Yeah I'll take some flack too.
[QUOTE=JMaul;5749544]I know I'll probably take flack for this but fuck it. I'm all for enduring reliable and reputable talent remain in Grand Rapids and we have a tendency to overlook the struggles on the other side of the fence.
This past month and the next few are usually pretty rough times for people financially. Just some general observations but Christmas is usually an expensive time for families, most providers we see have kids without stable income from a spouse or boyfriend, heating costs go up a bunch since these ladies aren't living in brand new bougie places with great insulation, etc.
Throw in the cost of practically everything going up a bunch and it definitely can create situations that are unfavorable for some of our favorite providers.
One of the things that I have appreciated in this is that the cost of these services haven't gone up, at least not much. Of course you have GPS with some ladies and they are well known and avoided. But the places I frequent have had the same rates for a while and no mention of additional tips or up sell.
It's also tax season, and maybe you're lucky enough to get extra disposable income.
So consider your favorite providers and kicking in a little more this time of the year. Of course I could make the argument that all of these ladies could be clearing $100 k a year in the hobby but don't, but I also don't know what else is going on.[/QUOTE]I agree and sometimes amazed at all the chatter about rates. I do my research, I PM those who have seen the lady of interest and make sure I am showered, respectful and funny. I am generous and adroitly let them know. Without having to even say the generosity is tied to level of services they respond. I have had a blast for nearly 40 years and of the hundreds of experiences and ladies, I have had only a couple of bad experiences (and those were my fault by acting on impulse, little head doing the thinking). These people are human and for better or worse this is their livelihood. You make it better and the rewards are commensurate. I may be full of shit but it has worked for me.
I'll take some flack tho.
[QUOTE=Moonglow913;5750207]I agree and sometimes amazed at all the chatter about rates. I do my research, I PM those who have seen the lady of interest and make sure I am showered, respectful and funny. I am generous and adroitly let them know. Without having to even say the generosity is tied to level of services they respond. I have had a blast for nearly 40 years and of the hundreds of experiences and ladies, I have had only a couple of bad experiences (and those were my fault by acting on impulse, little head doing the thinking). These people are human and for better or worse this is their livelihood. You make it better and the rewards are commensurate. I may be full of shit but it has worked for me.[/QUOTE]From my own POV -- the main discrepancy isn't about expecting a 40/20 scenario with girls and crying foul to pay more if she's not hot or doesn't do Russian, get fully nude, etc.
Instead, I think the discrepancy is seeing a particular someone who's been in the industry a while (isn't at Bodyworks btw), who's not 'hot' but sure, does has some appealing demographics like many do. Asking for 140 hhr -- along with something like "the more you tip the more you'll get". Shoot, this isn't one of those out-the-box package deals at 140. There's still at least a -some- tip implied to get the standard HE, as you're going to look like a cheapskate if leaving No tip post 140 cost. 180 for HE and no haggle? 240 for a BBBJ? 300 for CFS hhr? Could I afford that? Sure. Does she fit that bill? Objectively, no. Am I being a cheapskate? I mean, I could happily do that + she'd be I'm sure very happy and it'd be a great mutual experience. Everyone's a winner, right? Yeah, but there is such thing as "too much" for what ya get (including not having to worry about haggling), is all I'm saying.
I could also afford a nice microbrew for $20 here in GR. I could have a boat, plane, AND a pet tiger -- I still wouldn't want to continually pay $20 for a microbrew when I can easily get a good one for $5. But it's 16 oz, not 12 oz! Yeah, still. Am I cheap? No. I'm not going to go "Well, I Never!" when I'm paying $7 for a nice microbrew that I know of, in GR, when at a place doesn't at all seem 'fancy'. But $20? May do it Once for the fvck of it since I'm there, but other than that, no. I guess, call me a cheapskate?
"I mean, hey, at that place you don't have to wait for it, it's nicely sized, it's a sweet place to be in, no worries about anything. Go down to some hole in the wall that smells like cigarette butts and cat urine to save a few bucks for a watered down brew -- no thanks!
To that I say, I'm certainly not a fan of that either. Things aren't two-sided like that, tho. And I'm not "good deal hunting". It's just that I'm avoiding really Bad deals, that even my little head can see thru is all.
