Rate Poll

herby357herby357
edited June 2021 in General

I'm hoping this doesn't turn into a third-rail issues, but over the past year I've witnessed professional cuddlers' hourly rates rise in my area anywhere from 15% to 25%. While I appreciate anyone in business' right to set their own rate per hour based on overhead, and particularly pros that outline their training, hosting space, and other expenses. While supply and demand will ultimately rule the day, I'm curious in so far as I feel $60 to $80 an hour is a reasonable rate. I'm curious as to what others think?

  1. $ 1.34 a minute or $80 an hour27 votes
    1. $ 1.66 a minute or $100 an hour
      88.89%
    2. $ 2.92 a minute or $175 an hour or more.
      11.11%

Comments

  • JasonCuddlesJasonCuddles

    I think it doesn't matter to me what pros charge. At least personally. Obviously some particular rate would maximise happiness across all who participate so that would be what I would ideally like to see just because I like when people are happy.

  • [Deleted User]Deltron2000 (deleted user)
    edited June 2021

    I have respect for any pros who have made this into a good business,

  • CuddleWhoCuddleWho

    Prices will largely be determined by market forces just like any other market. If you were a contractor painting houses, and you realized you could charge $100/hr and still get tons of business, would you instead charge $50/hr because that seems like a "reasonable rate"? I'm betting you would not.

    That said, I have also noticed cuddle prices increasing lately (not so much in my current location, but in my home location where I'll eventually be returning to). In the past my belief was generally that cuddlers charging very high prices, like $150+, were essentially pricing themselves out of the market and didn't get much business. For instance I knew of a cuddler charging $200 who literally never got a single client at that rate, and a cuddler charging $150 who eventually lowered her price because she got few clients. For better or worse, it seems that may be changing now; I actually found a $300 cuddler who apparently gets clients regularly.

    Naturally as someone who occasionally pays for cuddles I'm not completely thrilled with this development, and I think it's probably not sustainable. Although there are plenty of men who theoretically could afford to pay well over $150/hr to cuddle, I think there are very few who wouldn't very strongly prefer to pay $80-$100 rather than $150+, so in the long term the cuddlers charging the "more reasonable" rates will get the lion's share of the business. But I could be wrong. We'll see.

  • UKGuyUKGuy

    Even if someone can afford to pay $150 for a cuddle, I'm sure they'd rather cuddle for 2 hours than 1 hour.

  • AmortentiaAmortentia

    Some pros might charge less during the pandemic since less people cuddle or more are scared to. Then they raise it up later. Sure, it can be a lot of money that a pro charges but it's their choice to set the price. The easiest way to solve that problem is to just cuddle with those who charge the amount that you are ok with. Then all the rates will be great :)

  • CUD_maleCUD_male

    What is guarantee that Pro's that charge higher rate are any better than someone charging half price with better cuddles!

  • [Deleted User]DarrenWalker (deleted user)

    @CUD_male: Is no guarantee. Is only capitalism.

  • [Deleted User]Mmart (deleted user)

    Economics 101 says charge what the market will bear.

  • RezzRezz

    A solution to only finding pros within your desired rate range is to just set your max price.
    Boom, problem solved. Never have to look at those pesky high rates again. If your search doesn't show anything within that max search, the market value in your areas has changed, like steak at a fine restaurant.
    Check back later to see if the rates have dropped. 😉

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    Another thread complaining about rates? C’mon guys, either pay it or don’t. Whining never changed anything and the mods and admins of the site have repeatedly stated they have a low tolerance for attacking and complaining about pro rates. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why the rates may have gone up...EVERYTHING IN THE WORKD HAS GONE UP IN PRICE. This affects everyone and everyone passes along their increased costs to their customers, and in this case pros pass it along because everything in their everyday life is more expensive. It is just the way things work.

  • CuddleWhoCuddleWho

    I definitely don’t see anyone in this thread attacking pros, and only a little that could really be called complaining.

