ridiculous rate that you would not have even bothered to ask for in the first place. This is usually followed by 2-3 more emails from the escort chewing you out for bothering them and wasting their time or follow-ups trying to negotiate like "was that quote too much, how about this rate".

 

6) It is a way to shame you and make you pay more than someone else is paying.

 

That's what the big deal is. It's a colossal waste of precious time, adversarial, inefficient, deceitful, confrontational, uncomfortable and dangerous.

[AdamSmith]

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....

 

When I see "ask me" I do not assume the escort is trying to negotiate a rate. I assume he wants me to ask him for his rate.

 

I agree. What's the big deal? From a client's perspective, it can be a pleasant surprise.

 

One more vote for this point of view. In a decade and a half of hiring I've answered dozens of 'Ask' ads, and have never once encountered a negotiation or guessing game. He names a price, I accept or decline. As it turns out I've never even been offered an out-of-line price, so have never had occasion to decline.

 

On the other hand, had I avoided every 'Ask' ad over the years, I would have missed out on many excellent guys.

[SteveEscort]

I make it a practice not to negotiate with providers on their hourly rate as I feel that negotiating a lower fee will result in a less than satisfactory engagement. Therefore, if the "list price" is acceptable to me, I will go ahead with the engagement and proceed to other, more intimate, details.

 

A real gentleman

 

I will not see guys who want to barter the price. If you want 100% pay 100%. Guys who barter usually have a huge list of "wants" too. I do everything more or less and never complain which is why I decline all appointments that start with "is there any chance you could do it for ........."

 

even with posted rates, that doesn't mean the escort will stick to it.

 

I have never ever charged more than my published rates. I always stick the price published. If a client sees an old advert with an old rate that I've forgot to amend I will even honour the price.

 

As an escort, even I am not keen on "ask me" rates. You don't walk into a supermarket and ask every price on the shelf. you expect it to be displayed so you can make your decision as to whether you feel it's a fair price to pay. I am a firm believer that escorts should display their price.

 

If I was a client in a hotel tonight looking for a last minute appointment I would want to know what I was paying than have to enquire with half a dozen guys and hope they get back to me with a rate. Ask me rates are ok, if you've time to make your decision and you are planning ahead.

[+ quoththeraven]

Two problems I see with "ask me" prices for everything:

 

1. It wastes time by requiring the prospective client and escort to exchange communications on the subject when it could be stated up front. Why play coy and require the client to invest more time in determining an escort is a possibility (or, more to the point, is not a possibility) than by looking at an ad or a website?

 

2. While it offers the possibility of charging different rates for different locations, which makes some sense but which conceivably could be dealt with in other ways, it suggests that the escort varies his rates for other reasons. Those reasons might include the client's age, race, weight, or other considerations, or they might have to do with the escort's financial situation.

 

In any event, so many escorts disclose an hourly rate at the very least that it seems to me that those who don't want to bother inquiring about rates don't have to, which is why this topic is more of a theoretical one for me. Those who don't want to have to inquire may miss out on some great experiences, or they may not, but this way they avoid the aggravation of the back-and-forth, which, even if it doesn't amount to a rate negotiation, has some of the same dynamics as a negotiation.

 

To me, it's like face pics. Some people are willing to proceed without them under some circumstances; others are not. I'm in one camp and don't particularly understand the other camp, but that's okay; I'm not them and they're not me. People who don't want to inquire have valid reasons for it. People who don't mind inquiring have valid reasons for it. We should each do what makes the most sense to us, not others.

[Nvr2Thick]

Two problems I see with "ask me" prices for everything:

 

1. It wastes time by requiring the prospective client and escort to exchange communications on the subject when it could be stated up front. Why play coy and require the client to invest more time in determining an escort is a possibility (or, more to the point, is not a possibility) than by looking at an ad or a website?

 

2. While it offers the possibility of charging different rates for different locations, which makes some sense but which conceivably could be dealt with in other ways, it suggests that the escort varies his rates for other reasons. Those reasons might include the client's age, race, weight, or other considerations, or they might have to do with the escort's financial situation.

 

In any event, so many escorts disclose an hourly rate at the very least that it seems to me that those who don't want to bother inquiring about rates don't have to, which is why this topic is more of a theoretical one for me. Those who don't want to have to inquire may miss out on some great experiences, or they may not, but this way they avoid the aggravation of the back-and-forth, which, even if it doesn't amount to a rate negotiation, has some of the same dynamics as a negotiation.

 

I'm going to be talking to the escort regardless to get some gauge of his attitude and demeanor, and to make sure we're on the same page regarding what I'm looking for. Once that's out of the way I clarify the rate, whether it's posted or not. I believe its necessary because even with posted rates it's helpful to clarify whether an escort is charging by the hour or by the session, or whether there are some other factors to consider. On more than one occasion I was calling based on an old ad that the escort had forgotten, and I hadn't associated him with a newer ad with slightly higher rates (and better pics). There's rarely any back and forth.

 

I've had escorts suggest that by not posting an actual rate in dollars they're protecting themselves from prosecution. I doubt that it's true, but I'm respectful of how they choose to handle their own affairs.

