Will depressed economy depress escort prices?

[Guest bluboy]

My favourites are not as busy as they used to be so there is room to negotiate fellow johns. I have had a few discounted sessions recently and getting the discount was not that hard. "Look my stock portfolio is down and I would like to keep using you as often as I have but at these rates...." Especialy in NYC with No tourists, even the gaeity has been empty...times square is a dead zone...blu

[MiamiLooker]

>Since most escorts and most clients

>do not hold with negotiating

>a price once it is

>mentioned over the phone, I

>would say that it was

>the receiving price.

 

It's been my experience that most escorts I've contacted do negotiate. I've never asked for a reduced fee, however, if the quoted fee is more than I'm prepared to pay (this amount is determined by just how horny I am), then I just say no thanks. Most, but not all, do respond back with something like "how much are you willing to pay?" Or "what do you get into?" which may determine whether or not it will be an easy or difficult appointment for them. I find all the talk about set fees sort of amusing...sort of like the list price of a house for sale or the manufacturers suggested list price of a new car....

[Talvin DeMachio]

I have actually have had my business increase since 9-11. I have been quite surprised. I have been even more surprised that I have been quite busy here in Canada (Toronto/Montreal). My rates do not change when I go across the border. Anyone who hires me has to do the conversion from the US Dollar to the Canadian dollar. And I thought for sure that I would not have much business up here since for every 1 Canadian dollar the Canadians get $0.62 But to my surprise I have been doing amazing well up here. I was told I would not get any work what so ever because my rates were too high. Well, I have been so busy up here in Toronto and will be for Montreal that I will most definitely be back next year

 

Sports, as far as keeping my electronic mail. I do it with all my mail for just reference. I keep my clients E mail and my personal E mail (from friends and family). Something I have always done.

 

If times were to slow down my rates would still not change what so ever. My rates mostly target the business traveler and people of the upper crust. If one cannot afford me I am more than happy to recommend one of my friends or a website that a client can go to. I know not everyone will pay for my rates and I am perfectly okay with that.

 

Talvin DeMachio

http://www.talvindemachio.com

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

In a free open market the law of supply and demand is supposed to prevail and usually does. But the escorts market, while free, is not open, at least in the big cities. Rates are not openly posted and escorts are not lined up, as say the ladies on the evening sitting in windows on ‘watchamacallit strasse’ in Hamburg. Escorts are a personal service, not a commodity. Some measure of chemistry or rapport or other special attraction is necessary. Some are better than others at establishing that rapport -- they will maintain the client base better in the lean times. Doctors don’t lower their rates in times of recession -- especially psychiatrists... (rapport really big here)

 

Another difference is that the male escort market is a niche market. Many of us are very selective in our preferences: twink, muscle, top, bottom... If it isn’t to our taste then it isn’t desired at any price, often. This is in contrast to the commodity gasoline that is the same everywhere, and prices are posted so, in the absence of special circumstances, it is foolish not to choose the lower priced venues for purchase.

 

Then there is the ‘movie star’ phenomenon. Point in case: Tom Cruise does not lower his asking price if he is in demand -- in times of recession or not. On the other hand if no one calls whatever the climate, then he works for what he can get or changes careers. So the big names won’t lower until the calls completely stop for an extended time without an up-turn, then they may choose to change careers. This is often seen in professional sports where stars find themselves priced out of the market and choose to retire rather than openly sign up to the downward slide in their fortunes.

 

IN smaller towns the issues are different, for supply and demand to work there needs to be plenty of both. Usually few escorts are to be found and the demand is not extensive even in the best of times. So the issue is much more sensitive to local circumstances. It is my guess that clients in small towns tend to the upper socioeconomic end while in the big cities there is more variation. Thus in hard times the shakeout will be greater in the big cities.

 

All of this does not mean that economic pressure does not take a toll on rates, but it is not across the board, rather it varies from individual to individual and city to town as individual circumstances and choices dictate. Another example: an unknown (to me) escort recently contacted me to inquire into my interest (obviously he is looking for business). I inquired about his rates as well as other relevant factors. He responded with a rate higher than I had ever paid before. I thanked him for his response. He responded that negotiations were possible and what would I consider -- I responded that it is not my personal practice to negotiate escort rates but since he asked I told him my policy. He said my policy was acceptable -- we had a good time.