    While this topic is well-worn and maybe tired on this forum, there’s an obvious reason why it keeps coming up: it is highly relevant to the cuddling experience of tons of people on this site, which is more than I can say for a lot of the topics here.

  • AmortentiaAmortentia

    @CuddleWho It is definitely tiring to have this topic come up again and again and probably it will cause the thread to close since it was technically dealt with. But personally I think it's best for some people to focus on enthusiast cuddlers and not pros who charge. Like I have certain people who I won't cuddle with at all so it's just about having a criteria and sometimes it may involve changing your own criteria. Thought I'd never need to change my criteria from when I joined but then learned it was necessary lol Also, had to say goodbye to a client (one not from this site) since his criteria seemed to change and he wanted less clothes suddenly so I was like see ya!

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    I didn’t say anyone was attacking pros. I was saying questioning, complaining and whining about the rates is old hat and there is a low tolerance for doing so by this site and justifiably so. The rates are what the rates are and no one is forcing anyone to pay them. There have been several threads that have devolved into pro bashing that started as a discussion of rates and it is a tired subject and endeavor.

  • herby357herby357
    edited June 2021

    @Envine, thanks for a positive and proactive response to my poll question. I for one didn't realize price was an advanced search option.

    @FunCartel I didn't see a complaint or whine anywhere in this thread. As I stated at the beginning of my post, I hope this doesn't turn into a "third rail" issue. However, since we are a "community," I wanted to get a sense of the temperature on this issue with my fellow community members. Many of us have experienced negative financial changes in our lives over the past year or so. At the end of the day we all want positive and affirming interactions.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @herby357 As @Amortentia stated above this topic was dealt with a couple of weeks ago. Most pros do not appreciate it. it is a complaint disguised as a discussion —you yourself stated that 60 to 80 is your sweet spot which means you are dissatisfied with 100 an hour. Then just hire those pros that suit your pocket book rather than start a thread about it. Discussing prices and increases of those that charge more because they do not conform to your budget is a complaint whether or not you attack those pros, because if it wasn’t a complaint, then what would be the point of your thread?

  • MaullySterlingMaullySterling
    edited June 2021

    I don't understand the question.
    What do I think is a reasonable rate?

    Why would I think it's any of my business?

    I would assume any pro who has been at it a few months, has a very solid understanding of their personal situation, their risk to reward ratio, the cost to them (travel, time, intake processing... They absolutely should be compensated for the time it takes to screen clients)

    With any professional I'm paying, I find a few that can do the work. Then I get quotes.
    Right off the hop, I drop the lowest. They will not be as good, not do proper cleanup, not be done in the time frame, something will be lacking. The person I am, would rather deal with someone who knows their worth. Because THEY are worth it.

    After that, it's negotiation. What do I get for my money? What's included. What are the hidden fees. Now you have a contract, and know what to expect.

    Now it's budget. How soon can I afford to pay for this? The above info will determine frequency, over an average year. Or how soon we start, depending on the field, or service. Also, tips. Are tips expected, what's appropriate?

    I'd have to be a special flavour of entitled, to think I had any relevance in deciding who was worth what.

    One thing is universal, though. Those that ask for discounts, or special treatment, from the start? They are the nightmare clients, who will not be satisfied with anything you do, will gripe about final price after service but before payment, you'll have to chase for payment, will give bad reviews, or any combination thereof.
    This is in any industry; catering construction, archery coaches. It even applied to surrogacy.

  • CuddleWhoCuddleWho

    Right off the hop, I drop the lowest. They will not be as good, not do proper cleanup, not be done in the time frame, something will be lacking. The person I am, would rather deal with someone who knows their worth. Because THEY are worth it

    FWIW in my experience this would not be a good policy when it comes to cuddling. While I’ve had great experiences with both expensive and inexpensive cuddlers, in general I find there to be a negative correlation between price and quality.

