Massage Prices In a Competitive Market

[Dmitri]

I have a fairly good understanding of economics. Why then are massage prices going up over the top in saturated massage markets? New York, Los Angeles in particular. I notice that the market is so saturated in these cities that many are traveling out to San Francisco, Boston and Chicago trying to get business. I used to pay in the $100-$120 range......yet masseurs keep raising their prices. It is now common to see $160-$180. (which I think is insane for 1 hr) Are prices starting to seem out of bounds, especially when there is an excess of masseurs? You think that would lower prices. Is it just me, or is $160-$180 for a 1 hr. Incall massage crazy?

Edited March 13, 2018 by Dmitri

[+ MasssageGuy]

$160 per hour does not fit my budget.

 

I'm thinking the pricing is like the sticker price on a car. Not a reflection of reality.

 

Time to negotiate or look at the CarMax venue.

 

I'll settle for a seasoned masseur who may have better pricing.

[ontheroad]

If customers pay the price, then the masseur has set it correctly. There are market controls in place. First, what are others charging. Second, is it worth it which you can find out here. I don’t get plussed by people who ask for a lot of money. If I can’t afford it, or I don’t want to pay that much, I don’t make an appointment. I don’t get pissed because I don’t want to spend $1M for a Porsche 918. I buy another car. This is a luxury service. It is what it is.

[Redwine56]

I have a fairly good understanding of economics. Why then are massage prices going up over the top in saturated massage markets? New York, Los Angeles in particular. I notice that the market is so saturated in these cities that many are traveling out to San Francisco, Boston and Chicago trying to get business. I used to pay in the $100-$120 range......yet masseurs keep raising their prices. It is now common to see $160-$180. (which I think is insane for 1 hr) Are prices starting to seem out of bounds, especially when there is an excess of masseurs? You think that would lower prices. Is it just me, or is $160-$180 for a 1 hr. Incall massage crazy?

Hi Dmitri - I totally agree with you. I tend to focus on masseurs toward the lower end. If I am intrigued about a masseur above $150, I may try him once but it will have to be extraordinary for me to return. I also find that masseurs who charge closer to $200 tend to offer more than a message. I am noticing that more masseurs are offering "specials" and some have even dropped their price. That's got to say something.

[+ tassojunior]

I'd expect the out-the-door price is going to be $200 with nudity and happy ending regardless of the baseline rate and how the masseur structures the "options".

[+ 7829V]

Hi Dmitri - I totally agree with you. I tend to focus on masseurs toward the lower end. If I am intrigued about a masseur above $150, I may try him once but it will have to be extraordinary for me to return. I also find that masseurs who charge closer to $200 tend to offer more than a message. I am noticing that more masseurs are offering "specials" and some have even dropped their price. That's got to say something.

Where do you find masseurs below $150? On MF most seem to be around 150, or 120...

[qpwoeiru]

If I am intrigued about a masseur above $150, I may try him once but it will have to be extraordinary for me to return. I also find that masseurs who charge closer to $200 tend to offer more than a message.

 

I agree with this... I can't recall returning to anybody who's in this price range. Then again, I prefer to see new people constantly, to keep things interesting.

 

The other thing I'd add, is that I don't feel the need to tip at this price point, and I wonder if that is part of the masseur's calculus. I'm viewing this to be the all-in price, and they should be, too.

[+ 7829V]

I agree with this... I can't recall returning to anybody who's in this price range. Then again, I prefer to see new people constantly, to keep things interesting.

 

The other thing I'd add, is that I don't feel the need to tip at this price point, and I wonder if that is part of the masseur's calculus. I'm viewing this to be the all-in price, and they should be, too.

 

Same, I never tip when is more than 150.... seems excessive to me.

[ontheroad]

The tipping culture in America is out of control. We feel obligated to tip for everything. For someone working out of his home or coming to you, tip or don’t tip—it’s up to you and should not be expected. If a masseur expects a tip on top of his fee in this type of direct booking session, I don’t go to that masseur. I don’t believe in upswell during the massage either. Others may be ok with that. I just don’t book those people. I think an extra 10 or 20 to show appreciation for an outstanding session is a nice way to say thank you. Honestly, the guys who are really in this because they enjoy providing this service are probably most happy to have a client who is a regular, just pays and doesn’t complain or negotiate over a couple of bucks, is clean and sane, and is respectful.

