MAXIMUM ESCORTS IS GOING OUT ON A LIMB HERE...

[stephen_maximum]

I have alot of respect for the people who read and post in these forums. I have always taken your advice to heart and appreciated your responses.

 

Due to the economic crises and difficult financial times I have noticed a small and slow but definite decline in business with our agency. I have seen this occur before, and it's always at the same time the economy is down. I am beginning to get worried for the long term this time, because the repercussions of the "bailout" and failing economy as telling me that "luxury items" i.e. hiring escorts will slow down much more.

 

I am asking all of you to tell me what do to do circumvent an impending crisis/shut down of our agency. It's no surprise to any of you that our agency exists by charging a commission that is built into our hourly fee. The escorts pay that back to us after they have seen you. Back around Labor Day we had a relatively successful "special offer" that ran for three weeks. Most of that discount came out of the commission end of the transactions. My gut feeling is that the market is in a downward swing that won't pick up again for sometime, and it may be time to consider a price adjustment.

 

What rate would GET YOU TO USE MAXIMUM ESCORTS MORE REGULARLY? I'm asking this sincerely, so I don't expect answers like "$50" because that would not sustain the agency or our guys. I believe that the men who work for Maximum are truly some of the best guys around. I also feel they should be getting a fair amount for their time. But I really would like to know what all of you feel about our price points and get some honest feedback that would ACTUALLY GENERATE revenue while keeping the agency going.

 

I am also open to any and all suggestions that all of you feel would make our agency more appealing to use. I am open to any suggestions that you have. The only thing that can't change at this point, and I know this will disappoint some of you, is that I cannot show face photos of the guys on my website. That level of discretion simply cannot be changed. But anything else you suggest I am eager to hear.

 

Thanks for reading this late night rant of mine, and I look forward to all of your responses.

 

 

Stephen

 

Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

 

http://www.maximumescorts.com

[whipped guy]

One way to make hiring more attractive might be to prorate the second hour... and I mention this as an alternative to the rate drop that was employed during your recent "end of summer" special. You would have to crunch the numbers to see what would work best. However, you might consider keeping the rate of $300 for the first hour. That would keep things basically the same for the escort and you as far as initial commissions are concerned and at the same time fairly compensate the escort for his initial time and efforts… including travel time. After that a fair scenario might be to drop the rate by 50 percent. This would encourage multiple hour appointments and would bring the fees to a level that would offer quite an incentive to book more than a mere hour. Personally, I don’t think much can be accomplished in an hour’s time… but that’s just my way of thinking. In addition, many of those that hire have a psychological barrier of $250 per hour at least as far as NYC rates are concerned… and this would put things well below that threshold. In essence, once the escort has hooked up with the client anything booked after that initial hour would have to be considered as being “icing on the cake”.

 

Every decision we make is a compromise… and deciding to lower one’s rates to encourage more business is indeed a gamble… However, it is a basic rule of economics that often does indeed succeed. Still, as noted above you would have to do a study of your clients hiring habits to see if such a scenario would work. Also, you would have to do a study of what price points you would have to choose for the second and third hours. My suggestions are based on what I know regarding the NYC market… at least from a clients point of view.

 

Just some initial thoughts that I think would be fair to you, the escorts, and the clients as well…

 

I wish you well in making your decision.

[Epigonos]

As I see it your problem is twofold. Not only do you have to contend with the down turning economy, which has precipitated a cut back in luxury spending, but you must by the fact that you are located in New York, contend with what has become an almost prohibitively expensive city. Within the last eighteen to twenty-four months we have seen the cost of living in Manhattan spiral almost out of control. It is currently difficult to find a decent room in the city for under $300 a night. Many hotels and restaurants, during this period of constantly rising prices, have prospered because of the influx of foreign travelers. As the current economic problems expand worldwide and foreign travel decreases, as it certainly will, I would guess that hotels and restaurants will be forced to lower prices just as they did after 9/11. If and when New York City becomes more affordable and if you find you are able to follow whipped guy’s suggestion about cutting prices on extended hour my guess would be that your business will increase. If, however, prices in the city DO NOT drop I fear you are in for a VERY rough time

[Bart]

Stephen:

I believe once before say two years ago you tried an experiment with sending a couple of your guys on the road. I do not know how that worked but it may be time to revive that. Couple reasons would be,

1. I believe NY is being harder hit than a majority of major cities. Not that other places are not seeing downturns but this time NY is financial capital and thus number one market for axing the empty suits.