[Boston Guy]

Some businesses are recession-proof and some actually do better during recessions.

 

For most of the 20th century, movies were a good example: when times were good, people went to the movies to have a good time. When times were bad, they went to forget their troubles. Escorting may well be made from the same mold and if people think of it as entertainment, the recession might not pose too much of a danger.

 

However, having said that, escorting can also be thought of as a luxury purchase. If that's the correct model, then a long or deep recession could well pose a grave danger to the average escort's revenues, for luxury purchases tend to fall off dramatically during recessions as people tighten their belts.

 

It's been a long time snce the US went into a recession and escorting has changed quite a bit since then. So it's probably anyone's guess.

 

I don't think that it will be straight game of supply and demand, for many of the reasons stated in prior posts in this thread. But supply and demand should not be completely discounted either. My own guess is that a deep-enough or long-enough recession would shrink the pool of clients somewhat, possibly quite a bit. The remaining clients might be willing to pay the kind of fees currently charged by escorts or might look for ways to lower the cost of hiring an escort; if this comes to pass, new escorts who are willing to undercut current escorts in price might have an economic advantage, so long as the fee difference was large enough to make a difference in the minds of the remaining clients.

 

If the recession holds, I wouldn't expect to see a lot of escorts be able to raise their prices dramatically and still be able to attract sufficient clients to meet their own cash flow requirements.

[Guest cp8036]

If the cost is bit too much to bear, might suggest hiring escorts less often. Instead of once a month, go for once every two months.

[ready182]

Damm, just when I was think about twice as often

[Guest DCescortBOY]

or just try a cheaper ho.

 

 

>If the cost is bit too

>much to bear, might suggest

>hiring escorts less often.

>Instead of once a month,

>go for once every two

>months.

[Bilbo]

I'm sorry I got so defensive about this earlier. But please consider the situation. If I am doing the mystery shopper bit and digging for info only and have no intention whatso of hiring the guy at this time (unless he's a boyish redheaded bottom), would it truely be fair of me to attempt to negotiate at all? That would be dealing in bad faith. There were enough men unhappy with me for asking them anyway, especially since some of them realized that I was calling periodically. After a couple of years, I had to resort to getting my partner and some other friends to do the calling for me, if I wanted any accuracy.

 

However, I don't trust published prices enough to just go with them, for many of the same reasons that it doesn't seem like you would. After I quit doing this, the newsman on that radio show started doing it and only used the numbers which he got off of this site. I didn't trust his figures, since A. see that last sentence and B. only the cream of the crop tends to be reviewed here. (That and the worst of the worst.) So I figure his figures were inflated, but I figure you can generally trust mine, especially since I haven't quoted you many figures, mostly trends.

[Guest paysforit]

>or just try a cheaper ho.

>

>

>

>>If the cost is bit too

>>much to bear, might suggest

>>hiring escorts less often.

>>Instead of once a month,

>>go for once every two

>>months.

 

 

What's with this "ho" business? I thought you always took the high road with regards to nomenclature in the sex industry. I guess if an escort works for less money or is flexible in his pricing, he becomes a "ho" in your book. By the way I am very comfortable referring to myself as a "John" when using this site. I have been hiring escorts/call boys, as well as street trade, for over 30 years. I've met a lot of nice guys and a fair number of assholes over the years. I think I qualify as a "John", but I have no trouble being referred to as a "client" either, if somebody feels the need to dress the transaction up in that fashion. By the way, I think being a good "ho" is an honorable profession.

[Guest 7Zach]

Did I get this right? "the newsman on the radio show", "he got his numbers off this site". I want to hear more about the radio show!

[Guest cp8036]

Sports,

 

I cannot understand why you are reading about escorts then...

[Guest cp8036]

Thanks Trav for pointing out the defects in my statement.

 

Well, I just spent the last five hours on the net trying to find examples of all calenders used now or before by mankind. You are so right about the ambiguity. Might as well have said "once in a while".

 

I live in Kiev, so I will use the Gregorian calender as a nod to the Orthodox Ukranianes.

