The Price of Professional Cuddling

[Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
in Professional Cuddling
The first cuddling business that I heard of was The Snuggery in Rochester NY. The second cuddling company was Cuddle Up To Me in Portland OR . Both charge $60 an hour and the girls are beautiful. My first two cuddle professionals charged me $60 an hour. The first professional cuddle pioneers Samantha and Jacqueline really care about giving the World much needed touch. These two connect with their clients and they enjoy what they do. The cuddle agencies that followed after have cuddlers that only care about money and that don't even connect with their clients. Not saying that all but most of them are like that. This is just my opinion. I have seen ads from women on Craigslist that charge over $100 an hour. My last professional cuddler charged me $80 and wouldn't even let me touch her belly button unless I paid $100. My first two professional cuddlers who charged $60 an hour allowed belly button touching. Call me cheap if you want but professional cuddling should be $60 an hour. Anything more than $60 then it should be more intimate.
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Comments

  • [Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
    Thoughts?
  • [Deleted User]VIPirate (deleted user)
    edited August 2016
    I agree with your sentiments about Samantha. I'm in Maryland so I haven't had the chance to try Cuddle Up To Me, but I've conversed with her before and she seems like a very warm and caring human being. Her business gets a lot of positive reviews too, so her clients certainly appear to be digging it. I'm not sure I can really put a locked in price on it or anything since it's on the subjective side, but I tend to agree on the principle that the higher the price goes, the more it feels like "nudge, wink" escort territory. But like SnuggleSymmetry mentions, please don't think I'm lumping everyone into that category because I know there are legitimately caring people out there that believe their time is worth what it's worth. I think part of the problem is a few of the heavily discussed shady companies out there (which I've admittedly ranted about pretty often) help create the disconnect. They see it as an easy way to make money, so they advertise heavily and some (not all) of the people that are hired see it as the same, a quick buck. If they come in with that mindset first and foremost, they'd probably be better off finding a different line of employment. It's a very specialized thing that, ideally, would follow the model that Cuddle Up To Me seems to have perfected so well.
  • [Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
    @VIPirate Agreed! Thanks for your input. The SB and CTA are both shady cuddling companies. My last professional cuddler brought up higher prices for more stuff. I was tempted but never proceeded.
  • [Deleted User]bruin_alum (deleted user)
    I don't understand the need to touch a belly button.  I think if the cuddler has boundaries, they should be respected, but it should be something that if you are concerned what they might be, you should learn what they are before you book with her.

    As for pricing, I run a business.  I am the most expensive in my industry in the country.  I don't price myself purposely to be the most expensive, it just worked out that way because I have revenue numbers I need to meet in order to run the business effectively.  Before just blindly dismissing someone's price as too expensive, maybe consider there is a reason it is that way.

    Outside of that, I don't disagree that more than $60 seems like too much, but that is my personal preference based on what I can afford and would choose to pay for the service, not a statement I feel is fair for me to make as a blanket statement to cover someone else's business.
  • murphymagicmurphymagic
    I think it is very subjective, and every professional cuddler has different skills sets and strengths that may or may not meet our unique cuddle needs (ie. belly button touching? really? hehe). And they all have different reasons for getting in the business. This is not a regulated industry, which is probably a good thing. We are *all* making this up as we go along. Right? I think that's neat. It feels natural and organic, not like going to a clinic to see a therapist, or a chiropractor's office to get a massage. We are paying for these people to come as they are - untrained, uncertified - an open-minded non-judgmental nurturing person with - we hope - our best interests in mind. (And others who think it might be easy money - it's probably not.)
    I have hired cuddlers that were absolutely and naturally worth every penny of $100 an hour for the therapeutic value I received. And if they can come to your house and cuddle in your room in your bed, and give you a fantastic deep tissue massage, and they can entertain you - they can make you laugh and cry and feel alive, that's amazing. Right? 
    There are limits to the pocketbook, but you can't really put a capped price on that kind of special rapport.
    The therapists at Kaiser charge a lot more, they aren't funny, and they won't spoon you and rub your hair while you pour out your soul and your sob stories. :)  
  • docgatorbdocgatorb
    Is there some rule that prevents 'professionals' from posting their rates on this site? I have yet to see any professionals who have posted their rates. Perhaps other information that would be useful would generally what hours you of the day you are generally available, if you do out-calls, additional charges for travel, areas that you serve and any other terms you have.
  • MarkMark
    edited September 2016
    There is no rule and I encourage it but it seems most prefer not to do it.
  • [Deleted User]GoodListener79 (deleted user)
    Just use the Golden Rule. 

