How is the recesssion affecting your business?

[Guest s******ecan****]

Just wondering how the recession is affecting the SP's out there. Are bookings down? Are clients forgoing the more expensive packages or opting for the shorter appointments (ie. 1/2 hour, 1 hr)? Are you facing increased competition from new SP's entering the market trying to supplement or replace lost income? Are you facing pricing pressures due to competition or client demands?

 

Many of my clients (I'm a consultant not an SP) are noticing these sort of trends in their businesses, as a result so am I. The key to weathering times like this is to look for ways to provide value in the face of reduced demand and increased competition as well as taking good care of your best customers/clients.

 

 

Just curious

[d*mm*y 887]

I was thinking exactly the same kind of thread, we had a rescission thread in the fall but a follow up is in order. I am seeing $100 deals, some extremely good service and ladies at $200 and getting calls and emails from ladies that have seen me in the past wondering where I have gotten to. Interesting times ahead there seems to be a market adjustment happening.

 

Also in my business it was a very difficult winter to say the least, however early market indicators are showing a quick bounce back for the nations capitol not so much for other parts of the country so I think we will see the trend of visiting SP's increasing and there rates staying competitive :)

 

Looks like Dummpy may have a revival this spring yeah haw, and just for the record I hate being broke!! (of course my definition of broke may not be the same as others) I have had to stop my flow of steak diners and sometime do pizza instead, I have to hunt in the world of $100-200 SP's instead of my usual snack bracket, I have been eating breakfast at home. All in all the recession is being hard on me. Some of the other drastic measures include taking the 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder BMW out more instead of the big V8 to conserve fuel (not as big an issue now that gas is reasonable again). My Hot tub has a leak and I have been hesitant to get it fixed because of the cost both of the repair and ongoing cost to keep the thing running (@150/month), you get the idea and probably don?t me to rant about all my problems, Ya it?s been a tough winter.

[Kyra.Graves 23779]

In actuality the recession tends to bring a bit of a boost to escorts on the higher end of the service scale as "vice sales" like alcohol, tobacco, etc. tend to go up during times of economic stress. This is true for escorts as well though oddly it doesn't seem to apply for strippers, I will assume it's because of the mileage factor but I'm not sure anyone has ever done a study on it. It's just a way that people tend to self medicate for stress, had a bad day - go have a drink, didn't meet that sales quota again - go get laid!

Now the longer the recession goes on this will dwindle however many will not give up their vices, so though everyone may see a cut in income only those that have not already shored up their client base would be seriously affected and may find themselves without any income.

 

Are clients forgoing the more expensive packages or opting for the shorter appointments (ie. 1/2 hour, 1 hr)?

In regards to shorter calls vs. longer ones, this would actually be counter intuitive to what you talk about in the second paragraph. I'll let you think about that one for a moment but clients that are feeling the economic pinch are actually booking longer calls now than they used to. ;)

 

Are you facing increased competition from new SP's entering the market trying to supplement or replace lost income? Are you facing pricing pressures due to competition or client demands?

 

The recession really hasn't trickled down that much yet. It takes a lot for a girl that would not normally consider this as a job option to start a career as an escort, stripper or MPA.

Some women start because it's something they would freely consider, they are openiminded sexual beings and think they would like to be paid to do something they already enjoy doing. Some women start because they are in a desparate financial state and need a way out, this is the only way they can see a way to make some cash that night (stripping is often the first step). Some of these women can learn to enjoy it, it can be liberating for them and some of them find it loathsome and it is very difficult for them to come to terms with.

 

These women are not in high financial careers to begin with, they are usually working retail jobs, nannies, housekeepers, waitresses, etc. and are living paycheque to paycheque. They often have a fair bit of experience in living inexpensively and for the most part can get by for a few months on a minimal income picking up odd jobs and ducking bills. Those bills do however add up and they will feel the pressure of it building until they don't know where else to turn and that's when those advertisements on "Sugar Daddy" or "Make Cash Tonight - Escort Needed" start to look good to them.

