Three Benjamins

[+ José Soplanucas]

LOL...I think we agree on most things @latbear4blk, but on this I have a different approach to hiring, not better, just different, but I just wanted to say that I appreciate your honesty in how you approach this topic. I think if more people had that much clarity, and understood what they wanted/expected from a hire, then there would be far less failures...Kudos to you.

 

Diversity is good.

[+ harey]

Greetings, my fay sisters and brothers. There has been enough discussion about this, but I am going to offer a clarification about my original post.

 

Just read through the entire thread and enjoyed many of the thoughtful comments, thank you, but my original question may have been misunderstood by some. Yes, of course, cost of living is a factor for everyone. Yes, escorts can set whatever rate they want. Yes, a quality experience is very possible with escorts who use a middle range rate. Yes, supply and demand are fluid. Yes, client retention strategies should be considered by escorts who want longevity in their business. Yes, escorts should avoid discounts. No, human beings are not commodities.

 

I wasn't questioning the $300 mark* or the need to raise rates over time. I was a) making an observation that $300 is the current ceiling and b) wondering why so many escorts advertise a rate at the ceiling. Why do so many escorts set their rates at the top of the scale? Why aren't the rates spread out more evenly to match the reality that escorts show varying levels of expertise?

 

My remark about the Millennial generation may have come across as snarky, which was not my intention. Apologies if I struck a nerve.

 

*Caveats: I haven't done a real analysis but at a glance the trend seems nationwide and not limited to major cities. Also, some escorts advertise a rate higher than $300, and justifiably so. Finally, Rent Men isn't the entire universe, and some escorts go through less public channels and set their rates accordingly.

[Rudynate]

Why aren't the rates spread out more evenly to match the reality that escorts show varying levels of expertise?

 

 

Denial.

[cany10011]

Greetings, my fay sisters and brothers. There has been enough discussion about this, but I am going to offer a clarification about my original post.

 

Just read through the entire thread and enjoyed many of the thoughtful comments, thank you, but my original question may have been misunderstood by some. Yes, of course, cost of living is a factor for everyone. Yes, escorts can set whatever rate they want. Yes, a quality experience is very possible with escorts who use a middle range rate. Yes, supply and demand are fluid. Yes, client retention strategies should be considered by escorts who want longevity in their business. Yes, escorts should avoid discounts. No, human beings are not commodities.

 

I wasn't questioning the $300 mark* or the need to raise rates over time. I was a) making an observation that $300 is the current ceiling and b) wondering why so many escorts advertise a rate at the ceiling. Why do so many escorts set their rates at the top of the scale? Why aren't the rates spread out more evenly to match the reality that escorts show varying levels of expertise?

 

My remark about the Millennial generation may have come across as snarky, which was not my intention. Apologies if I struck a nerve.

 

*Caveats: I haven't done a real analysis but at a glance the trend seems nationwide and not limited to major cities. Also, some escorts advertise a rate higher than $300, and justifiably so. Finally, Rent Men isn't the entire universe, and some escorts go through less public channels and set their rates accordingly.

 

 

I'm sure this will be an unpopular comment but with the large number of escorts in nyc, one would think that market prices would drive them to be more competitive in their rates. At 300, i feel i would rather spend the money on airfare, hop on a plane to barcelona or berlin or rio, and sample some foreign guys at lower rates. Even a few escorts in prague i met early spring, offered to visit me in nyc for a week at the cost of an overnight that a manhattan escort would charge.

[Juan Vancouver]

I'm sure this will be an unpopular comment but ...

 

I don't think anyone in their right mind would begrudge you your comment. You are just simply stating what you wish for and sharing with us what you might do instead of paying 300 a pop. I think resourcefulness like that always pays off.

 

You have to take care of yourself first.

 

Knock your socks off, sexy... and safe travels! Those are all super fun destinations.

[Becket]

Based on several of the responses, advertisers are treated as commodities which ain't so.