[Bilbo]

KPFT, the Houston based public radio station, (and I may be getting some facts wrong here, but I will be coming close), is a Pacifica station. They have been having some trouble lately with the home company wanting to nose into their programming, but were so strong on local programming historically that a lot of their best shows are still on the air. That includes a talk show for and about inmates in prisons, and two shows a week about gay material. One is called "Gay and Lesbian Voices." The other, which is the one I prefer, I ironically cannot remember the name of. It comes on from Midnight to 3AM on Saturday nights. It's main host is my friend Jimmy Carper, but each week he sortof divides the program into two halves and has a different emphasis in each half and a different cohost(s) who specialize in that emphasis. Like "leather," or "trans people," etc. Between the two halves is a news segment made especially for that show, focusing on gay news. Jimmy also has another show on that station which is all about new music, and does feature gay music and interesting sound bites on the gay show, too. It is a very, very good show. Unfortunately, and Jimmy knows this, I am usually asleep or doing something else that time on a Saturday night. He is so sweet. He even had, for a long time, might still, a framed article from a local gay newspaper, which I wrote and was the first time a paper had paid attention to the show. I believe that you can pick up the show as far from Houston as College Station, but if you're not in this part of Texas, I'm afraid you're SOL on this one.

[Bilbo]

Rereading that last post, I see that I forgot to mention why I mentioned the show for inmates. It is hosted by Ray Hill, a nationally known gay rights activist.

[Guest Sports]

Everyone should just stop seeing escorts. In the words of Nancy Reagan "Just say No." If that happened I wouldn't be surprised if rates dropped below $50. Instead of charging the ridiculous rate of $220/hour Rod Hagen would be working for tips.

 

I can't understand why people pay these exorbitant rates. Do escorts go to school and learn their trade? Why do they need to gouge their customers? Why can't they work for the union wage of let's say...truckers....yeah thats the ticket!

[+ deej]

>Everyone should just stop seeing escorts.

> In the words of

>Nancy Reagan "Just say No."

 

I don't know what planet you keep beaming in from, Sports, but there's a reason it's called the world's oldest profession. Prostitution has been with us since the beginning of man, and it will be with us until mankind heaves its last gasping breath.

 

You are right, though. If you don't like the rates, don't pay them. Just don't expect the whole world to stop.

 

The rest of your posting is so patently foolish it doesn't warrant a response.

[Traveller]

>Instead of once a month,

>go for once every two

>months.

 

I'm trying to comprehend this, but it's just not working. First this "instead of once a month" statement. All right, let's take the easy one, February usually only has 28 days; but still, "once a month?" Would it count if you hired 4 guys in a 24 hour period or what about 4 at a time? And, if all of their names in the month were, say, Chris or Rick, would this count as once? Could you flip in and out of the Gregorian calendar, using Mayan or Chinese or whatever, if a new hottie started advertising? This clause is just riddled with ambiguity.

 

Because of the difficulty with this concept of "once a month," I'm not going to even attempt to understand the second clause.

 

Later.

[+ Charlie]

For the first time since his e.e. cummings comment I find myself in agreement with DC: a hustler takes what he's offered, but a professional escort knows what he's worth and doesn't settle for less. Of course, if there is a drastic collapse in the economy, everyone's fee is adjusted downward, as happened during the Depression. That hasn't happened, nor do I expect it. During the big stock market shakeout in 1987, I don't remember any drop in the standard price charged by escorts in New York. Most escorts are capable of earning good money doing something else (unlike most hustlers), so they will either get out of the business, thereby increasing the market share for those remaining, or they will find other work to supplement their income, rather than try to maintain their income by lowering prices to increase turnover.

[Guest Sports]

Relax Deej. It's a joke. I didn't expect you to understand and if it doesn't warrant a response from you, why did you respond? I realize your'e a moderator on this board but that doesn't give you a right to personally attack people. Do you think it is ethical for a moderator who censors responses to do so much posting and critical analysis of those posts? I mean check it out, I post at 12:04 P.M., you censor it and then you respond by 12:19 p.m.. Your'e quick; you must be siting on that computer waiting to respond. Do you do anything besides promoting prostitiution? I know your response will be your traditional vitriol; its what your'e really good at.

