I need Opinions Please .....

[LadyTY2Uall]

As most of you may or may not know times are tough lately. Though it is not good business to admit that work is slow the fact of the matter is that most of us are hurting. I know that a lot of us (sp's) have been considering lowering our rates to try and keep up with the economic crunch but are reluctant to do so because of the resulting 'bashing' that generally follows. Many seem to think that if a lady lowers her rates there must be something wrong with her, that she has poor work practices or is just a 'cheap ho'.....The fact of the matter is that we are still excellent workers with immaculate work ethics and give our very best to each and every gentleman we see. Unfortunately the numbers of gentlemen we see has dropped considerably over the past few months, mainly because the majority of them/you simply do not have the finances to hobby the way you once did.
So, we would like to lower our rates to try and help you/them as well as ourselves.
Now, what I want to know, (I have been voted to ask because frankly I could care less about what people think lol) how do we go about lowering our rates without giving the impression that a) we are desperate....although we are hurting, and b) our service remains the same high quality...Also,once times improve how do we go about raising back to our ...normal rates...?

 

[Brill]

I understand the reluctance to lower rates, your costs have gone up as well. It's harder to increase it once you get going again.
I also suspect more women are getting into the biz with the economic downturn and freer attitudes.

If you can offer something extra or different for the same price that could work, but ultimately it might be best to lower it. I don't see it as shameful, just a reality to face.

Good luck.

 

[red]

use temporary discounts_ for two months/three months. that way its easier to return to normal pricing.

 

[doggee_01]

that really is a tough one to answer, i would suggest maybe advertising/offering a slightly lower rate for repete/regular customers. a regular knows the quality of service and a lower rate might bring him around more.
for my own part,in these tough times,i still see the same ladies and expect to pay the same but i must admitt the TOFTT and unreviewed has pretty much gone by the wayside.

 

[Moraff]

Much like any business if you aren't getting the profits you want at a given price there are a few options.

- more and/or better advertising
- improve customer service so customers choose you (and your price) because you are better than the competition
- lower your prices
- cut costs

Only the individual business can decide what option(s) are possible for them.

Personally I am more likely to pick the business I spend my money on based on reputation and past service than I am on price. I will pay more for something if I know I am going to be happy with what I've purchased. Within reason of course - I can't see myself ever paying $600 for an hour with an SP... there's nothing they could do that would be worth that price to me that couldn't be had at much lower rates for example.

 

[A Quarter Inch Fall]

It may also be a reality wake up call to retire from this business and pursue other avenues of income.

 

[Brill]

Contests or events create interest, you might have fun with them as well.

Don't get desperate or flaky though, I think your maturity and being kinky yet not weird are great assets.

 

[LadyTY2Uall]

It may also be a reality wake up call to retire from this business and pursue other avenues of income.

Well, thank you for your comment hon but that is not an option for me. Besides, I love what I do and I love the majority of the men I see, I consider what I do a service like any other. I am fulfilling a need that may be otherwise unsatisfied. I am happy with myself and what I am doing. I do appreciate your point of view however.

 

[whobee]

I agree specials that change week to week might be a good option. Maybe the buy a certain number and get the next one at some percentage off. It's difficult to adjust the price of services, as once the price goes down it's harder to justify the price going back up again. I think creative specials with real value avoid the problems of a generic price reduction.

 

[SlitherySOB]

If someone realises your prices dropped and suddenly think you're a cheap ho, do you really want them as a customer? Chances are they'd have no interest in seeing you anyways. Your regular clientelle's opinion shouldn't change. They already know you, and would likely appreciate the price drop. I'd think lowering the prices should not be a problem, especially if standards of service remain the same.

 

[LadyTY2Uall]

Thank you so much for the responses, I admit I am pleasantly surprised by the support. I had some trepidation posting because I have read a few posts from men who assume that a Lady who drops her rates or offers 'specials' must be desperate and on drugs....The majority of you however seem to know differently as it is my pleasure to learn.
I value my reputation and my work ethic far too much to ever lower my standards as far as giving my very best to each and every client regardless of my rates. I honestly do consider what I do as a service, it may be a cliche to some but I truly mean it and it bothers me that some gentlemen just cannot afford my rates. I try and keep within the 'standard' so as not to undercut other Ladies' but in truth some of my regulars do have difficulties and have cut down to visiting once every two weeks as opposed to their usual once a week. Something as simple as gas rates increasing can affect a working mans 'extra' cash flow.
I am fortunate in that the majority of my clients are regular working class men who want a woman they feel comfortable with as well as who makes them feel like a Sex God for the time they spend with me, I rarely get clients that view me as a cheap ho lol.
Unfortunately however reputations are made or broken by review boards such as this one, which is why I asked your advice before actually making the changes to my adds. All it takes is one chatty person to run a woman down publicly to adversely affect her business.
Thank you so much for your comments and the advice given.

