Samantha, are you in the UK? I only ask because I think most of us here (including me) like to make our rates as clear as possible before we meet punters so everybody knows where they are, and also to ensure the client brings the correct fee and there aren't any arguments.

If you're in a country where prostitution is illegal I think this sort of thing is a bit more common, but to be honest even when I work in the US I still don't see the advantages in being in a situation where I'm negotiating with punters whilst alone with them in a state of undress, especially if it's already on their time?

Hey there, no I am not in the UK and am actually in the US. The agency I work with allows the escort to negotiate, which is great, however it can prove frustrating due to walking into a booking with some unease. I almost feel I must just say the total amount (my fee plus the agency fee) when collecting up front, because you are more than correct. Negotiating while in a state of undress is not in your favor.

I'm not surprised - this isn't 'great' in any way, it's just the agency's way of making you do some of the hard work that you're employing and paying them to do for you.

They know they're breaking the law (just as they would be here or in most other places) and they're trying to make sure they can pass off some of the trouble onto you should the law ever take an interest in them - the likelihood of this happening depends on lots of things including how they operate and where specifically you are. Is there a reason you don't want to work independently? We don't recommend agency work here anyway, but in the US you've the additional problem of being on the wrong side of the law yourself and it's pretty clear that your agency won't mind taking you down with them.

The key is never to say anything either on the phone or in person that could be construed as 'I will have sex with you for money'. If the agency are doing proper screening, then in theory it shouldn't matter, but most won't. If you want to walk in and say it's $XXX for the hour that shouldn't be a problem, but if a punter starts asking you to list services, be wary. Again, recommending suitable ladies and putting up what they call things like 'Enjoys' lists is their job, not yours.

The good news is that decent clients know the score and will be wary of stings themselves, but it's far from a situation most of us would relish, certainly.

The key is never to say anything either on the phone or in person that could be construed as 'I will have sex with you for money'. If the agency are doing proper screening, then in theory it shouldn't matter, but most won't. If you want to walk in and say it's $XXX for the hour that shouldn't be a problem, but if a punter starts asking you to list services, be wary. Again, recommending suitable ladies and putting up what they call things like 'Enjoys' lists is their job, not yours.

Fortunately, they do a heavy amount of screening with the clients to ensure law enforcement is not involved. Naturally it's a matter of wording and placing the client's list of wants in their own hand. Definitely, the minute an actual service is mentioned, a flag is raised. Thank you for mentioning what the agency should technically be doing during the booking, I will talk with them tonight before my shift.

From what I can gather from various places, this - to our eyes - wrong-headed 'the price you see gets someone in the room with you, and you have to haggle for anything else' policy is not uncommon in the US.

Being insightful of what you both have said, I think the best route to take is being upfront with one solid amount when collecting and standing confident in that amount. Should they attempt to negotiate, saying it?s more than they expected, advise them that the agency fee is for what was discussed on the telephone during the booking (back rub only in lingerie-unless a specific service like dinner was scheduled at the client?s request). The additional is for having me as their company, or does that sound too standard? Sorry, I'm trying to get 100% confident around what is said.