It's actually rather sad as they really just want to eat, sleep in a warm bed and get up in the morning and go to a job where they can help someone find a phone, or serve toast or anything but get naked. So the recession will eventually hit them and hard.. but not for a bit as it takes awhile for the recession to have enough layoffs to put that many street savy girls out of work that you'll have large numbers of them starting up in the business. There are always some each month but for each one there is a few that are leaving and that's a normal turnover.

You need enough closings where you'd have a huge number of women between the ages of 19-35 coming into the workplace without any sort of job assistance programs.

 

Anyway just my 2cents. :)

[Guest i***k***]

In actuality the recession tends to bring a bit of a boost to escorts on the higher end of the service scale as "vice sales" like alcohol, tobacco, etc. tend to go up during times of economic stress. This is true for escorts as well though oddly it doesn't seem to apply for strippers, I will assume it's because of the mileage factor but I'm not sure anyone has ever done a study on it. It's just a way that people tend to self medicate for stress, had a bad day - go have a drink, didn't meet that sales quota again - go get laid!

Now the longer the recession goes on this will dwindle however many will not give up their vices, so though everyone may see a cut in income only those that have not already shored up their client base would be seriously affected and may find themselves without any income.

 

 

In regards to shorter calls vs. longer ones, this would actually be counter intuitive to what you talk about in the second paragraph. I'll let you think about that one for a moment but clients that are feeling the economic pinch are actually booking longer calls now than they used to. ;)

 

 

 

The recession really hasn't trickled down that much yet. It takes a lot for a girl that would not normally consider this as a job option to start a career as an escort, stripper or MPA.

Some women start because it's something they would freely consider, they are openiminded sexual beings and think they would like to be paid to do something they already enjoy doing. Some women start because they are in a desparate financial state and need a way out, this is the only way they can see a way to make some cash that night (stripping is often the first step). Some of these women can learn to enjoy it, it can be liberating for them and some of them find it loathsome and it is very difficult for them to come to terms with.

 

These women are not in high financial careers to begin with, they are usually working retail jobs, nannies, housekeepers, waitresses, etc. and are living paycheque to paycheque. They often have a fair bit of experience in living inexpensively and for the most part can get by for a few months on a minimal income picking up odd jobs and ducking bills. Those bills do however add up and they will feel the pressure of it building until they don't know where else to turn and that's when those advertisements on "Sugar Daddy" or "Make Cash Tonight - Escort Needed" start to look good to them.

It's actually rather sad as they really just want to eat, sleep in a warm bed and get up in the morning and go to a job where they can help someone find a phone, or serve toast or anything but get naked. So the recession will eventually hit them and hard.. but not for a bit as it takes awhile for the recession to have enough layoffs to put that many street savy girls out of work that you'll have large numbers of them starting up in the business. There are always some each month but for each one there is a few that are leaving and that's a normal turnover.

You need enough closings where you'd have a huge number of women between the ages of 19-35 coming into the workplace without any sort of job assistance programs.

 

Anyway just my 2cents. :)

 

I'll translate that for everyone.

 

No it isn't hurting Kyra's bidniss! :)

[Kyra.Graves 23779]

I'll translate that for everyone.

 

No it isn't hurting Kyra's bidniss! :)

 

 

Kyra is to Brevity as Oil is to Water. :oops:

[Guest i***k***]

Kyra is to Brevity as Oil is to Water. :oops:

 

I remember that oil...

 

HOT! HOT!

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

Just wondering how the recession is affecting the SP's out there ... Just curious

 

An interesting and timely question. But ...

 

If I were in a service industry and my business hurting, the very last thing on my to-do list would be to broadcast this fact to my potential clients. Doing so would risk making the problem worse. Some potential clients would inevitably try to take advantage of any confessed weakness to squeeze a better deal for themselves (that's just human nature).