 

In the case of my rate its simple supply and demand. My rate started out at $250 / hr and went up to $300 / hr to help balance out supply and demand. It may go up to $350 / hr for new clientele here soon because demand has outgrown supply. Right now I'm just telling folks tough luck, schedule further in advance next time.

That's not entitlement, that's business. Several guys who charge much higher than I do apply the same principal, they don't want 10 clients in a day, they may only want 1 and as a result the rate reflects that. Supply and demand.

 

If you're looking for something that fits your budget, then look for those advertisers. But please don't complain about the advertisers that charge more or complain those advertisers are just "typical millennials who are entitled" because it does not fit within your budget. The rate is set to weed out clients to a point where advertisers can maintain a happy medium.

 

Well Kurtis, that certainly was clear. I for one would never spend time with anyone who makes it so clear that the encounter is business and nothing more. A fellow who can provide the feeling, even the illusion, that we are two consenting adults spending time together......these are the gentleman that I enjoy. Otherwise I'd just as well stick my penis into the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose. Attitude, not rates, are what weeds me out.

[Rudynate]

I'm sure this will be an unpopular comment but with the large number of escorts in nyc, one would think that market prices would drive them to be more competitive in their rates. At 300, i feel i would rather spend the money on airfare, hop on a plane to barcelona or berlin or rio, and sample some foreign guys at lower rates. Even a few escorts in prague i met early spring, offered to visit me in nyc for a week at the cost of an overnight that a manhattan escort would charge.

 

If the escort sites are any indication, Barcelona is chock full of dreamy Mediterranean and South American guys. How could you go wrong?

[+ harey]

Well Kurtis, that certainly was clear. I for one would never spend time with anyone who makes it so clear that the encounter is business and nothing more. A fellow who can provide the feeling, even the illusion, that we are two consenting adults spending time together......these are the gentleman that I enjoy. Otherwise I'd just as well stick my penis into the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose. Attitude, not rates, are what weeds me out.

Actually I've met some very attractive vacuums.

[mattr]

I visit NYC very often and at $300 / hr my client schedule is maxed out. I'm surprised the standard rate in NYC isn't closer to $350 / hr or even $400 / hr.

.

 

There are a number of choices in NY which I think keeps some pressure on pricing. Also not all escorts have your name recognition and, quite frankly, your appeal. I am sure for a number of men (myself included), being with you would be a major fantasy which keeps your dance card filled. I have a feeling that you get a lot of repeat customers too. I wouldn't be surprised if you could bump up to $350 and see little to no impact on your business. I would be curious to see if the same is true if you bumped up to $400.

 

For budgetary reasons, I try to stay below $600 for 2 hrs. I have gone to $600 once or twice but it is the exception rather than the rule and quite frankly the experience wasn't any better or worse than some men i have seen at slightly lower price points. I realize that this means that some escorts are out of reach and I accept that fact without any ill will. If you can charge top dollar for your services, by all means I think you should do so.

[DR FREUD]

Kurtis

I don't mind guys asking 300, especially if they have worked their way up through the ranks and have reviews that support their pricing point. I doubt I would hire any of them as that rate is just out of my budget and out of place in Western Florida where I live. What I DO mind is newbies with NO experience or reviews, average looks and bodies that think the money is easy and 300 is the starting point.

[jjkrkwood]

Kurtis

I don't mind guys asking 300, especially if they have worked their way up through the ranks and have reviews that support their pricing point. I doubt I would hire any of them as that rate is just out of my budget and out of place in Western Florida where I live. What I DO mind is newbies with NO experience or reviews, average looks and bodies that think the money is easy and 300 is the starting point.

 

I agree with you to a degree Freud, but keep in mind there are ALWAYS people that are willing to pay the higher price for a guy that pushes their buttons, regardless of the pedigree he comes with. they are banking on getting some hits at the higher asking price. Its an old pricing rule, start HIGH and leave room to come down, based on response. There are guys I look at that advertise and I say to myself, "if he can be an escort, SO CAN I".... and they ask $300... Not my cup of sangria so I move along. Its liking shopping around for ANY commodity or service. There are certainly enough options usually so find the price that fits your needs, but "don't bark up a tree you cant climb".....

