Looking for some advice here, as the title says I feel “cheap”!

Many guys comment that my rates are slightly lower than average and say I am cheap and in turn makes me feel cheap.

When I first started I was brought into this world by another girl. She told me how to price myself to get guys coming in thick and fast (supposedly). However, I find with my lower rates I attract younger more idiotic guys that just simply waste my time or the older chaps who are looking for a deal then try to haggle me once I’ve seen them once.

Don’t get me wrong I’ve had some great clients and established regulars but my question is am I ok to increase my rates? Will this discourage the twats I am attracting and stop guys calling me cheap?

I’ve increased my quickies by 10 already as I am not a fan of doing those.

General advice on what I should do would be great as I am worried I’ll lose some guys I’ve seen before which I’d happily see again but keep on my current rate too.

Thanks in advance x

What area are you? x

South west x

The furthest I will go is West Midlands which I plan to do a tour of soon. The average I’ve noticed for my area is 130-150 and I’m 120. But when I go to a different city it’s an even higher average. Maybe I should adjust accordingly? Just worries I’ll lose the good ones when trying to bat away the bad ones lol.

Charge whatever you feel comfortable with. It’s your body so only you can decide what rate to charge for your services.  I don’t think there is ever a right or wrong with this one. What I will say is that you are never “cheap” for choosing to charge a lower price than others in your area. You have to find what works best for you

Thank you for saying that. It as made me feel down the past few days. Trial and error I suppose?

We are all “cheaper” than someone and we are all more expensive than someone. **

(**In terms of what we charge for our time in this role).

That’s very true. Would I eliminate some of the twats I am attracting by jumping up an extra 10 or 20 though?

Put it up till they stop saying it and go off to annoy someone else! Less work more money.

I feel you. I’ll give it a try this week and see how I go. Don’t want to go too high though. Hate making decisions like this. I feel bad!

Omg I did it. Let the chips fall where they may. I went for 20 as 10 isn’t anything really. Yikes!

Start with pricing your time as equally to the others you’ve seen in your area / similar features and services to yourself... and see how you do.
You’ll get dickheads at any and all price levels. At least with higher rates they’re making putting up with them more appealing, you’re eyes will be far better compensated for all the rolls they do.

Thank you. I feel like I was “trained” to work a certain way but now I am on my own I want to change. I opted to keep my half hour the same but introduced 45 mins at my “old” hourly rate.

Fingers crossed I have weeded out some of the douches as it wasn’t appealing anymore to do the bookings.

I know many SWs say go high, but personally I see nothing wrong in charging a reasonable price, and I don't agree that it only attracts dodgy or less pleasant clients. I wouldn't increase your prices for the sake of it.

I do hear you on that. However I had been wanting to do this for a little while but was cautious about it all. I’m now in the middle for my area and I feel better for it. Plus as I only work from hotels and I travel a good hour plus for work I am just breaking even half the time.

I just can not afford to continue this way unfortunately but also it was making me feel cheap from the comments I was getting too.

I don’t think I’m being unreasonable as only changed my hour and additional hours are still my old hourly rate on top. Just the first hour is slightly higher as well as my 15 mins (which I don’t like to do much of anyways).

Overall I’m feeling positive and well if it does hit me in the face, lesson learned. But what I have realised is that there are clients for all price ranges. For me it’s about targeting the ones I enjoy the most.