 

There's been a bit of bargain-type advertising lately, for sure -- greater or less than usual, I don't know. But I'd not expect much recessionary dirty laundry to be willingly hung out on the CERB clothesline for all us passers-by to gawk at.

 

Not that I'm against dirty laundry ...

 

My two cents worth, anyway.

[Akhenaton 221]

True, but then again few brief posts get nominated ;)

 

(besides some of us enjoy chatty types ;) )

 

Kyra is to Brevity as Oil is to Water. :oops:

[rickoshadows 937]

I think Kyra's take on this is quite accurate for her situation. Higher end providers who are known to have a proven/guaranteed value are going to benefit from those who still have money to spend on diversions but less than before. They will tend to go for the sure thing and opt for a TOFTT much less. The lesser known or new providers will bear the brunt of the economic slowdown. They will be forced to lower rates/increase services or pack up and go home. They will also face competition from newcomers who reconsider the value of their virtue verses economic well being.

 

While this is great for those clients who still have the money to go searching for that "gem in the rough", it also forces many of these providers to accept situations/clients which make them uncomfortable. An uncomfortable provider is not likley to provide a memorable experience.

[d*mm*y 887]

 

While this is great for those clients who still have the money to go searching for that "gem in the rough", it also forces many of these providers to accept situations/clients which make them uncomfortable. An uncomfortable provider is not likley to provide a memorable experience.

 

You said a mouth full there, I would never take advantage of the situation and if the service warranted extra i also leave a tip, also if the price is low I will augment my donation with some cool gifts. Gifts do get the ladies in a great mood, they can range from $15-200 and I get as good a reaction from some of the $15 gifts as I do from some of the $200 gifts.

[a******s.m*****e 187]

I was expecting my business to slow down, but,surprisingly, it hasn't so far. It is going pretty steady.

But I can see that .... is getting more and more crowded every day, like all of a sudden every woman in Vancouver became an erotic masseuse;)

 

It doesn't bother me much. I still have my regulars and never relied on ....for business exclusively, I am getting new clients from search engines, newspapers and other sources.

 

The way I look at it is that, when I started out I was the only independent erotic masseuse in the area. (Especially in my age bracket) I had to basically introduce people to the idea of visiting an independent woman for a massage instead of going to a massage parlour.

But the more of us there are, the more customers try us and the more people get the taste of erotic fun without actual sex;) And the women who are today my "competition" make sure that there will be more and more erotic massage clients for me in the future.

 

This is like coffee. The more coffee shops, the more coffee drinkers.

 

But it would be foolish to become complacent. I think it is important to save your money and try to find other ways to make an income, just in case;)

[PistolPete 61421]

Both business and hobbying the recession has had little affect. I'm still bring in coin, and still spend it.

 

But thoroughly enjoying the way I have been spending the last little while with beautiful women.:boobies:

 

Just on the humor side of things, I buy a snow blower 3 weeks ago, set me back 1400.00 ...has not snow since..used it once.

Oh well will never worry about shoveling anymore.

[p22*** 236]

I haven't noticed that emails have slowed at all, in fact I notice I am getting more out of towners??? Not sure why, but more than usual. I think Ottawa will not be hit hard by the recession, we are after all 75% government workers.

I have faith....lol

[Akhenaton 221]

LOL, given all the fuss made about the budget, that may not be as much a factor as people like to think ;)

 

... we are after all 75% government workers.

I have faith....lol

[caveman 147]

Ottawa hasn't been as hard hit by the recession...I just saw a headline today about welfare in Ottawa being down, not up. In Ontario, the sector most affected by the poor economy is manufacturing, but that has never been Ottawa's primary industry anyway (at least not in the last few decades).

 

That's not to say that there isn't or won't be any impacts here in Ottawa, but we're not likely to feel it as badly as some other parts of the country.