[Rudynate]

In theory I would pay $300.00, but haven't yet. I probably will before the end of the year. There are an awful lot of guys asking $300.00 that I wouldn't pay that much for.

[jawjateck]

I noticed a new entrant who burst out of the gate with one uninspiring pic, a couple of sentences, and a 350 rate. Too easy to hit that little "x" thingy in the upper right corner. Come on newbies; at least try to lure us in.

[MikeBiDude]

In theory I would pay $300.00, but haven't yet. I probably will before the end of the year. There are an awful lot of guys asking $300.00 that I wouldn't pay that much for.

Also a lot of gentlemen that ask $300 will come do a lot for multi hour. 2 hours for $500 quite common, even lower. I prefer to discuss a session rate (especially when we know each other) i.e. a session/visit rate not-by-the-hour. Works when there is trust, respect, and you kinda already know each other. A bit difficult for a first time visit.

[+ Phactor]

 

I, for one client, have a limited amount I can spend on my hobby. Let's say $2500/year. @ $250/hour that means 10 hours. @ 2 hours/session that means 5 sessions, most likely spent with 5 different escorts. Raise the rate to $300 and I am down to 4 sessions spent with 4 escorts. (This ignores the very generous second hour discount many of our wonderful escorts offer). My point is 4 escorts got a bump of $100 in revenue from my business due to the increase, while one escort had a loss of $500. I saved $100, but lost one session per year. Also, at $300/hour, and only four chances per year, I want a guaranteed fabulous experience and will only patronize the top few escorts, taking no chances.

 

I love our escorts and understand that they have a tough business to manage, but volume sales often raise profits and they can be negatively impacted by a raise in rates. Am I the only client who is afraid of being priced out of the market? The time to raise prices is when your product is scarce and in high demand. Is that now? I don't know.

 

I work hard, I volunteer, I save, I do charitable work, I rescue pets, I say my prayers, I wash behind my ears. My selfish treat is this hobby - a hobby I can afford above and beyond doing the "right" things. Every hobby is supposed to be fun, but it should also have protocols, boundaries, and budgets; otherwise, IMO, it just becomes an addiction or a vice. My psychological limit is $300/hr or $1200/night. If the avg market pricing ever goes north of that & my portfolio strategy implodes, I will hang up my sneakers, get into my big boy pants, and consider (gasp) hookups or (double gasp) monogamy.

 

Very well said, Glenn & True.

 

I have to travel 60-90 minutes to a location near the companion's home city to book a hotel (I can't host and am not yet ready for an in-call at their home). Luckily for me, I still have lots of points from my traveling days, so there is no cash outlay for that expense other than fuel. That said, I have a limit of $250/hr and I always book 2-hour appointments, so my max per appointment is $500. I try to have an appointment once a quarter, so I am at an annual budget of $2,500. I automatically save from each paycheck, so once my balance reaches the $500, I'll book an appointment. Unless my income changes significantly, that is my outlay.

[mattr]

I automatically save from each paycheck, so once my balance reaches the $500, I'll book an appointment.

 

Wow... it's like a Christmas Club for cock! I wonder how many youngin's even know what a Christmas Club is... or lay-away for that matter.

[+ Phactor]

Wow... it's like a Christmas Club for cock! I wonder how many youngin's even know what a Christmas Club is... or lay-away for that matter.

 

Wow, what a novel idea! Rather than book quarterly appointments, save up for a once-a-year appointment and spend the entire budget on one appointment? The things I could do ... a very special overnight for a very special companion ... maybe several companions to companion me all at once ... oh how the mind wanders ...

[MiamiLooker]

They set their rates at $300 because they look at rentmen and they see someone else set their rates at $300. If they don't set their rates at $300, some busybody "client" tells them they need to set their rates to $300.

A new escort recently asked for fee suggestions on the forum. His stated qualifications were that he was overweight, couldn’t find a job and couldn’t pay his rent. Everything a client looks for. It was recommended he charge $300.

