Discounts

[hodderbk]

I know that I'm probably going to get an ear-full for this one, but here goes. On more than one occasion since I started working, I have had potential clients approach and ask me for a discounted rate. Their reason for asking is always very legitamats sounding (unemployed, new graduate, student, etc). Which is understandable. I was a student once too, and hey everyone has needs.

I'm not going to say what I have done in these instinces, but I would like the opinions of others regarding this matter. Am I the only SP/MP who gets asked this? Have any of you guys ever asked, and for what reason, and how did it turn out?

 

[frasier]

I know you are asking a serious questions, but this is just too funny.
Maybe if you are unemployed, you should be worrying about other things, then getting laid.

BTW, can I get an O.S.S.C (over sexed senoir citizen ) discount?

I ahve an A.A.R.P card to prove it.

 

[hunter001]

It is nice you want to help out but once the guy goes back and tells his buddies then your are giving them a discount.

I read in a thread once a guy wanted a discount or he was going to come on the boards and do a bad review.

It is nice you would consider it but your are really setting yourself up.

If they can't pay they shouldn't be seeing you.

 

[trichome]

It is nice you want to help out but once the guy goes back and tells his buddies then your are giving them a discount.

I read in a thread once a guy wanted a discount or he was going to come on the boards and do a bad review.

It is nice you would consider it but your are really setting yourself up.

If they can't pay they shouldn't be see you.

I agree with this. I run a retail store and some people are just notoriously cheap and always want a deal. If you can't afford it, then maybe you shouldn't be shopping for it. I wouldn't even consider it if you know that your prices are fair for the service that you provide. You obviously have a very kind heart. Don't ever change that, just don't let anyone take advantage of your good nature.

 

[hodderbk]

Far be it from me to determine how others spend their money and the priorities that they choose to set in their lives. Jasmine's points are, as always, well put and very valid. Offering a discount under special or extenuating circumstances is very understandable. I have thought about raising my prices, but there is always the fine line between supply and demand, Ah the economics of this business. I'll need to reread my Adam Smith.

I didn't say that I actually GAVE the discount, and I agree that it undermines others, as well as sets myself up for problems down the road.

 

[JoyfulC]

I get a lot of requests for discounts too, Barbara -- you can't blame a guy for trying, but that doesn't mean you are obligated to give him a discount. Who gives you discounts? Let's face it, most of the time, we end up paying through the nose for so-called discounts. For example, most of the women here who purchase cosmetics can relate to the "free gifts" that they offer us -- but are they really free? Nope. The cost of them is built into what we pay. The only reason they "give" us "free" gifts is to get us to try new cosmetics. It's just a marketing ploy for them.

Or what about "money back" credit cards. Where does that come from? Do you think the CEO of the company is cutting back on his lunch money or country club fees that year to give you money back? Nope. Again, just a marketing ploy.

And such is often the case with "discounts" -- they're really paid for by overpricing in the first place. If you charge fair market value, then you really can't afford to give free discounts!

The one that I find the most hilarious (although I may get slammed for this) is when someone who is disabled asks me for a discount. A paraplegic confined to a wheelchair usually represents challenges and physical stress that no able-bodied customer would -- and yet, they feel they deserve a discount because of their disability. There are also legal liabilities -- in some cases, disabled persons may have family or guardians who might take the view that we're preying upon them by taking their money. (They never consider the service we provide.) But what really slays me is some of the reasons for disabilities -- very often, it's due to a motorcycle accident or some such thing. I had a guy who was paralyzed in a rodeo accident insist that I owed him a lower rate -- even though working for him often required me to lift the bulk of his body weight and work against impossible odds to provide service to him. And I owed him this for what? Because he managed to screw himself up in the process of tormenting some animal????

Sorry, but I skydived actively from 1982 to 2004. During that time, I had my fair share of accidents, and any one of them might have landed me in a wheelchair. I sincerely hope I wouldn't have felt such a sense of entitlement!

And with respect to students -- what? When they graduate, are they going to pay us more because they're now professionals and can afford to? With respect to senior citizens, are they going to come back and give us money or benefits when we get old? When people get laid off, they often want a discount -- but how would they feel if we asked them to pay us more one time because business had been a little off lately? When guys lose their shirts in the markets, they want discounts -- but when the markets are up, are they anymore generous? Nope!

Fair is fair. Set your rates at what you think is fair and don't take any bullshit. I think you'll find that there will be enough times that you'll have to lower your rates for various fluctuations in the local market without getting into discounts. When I first came to Toronto to work in 1982, my rate was $250/hour, and since then, it's sometimes gone up to $300/hour, and other times gone down to $200/hour. But in the longrun, I can't really say I've gotten ahead. You do have to think of yourself. Because men are only too generous with compliments and only too quick to ask for discounts when times are tough -- but when times are good, you won't find them volunteering to spread the wealth. That's just human nature.

If you really want to give a guy something special, give him top notch service (and I'm very sure you already do). Give him value for his money and that should be worth more than any discount.

..c..

 

[Telywho]

Barbara, you are already giving a discount to all your clients. Amazingly good service, honest friendship, a great smile and delicious sweets. All for no more (and often less) than most other MPs or SPs in Ottawa charge for what is too often mediocre, rushed service.

No need to consider further discounts. From the perspective of value for money, you are being more than fair to your customers. Anyone who has visited you and a few others will know this very well.

 

[hodderbk]

Goodness! Thank you! This wasn't my way of fishing for compliments you know.

 

[twizzler2]

Another possible consequence of giving some people discounts is that when others find out, and they are bound to eventually, they're going to feel like they were fleeced.

