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Author Topic: Is the recession hurting prices?  (Read 15613 times)

ChaseOM

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Is the recession hurting prices?
« on: 08 May 2009, 02:56:53 pm »
Hi there.  I am a reporter for the Independent, writing a story on the recession and its impact on the price of sexual services. 

A lot of escort agencies in London have told me that they've dropped their prices because their customer base - City types for the most part - is out of work or earning less money. 

Does this hold true for most independent escorts in London too?  Are prices lower than what they once were?  Is the industry more competitive?  Do you think more escorts are going independent because the recession means that women cannot afford agencies? booking fees?

Thanks a lot,
Chase
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amy

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #1 on: 08 May 2009, 03:06:43 pm »
Are you only interested in the views of ladies working in London? The ladies on this board cover pretty much the whole country (as the Independent supposedly did, last I heard), although there are a few Londoners here.

As far as agencies booking fees and being able to afford them goes, I don't understand what you mean - agencies generally charge a fixed percentage of each booking (say 25 or 30%), so if you have no work, they don't get paid. Plus the cost of being an independent and taking responsibility for your own advertising, travel, security and administration costs just as much in money and probably a great deal more in time so the agency girls are not really any better or worse off than we are, and don't have to put up with a hell of a lot of the hassle we do, which is why they choose to work for agencies and pay them fees.

A bit more research mebbes? Plus I'm sure some of our London ladies will be along shortly  :).
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ChaseOM

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #2 on: 08 May 2009, 03:21:39 pm »
Amy - thank you so much for both your patience and for your excellent note. 

I asked about London particularly because George McCoy, (who wrote McCoy's Guide to British Massage Parlours), told me that bankers constitute the majority of London-based escorts' clientele, and that the prices that London-based escorts charged before the recession have since plummetted because their clients' no longer have as much money, or in some cases, jobs at all. 

I would be intrigued to hear about how the recession is impacting escorts, clients, and prices throughout the country. In your estimation, is it?  Has the recession effected any other aspects of the business? 

Thanks again, very much,
Chase
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amy

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #3 on: 08 May 2009, 03:37:00 pm »
Well you're going in the right direction at least. Why you think a punter would be know more about being a prostitute than a prostitute is anybody's guess (and have a read of this, by the way. Cheeky bastard  ;D.

I cannot imagine that bankers constitute the majority of anybody's clients outside the Square Mile - most ladies see gents from a huge variety of industries and all walks of life. There are ladies on here who know far more about this particular area than me - I work in London reasonably often and to the best of my knowledge I have never seen a banker; if anything I would say that IT workers would be the most common but there is no real overriding majority of anything. To be honest, if you have lost tens of thousands worth of bonuses, I can't see that another couple of hundred quid is going to make a great deal of difference.

In terms of prices, they have been virtually static for the best part of ten years and gone up very little compared with say fuel, utilities, food and drink, travel costs and so on, so in real terms we are definitely cheaper then we were. I have not put up my prices in years, although I have not put them down either - my cost of living rises alongside everybody elses and hikes in electricity/water/gas, train fares, council tax and all the rest affect us all. Anyone thinking of going independent to save money is frankly kidding themselves.
« Last Edit: 08 May 2009, 03:58:53 pm by amy »
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Anika Mae

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #4 on: 08 May 2009, 05:19:11 pm »
I'm trying not to get complacent, but so far things are just peachy for me. Apart from a slow-down when the crunch first hit the news, I haven't noticed a downturn in business or even more timewasters than usual. If anything I'm working more; I don't know what that's about.
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UrbaneAspects

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #5 on: 08 May 2009, 05:59:42 pm »
It really depends on where you're at. After lowering my own prices for a bit, I havent noticed any different, but then again I was never over-priced to begin with. I could set myself at $50 and still wouldnt make much of a difference. Not that I would, but if anything I think the weather would probably reduce the amount rather than our prices.

In fact, if Im seeing less clients the last thing I want to do is lower my rate. Might as well get one $200 than three $50.

Honestly, that side of the bay is probably doing better off than this side is. At this point, I'm tired of talking and thinking about it.
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Trafford

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #6 on: 09 May 2009, 11:09:25 am »
Quote from: ChaseOM on 08 May 2009, 03:21:39 pm
Amy - thank you so much for both your patience and for your excellent note. 

I asked about London particularly because George McCoy, (who wrote McCoy's Guide to British Massage Parlours), told me that bankers constitute the majority of London-based escorts' clientele, and that the prices that London-based escorts charged before the recession have since plummetted because their clients' no longer have as much money, or in some cases, jobs at all. 