[caveman 147]

Sorry, I forgot which forum I was in...I apologize for the Ottawa-centric response in the Canada-wide forum... :-(

[Kyra.Graves 23779]

Sorry, I forgot which forum I was in...I apologize for the Ottawa-centric response in the Canada-wide forum... :-(

 

That's okay we Torontonians are used to you Ottawa people thinking you are the center of the Canadian economic universe. :roll:

 

:-P

 

;)

[Missy Mariposa 234]

Some out here are feeling it, and Anita is right - girls are popping up left and right in Vancouver. While I haven't been here long I watched the scene for awhile before I started working and it seems like the number of new girls each week has tripled.

 

Me personally? I have some recession proof income but I have noticed clients coming less often citing the economy. So as such, I put on a recession sale and started offering discounts here and on other boards.

[Guest gagagaga]

I have to admit, I have had to be a bit more economical lately, and can't really afford more than $$ very often, so I am still going as often, but going for a bit lower donation when possible. although I spoil myself when I can.

 

Oh yeah...Leafs suck!!

 

(kidding Kyra...sort of...but not really)lol

[etasman2000 15994]

That's okay we Torontonians are used to you Ottawa people thinking you are the center of the Canadian economic universe. :roll:

 

:-P

 

;)

 

woot! we aren't ?

 

[checks map]

 

nope we still are.

[d*mm*y 887]

Well don't worry when you tour the bible belt of the southern states there as many Americans that think Toronto is the Capitol as Montreal! (no one ever says Ottawa) In fact I find many similarities to our southern neighbors and Torontonians.

 

That's okay we Torontonians are used to you Ottawa people thinking you are the center of the Canadian economic universe. :roll:

 

:-P

 

;)

[a******s.m*****e 187]

That's okay we Torontonians are used to you Ottawa people thinking you are the center of the Canadian economic universe. :roll:

 

 

;)

 

And we Vancouverites are used to being completely invisible here ;)

 

The reason why we are so quiet is because we don't want people in Ottawa discover how nice we have it here, so they won't show up at our door step all at once.

 

Kidding :)

[d*mm*y 887]

BC was a true gift from the gods to Canada, and the people who live there are so secure that they don't always have to say how great it is. I think it is nearly time for another wine tour!

 

And we Vancouverites are used to being completely invisible here ;)

 

The reason why we are so quiet is because we don't want people in Ottawa discover how nice we have it here, so they won't show up at our door step all at once.

 

Kidding :)

[Missy Mariposa 234]

Well don't worry when you tour the bible belt of the southern states there as many Americans that think Toronto is the Capitol as Montreal! (no one ever says Ottawa) In fact I find many similarities to our southern neighbors and Torontonians.

 

I went to school in the US and we learn sooooooo little about Canada. I went to a college prep school too and in our 1/2 chapter about Canada here's what I learned:

 

Canadians traded fur

Canadians are better at making maple syrup than the States

It's cold in Canada

Vancouver "is kind of like the Canadian Hollywood"

We touched on Native Americans in the US and First Nations in Canada being "forcibly removed" but not killed

Canada has Niagra falls

Canada has hockey instead of baseball

Quebec wants to be their own country

Canada has 2 languages and everyone is proficient in

The CAD is worth less than the USD most of the time

Canada has national healthcare and pay a large amount of sales tax for it. As a matter of fact, we learn that one REALLY young because I remember saying to my mom once when I had a broken wrist "I wish we could just pay 10% sales tax like Canada and everyone could get good medical care" because the hospital for the uninsured had a 6 hour wait and I was in agony. I think I was 9?

 

Annnnnnnd that's it. Literally. At a college prep school no less. Schools down south are much worse too, I'd be proud that they even knew what Toronto was. The average American doesn't even know that Toronto has a stock exchange. The average American can't list more than...5 of the provinces either.

[a******s.m*****e 187]

I worked for a company and American clients actually asked us if we lived in an iglu and if it was snowing up here. It was summertime and they knew we were located in Vancouver, just a few miles from Seattle.