[+ FreshFluff]

I've been reading this thread and decided to comment until a fair amount of dialog took place to prove a point. The "ASK ME" for price stirs up a conversation, much like how it did here. As an escort who puts ASK ME under my price when I travel, I can tell you that it's a very good way to increase your chances of being hired without being initially discriminated against by a posted rate. The more people inquire, the more likelihood of being hired. Whether you agree or not, if it didn't work, guys would stop doing it. That's all it is.

 

Killian, do you mean that your "ask me" rate profile shows up when clients search for, say, rates under $300? Or do you mean that people are more likely to accept the higher rate once they've had a chance to interact with you?

[bigvalboy]

I've been reading this thread and decided to comment until a fair amount of dialog took place to prove a point. The "ASK ME" for price stirs up a conversation, much like how it did here. As an escort who puts ASK ME under my price when I travel, I can tell you that it's a very good way to increase your chances of being hired without being initially discriminated against by a posted rate. The more people inquire, the more likelihood of being hired. Whether you agree or not, if it didn't work, guys would stop doing it. That's all it is.

 

I like this, and I had never thought of 'ask me' in those terms...works for me! I don't negotiate, and I don't consider asking someone a price negotiating. If the price is too high, I thank them and move on.

[BaronArtz]

I said all I wanted to say on the thread, I hope that it can help some people think differently about "ASK ME". If not, you might be missing out on some great guys

 

Exactly! What IS the big deal? And to those of you who are opposed to 'ask me' - wonderful, don't call. That means less competition, and conversations only with interested/motivated clients.

[+ FreshFluff]

I said all I wanted to say on the thread, I hope that it can help some people think differently about "ASK ME". If not, you might be missing out on some great guys

 

Nothing wrong with an "ask me" rate. Also, it turns out you had already answered my question in the post I quoted earlier, but I had somehow skimmed over the key sentence. Sorry about that.

[SteveEscort]

To me, it's like face pics. Some people are willing to proceed without them under some circumstances; others are not. I'm in one camp and don't particularly understand the other camp, but that's okay; I'm not them and they're not me. People who don't want to inquire have valid reasons for it. People who don't mind inquiring have valid reasons for it. We should each do what makes the most sense to us, not others.

 

Which camp are you in, the face pics or the respect for privacy because you said you didn't understand the other camp and and I am intrigued to know why.

[SteveEscort]

One more vote for this point of view. In a decade and a half of hiring I've answered dozens of 'Ask' ads, and have never once encountered a negotiation or guessing game. He names a price, I accept or decline. As it turns out I've never even been offered an out-of-line price, so have never had occasion to decline.

 

On the other hand, had I avoided every 'Ask' ad over the years, I would have missed out on many excellent guys.

 

I suppose it's like guys who phone me "on spec" finding themselves in town for the night and want to know the rate. They've probably not seen my website and maybe found me on a contact ad or elsewhere. I always keep to the same rates.

[liubit]

Many, many, many Prague guys advertising on Romeo have the "ask me" entry. To me, it is simple: I ask, they tell. Nothing more. I do not negotiate. If the rate quoted is too high for this city's standards, I simply thank them, write "I'll be in touch", and move on. When they have a published rate in euros, I ask them to give me a price in Czech crowns, the local currency. They normally do. If I hadn't hired because of the "ask me" thingy, I would have missed a lot. And I mean, a lot...

[+ quoththeraven]

Which camp are you in, the face pics or the respect for privacy because you said you didn't understand the other camp and and I am intrigued to know why.

 

I'm in the "don't need face pics" camp. Given good reviews, a specific look isn't a big deal to me. For others, it is.

 

"Ask me" rates add another layer of effort. As long as there's enough selection without getting into it, I'm not going to go to the extra effort (or take that much more of a risk that the effort will be fruitless) when choosing who to contact.

 

Just my way of doing things, not anyone else's. Also, it would be different if the vast majority used "ask me" rates.

[+ SundayZip]

I don't know why "ask me" turns so many people off. Most of us know what the going rate is and what we are willing to pay. Soooo simply ask what the rate is....if it is too much, simply thank him and move one, but remember, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I think assuming the escort is trying to get the highest rate from the client isn't really an argument. When you call, he knows nothing about you. Most likely his rate varies because of his personal circumstances. I think people read too much into this.. IMHO of course.

 

Agreed. I will not automatically pass on an escort if his rate is listed as "ask me". I plan to have a conversation with the escort anyway before confirming the appointment so I can ask about his rate then. If he gives me a rate that is too high, I'll say something like, "Gee, I like you but that seems a lot higher than the going rate in this town." He'll adjust his rate or not. Short and simple. I might thank him for his time and move on, or confirm that I really like him and am very happy to pay his rate. The escort's rate is important to me, but not as important as lots of other things about the escort and the experience that he can provide. I'll do a price comparisons when shopping for a microwave oven, but escorts are not quite the same as a microwave.

[Guest countryboywny]

For me, the bottom line is this: If I'm sufficiently interested in a guy with an "ask me" rate, I'll ask. If I'm moderately interested or it's a tie between a guy with a posted rate and a guy with an "ask me" rate, the guy with the posted rate gets my call.