 

[alb]

There is nothing wrong with lowering rates in any business. Businesses do it everyday to survive particularily with the downturn in 2008 I think it makes sense if you want to keep and bring in new cusotmers. You have to do what is right for your situation (and forget what the others may think) it's a business decision that is in the best interests of your business not anyone elses. If they don't like then that is their problem. If you lower your price I will tell you that you will make it up in the volume of new and repeat customers you will get. I know that my hobbying has decreased and I have become more selective mainly because I am paying $40 to $50 more for an hour session for the same service and to hobby as much as I did on a weekly basis doesn't make economic sense for alot of customers who too are in a cash flow crunch and watching their dollars.

 

[Questor]

Many seem to think that if a lady lowers her rates there must be something wrong with her, that she has poor work practices or is just a 'cheap ho'.

You and I must occupy parallel universes or alternate realities. I look for a well reviewed lady. Then I look at price. If the service is more expensive, I am more inclined to look elsewhere. If the service is less expensive, I am more inclined to see that SP.

You can offer discounts and special deals in the advertisers section, as others have suggested. That may indeed bring in extra business, but it is not an effective strategy for me as I rarely look in that section. I look in the reviews.

Yes, there is a down side to dropping rates, from my perspective. If you have to or want to raise them again, you may lose some clients. If you think the drop in price may be short term, then discounts may be the way to go.

Really, I haven't seen anyone "bashed" around here for lowering prices. I don't know where you get that idea. On the contrary, I see guys looking for bargains.

 

[LadyTY2Uall]

You and I must occupy parallel universes or alternate realities. I look for a well reviewed lady. Then I look at price. If the service is more expensive, I am more inclined to look elsewhere. If the service is less expensive, I am more inclined to see that SP.

You can offer discounts and special deals in the advertisers section, as others have suggested. That may indeed bring in extra business, but it is not an effective strategy for me as I rarely look in that section. I look in the reviews.

Yes, there is a down side to dropping rates, from my perspective. If you have to or want to raise them again, you may lose some clients. If you think the drop in price may be short term, then discounts may be the way to go.

Really, I haven't seen anyone "bashed" around here for lowering prices. I don't know where you get that idea. On the contrary, I see guys looking for bargains.

I apologize if I have offended you hon, I was not referring specifically to THIS site, just in general.

 

[Mervyn]

I think if prices are low , there is a perception that somehow something is wrong , and that is a common perception and not one that just applies to sp.

But lowering prices and low prices are two different things, a minor reduction in prices will not cause people to run away in large numbers imo.

Now if you start charging $10 and hour , that would make people wonder what is going on.

 

[Doug]

Times are tough for many sectors of the economy. I am an independent operator, self-employed that is, and have held my prices the same for four years even as my costs have risen. I have just cut my costs as much as possible, streamlined advertising and cut back on driving (let's call them outcalls LOL). Lowering prices does not guarantee that you will increase traffic, IMHO.
Doug
(call me, I'm good, and have a good review!)

 

[benito]

Although I have you on my "to do" list, I have no idea what your prices are. When I want to see someone, I'll figure out who it is then look at their prices. Whatever they are I have no idea if they have gone up or down. If they are low for a well reviewed person I ofter decide to go for an extra hour.

 

[rgkv]

I don't know....I think your wrong if you think most men or your fellow business types think somethings wrong cuss you lower your price...o.k some guys who just wouldn't hire a girl that cheap..."OMG something blah blah blah"....I'm glad I think nothing different about someone because of there price. I just sorta think some people are happy with macarone and cheeze, some eat steak...both still just a woman out to make a living to me...
And I've had my rip offs for $300 as well as $80...so price makes no difference there
You mention "we" and that you have been "voted to ask" so you are not alone...I say if you want to to make more money...which I take it is the objective, to increase business, and you feel that's the way...Go for it...
I for one, and I'm sure many others, would not think less of you or anyone else lowering their prices......
Ummmm how low???? can I make an appointment

 

[Rockslinger]

that work is slow the fact of the matter is that most of us are hurting.

I suspect the "80/20" rule might be at work here. 80% of the SP's might be hurting but 20% are probably doing very well as I see ads showing non-negotiable fees of $400/hr and up.

I also suspect that the client base of SP's is aging and these clients might be more concerned about paying down debt and socking money away for retirement than in seeing an SP for the 1,000th time.

 

[Questor]

I apologize if I have offended you hon, I was not referring specifically to THIS site, just in general.

No offense taken. But now that I think of it, there is one site where SPs are regularly put down and degraded for just about anything they do. Maybe that was what you were talking about. I didn't think anyone, much less a SP, took that site seriously.