2. When on the road you may have to modify prices to match the market place a bit but then again maybe some of the other costs will be a bit lower.

3. I know the local guys may not like this but some markets love fresh meat when it comes to town. I think the big thing is not to come to town and lowball the market place, but that is not your style.

4. If you do so rentboy is not always the number one spot in each city. NY yes many other places you need to do a bit of research and see where best to advertise to be successful.

5. You may consider looking at your past client lists and see which locations they came from and see if you were to send a couple of guys to their town would they be interested. Maybe even offer incentive to past clients for their continued patronage.

 

Also my discussions with most escorts indicates having that base business. I would first advertise to anyone who has used your services in the past 12 months will get a special deal 10% discount lets say for the next 60 days. Come back again within 60 days and get 15% discount. These are just examples.

 

For new customers offer deals on multi hours but then add the caveat that you will give additional discounts if you return in 60 days. Again adding to the base business with continuing customers.

[JT Brooklyn]

Unfortunately.. it does look like rough times indeed are ahead in "The Wonderful World of The Working Guy"

 

Especially when you get Hunks like Chase Stevens/Atlanta.. who now is visiting in NYC Dropping his Rate to $340 an Hour!

 

Sadly I did have to decline his offer! BUT I'm sure there are those LEFT who will gladly jump his Fine Bod! Not just as many as he is used to from previous visits. ;-)

[Troyster]

I agree with some of the posters here about trying either a repeaters discount for people who have not used the services in say 6 or 12 months (if you have any way of knowing who they are).

 

Another issue for some of the people might be the room. If they have to get a hotel room as well the price is at least 2X your normal rates or more depending on the hotel room they get. I know it is not easy but at one point you offered in call locations or maybe some of the guys could selectively host at their locations? I realize everyone has to be careful about too much coming and going at their apartments but for a lot of people that might represent a 50% price cut without having any major financial impact on your business or the guys time/value equation.

 

The multiple hour discount might not be as effective depending on how many customers are seeking one hour versus multiple hours.

[Lankypeters]

How about a mid-week special rate of $225/hr.?

 

 

"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[stephen_maximum]

whippedguy - LOVE that idea and I'll be discussing that with Matt later today.

 

Epigonos - do you think Troyster's idea might help regarding what you wrote?

 

Bart - We actually never did take any guys on tour, but the idea did come up a couple of years ago. The main problem was that I couldn't get the numbers to work. I sort of did a poll at the time and I just didn't see the interest in any one place that would justify the cost of travel, lodging, and meals. I'm still interested in trying it - perhaps you have some ideas about how we could make it work? Unfortunately we don't keep client information on file, so contacting previous clients isn't an option. However we could certainly let people know about that type of discount when they are booking current appointments.

 

Troyster that's definitely a good idea about providing a place to meet, and it's worked well in the past. We even have a private location to do it in. However in a previous thread a couple of weeks ago someone on here posted on the subject "How can Maximum get away with advertising that and not get busted as a brothel?" or something to that effect. I immediately removed the mention of an in-call location from all our advertising. For those "in the know" it is still available at a nominal fee.

 

Stephen

 

Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

 

http://www.maximumescorts.com

[JT Brooklyn]

Troyster..Totally agree. IMHO when Rates Hit $250 "Generally" for 1 Hour and most Working Guys drew the line "No Discount" for 2nd Hr, The Hiring Mentality started to change. Although I'm guessing that 1 Hr Slam-Bam was always the "Main Stay" of the Working Guys Day Anyways?

 

Maximum Men and other Good Agencies definitely serve a Purpose for "different reasons" for both Working Guys and Clients, so the RATE Charges always made sense.

 

It would be a shame to see the AGENCY for both the sake of the Guys and Clients.. become a thing of the past due to a drop in Client Volume!

[Guest backbaygayguy]

Stephen, several comments:

 

Have been tempted by one of your guys several times, but passed because of the cost (both the hourly and the need to get a hotel room).

 

I come to NYC often and stay in a private apartment but don’t entertain there. Scheduling with a guy who can’t do an in session adds a major expense for me – thus adding a hotel is a major factor in whom I choose (am bringing a guy to NYC for 3 days in November and the hotel rates are significantly higher than last year, ouch!). Offering an alternative space, safe and attractive, at a good price would be a real incentive for me.

