Hello all,
Alyssa. Just asking where the "16h" number comes from? Is this just a guess or theory? I have heard of this kind of schedule several years ago, though not for so many hours. No doubt such situations still exist, but it seems very rare nowadays. In the last 6 years or so I've never heard of anyone doing this, and I haven't seen an agency schedule like this anywhere. What I get from agencies and see reported from clients are 6-9 hour availabilities and fewer days overall being very common.
I sympathize greatly with any lady who is in the position you describe, but even if that were the case why should clients pay more just to shorten her hours. That becomes little more than charity to shorten work load because it removes the basic earning standard of quality level. A lady working that much needs rescuing, but it can't justify raising rates.
It might be hard to believe some middle-aged hobbyist cares at a basic level about what is really happening to these ladies. I have felt this way about many I have met. But that has nothing to do with the basics that rates should be earned not created just to shorten the day. If the ladies who say they enjoy this industry want real business of respectability then value in price comes with the territory.
What a strange thread!
I didn't peruse the whole thread but after reading a couple of posts there is something that really bothers me here.
A lot of the posters - mostly Americans or people living outside of Québec - that are complaining about the « inflated » summer rates in Montréal were themselves the direct cause of the big raise that took place a couple of years ago. They spoiled the playground in our own backyard and now they are crying over spilled milk....:nono:
Could you point out the specific evidence of this. To start with I've been around a long time and I am not clear about who is who in most cases regarding nationality, including you, up until what seems obvious now. In my own case I have cut the number of encounters in half and been much more value conscious since 2006. Multiple polls have shown many others everywhere cutting back since 2008, including "outsiders" posting here.
In the case of some agencies, Americans seem to have trouble getting appointments with the popular ladies, the ones with the rates going up because of locals who have a large advantage with much easier access. Much easier and more frequent access by locals alone would make your assessment hard to support.
protag we are not the reason for increase, but uninformed people from the US may be,,maybe even some that are indeed informed of the usual rates and services as even the original poster of this thread was told of the price hike but still kept his appointment! im sure most travellers have no idea this board or any other exists so they are easily duped and hence agencys fell they can charge more, they are actually some valid reasons for the hike also, price of gas is higher cost of living etc.,, although the 160 of a few years ago to the semi-standard 200 of now is a bit rediculous in such a short time thats like a 25% increase!!!
Good post. I think "Protag" went for the
excuse answer. Looking at how multiple boards have fought rising rates, and the low relative effectiveness of that, it makes sense that two of the bigger elements of a great body of ill-informed clients and economic conditions have had greater impact. One indicator would be the survival of bait and switch agencies who go on despite exposure that alerts the knowledgeable board hobbyist. I have been amazed to see the advertisements indicating open business of some B&S agencies. Either the exposure was inaccurate or it has not reached a much larger group of hobbyists who have not seen the warnings, or don't care about the boards...whatever color.
Happy hunting,
Merlot