I was seing a particular girl every couple of weeks for 250hr. As I'm leaving and paying she didn't mention the fact that she was running a "special" for 200 (probably thought I don't read the Personals and wouldn't notice lol). Only when I brought it up as I was shelling out the money, she said "Oh yeah, the special, I forgot, it's only 200".

Clearly she didn't have any intention of mentioning the lower/special rate and since I saw her somewhat frequently, thought for certain she would mention it first....

I didn't bore myself going back. Regulars shouldn't pay "more" than newbies unless the particular "special" had reduced services/time/whatever. Thought it was very low-end.

I like your frankness! When there is a special rate advertised, I ask for it. But I pay the regular price and use the difference as a tip.

Some of you guys who want to pay old rates are just plain stupid or don't understand that it's not up to you to decide HER rate. She lowers/increases her rate for her reasons, not yours. It's her business...don't directly/indirectly suggest that she is doing anything wrong!

So whenever you see lower rates, don't automatically assume that she is struggling or needs money or anything negative about her. Just respect whatever that is and enjoy yourself.

wanker

That is a really good question because it involves a lot more than what meets the eye.

If she has lowered her donation, it is most probably, as a response to the market, and the state of the economy. However, this may also mean that I may be in a similar state of financial distress because only few people have remained impermeable to the prevailing fallen economy and its consequences for most of us in the labor sector. Chances are, I might have also taken a hit either directly in my paycheck (due to a choice between forced paycut or a pink slip), or fewer hours of work (as a result of the company downsizing or reorganizing).

Now, regardless of how good is her service to me, under that scenario, I will be unable to afford the same donation. Should I dare to continue seeing her at the same rate, I would be forced to cut the frequency of visits; simple math, there is not sufficient budget. If proceed to give her the new lowered donation, I might still be able to see her as frequently as before, but she will get less money, which of course might seem unfair. In either one of these cases, she gets less amount, but she works more or less.

I would think that if she likes to spend time with the hobbyist, as a person, then it might be less of a problem the lowered donation. The only positive could be that she does not have to deal with a new person and the associated risks and stress that comes with that. On the other hand, this remains a business for her though, and she could interpret the hobbyist as taking advantage of her, even if the truth is, he just does not have the same funds anymore.

Having said that, however, I would think that if the hobbyist happens to be in a more wealthy position, and he is able to afford the previous donation rates without compromising any other need, then it may be a moral choice, albeit a poor logic one, to give her that higher donation, or the lowered one and then a tip, but as I said, it would be a personal choice.

That's the covenant we should form with ATFs -- if they gave us discounted rates when rates were higher, we owe it to her to honor the same rate when hard times drive her rate lower.

It's karmic -- she gave us a break when she didn't have to, so we should return the favor, within reason.

Be the change
you wish to see