EB, I guess 300-400 is the usual amount in the US? When I was in Toronto most girls I talk to (18-29, slim, above GND looking) would at least ask 400 cad, a few stopped talking to me when I offered 450.
$400 is the more common price point, but as I have said countless times, when you search on newer and younger who have no experience, you get girls who do not really fully know what their value is. If you don't do targeted searches and end up messaging with savvy and more experienced SBs, they will seek more. If you want to get the most out of SA, look at it as a game and play the game correctly. That starts with doing targeted searches. After the initial messaging make an offer you are comfortable with and if it is not accepted move on. I target hotter women and the hotter ones are more likely to bite if you offer something for an initial meetup besides dinner. And if you hit it off and she is comfortable with you then you can propose an intimate date. The Chowzilla method of just offering dinner can work, but only with the newer and younger of the hot ones, or the not so hot and older ones who are not seeing much action. I am only messaging girls I consider extremely hot and not ones who I think will easily spread their legs.