 

I do not spend at the $300/hr. level (even realizing that the agency fee is part of that amount). And I usually spend 2 hours in a first appointment. A discounted second hour would be a real incentive – maybe $300 the first and $200 the second, to average out at $250/hr. would seem reasonable and not dissimilar to what some independent guys do.

 

If I find someone I like, I do repeat sessions. For repeats, I frequently do evenings or overnights. As a repeat customer some guys give me a better price (not their usual published price). Thus, a pricing break for longer sessions or repeat customers would also be nice.

[+ glutes]

>

>I come to NYC often and stay in a private apartment but don’t

>entertain there. Scheduling with a guy who can’t do an in

>session adds a major expense for me – thus adding a hotel is a

>major factor in whom I choose (am bringing a guy to NYC for 3

>days in November and the hotel rates are significantly higher

>than last year, ouch!). Offering an alternative space, safe

>and attractive, at a good price would be a real incentive for

>me.

>

 

>

>If I find someone I like, I do repeat sessions. For repeats, I

>frequently do evenings or overnights. As a repeat customer

>some guys give me a better price (not their usual published

>price). Thus, a pricing break for longer sessions or repeat

>customers would also be nice.

 

I second the above points that BBG has made.

(And no, you have not gone out on a limb. You came to the right place)

[KMEM]

Your thrust seems to be hourlies. Do you do overnights and week-ends? I have used your competitor just to the south in the past for week-ends and have been reasonably satisfied. Does that sound like damning with faint praise? The service did what they said they would do and the escorts also. Here I am talking about PHL for the competitor.

 

If you do overnights and week-ends a certain amount of expense will be picked up by the client so long as the rate for the escort is competitive.

 

I don't know and so far as I can tell you have not indicated if this type of offering is of any interest or not. An airline ticket bought in advance might be or can be cheaper than a hotel room in NYC. Now we just have to satisfy everyone that all else is kosher and fun.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[cocky]

Stephen

I will by in NYC weekend of Oct 24th, never used Maximum before but would be interested in hiring from you. Do you have 2 guys that work together (and enjoying working together) and rather than hourly rate, how about a 2 hour rate - allow time to meet in hotel lobby, get to know each other and then head up to the room for an hour of fun. First hour, would be get to know each other time. When spending $300/hr. it is too expensive to spend time getting to know each other first.

[+ purplekow]

The idea of a frequent user program has been mentioned. First time in a month might go for usual fee, second time a slight discount, say 250 + 25 to purchase frequent user rights. Any time after that 250 and 25 off if you are a frequent user member. Frequent user good for one month. So would be 300/275/225 thereafter. Next month back to 300.

I have never seen a purplekow;

I never hope to see one;

I can tell you anyhow;

I'd rather see than be one

 

Help there is a purplekow in my mirror

[KMEM]

Just out of curiosity I looked up a flight for 2 weeks in advance from LGA to my home airport (RT)and the fare was $215. Much cheaper than 3 days in a NY hotel. Of course, I would have to be happy to have the person (escort) in my home and vice versa. Or, I could get a very nice hotel room here for $100 a day and still save money. Here I am talking about Friday - Sunday aka a week-end. I will agree that the next several months will have discounted air fares, except holidays, because of the off season.

 

Just another way to skin the cat.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[stephen_maximum]

KMEM - We have special rates for evenings, overnight, and weekend travel. When a trip is going to involve multiple days we usually work out a price that's fair to everyone. Generally speaking the more days they are with you the less it is per day. As for the airfare you mentioned in your other post that does sound like it would be much cheaper to fly an escort out to you than staying in NYC, though some people don't like to do that unless they've met them before. What we usually do is arrange for you to speak to the escort prior to booking the flight to get an idea if you will get along with them.

 

 

>Your thrust seems to be hourlies. Do you do overnights and

>week-ends? I have used your competitor just to the south in

>the past for week-ends and have been reasonably satisfied.

>Does that sound like damning with faint praise? The service

>did what they said they would do and the escorts also. Here I

>am talking about PHL for the competitor.

>

>If you do overnights and week-ends a certain amount of expense

>will be picked up by the client so long as the rate for the

>escort is competitive.

>

>I don't know and so far as I can tell you have not indicated

>if this type of offering is of any interest or not. An

>airline ticket bought in advance might be or can be cheaper

>than a hotel room in NYC. Now we just have to satisfy

>everyone that all else is kosher and fun.

