Lots of apparent new entrants lately, no?

[Hangman]

There seem to be several new 'organizations' or agencies cropping up lately.

Some are well known indies banding together a la Girls in Pink, some seem to be rebranding of existing services like 'Mystique ladies' and then there's the utterly pointless ones like this "Madd Greek" and his exotictorontoescorts site which looks like an 8 year old designed it. I'm sure there are others - look how crowded the advertisers section gets these days.

Then there are the new indies like Flora Revel and the tattooed chick whose name I can't be bothered looking up right now who clearly know each other and have all decided to be offbeat burlesque-plus type providers. They are after a specific niche; I wish them the best. I think they'll find that pervy GBLT-positive isn't the main interest here, but I think they'll find a healthy following.

I guess we Terbies called it months ago, predicting that the recession might prompt more new entries into the industry. But that hasn't translated into a better value proposition for me, just more crap to wade through. They all position themselves as the same thing, "toronto's newest", "toronto's hottest", "upscale" blah blah blah. They're not as special as they think, I guess.

We've also seen more blatant and clumsy market research attempts here on Terb.

I'd like to see increased choice start to affect price, but this industry doesn't follow classic economics.

What I think we're going to see is marginal agencies get wiped out by established ones who can affors to pay girls more, get them more work because of their reputations, and more indies crowding the plate in the short term.

Don't even get me started on CL...

Any thoughts?

 

[Brill]

It's always been like this, girls coming and going, rebranding themselves or trying to work that niche.
Why shouldn't they promote themselves as the hottest, should they sell themselves as average??
I don't have a problem with this, I'd be more concerned if they went to a different city with their lovely mobile talents.

 

[squash500]

There seem to be several new 'organizations' or agencies cropping up lately.

Some are well known indies banding together a la Girls in Pink, some seem to be rebranding of existing services like 'Mystique ladies' and then there's the utterly pointless ones like this "Madd Greek" and his exotictorontoescorts site which looks like an 8 year old designed it. I'm sure there are others - look how crowded the advertisers section gets these days.

Then there are the new indies like Flora Revel and the tattooed chick whose name I can't be bothered looking up right now who clearly know each other and have all decided to be offbeat burlesque-plus type providers. They are after a specific niche; I wish them the best. I think they'll find that pervy GBLT-positive isn't the main interest here, but I think they'll find a healthy following.

I guess we Terbies called it months ago, predicting that the recession might prompt more new entries into the industry. But that hasn't translated into a better value proposition for me, just more crap to wade through. They all position themselves as the same thing, "toronto's newest", "toronto's hottest", "upscale" blah blah blah. They're not as special as they think, I guess.

We've also seen more blatant and clumsy market research attempts here on Terb.

I'd like to see increased choice start to affect price, but this industry doesn't follow classic economics.

What I think we're going to see is marginal agencies get wiped out by established ones who can affors to pay girls more, get them more work because of their reputations, and more indies crowding the plate in the short term.

Don't even get me started on CL...

Any thoughts?

Interesting post Hangman. Personally I had a horrible experience with a fringe agency called YR. All in the effort to save $50. The girls in Pink have zero appeal to me. I don't like punk rock chicks and a lot of tattoos. Ironically the prices they want for their services are astronomical considering they are basically unproven entities.

What really disturbs me is how much talent the well known agencies on terb are losing. GOE, RM, Exquisite etc are losing a lot of talent. Yet GOE is raising their prices to $300/hr ?

Mirage IMHO seems to have the best talent right now. I guess I'll start spending the $250/hr and start going to some Mirage incalls.

Agencies such as Enchanted also seem a bit shaky to me as they are clearly lacking talent. A lot of the reputable agencies such as DM have also raised their prices. Vixens, Sassy's and select are total question marks as far as I'm concerned. Vixens and Sassy's prices seem to be at the high end as well. TP at $250/hr has also been getting some mixed reviews lately.

In summary it's a total crapshoot out there and the client certainly isn't getting any bargains that's for sure.

Right now I'm just sitting in cash and waiting for some good opportunities out there. Cash is king!

 

[Noir]

Imo...

I think it's a case of everyone wanting a piece of pie. There are less jobs out there right now, and a lot of people seem to think that running an escort agency is as easy as pie. Unfortunately it's not. With less money going around in this industry, it only makes sense to have girls be open to rebranding, remarketing and advertise as someone new. It works for some but not all...

I guess a lot of ladies and agencies realize that the most money is made by NEW FRESH, NEW TO THE INDUSTRY, OUT OF TOWNER etc girls. A lot of guys are not repeaters and would prefer TOFTTing rather than repeating. A strong line up of 'legends' only goes so far without that infusion of new talent. Not to mention many offshoots of agencies with lower price brackets - that appeals to the same end of TOFTTing hobbyists who would prefer to TOFTT and not break the bank. I guess that many new agencies are looking to break into a market that was not really there about 2 years ago. That being mid-range affordable pricing, quality talent and reliable service.

