Pricing? My 2 cents (in Canadian Currency)
Read if you want. I got some spare time today before Pats kickoff.
I think a lot of great points have been shared on this topic, and a lot of truly asinine takes as well.
For the record, I am more of a 'reader' on this and other boards Been a 'hobbyist' about 25 years.
About 20 years ago, I went on an ice fishing trip with some dudes on Lake Champlain up on the VT / Canada border. It was well known there was a strip joint across the border where 'extras' were easily available on premises. So, throughout the night, as we threw around Loonies and Toonies, sucking down Labattts 50, all my knuckle dragging pals were bragging about how much they were able to chisel down the rates of their extras they got from the dancers in the lap dance alcoves. "Bro. I talked her down to 20 ! "Mine was 25. " etc. On the ride back to the motel, I got some serious razzing as they were all like: "Larry, you pussy, you didn't even score. ".
Fast forward to 6 AM wakeup call for fishing. The aforementioned knuckle draggers knocking at my motel room door. I answer, open the door and say: "I'll see you guys in a couple hours".
Why? (as the peeked in and saw 'Marie' in my bed).
Because instead of incessantly chewing down dancers all night, I focused in on one young lady, bought her some drinks, talked, got a few straight lap dances and then offered her $200 to come back to my room. Not only did she accept, but left the establishment early, brought 420 and a pizza!! Stayed the night, MSOG, GFE, and watched some TV. Had a nice breakfast at around 9 AM, then I headed out on the ice. (shitty fishing all weekend, air temp 4 degrees Fahrenheit, with 40-50 mph wind gusts).
Moral (s) of the story:
1) I never saw the value in negotiating down a provider's services. It just seems counterproductive. What kind of quality of service is one going to get if there is a negative negotiation before the services even begin.
2) That said, I have always had my best luck by over-paying (even slightly) for any services rendered.
3) Yeah, I could got blown in a broom closet for $35 Canadian, but I saw more overall value in throwing some cash around.
4) To each his own on the economics-if you are on a budget, you get budget service. In my story above, I was in my mid 20's and not making a ton of money, but I put some cash aside for the getaway, and played it how I did.
5) Since then, I've traveled the gamut in the hobby. CL, BP, EROS, even a Slixa or two, and now STG. I've dined with Kings & Queens. I've munched on franks & Beans.
Its all about your tastes, your resources, and the market economics.
Good luck with trying to 'control the pricing' with some sort of 'policy'.
Larryfine will continue to just kind 'roll with it'.
Go Pats.
LF.