Here's a senario;
You have a customer enjoys your service, maybe he's been to see you 5 or 6 times at your stated rate. Then, he comes on a board like this one and finds someone shooting their mouth off about your great service and they only paid X-$20.

How is that guy going to feel ? He's going to feel like he's being ripped off. I'll bet that would cost you a customers in the long run.

I agree with others, pick a rate you're comfortable with and stick to it. Review the rate with the market place every year or so and make sure it makes sense.

T2

 

[XTORONTO]

Piece of wisdom someone once gave me. : There are two Things that you never bargain or negotiate for; Pussy and Drugs.. Think about

 

[XTORONTO]

I wanna get off this Site and stop posting friggin comments.... I need a Job so I can post some freakin reviews!!

 

[ncn2004]

This hobby is a luxury... same as a luxury hotel, you dont need it, but if you can afford it, than do it.

People that cant afford it should either spend less money and try to pick up women in bars, or re consider their need for sex.

Can u imagine someone that cant afford groceries at the end of the week trying to save money to get laid??

doesnt make sense!

 

[slyjohn]

OMG.. Just like Subway? ... coupons?

Darn.. No.. Stay the same rate. You will get clients anyways.. it's the good company that you provide that will get the clients back and not the money!

 

[Noctivaga]

I have to agree with alot of people on here. This is a hobby and luxury hobby. I was a student up until last April and never did I ask for a discount on rates for that reason. If you can't afford the services then look elsewhere or rent movies, it's not the same experiece but at least you'll save money.

It's called bugeting people. These ladies are making a living respect that and do not try to screw them out of money cause you are to damb cheap to pay them. You are not trying to buy a car. The sticker price is what you pay for end of discotion. If the MA's or SP's want to give you a discount for being a nice guy then it's their porogative.

MA's or SP's should in my opinion give discount only for the two following reasons and this if they chose too.

1. Missed apointment or reschedualing because of the MA's or SP's (not the client's fault)

2. As a reward for regular patronage. Subway card style. ( if the MA's or SP's want to keep track or instill this type of programm)

 

[gmuoo]

Barbara, I think you can consider doing something like others do - offer them a loyalty discount after certain visits. Inner Image waive the 30 min door fee after the 5th visit. I think Jas does something similar too (get a free visit maybe after 10th visit or something like that).

This way, you wouldn't be saying no but only reward those that are your valuable repeat customers.

And for the people that ask for SP/MA discounts, grow up (please.....).

 

[FatOne]

I hate the idea of paying a different price then someone else because of a lack of haggling skills.
It just dosen't seem to fair.

As for people who ask for a discount for some particular reason, are you sure they are telling the truth. The Toaist Tai Chi people offer reduced rates for those in need, sometimes even free. I remember 10 years ago being told that in downtown TO some people would ask to be let off of paying fees because they payments on their cars and cottages were too much. An otherwise decent policy to allow those who are truely poor to take lessions, and a bunch of Aholes have to try to take advantage.

That being said, a volume discount for repeat customers might not be such a bad idea.

I am pretty much broke, but I would never have the cahones to expect or ask for a discount, especially for a service which is purely optional. I just stay true to my hand.

 

[hodderbk]

Everyone has made excellent points here, and I'm happy that this topic has inspired such lively discussion.

Alexa, I'm right there with you - I've gotten the "laundry list" from clients before, and I've had to say no to them. Not because I didn't want to do it, but because everything that they were asking for was humanly impossible to accomplish in the time frame that they wanted to see me in. And not impossible for me, but for them. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, if you know what I mean.

I've also thought about instituting discount cards for repeat customers, but I am unsure as to how to do it without infringing on client's privacy concerns. What I'd really like to establish is a client profile system, where I could keep track of preferences, both erotic and non. For example, if I know that "Bob" is coming, and he is diabetic, I want to make sure that I have something that he can eat, or if "Joe" really likes chocolate chip cookies, I want to be able to oblige.

 

[tonyb]

Generally I would advise that you don't give discounts. As soon as you start giving discounts, people will expect it as your normal rate.

Instead, give excellent service, service that is so good that your clients will realize that you have provided them with overwhelming value (not just more bang for the buck, as it were).

First, it weeds out the cheapskates and other undesireables. Secondly, it will keep your best clients coming back for more.

From what I understand, Barbara, you're already pretty good at providing excellent service.

 

[Telywho]

Wow! This is sure a lively topic. I will weigh in a second time.

I like discounts, and when I shop in stores that consider discounts, I try to get one. Everyone likes to save a bit of money, it is only natural. I also buy my electronics and some other things on the web, since it is a bit like getting a discount in that you get to participate in setting the price by widely shopping around for the best one.

But at an MA I never ever negotiate. Why? Even though I like to save maybe $20 or so, I hate two things about the negotiation. The first is the time and the broken mood lost during the negotiation itself. Its a bummer. Second, and most importantly is my consideration of the position of the MA. How is she going to feel about a negotiation? Will she give her best after the negotiation, once she feels she was pressured into reducing her fees? Maybe, but likely not. So what did you really gain from getting a few dollars off of the session?

A massage or escort session is a very personal encounter. It is not the same as buying an item at a store or in a market. It depends on chemistry. The quality of the encounter often increases after repeat sessions. If you want good sessions, you need to keep the connection between you (client) and the MA/SP. You need to keep the chemistry. Negotiating damages that, and does so repeatedly if you are visitng the MP/SP on a regular basis.

I never negotiate. As a result (or at least partially as a result), with the MPs I see, the service gets better over time. That is the ultimate.

 

[Telywho]

Oh. I forgot one important point. If the MP or SP chooses to offer a discount, that is entirely a different matter. That is her perogative and she will do so if she feels it is good for her busines. But a client should not ask for a discount.