I feel that my prices are entirely reasonable,in fact i don't charge as much as i feel I'm actually worth but apparently I'm still overselling myself.

I obviously don't know anything about Newcastle so sorry I can't be any help there. But that bit you mentioned about not charging what you feel worth sounds worrying. Although I really don't want to come across as patronizing because if I know anything, I know that I don't know all about escorting and what everyone else should be doing! Urgh this is coming out all nonsensical! I'm just going to spit out my idea, lol. Do you think you could try charging more? Especially as it's for your 'indie profile' and you have agency work, too?

I may be totally missing the mark. But when I first struck out independently, I charged a bit less than I do now for an outcall because I didn't really feel confident in what I was doing. The two bookings I did were AWFUL, and I met two guys who were horrible and had no respect for me (they both really determinedly tried to push me to do services I don't offer). It put me off indie work for a bit! When I tried again, I made a pretty-ish website with straight-forward text, registered on the best directories and had to wait a while to get established - but it was all worth it because I hated seeing men for less money than I felt worth. Not that I'm worth some huge amount because I'm sooooo amazing, lol, but it's a really personal thing and even ?10 less wouldn't feel right. Neither would ?10 more, because then I'd feel overpriced and not confident enough!

I've not yet had a phonecall or email from a punter wanting a discount. But then again, I get only maybe three or four calls and emails a day, usually from proper clients who want to book. Plus some email 'let's chat' crap, of course! I think if you kind of go for 'pricing yourself out of the market' on purpose, you can change the type of punter you attract. Not that girls who charge more are necessarily better escorts (far from it, as we all know!) but I think charging say, ?10 (or whatever) more than 'the rest of them' might be a way of indicating to potential clients that you're a bit special.

Or I might be totally wrong. I've only been in the business for a year and I've been undeservedly lucky. I wish I knew what was going on with this influx of ?80 girls... are there really so many of them? There's a whole bunch of ?60/hour profiles on AW! It seems like something is wrong there somehow, but I don't know what.

Hi Emily.

Yes i entirely see your point regarding the detrimental effect not charging what you are worth can have and i am in total agreement. I dont think it will work in this case though as if they are quibbling over ?20 then god knows what reaction a higher rate would induce,they would probably have a seizure.

Yes there are a lot of girls up here charging cheap rates also the majority of the agencies do 30 mins for ?50 (including mine) so guys are now thinking that thats a perfectly reasonable rate. Yep before you say it i know i should try and find an agency that charges higher rates but as your read my topic regarding what happened with the last lot of more 'elite' idiots i tried i think you will understand the problems im having.

Trouble is as well a lot of people are cottoning on to the fact that i work through an agency as well as indie and they are expecting the same rates as with the agency!!!!!!!! there is no way i am working for the same rates as the agency,especially when the clients have had the added privilage of being able to speak to me on phone etc beforehand.

At the minute im getting phonecalls from people asking if they should just book me through the agency if i wont lower my prices. My reply has been that its upto them but not to contact my private number if they dont want to make a private booking.

Also getting lots of where do you work? whats your rates? type calls and texts even though its all on my profile.

I could honestly cry,its all getting very stressful.

Ive considered changing my name for my private work but im not sure if it will work as theyve already seen the pictures under the name Collette

Hi as well Strawberry

Yes i know the agency you mean very well and i think you are right in what you say. Trouble is a lot of the other agencies are now charging similar rates. For example my current agency charges the same for a 30 min incall as that agency did,they push the price up for longer bookings but i think once your setting your rates low even for that one booking then the damage is already done.

I really wish all the agencies would just scrap 30 min bookings entirely and only charge for an hour.The clients would still come to see us and the girls would make more money and not have to see as many clients into the bargain. I really feel strongly that these low prices are dragging the industry up here in Newcastle into the gutter . Its heart breaking that girls (myself included) are doing 30 mins bookings and walking away with ?35 quid for it after agency commission. Youve sha**ed a stranger for less than the cost of a nice pair of new shoes.

Its soul destroying.

Given your location, I'd just suggest the simple approach: "I'll reduce my prices when Newcastle United reduce theirs!"

If you want to guard against clients with long memories asking next year, you could change it to "I'll consider reducing..."

(For those not interested in the local religion, Newcastle were relegated from the Premiership - i.e. top division - at the end of this season but they have not reduced their season ticket prices accordingly for next season. It's not clear what they'll do if they fail to be promoted at the end of that one.)

By the way, when I first started I was told I was too expensive (and I started at 110) - why didn't I price myself at parlour/agency rates?

It was only when started to become popular and well known that some of those complainers actually came to see me.

Part of the reason my rates are the level they are is because I realised I was offered a good QUALITY service. Something different to a lot of parlours as well as some indies. Guys liked me being relaxed, not clockwatching, knowing I was discrete and that I didn't see many guys at all. That makes for someone who is most probably going to give a different experience.

Don't let it get you down, I got a caller yesterday from someone who told me I was too expensive. Fair enough - that's up to them.

Once again stick it out and it should come good.

Oh, and don't waste your breath or self-esteem trying to explain this to the guys. If they want to go elsewhere, so-be-it.

Blimey, thank God I'm in London. Seems to be a different mentality down here. You don't get brow-beaten into lowering your prices.
Instead of advertising on third-party sites, why don't you knock up a cheap website and get yourself on a few directories? I say cheap and not free because some directories won't accept free sites like moonfruit. Make your site look classy (without having to mention it) and a cut above so people can see that you're a cut above the rest. From your little avatar you're a gorgeous-looking woman and I don't see why you have to charge lower than what you feel comfortable with.

There's nothing like bargain hunters to beat the confidence out of you. Stick to your guns, girly.