[+ 7829V]

The tipping culture in America is out of control. We feel obligated to tip for everything. For someone working out of his home or coming to you, tip or don’t tip—it’s up to you and should not be expected. If a masseur expects a tip on top of his fee in this type of direct booking session, I don’t go to that masseur. I don’t believe in upswell during the massage either. Others may be ok with that. I just don’t book those people. I think an extra 10 or 20 to show appreciation for an outstanding session is a nice way to say thank you. Honestly, the guys who are really in this because they enjoy providing this service are probably most happy to have a client who is a regular, just pays and doesn’t complain or negotiate over a couple of bucks, is clean and sane, and is respectful.

Yeah, I see a masseur that I think that is very good. And I enjoy his work. And his rates are really reasonable, almost to the point that I want to tell him to charge more... haha. So in this particular case I tip him. But he's one of the VERY few that I tip.

[+ FrankR]

I have a fairly good understanding of economics. Why then are massage prices going up over the top in saturated massage markets? New York, Los Angeles in particular. I notice that the market is so saturated in these cities that many are traveling out to San Francisco, Boston and Chicago trying to get business. I used to pay in the $100-$120 range......yet masseurs keep raising their prices. It is now common to see $160-$180. (which I think is insane for 1 hr) Are prices starting to seem out of bounds, especially when there is an excess of masseurs? You think that would lower prices. Is it just me, or is $160-$180 for a 1 hr. Incall massage crazy?

Don’t believe the old saying “you get what you pay for”... I’ve had great experiences with masseurs at a lower price point (and I’ve tipped generously) and have had horrible interactions with high priced faux masseurs. I do make allowances for circumstances - am I hosting/masseur traveling? etc...

[+ tassojunior]

I give a "gratuity" to a masseur when he gives me one.

 

Others would call it paying for a blowjob.

 

Over-priced guys who don't provide extras get no extras. It's called life.

[+ sync]

As the price-points for massage have been ever rising, my take is that some escort service providers are moving toward the "masseur" identity, which is less likely to attract law-enforcement, and they are bringing escort price-points with them. This is only my surmising, I have no proof of it.

[+ 7829V]

As the price-points for massage have been ever rising, my take is that some escort service providers are moving toward the "masseur" identity, which is less likely to attract law-enforcement, and they are bringing escort price-points with them. This is only my surmising, I have no proof of it.

I agree. Some escorts are in masseur pricing or the other way around. It's very confusing... since you never know what you'll get from a masseur.

[Redwine56]

Where do you find masseurs below $150? On MF most seem to be around 150, or 120...

If you comb through slowly, you will find some. I have tried a few of them from there and for the most part have been pleased overall. I will throw a masseur in that price range a $20 bill if all goes well and they are more than happy about it.

[+ tassojunior]

As the price-points for massage have been ever rising, my take is that some escort service providers are moving toward the "masseur" identity, which is less likely to attract law-enforcement, and they are bringing escort price-points with them. This is only my surmising, I have no proof of it.

I think it's more guys who would not do "escorting," ie: full sex with anyone, who are coming in through massage services. Sure some escorts are also listing on masseur sites for extra marketing, but the vast majority are new faces. I have a close friend who does MF and he quit stripping because he did not even like the "private dance" stuff. Wih MF he can go as far as he wants depending on the guy and if not in the mood can stop at say nude massage.

 

My experience is that the longer guys stay in the G4P jobs the more gay or bi they become. So whatever brings them in is fine. And law enforcement may become a biggie as the new anti-escort site laws go in soon.

 

We need a way to ask politely how far masseurs go. I just talk to them like escorts. Usually I ask if they are versatile. If they answer they use both their left and right hands I pass.