[MikeyGMin]

A new escort recently asked for fee suggestions on the forum. His stated qualifications were that he was overweight, couldn’t find a job and couldn’t pay his rent. Everything a client looks for. It was recommended he charge $300.

 

I guess I missed that thread. It's hard for me to imagine that this forum would have been that generous. There must have been a lot of people asleep at the wheel.

[Rudynate]

I guess I missed that thread. It's hard for me to imagine that this forum would have been that generous. There must have been a lot of people asleep at the wheel.

 

 

And people get on Kurtis Wolfe for charging too much at $300.00. That's too funny.

[mike carey]

And people get on Kurtis Wolfe for charging too much at $300.00. That's too funny.

Couldn't agree more! And then he's booked out when he visits, say NYC. Clearly charging too much. Yeah, right!

[+ harey]

And people get on Kurtis Wolfe for charging too much at $300.00. That's too funny.

 

Who gets on @Kurtis Wolfe about his rates? Nobody that I've noticed. He's perfectly charming and should ask for more.

 

No, it's THIS ONE charging 300 that I can't wrap my head around.

 

http://www.crankpunk.com/images/avatar.jpg

[MikeyGMin]

Who gets on @Kurtis Wolfe about his rates?

 

I'm pretty sure it's not anyone who has actually spent any time with him.

 

To be fair, the threads usually start as commentary or complaints about rates in general. Kurtis speaks up because he is included in that in a general way. Then someone makes it personal because they don't like the way he responded. The "I'll never hire you" response.

 

Most people recognize, or at least should, that a quick response on a message board is not representative of the way he interacts with clients. And I think that most people recognize, or at least should, that he is Top Shelf. So whatever the rates are, he is going to command top dollar. There are a bunch of guys out there, and he is one of them, who are simply worth the money.

 

And your point is well taken that it's really more of an issue when the poor, sweet, deluded average guys think they can command the same rate. But that's easy to fix, just don't hire them.

[mike carey]

I think you're right about that @MikeyGMin. Kurtis can come across as being blunt in his comments here and appears uncompromising in how he reacts to other commentary, but I would say he's being business-like. I've never contacted him (distance, distance, distance) but I would expect him to be similarly business-like in arranging a meeting. That's a million miles away from interaction in a meeting.

[+ Truereview]

I'm pretty sure it's not anyone who has actually spent any time with him.

 

To be fair, the threads usually start as commentary or complaints about rates in general. Kurtis speaks up because he is included in that in a general way. Then someone makes it personal because they don't like the way he responded. The "I'll never hire you" response.

 

Most people recognize, or at least should, that a quick response on a message board is not representative of the way he interacts with clients. And I think that most people recognize, or at least should, that he is Top Shelf. So whatever the rates are, he is going to command top dollar. There are a bunch of guys out there, and he is one of them, who are simply worth the money.

 

And your point is well taken that it's really more of an issue when the poor, sweet, deluded average guys think they can command the same rate. But that's easy to fix, just don't hire them.

Great post. Two thoughts:

1. We all have triggers and there are folks out here who feed on setting them off. I have an enormous amount of respect for Kurtis, and he is at a point where he can set whatever rate he wants and he will get it. He is that good. I just wish he would ignore those folks who are trying to set off his trigger bc, frankly, it just detracts from his brand. Again, no disrespect meant; I just rather see him invest that energy in more positive actions than defending what most of us already know - that he is top shelf, unimpeachable about his craft.
   
2. On a slightly different angle, I'd like to acknowledge how lucky Kurtis is to have as good a supporter as you, @MikeyGMin. It is one thing to have fans, but when an escort garners a supporter of your caliber, it speaks volumes. I know you joke about Kurtis being your "crush," but your interest in him feels eyes-wide-open and balanced. Kurtis should be the envy of every escort who hopes for a quality supporter like you.
   

Ok, enuff talking...I'm ready for action. Can anyone spot me three and half Benjamins?