    Put yourself in their shoes for a second and realize how intimate cuddling can be. I used to be a massage therapist and even though my clients were sometimes completely nude, cuddling whilst completely clothed can be even more intimate. 

    If professional cuddlers want to charge for it, they have the right. 
  • docgatorbdocgatorb
    The question isn't whether they should charge, that is already a given. The question is why they don't post their rates, availability, additional charges and any other terms.
  • bluestripesbluestripes
    I think the answer to that is that being good at cuddling doesn't mean you're good in the business side of skills... different things :)
  • docgatorbdocgatorb
    I would agree but I think that this adds a sneaky feel to everything that I would like to see open up. Really, I have a service that's worth $80 per hour, but you have to step over here into the dark alley to learn more about it. Let the sunshine in, don't hide behind the assumption that you charge the going rate, there is no going rate, just hearsay. Am I the only one who feels this way?
  • murphymagicmurphymagic
    I, for one, don't feel any need to see their rates posted in their profile. I don't get the "sneaky feeling" at all.
    I guess I just don't mind asking them for their rates (among other things) when I first contact them.
    And I don't consider contacting them a "dark alley". I'm not sure what you meant by that.

    I've inquired 4 times for rates in a friendly hello:) message, and 3 out of 4 times, I've received a friendly reply with their rates and answers to my other questions. (The 4th was actually my very first inquiry when I first joined, and she hadn't been on the site for 4 months. I guess that's my pet peeve - abandoned accounts. At least now I know that they sink to the bottom of the list.) 

    Anyway, that's just my opinion. 

  • docgatorbdocgatorb
    Thank you for speaking up, murphymagic. I also share your feelings about abandoned accounts.
  • [Deleted User]ucolague (deleted user)
    She wanted to charge you an extra 20 dollars to touch her bully botton?
    That sounds perverted. What would have she let you do for lets say, 150 dollars?


  • BluBurriesBluBurries
    Everyone is different. My company is called Cuddle Me Happy in Maryland. I charge $40 per 30mins with a 1hr minimum, +travel fee depending on the distance, and I take tips if offered. The belly button request is odd. Some people dont like their belly buttons touched. I wonder how I would feel if a client asked for that? lol
  • kattalinakattalina
    I  charge  $80 /hour bc that is what  sort of  seems to be  a  "norm".  Plus, I  am trained in a  few other  therapies  like reiki  and  such.  None of the  clients I have seen  ( through another  company)  ever  questioned that rate.  Many  gave me more.  None of my clients  have  every  complained, Indeed,  one drove  4  hours    from another state to see me. :-)
  • [Deleted User]Unknown (deleted user)
    edited October 2016
    I've seen quite a few professional cuddlers and the price has varied from $50-$80 an hour. Almost all of my cuddling experiences have been amazing. In my humble opinion, if the girl is independent and not through an agency, $50-$60 an hour is the right price. That doesn't mean I'm oppsed to or won't pay more than what I've said is correct, it's just what I feel is the right price. 

  • GustavGustav
    basically this is a site to pick up customer who are willing to pay to touch somebody
  • phenom_xmphenom_xm

    I'm just gonna be honest, I could see a Backpage prostitute for $80 for half an hour and have sex. I personally think $80 an hour is too much for an hour. Most legitimate massages are $60 per hour some are 50, I can get a shiatsu massage for $45. Where I'm just in my underwear. My point is massages can be just as intimate or more so than cuddling. Yet, most charge less...