[DadBearDallas]

$100 for an hour...$150 for 90 minutes. I tell masseurs that's what I'm willing to pay and I have rarely been turned down. Generally, I say something like "I like to mix it up every now and then but I have a couple of regulars that charge me..." If I'm nice, respectful and don't seem desperate they usually will honor that.

[+ 7829V]

$100 for an hour...$150 for 90 minutes. I tell masseurs that's what I'm willing to pay and I have rarely been turned down. Generally, I say something like "I like to mix it up every now and then but I have a couple of regulars that charge me..." If I'm nice, respectful and don't seem desperate they usually will honor that.

That’s a good approach. I assume you only do incalls (you go to the masseurs place).

[Walker1]

It depends on what you are looking for. Pure therapeutic massage-you can get under 100 bucks an hour. If you want a hot stud, full of muscles to massage you naked-with a great massage, it will be pricier.

[+ MasssageGuy]

Where do you find masseurs below $150? On MF most seem to be around 150, or 120...

Craigslist has masseurs at reasonable prices. I've had good luck finding practitioners there. They don't have the overhead that MF.com has.

[DadBearDallas]

That’s a good approach. I assume you only do incalls (you go to the masseurs place).

You would be surprised how many will come to me...but I'm always prepared to go to them.

[all-american]

What gets me are the masseurs who charge 130 and up that are strictly ‘legit’ and therapeutic with no sensuality or HE. I could go to Burke Williams and pay that or less and enjoy a steam or sauna on top of it if I just want a legit massage. They’re really getting greedy if you ask me.

[Capitano]

It could be that some grab-the-money-and-run masseurs are trying to compensate for the increasing fees of (those bastards at) masseurfinder.com in this way? A good masseur that does this seriously and gets many clients each week has no intention of jacking up his rates just because masseur.com is charging him $20-40 more per month, that would make no sense. But if you get few massages, usually because you are bad or unknown, that's a whole different story.

 

I do have to note that my favorite masseurs have held their rates constant for a number of years now. Jake and David in Chicago, Brad and Anthony in NYC, and Alexei in Miami.

And yeah, they are all in the $130-160 range, but I think it's justified.

 

To echo all-American above, the worst is when someone charges you $130-140 for a massage that's neither sensual nor therapeutic. Too many guys apparently think this is easy money and get way over their heads.

[Kody S]

As we are the paying customers, there’s nothing wrong with negotiating the price if it seems too high. I agree with the $100/hr as a reasonable price. I’ve had some success being respectful but honest: I really would like to try your massage but your rates are a bit more than I can do right now, would you be ok with $x/hr?. Most often they will agree. It’s business. Sometimes masseurs new to the scene need to have some sense of what the market in their area will bear (particularly travelers in non-major cities). Also, my experience is the higher the price the less thé massage skills.

Edited March 18, 2018 by Kody S

[Guest InthePines]

As we are the paying customers, there’s nothing wrong with negotiating the price if it seems too high. I agree with the $100/hr as a reasonable price. I’ve had some success being respectful but honest: I really would like to try your massage but your rates are a bit more than I can do right now, you you be ok with $x/hr. Most often they will agree. It’s business. Sometimes masseurs new to the scene need to have some sense of what the market in their area will bear (particularly travelers in non-major cities). Also, my experience is the higher the price the less thé massage skills.

 

I think that's pretty well put, for the complaint I've heard from masseurs are clients who attempt to negotiate the rate after services rendered. Also if you're asking for a reduced rate, you might want to tell the masseur that you're willing to work with his schedule and have the massage during slower business time, which is usually afternoons and week nights.

 

I frequently use one of the best masseurs in the city. He's not cheap and I'm generous, but he accommodates me well and honestly, I think he's worth it. That said, I've often called him at the last moment and said "I have xxx cash in my wallet and I'd like to avoid a trip to the ATM, can you do it for that?" and he's never said no.

 

I think the increase in rates has largely to do with increase of disposable income of the guys who hire these masseurs. I also believe the industry booms that have resulted in much of this disposable income are entering correction periods, so don't be surprised if you see a reduction in fees, not to mention fewer guys offering services, within the next year.