>

>Best regards,

>KMEM

 

 

Stephen

 

Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

 

http://www.maximumescorts.com

[stephen_maximum]

Cocky - We have a number of guys who enjoy working together. I think it is a great idea to spend some time over a drink getting to know them before going up to the room - everyone would be more comfortable. Get in touch with me at the agency and we will work this out for you.

 

>Stephen

>I will by in NYC weekend of Oct 24th, never used Maximum

>before but would be interested in hiring from you. Do you

>have 2 guys that work together (and enjoying working together)

>and rather than hourly rate, how about a 2 hour rate - allow

>time to meet in hotel lobby, get to know each other and then

>head up to the room for an hour of fun. First hour, would be

>get to know each other time. When spending $300/hr. it is too

>expensive to spend time getting to know each other first.

 

 

Stephen

 

Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

 

http://www.maximumescorts.com

[stephen_maximum]

purplekow - Do you think that setting up a program like this would be more effective than an overall price reduction? Our Labor Day special was very popular, and I wonder if the amount of information we would have to keep on each client would make this type of program prohibitive? I suppose on our end we could keep some kind of a talley system to keep track of it, but don't you think cutting the hourly rate is a smarter idea?

 

>The idea of a frequent user program has been mentioned.

>First time in a month might go for usual fee, second time a

>slight discount, say 250 + 25 to purchase frequent user

>rights. Any time after that 250 and 25 off if you are a

>frequent user member. Frequent user good for one month. So

>would be 300/275/225 thereafter. Next month back to 300.

>I have never seen a purplekow;

>I never hope to see one;

>I can tell you anyhow;

>I'd rather see than be one

>

>Help there is a purplekow in my mirror

 

 

Stephen

 

Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

 

http://www.maximumescorts.com

[+ purplekow]

>purplekow - Do you think that setting up a program like this

>would be more effective than an overall price reduction? Our

>Labor Day special was very popular, and I wonder if the amount

>of information we would have to keep on each client would make

>this type of program prohibitive? I suppose on our end we

>could keep some kind of a talley system to keep track of it,

>but don't you think cutting the hourly rate is a smarter

>idea?

>

>>The idea of a frequent user program has been mentioned.

>>First time in a month might go for usual fee, second time

>a

>>slight discount, say 250 + 25 to purchase frequent user

>>rights. Any time after that 250 and 25 off if you are a

>>frequent user member. Frequent user good for one month.

>So

>>would be 300/275/225 thereafter. Next month back to 300.

>

>>

>

>Stephen

>

Across the board price decrease would make services more affordable but I am not sure they foster an increase in hiring. The program I am suggesting makes it cheaper per session to hire more times in a month which might encourage some men to hire for a third or fourth time during a month when they might not have otherwise hired. Granted, they may not hire at all for the following month.

[Epigonos]

Stephen I used to visit New York twice a year but, as I said previously, because of spiraling New York City costs have not done so in over a year. Part of your problem is, I would guess, that most of your clients are visitors NOT local residents. You might want to consider ways of developing a local repeat client base. How about reducing rates for repeat LOCAL clients? Tourist traffic has to be down in New York and will probably continue to be so for the near future. My best suggestion is to find ways to get out of the tourist trade and into the local trade.

[OneFinger]

Stephen,

 

I'm glad you asking for feedback and methods for increasing your business during these economic hard-times. Like others, I would really suggest you address the rate issue by offering 2nd hour discounts or running the "special" rate you had a few weeks ago.

 

The typical rate that I pay is $200 / hr or $500 for a session (3 hours). I have paid as much as $300 / hr for limited (very few) escorts that are well-reviewed on this site. However, with hotel rates in NYC being $350 to $500 per night (for a very modest room), I would have a hard time justifying paying a rate of $300 / hr for someone I've not seen before.

 

But, IMHO, there is another issue besides rates that I'd like to see you address. I'm going to be in NYC in a couple of weeks and really wanted to hire from your agency. But, on 16 August, I sent an e-mail to info@maximumescorts.com asking 4 specific questions. To date, I've received no reply.

 

That left me with the distinct feeling you weren't interested in my business. How many other potential clients have you not captured because you didn't respond to their e-mail?