I would be intrigued to hear about how the recession is impacting escorts, clients, and prices throughout the country. In your estimation, is it?  Has the recession effected any other aspects of the business? 

Thanks again, very much,
Chase

I think George McCoy is talking poo to be frank. Has he shown you evidence or is it just uninformed hearsay?

I know quite a few indepenent girls who work in London and their business is just as good and does not at all rely on bankers.Most indpendents have clients from across a broad range of sectors. Civil servants for example generally do not feel the bite of a recession and make up a good percentage of any girls' client base.

Lots of retired men punt and although interest on savings rates have taken a dive, they do not seem to have been put off.

Overall, despite the rhetoric of some men who would like the prices to be lower, the reality is that this business is one of the most recession proof. Men need sex and companionship and an escape - this has not changed.

If you find evidence of lower prices, it is more likely to do with the increased number of escorts in the business. Five years ago, there were fewer of us. Sites like Adult Work that allow any girl to offer herself at the click of a few buttons for no outlay, will have had more effect on prices as per the normal rules of supply and demand. Market saturation has more impact than recession. 

The bottom line is that good popular girls who deliver are still doing very well and have not felt the need to reduce prices.This applies especially to those who know how to market and maximise their USP.
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LiverpoolJenny

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #7 on: 09 May 2009, 09:34:06 pm »
Amy has mentioned this, but why are you just/mainly interested in the views of London-based escorts?

FFS, anyone would think the entire world is contained within the M25.

And most clients being bankers?  I very, very much doubt it, even in London.
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UrbaneAspects

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #8 on: 10 May 2009, 08:20:36 am »
Quote from: LiverpoolJenny on 09 May 2009, 09:34:06 pm
And most clients being bankers?  I very, very much doubt it, even in London.

yeah, thats bloody bullshit.
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brandy@saafe

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #9 on: 10 May 2009, 09:58:21 am »
Quote from: JoeyR on 10 May 2009, 08:20:36 am
Quote from: LiverpoolJenny on 09 May 2009, 09:34:06 pm
And most clients being bankers?  I very, very much doubt it, even in London.

yeah, thats bloody bullshit.

How would you know? :)

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Carla

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #10 on: 10 May 2009, 12:24:33 pm »
I work in London both independently and under a different persona for one agency. I have found that agency bookings have become very slow, and for a while now have all been one hour bookings, whilst independent bookings have risen if anything, and have also as a general rule of thumb been for two or three hours. I have also received more requests for overnight bookings and dinner dates since January. I was very nervous about how the recession would affect the industry, but this has been a fantastic year so far and for that I feel very lucky and count my blessings.

I would say that (possibly due to the demographic of client I advertise towards however?) I am finding I am only really visited or approached with a genuine request by older, retired men, and those in the usual "white collar industries"- finance and trading, law, civil service, IT. Also construction actually. There are still people with money out there as far as I can tell with my limited experience- and as has been said on this thread already, it seems like the men who visit me, see their visits as a "treat" that they have worked hard for and deserve.

Would like to read the article when it is published by the way- when is it likely to be out?
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Lianna

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #11 on: 10 May 2009, 01:51:10 pm »
i think its not hurting and infact increasing  because the men are so stressed out about the recession that they are seeking comfort elsewhere and need to release the tension so infact end up spending more money than before.
I know a few investment bankers that are out of jobs but blowing their money in strip bars. It doesnt make sense but its true.
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UrbaneAspects

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #12 on: 10 May 2009, 10:46:39 pm »
Quote from: brandy@saafe on 10 May 2009, 09:58:21 am
How would you know? :)

I've called many a client to hear a voicemail of their company  ;) 
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brandy@saafe

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #13 on: 11 May 2009, 07:18:54 am »
Quote from: JoeyR on 10 May 2009, 10:46:39 pm
Quote from: brandy@saafe on 10 May 2009, 09:58:21 am
How would you know? :)

I've called many a client to hear a voicemail of their company  ;) 

What does that have to do with being an independent in London, the main question of this enquiry? As I said before, how would you know?
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UrbaneAspects

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Re: Is the recession hurting prices?
« Reply #14 on: 11 May 2009, 07:25:55 am »
Quote from: brandy@saafe on 11 May 2009, 07:18:54 am
What does that have to do with being an independent in London, the main question of this enquiry? As I said before, how would you know?

I thought he was referring to punters in general...and I know because I havent hardly met anyone who works in a bank. C'mon give me some credit, I may not have alot of clients at the moment but at one point I did, and everyone did not work in banking!
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