Re: ladies wanting to work on their own - all the more power to them. If they are able to make money, market themselves and stay afloat they have my respect. Times are tough! I think that the GiP are wonderful in that regard - providing services for ladies that want to work indie, but would prefer the security of numbers. We're not talking about sex appeal squash - we're talking about business models. What they have at the moment seems to be working and I think that we will see their organization continue to grow.

I guess that the industry in Toronto is going through metamorphosis. I like the way that it used to be, but now things are a little more interesting. I wonder how things will be in a few years - if we will go the route of BC agencies and indies with regards to their pricing structure, or will we become like Montreal?

 

[Mrbig1949]

Dream-Makers emerging as the best

Interesting post Hangman. Personally I had a horrible experience with a fringe agency called YR. All in the effort to save $50. The girls in Pink have zero appeal to me. I don't like punk rock chicks and a lot of tattoos. Ironically the prices they want for their services are astronomical considering they are basically unproven entities.

What really disturbs me is how much talent the well known agencies on terb are losing. GOE, RM, Exquisite etc are losing a lot of talent. Yet GOE is raising their prices to $300/hr ?

Mirage IMHO seems to have the best talent right now. I guess I'll start spending the $250/hr and start going to some Mirage incalls.

Agencies such as Enchanted also seem a bit shaky to me as they are clearly lacking talent. A lot of the reputable agencies such as DM have also raised their prices. Vixens, Sassy's and select are total question marks as far as I'm concerned. Vixens and Sassy's prices seem to be at the high end as well. TP at $250/hr has also been getting some mixed reviews lately.

In summary it's a total crapshoot out there and the client certainly isn't getting any bargains that's for sure.

Right now I'm just sitting in cash and waiting for some good opportunities out there. Cash is king!

For my money, in terms of beauty, in terms of service (both the girls and Peter and Ron) and also price, you really cannot beat Dream-Makers right now. I can't keep up with the babes they have now and there seems to be 2-3 more absolute killers added every week.

 

[squash500]

For my money, in terms of beauty, in terms of service (both the girls and Peter and Ron) and also price, you really cannot beat Dream-Makers right now. I can't keep up with the babes they have now and there seems to be 2-3 more absolute killers added every week.

You're right MB. DM is also getting a lot of excellent new talent.

 

[Rockslinger]

This reminds me of the 1980's when Air Canada was first privatized and a lot of pilots "retired" in their 40's with huge severance settlements wondering what to do with their money and the rest of their lives. A lot opened coffee shops and bookstores (because we need more coffeeshops and bookstores, right? ) because there was no barrier to entry (unlike taverns which requir a liquor license).

 

[Rockslinger]

I guess I'll start spending the $250/hr and start going to some Mirage incalls.

But Squash, you'll need a cellphone .

 

[Hangman]

Barriers to entry - classic economics too! I think that a lot of people imagine that the industry has low barriers to entry, and for Indys that's particularly true. But at the same time, we the consumers have gotten used to a certain quality of experience, from website to SOG that I'm not sure the new entrants are going to provide. So I'd say there are definite barriers to success.

Its also a small industry; I know owners do make efforts to stay on friendly terms. Kind of reduces the chances of an all out price war LOL!!

Interesting point Noir - will we go BC or Montreal?

Another question... Is the recruiting pool unlimited? Is there a finite supply of young hotties who will BBBJ etc?

Squash, you sound more like an investor than a hobbyist!

 

[squash500]

But Squash, you'll need a cellphone .

I spoke to Andy and he said that I don't need one to book with Mirage. However if a Mirage sp is running late or doesn't come into work then I can't blame him

 

[squash500]

Squash, you sound more like an investor than a hobbyist!

I'm both .

 

[Rockslinger]

I know owners do make efforts to stay on friendly terms. Kind of reduces the chances of an all out price war

The Competition Burea will not like this. I think the Asian agencies are putting a lid on prices. Sort of like what Toyota did to GM.

 

[Rockslinger]

However if a Mirage sp is running late or doesn't come into work then I can't blame him.

That was what the SC dancer told me after I spent 45 minutes waiting for her to pick me up at 2AM in a freezing pitch black industrial parking lot. She was running late but couldn't call me because I was too cheap to get a cell.

 

[Mencken]

The Competition Burea will not like this. I think the Asian agencies are putting a lid on prices. Sort of like what Toyota did to GM.

In the 1960's or perhaps 1970's...but since then the Japanese brands have not been competing on price. But...niggling aside, your point is valid. Asian agencies seem to be putting a lid on prices...not sure who is putting a lid on the price/quality combination.

 

[Mrbig1949]

Very interesting point

The Competition Burea will not like this. I think the Asian agencies are putting a lid on prices. Sort of like what Toyota did to GM.

I really wonder how much price fixing there is in the industry between agencys anyway. The indys may have a real roll in holding prices where they are. Getting a lot of $180-$160/hr girls and although it is not my market I hear a lot of Asians will negotiate for $20 here and there but who cares about that. There seems to be a cultural "where is my discount" thing going on. Comments?