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    I have my opinions regarding pricing but please remember, this is a site for platonic cuddling. If you're looking for sex or a massage, there are places and other sites for that. if you're seeking platonic cuddling, that's what this site is meant for. I can do many things that are beneficial for me for under $80 but I don't come here looking for them. I can get my house cleaned for $60 but I'm not looking for a cleaning lady on this site. My point being, this site at its core is great for some people and not the right place for others. I have heard guys on the site say they wished pro cuddlers offered sex. The reality is that there are far more prostitutes in the world than there are pro cuddlers so if you want sex, don't seek out a pro cuddler, seek out a prostitute. If you want a professional massage, seek out a professional massage therapist and not a pro cuddler. If you're looking for a girlfriend, go find a girl and don't seek that out in a pro cuddler.

  • sherylmckoysherylmckoy

    I think our profession gets a bad rep. Most people confuse cuddlers with prostitutes and that's not Okay. I've been doing this cuddling thing for a while and I see how positive human connection can be. Just like doctors have rates so do we as professionals and I think that if a person believes the service they offer is worth the price then I don't think it should be assumed that they are to participate in intimate activities.

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    I think intimate is not the best word to use, I think you mean to say is sexual. A cuddle session is very intimate and that's OK but it's not OK for someone to assume it's going to be sexual.

  • sherylmckoysherylmckoy

    @Morpheus I agree, sexual would be a more fitting term, but I'm happy you got the point I was trying to make.

  • JFGreenJFGreen

    The market determines the price. If the price of cuddling is too high, clients move on and pricing has to adjust. Pricing can also vary by location. Finally both pros and clients determine what is right for them; pros determine what their time and energy are worth and clients determine what they are willing to spend.

  • Mike403Mike403

    Just like any business. They charge what people are willing to pay. If nobody is paying it, the price will come down.

  • quietman775quietman775

    If I do a search for cuddle pros aged 18-60 within 50 miles of my zip code, 18 show up. Eight (8) do not have prices posted on their profiles. :-( Of the ten that do post prices, two charge $60/hr, six charge $80/hr, and two charge $90/hr. That makes the average rate for the group with known pricing $78/hr. I am querying the others about rates. Heard from one so far: $115/hr. I agree with the comments just above: the marketplace will sort it all out.

  • Mike403Mike403
    edited August 2017

    I noticed one pro charging $92/hr. What's up with the extra couple bucks?

  • BrandiBrandi

    The site charges a 15% cut from each professional, so I would imagine she charges the extra few bucks so that she has a take home total of 80$ an hour. :)

  • MorpheusMorpheus
    edited August 2017

    I've been involved with professional cuddling for 3 years now and the majority of my experiences have been amazing. Most of the pros that I've cuddled with have stayed on their own time past the paid time. I did however have a negative experience recently where the girl admitted to not setting her alarm properly so we went over by an hour. She asked me to pay for the extra hour but I only had $20 extra dollars with me. She then asked me to walk across the street to the ATM. I felt really badly about it and felt like she did it on purpose to get extra money out of me. I asked Mark about it and he said that it's the pros responsibility to keep track of the time and said a pro should never ask for more money. He said he would support bad karma in this situation. I ended up sending the pro the money later via pay pal but she returned it saying that she felt I was right and apologized. She then offered a free session as a peace offering. I felt she was very sweet and polite in the end but the money aspect of all of this turns me off at times to the point where I feel I need a bit of a break from it all. Pro cuddling is an imperfect thing for many reasons which some of you will agree with me if I stated my opinions and some won't. Ultimately in the end, it is what it is and things are what they are.

  • Mike403Mike403

    If a pro stays with you passed their paid time, you'd naturally assumed it was comped. I don't think they should be asking for additonal money unless it has been agreed upon before.

    If a pro did that to me, I'd feel like she took advantage to try to get more money out of me.

    Also, $92 is weird amount to charge and a hassle to get. I don't know of a single ATM that spits out $1.00 bills.

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