Differentiating between prostitution and sexual exploitation.

[Angela@Mirage]

Well, from my perspective as an escort working for an agency, 40% is very reasonable and fair.

I don't have the time, desire, or skills to deal with all the administrative and advertising stuff. To me, the 40% that the agency takes is well worth not having to create and manage my own website, pay for advertising, pay and arrange for photo shoots, answer emails and phone calls, keep track of bookings, arrange for and pay for a driver. All this stuff take time, money, and skills. The 40% that I pay to the agency not only covers all that, but it also provide me with a high-quality and established clientele which is also worth a lot in my opinion.

I could not agree with you more. As I do have the skills for the administration and advertising, I simply could not be bothered by the simple fact that being indy, raises the probability of being ripped off. When you are indy, You do not have as much contol of your domain as working for an agency. When I am in a call, I am 100% confident that my team at Mirage will be sure to meet my standards of safety. I am fortunate to be able to work for such a wonderful agency.

 

[Angela@Mirage]

40% for an outcall sounds a little much but for an incall it sounds about right. If you consider that most incalls are rented month-by-month rather than by the year you'll realize that often in those arrangements the rent is significantly higher. Sheets need to be cleaned, apartments scrubbed, internet phone and cable bills, not to mention soaps mouthwashes... everything really adds up fast. Oh, and the phones website photos advertising, plus time spent answering and posting...

On top of that owning an incall is a criminal activity - its owning a common baudyhouse and living off the avails of prostitution. Owners are taking on a heavy criminal liability and their compensation ought to reflect that.

I've worked for an incall agency that took 50% and expected the girls to clean, do laundry, fined them for not doing their chores, etc

If that particular agency did that too you, that is absolutely ridicolous. You should never being paying fines. If you are expected to clean, there are many agencies such as the one I currently work for that requires you to only service your clients and not play maid. If a service provider wanted to clean all day she could work for a hotel chain.

 

[y2kmark]

Yes, I hear ...

Let me tell you what is criminal. It is law firms that work their articling students (aka indentured slaves) 80 hours a week, bills them out at $200 an hour and throws them a bone and stone soup twice a month on payday. Slavery is alive and well in 2009.

Only thing is, there are a whooole lot of people who would change places with YOU in a heartbeat - so you better just suck it up, dude!

 

[SecretRendezvous]

Well, I know that in Vancouver, 30-50% is normal.

If the agency takes 30%, there might be additional advertising fees and "shift fees" etc. I even know of one agency that takes 50% and doesn't provide a driver for outcalls! (The lady has to pay)

If, as Gen mentions, the agency takes 40% and actually provides everything from photoshoots, to booking appointments, to advertising, to security and drivers, and so on, then I also agree with her that it is a reasonable deal.

Advertising, booking appointments and arranging everything takes about 2 hours out of every day for me, whether I'm making money that day or not. So I understand why some ladies would rather only work on the day they actually make money, and give an agency a cut in exchange for saving them so much time and hassle.

It is sometimes sad to see what some other agencies do, or make their ladies do. Taking 50% AND not providing a driver is wrong. I know a couple of other agencies who do that. They take 40% but make you pay a driver pick up fee, or other shift fees.

I take 30% and take no addition fees for anything. All advertising, phones, photos, drivers, etc are all covered.

I know an incall agency in Toronto who did the occasional outcalls. They made the lady responsible for getting there and back. The rate was higher because it was an outcall but the ladies only got paid the regular rate like they would for incall and the agency got to pocket the extra money while not providing any extra service.

Many different agencies operate differently but you can always tell the good ones as the turn-over for ladies is low. Ladies will stay were they feel appreciated.

 

[enduser1]

I don't know about other agencies, but with Cupids, the 40% that I give of my rates covers the driver fees. In other words, the agency cut is less than 40%.

As I mentioned above, from my perspective, this percentage is quite reasonable and fair. It covers the time, labor, and money that I would otherwise have to invest in being indy, and as I also mentioned before, it also comes with an established and good-quality client-base. I believe it makes a very significant difference in the income that one is able to generate, especially when starting in this business. In addition to these, working for an agency also provides me with a support system from people who know this business very well and who can share this knowledge with me. This is also worth a lot in my opinion, if only in terms of my safety.

Hi,

I am surprised. Honestly, in the 1990's 50% was common. It was fair. Also with fuel prices being higher the drivers need more. Anyway if Cupids is charging you 40% great! The owner of Cupids must be a nice person.

EU

 

[Timbit]

In the brokerage industry, the house takes anywhere from 15 - 65%, depending on what kind of production you do and who pays for what - i.e., if they pay for your assistant, your office overhead, etc., you're going to see a lower percentage.

Typically for a guy working at a big bank brokerage, pulling in $300,000 gross, he's going to net about $125,000 - 150,000 before tax.

And brokers don't get drivers...

Timbit