  • GaryGary Mod
    edited June 2021

    As mentioned by others this has been covered in a lot of threads already - however I do see value in discussions from existing clients who now find themselves in a position where they can no longer afford professionals due to increasing rates.

    Whether professionals like that discussion or not is irrelevant. From the perspective of clients, they can choose who to contact and filter out professionals who have an abnormally high rate compared to the market average.

    For professionals who voluntarily decide to price themselves out of the market - that's their choice. Many may do so for various reasons, such as wishing to take on higher paying clientele, risk/reward during these Covid times, or generally feel they offer more than other professionals can. If you don't agree, then move onto the next professional.

    Assuming discussions like this remain productive - it could bring awareness as to how professionals with high rates are widely perceived. This could aid in self reflection and help professionals offer more attractive services.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    in general I find there to be a negative correlation between price and quality.

    This is certainly the theme of the all the anecdotal evidence I have heard. It also reflects my own experience. It's not a strong negative correlation, but it's clear.

  • valkyrievixenvalkyrievixen
    edited June 2021

    I’m gonna jump in here and quote @MaullySterling too!!

    I'd have to be a special flavour of entitled, to think I had any relevance in deciding who was worth what.

    I really have to agree...because worth is subjective. And if you don’t agree with what someone has decided their service is worth—move on. You’ll have a much better experience with someone you’re on the same page with as far as worth. If you go with someone above your price range, your expectations may not be met because you’re expecting the moon. Don’t try to convince someone that their services are not worth what they say they are... @MaullySterling again:

    One thing is universal, though. Those that ask for discounts, or special treatment, from the start? They are the nightmare clients, who will not be satisfied with anything you do, will gripe about final price after service but before payment, you'll have to chase for payment, will give bad reviews, or any combination thereof.
    This is in any industry; catering construction, archery coaches. It even applied to surrogacy.

    While I agree that there are definitely circumstances worthy of special treatment or discounts, by and large, those who lead with complaining about (or “discussing”) price are not the greatest consumer in any business.

    So yes! Use the advanced search features! They’re very helpful for everyone involved! (Thanks @Envie )

  • pmvinespmvines

    Oh yay another thread about pro pricing complaints. Rounding out second place, with covid related threads in third place , and only narrowly being beaten out by boner threads, who have once again maintained their top spot as thread topic that has most been beaten into the ground

  • hugonehugallhugonehugall

    I don’t see anyone complaining in this thread !!! No one including the OP said they charge too much or that pros can’t charge what they want !! He’s more talking about the increase in rates over the past year or so more than likely due to Covid. Yes he did mention what he’s comfortable paying but he did not make any claims that pros should adjust their rates to fit his budget. Like @Gary stated I don’t think it’s unhealthy to occasionally discuss the economics that go into cuddling from both the pro & client perspective as long as it’s done in a healthy manner without one launching an attack against the other

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @hugonehugall Consider this an attack!

  • hugonehugallhugonehugall

    I’m scared to think where that footage is from and more so who shot it instead of getting the hell outa there lol

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    It is actually a video from a Russian Army barracks.

  • valkyrievixenvalkyrievixen

    @FunCartel I hope no one was using a memory foam pillow!!

    Cuz that's one pillow fight they'd never forget!! 😂 (Ba dum, tsss!)

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    I don't mind the conversation (as opposed to overall attacks on all pros). I feel I'm at a pretty nice balance considering my experience, agree that some people have inflated views of value (though it is within their right, and people's services are only worth what someone will pay, and many expensive pros have clients so), and I also believe people just starting out should be on the lower end. So I often share in enthusiast's opinions in general, ha. I'm a weird professional. O:-) But to be frank, with the fee I pay for clients I find through Cuddle Comfort, I don't see dropping my rate on here below $100. But I've been doing this for over three years and have provided over 500 cuddle hours at this point (the past year has been SLOW, lol).

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @valkyrievixen 😂😂😂😂

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