 

I'm going to be resending that e-mail again and hopefully will get a reply this time. But, responsiveness and reliability are two important criteria that really affects my decision to hire. So far, you haven't responded and I have no personal experience with the reliability of your agency. ;(

[Chuck50]

The bottom line is just show us the guys not boddies but face. HUGA Chuck

[beetwo]

The best rate structure I liked was when Arron Mark(Las Vegas) used to be at 250hr-4002hrs and 5503hrs. He told me that most of his out of town clients went for the best deal and booked for 2 or 3hrs, thinking they were getting a deal. He also said that "intimate time" was about the same for all of his encounters, regardless of the length. With the two or three hr encounters, more time was spent getting to know the clients. He felt this led to more repeat business. With a structure like this, you could have a fluctuating commission with your escort. Smaller commissions for the first hr and slightly higher for each ensuing hr.

[+ bigjoey]

i agree with onefinger; i am a repeat customer and been using the agency for 7 or 8 years. on monday i sent an email using my real name and as of today, no reply. answering your emails would help.

 

i use an agency because it is easier and normally quicker in getting responses (many escorts are bad on answering, too). you have good guys and some of my best experiences are from your men like ross and olivier.

 

as for new york hotels, they just keep getting worse PLUS your hotel taxes are crazy as on my last stay the taxes alone were about $35.00 per night. at the hotel where i have been staying, the rates are about double since last year! one good thing from the current credit crisis could be a loweing of hotel rates; like air travel, the rates go up and down with demand.

[Gar1eth]

>I have alot of respect for the people who read and post in

>these forums. I have always taken your advice to heart and

>appreciated your responses.

>

>Due to the economic crises and difficult financial times I

>have noticed a small and slow but definite decline in business

>with our agency. I have seen this occur before, and it's

>always at the same time the economy is down. I am beginning

>to get worried for the long term this time, because the

>repercussions of the "bailout" and failing economy

>as telling me that "luxury items" i.e. hiring

>escorts will slow down much more.

>

>I am asking all of you to tell me what do to do circumvent an

>impending crisis/shut down of our agency. It's no surprise to

>any of you that our agency exists by charging a commission

>that is built into our hourly fee. The escorts pay that back

>to us after they have seen you. Back around Labor Day we had

>a relatively successful "special offer" that ran for

>three weeks. Most of that discount came out of the commission

>end of the transactions. My gut feeling is that the market is

>in a downward swing that won't pick up again for sometime, and

>it may be time to consider a price adjustment.

>

>What rate would GET YOU TO USE MAXIMUM ESCORTS MORE REGULARLY?

> I'm asking this sincerely, so I don't expect answers like

>"$50" because that would not sustain the agency or

>our guys. I believe that the men who work for Maximum are

>truly some of the best guys around. I also feel they should

>be getting a fair amount for their time. But I really would

>like to know what all of you feel about our price points and

>get some honest feedback that would ACTUALLY GENERATE revenue

>while keeping the agency going.

>

>I am also open to any and all suggestions that all of you feel

>would make our agency more appealing to use. I am open to any

>suggestions that you have. The only thing that can't change

>at this point, and I know this will disappoint some of you, is

>that I cannot show face photos of the guys on my website.

>That level of discretion simply cannot be changed. But

>anything else you suggest I am eager to hear.

>

>Thanks for reading this late night rant of mine, and I look

>forward to all of your responses.

>

>

>Stephen

>

>Hey...don't I...know you...mister...?

>

>http://www.maximumescorts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen--it's been awhile since I was in NYC--last time I was in the vicinity, I used your competitor in Philadelphia. But I think the major reason was that at the time, I was more familiar with their website and reputation than I was with your agency--also the lack of face pictures may have had something to do with it. Now, I am more familiar with your website and agency and even without the face pictures I would be more willing to use your agency.

 

However since I don't get to the NYC area very often--I have checked in the past with both you and your competitor about flying people in to see me for overnights or weekends. It's been awhile and I don't remember specifics--but I do know that your competitor in Philadelphia was several hundred dollars less expensive (and you are both much, much more expensive than your cousin based out of southern California-where I have brought guys in from). I don't know how much of a contribution overnights or weekends make (either "out of town" or "in town")to your gross/net income--but it is possible that even if they are not a big percentage of income--that you might get a small increase in that subset of the business with some judicious lowering of your price to possibly matching that of your Philly neighbor (or even better your "cousin" agency in southern California). Again I would only expect this if it made financial sense for you.

 

Gman