[+ deej]

We do not censor. We often wish we could, but we do not.

 

If your remark was meant with humor, I apologize. I saw no indication of humor, and your track record of attacking popular escorts had me a bit on edge.

 

May I suggest you visit the emoticon icon short cuts (see link, above) and begin inserting some indication that you mean a remark with humor. Whatever you've been doing so far hasn't been working.

 

If you feel it inappropriate that a member of this site have an opinion, then why voice your own?

[Guest jeffOH]

>Everyone should just stop seeing escorts.

> In the words of

>Nancy Reagan "Just say No."

> If that happened I

>wouldn't be surprised if rates

>dropped below $50. Instead

>of charging the ridiculous rate

>of $220/hour Rod Hagen would

>be working for tips.

>

>I can't understand why people pay

>these exorbitant rates. Do

>escorts go to school and

>learn their trade? Why

>do they need to gouge

>their customers? Why can't

>they work for the union

>wage of let's say...truckers....yeah thats

>the ticket!

 

How does this affect you and why do you care? Do you have a life of your own? Or, are you the type of person who sits on the sidelines and just ridicules others with your own brand of mean-

spirited comments?

 

Jeff4hire@aol.com

[Barry]

>Do you think it is ethical

>for a moderator who censors

>responses to do so much

>posting and critical analysis of

>those posts?

 

Hmmmm Ethics for Moderators. Would I get graduate level credit for that course? Seriously speaking we only screen posts in the queue by "moderated" posters for any violation of the rules. If clean, we release the post. If not, we hold the post in the queue for HooBoy to deal with. We don't have the capability of editing a post. And this you label censorship?

 

We were members of this community long before the message board became moderated. We remain members of the community. If you think the ridiculously high salaries, along with benefits and perks provided to us by Hoo for our screening role constitutes some conflict of interest....well maybe. At least if any of that was true. :-)

 

>I mean check it out, I post

>at 12:04 P.M., you censor

>it and then you respond

>by 12:19 p.m..

 

Well considering we read the post prior to release doesn't it make sense that if the moderator who released it wanted to respond, that response would be fairly quick? Minus that "censor" role you threw in again.

 

>Your'e quick; you must be siting

>on that computer waiting to

>respond. Do you do

>anything besides promoting prostitiution?

 

Wow! And why were you sitting on your computer at 12:04 P.M. posting? Nothing better to do than "promote prostitution"?

 

Bitter, table for one. Your Table is ready. :-)

[Guest DCescortBOY]

i'll rephrase:

just utilize the services of a different--and less expensive--compensated companion.

 

 

 

>>or just try a cheaper ho.

>>

>>

>>

>>>If the cost is bit too

>>>much to bear, might suggest

>>>hiring escorts less often.

>>>Instead of once a month,

>>>go for once every two

>>>months.

>

>

>What's with this "ho" business?

>I thought you always took

>the high road with regards

>to nomenclature in the sex

>industry. I guess if

>an escort works for less

>money or is flexible in

>his pricing, he becomes

>a "ho" in your book.

> By the way I

>am very comfortable referring to

>myself as a "John" when

>using this site. I have

>been hiring escorts/call boys, as

>well as street trade, for

>over 30 years. I've

>met a lot of nice

>guys and a fair number

>of assholes over the years.

> I think I qualify

>as a "John", but I

>have no trouble being referred

>to as a "client" either,

>if somebody feels the need

>to dress the transaction up

>in that fashion. By

>the way, I think being

>a good "ho" is an

>honorable profession.

[Guest DCescortBOY]

again, i guarantee that my DC rate will NEVER go down.

 

 

>Everyone should just stop seeing escorts.

> In the words of

>Nancy Reagan "Just say No."

> If that happened I

>wouldn't be surprised if rates

>dropped below $50. Instead

>of charging the ridiculous rate

>of $220/hour Rod Hagen would

>be working for tips.

>

>I can't understand why people pay

>these exorbitant rates. Do

>escorts go to school and

>learn their trade? Why

>do they need to gouge

>their customers? Why can't

>they work for the union

>wage of let's say...truckers....yeah thats

>the ticket!