The right way to suggest a raise...Or fire a client?

[instudiocity]

Honestly didn't think I was being narrow-minded, perhaps I am jaded since as said I've been fortunate that my regulars have never suggested a rate raise to me. But when a scort I've hired 8-10 times a year faithfully for two or three years contacts ME with a casual wassup and I "know" he's probably in need of some cash, I would NEVER suggest I would see him for LESS money that I usually pay simply because I possibly "could" get away with spending less. And I feel the reverse should also be true I suppose

Well, how I "feel" usually has no basis in fact. What I think is concrete.

 

When I'm purchasing a product or service, I expect to pay 'the going rate' at the time. I believe it is unfortunate that anyone to believe that because they are a frequent flier client, they can continue paying the original price going forward for an indeterminate period. I know the airlines I use charge me a different price for the same flight based on how early or late I purchase the ticket, and on when I'm flying and the load-factor on the flight I'm attempting to book. Most 140 seat airliners on domestic routes will have passengers who have paid as much as 300% more than the least expensive ticket on that particular flight. The person you're sitting next to on the plane may have paid hundreds more or hundreds less than you've paid for your ticket.

 

In LA, rent-control apartments rise 3% every year. Gasoline has been anywhere from $2.99 to $4.40 within the same month. Groceries seem to have risen 1-2% per year for the last several years. The inflation rate has been 0-2% over the last several years. Why would anyone think that a professional fee shouldn't rise over time? Every other price fluctuates, so why should we expect the same escort-client hour to be exactly the same amount every time you meet for 2-3 years?

[Indigo]

Just raise your rates. It is your time and it is your right to charge whatever you feel is fair. Your client can accept it or just move on.

[Tonyko]

Well, how I "feel" usually has no basis in fact. What I think is concrete.

 

When I'm purchasing a product or service, I expect to pay 'the going rate' at the time. I believe it is unfortunate that anyone to believe that because they are a frequent flier client, they can continue paying the original price going forward for an indeterminate period. I know the airlines I use charge me a different price for the same flight based on how early or late I purchase the ticket, and on when I'm flying and the load-factor on the flight I'm attempting to book. Most 140 seat airliners on domestic routes will have passengers who have paid as much as 300% more than the least expensive ticket on that particular flight. The person you're sitting next to on the plane may have paid hundreds more or hundreds less than you've paid for your ticket.

 

In LA, rent-control apartments rise 3% every year. Gasoline has been anywhere from $2.99 to $4.40 within the same month. Groceries seem to have risen 1-2% per year for the last several years. The inflation rate has been 0-2% over the last several years. Why would anyone think that a professional fee shouldn't rise over time? Every other price fluctuates, so why should we expect the same escort-client hour to be exactly the same amount every time you meet for 2-3 years?

 

EVERYTHING you mentioned is true. And EVERYTHING you mentioned has multiple underlying passed-along factors and variables which affect price and affect us ALL. But NOTHING you mentioned is the equivilant of your reflexologist who's been coming to your same apartment with nothing but a pair of hands suddenly saying I'm charging you more now because my "new" people are willing to pay more. That's what "I" concretely feel :

[Rudynate]

In essence he's charging for his time, which is relative as Einstein taught us.

 

But is he really charging for his time? While he may may meter his services in units of time, isn't he really charging for the value he creates? Isn't it possible, that he can pack more value into a unit of time as he acquires more professional experience? Law firms routinely charge more for partners than they do for associates. They charge more for senior partners than they do for junior partners.

[mike carey]

But is he really charging for his time? ... Isn't it possible, that he can pack more value into a unit of time as he acquires more professional experience? Law firms routinely charge more for partners than they do for associates.

 

Great points but the nature of the market is different. Lawyers work together to set their prices, escorts do not. (That there is a class of lawyers in Australia and the UK who are called solicitors is not without irony when I'm talking to Americans.) Lawyers can manage a hierarchical market where the ones they deem most qualified charge the most, but escorts have to demonstrate their proficiency to their clients individually. When they demonstrate that proficiency they can charge what the market will bear. I can see nothing wrong with them putting their fees up to cover their expenses, or if they think they can now provide a better service. If they decide to freeze their fee to existing clients, that's great, we just shouldn't expect them to do that if it compromises their ability to make a living. (Or if they want to ease out some current clients they think are freeloading!)

[Rudynate]

Lawyers work together to set their prices, escorts do not. (That there is a class of lawyers in Australia and the UK who are called solicitors is not without irony when I'm talking to Americans.) Lawyers can manage a hierarchical market where the ones they deem most qualified charge the most, but escorts have to demonstrate their proficiency to their clients individually.

 

 

Law firms were just a convenient example. Any professional, no matter how he/she meters it, is actually charging for the value he/she creates. Some charge according to time, some for specific services, but what is actually being charged for is value.

 

In the US, lawyers don't get together and decide what to charge. Of course, part of the calculus is determining prevailing rates. The most recent innovation in pricing of legal services in the US is the value-based pricing algorithm. Instead of charging a set amount for a unit of time, or for a specific service, one charges according to the value delivered.

[jimboivyo]

Just raise your rates. It is your time and it is your right to charge whatever you feel is fair. Your client can accept it or just move on.

 

this is a smart response. hand wringing about rate is wasted time. folks either can/will pay or they can't/wont

 

if you're going to charge more just make sure you're worth the extra bucks

[instudiocity]

EVERYTHING you mentioned is true. And EVERYTHING you mentioned has multiple underlying passed-along factors and variables which affect price and affect us ALL. But NOTHING you mentioned is the equivilant of your reflexologist who's been coming to your same apartment with nothing but a pair of hands suddenly saying I'm charging you more now because my "new" people are willing to pay more. That's what "I" concretely feel :

I find it interesting that you hold so fast to this principle. Doesn't the reflexologist purchase items that are continually going up in price? Why shouldn't he continually be raising his rates?

 

At least that's the argument put forth for raising the minimum wage from $9/hr to $15/hr. Just think about that percentage increase, 66%, for your professional, $200/hour becomes $332/hour

[Tonyko]

I find it interesting that you hold so fast to this principle. Doesn't the reflexologist purchase items that are continually going up in price? Why shouldn't he continually be raising his rates?

 

At least that's the argument put forth for raising the minimum wage from $9/hr to $15/hr. Just think about that percentage increase, 66%, for your professional, $200/hour becomes $332/hour

 

NO lol. Just her hands Same as the gal who comes to my apt and gives me a dry cut with one scissor one comb and my water spritz bottle. Now IF they decided to pay for professional space JUST to do business and I had to GO TO THEM, then of course I'd TOTS understand they'd have to raise my rate and I'd of course pay it. IF a scort I see very regularly had to pay for a hotel room to see clients and for some reason I had to go to HIM, again, or course I'd pay whatever increase he required. (the fact that the 2 or 3 scorts I am a VERY regular client of do not do INcalls and always come to me prolly influences my attitude too.

LOOK the guy who said they have a right to raise a regular's rate n we can pay it or not etc was right, to each his own. I'm a reasonable guy, and I always throw an extra 20$ on top of their rate anyway, on shitty nights I've sent them home on my uber accnt, I've given Metro cards as gifts, etc, and if two years or more go by and they say there's a new rate, I will accept that.

It's just the idea that some tourist on holiday may plunk down a lot of extra $$$ and make the scort think hey if he paid that then everyone should (that's what one told ME on my 10th appointment within the same number of months) that I really have an issue with. Again, we're all entitled to our opinion, TO EACH HIS OWN

[Indigo]

Long live the free market economy!

[instudiocity]

... I'm a reasonable guy, and I always throw an extra 20$ on top of their rate anyway, on shitty nights I've sent them home on my uber accnt, I've given Metro cards as gifts, etc, and if two years or more go by and they say there's a new rate, I will accept that.

You're a fucking Rockefeller!

[bigvalboy]

You're a fucking Rockefeller!

 

LMAO...

[Indigo]

NO lol. Just her hands Same as the gal who comes to my apt and gives me a dry cut with one scissor one comb and my water spritz bottle. Now IF they decided to pay for professional space JUST to do business and I had to GO TO THEM, then of course I'd TOTS understand they'd have to raise my rate and I'd of course pay it. IF a scort I see very regularly had to pay for a hotel room to see clients and for some reason I had to go to HIM, again, or course I'd pay whatever increase he required. (the fact that the 2 or 3 scorts I am a VERY regular client of do not do INcalls and always come to me prolly influences my attitude too.

LOOK the guy who said they have a right to raise a regular's rate n we can pay it or not etc was right, to each his own. I'm a reasonable guy, and I always throw an extra 20$ on top of their rate anyway, on shitty nights I've sent them home on my uber accnt, I've given Metro cards as gifts, etc, and if two years or more go by and they say there's a new rate, I will accept that.

It's just the idea that some tourist on holiday may plunk down a lot of extra $$$ and make the scort think hey if he paid that then everyone should (that's what one told ME on my 10th appointment within the same number of months) that I really have an issue with. Again, we're all entitled to our opinion, TO EACH HIS OWN

 

As far as business models are concerned, taking into account anti trust laws etc., any business is free to set up its own pricing model. It is up to the demand/client to determine whether this model is acceptable or not. Last time I checked socialism etc. was not the way we do business in this country.

[Tonyko]

You're a fucking Rockefeller!

Studio City Is a lovely little Hamlet, I've lived there, right off Colfax, I really miss being able to live so economically.

It's a litle different HERE:

NYC 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard - Cost: $116.50

The last one I sent home in an Uber to the E. Village was 58$ on my acct.

 

So, maybe you're right;)

[instudiocity]

Studio City Is a lovely little Hamlet, I've lived there, right off Colfax, I really miss being able to live so economically.

It's a litle different HERE:

NYC 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard - Cost: $116.50

The last one I sent home in an Uber to the E. Village was 58$ on my acct.

 

So, maybe you're right;)

I live in the second block east of Colfax. 30 Day Unlimited Ride Metro Card here is $100 but we can't go everywhere on our system. Thank you, Representative Waxman!

Uber to WeHo is about $10-15 depending on when I kick the young man to the curb.

And I generally look at my young man's ad to determine his current rates. If in his mind, he thinks my rate is lower, he's simply getting a bigger tip, albeit, not always the one I want to give him.

[instudiocity]

LMAO...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that you get my humor...

[AdamSmith]

my humor...

 

http://thebridge.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/John-D-Rockefeller.jpg