@cuddlefaery you brought up a very good point that hadn't crossed my mind. The last thing I want is for them to think a higher price means they can make me relax my boundaries. It would be nice if the site had that third party option. I was also coming to that conclusion of just rewarding good clients.
@BellaAine also, just have to give a shout-out to a potential other Anja/Anya/Áine! 💖
Absolutely agree with @sausalito and @cuddlefaery on rewarding the excellent clients...those who are prompt, polite, clean, respectful, 100% platonic, etc.
I see no correlation to those who can't afford a high rate, and those willing to give up the info in question. Some who can afford you may happily give that info, while some who can't afford you would never give that info. If you want to offer a lower rate, simply offer a lower rate. Tying it to vetting isn't safe for you.
I agree with all those who said that many potential clients won't go for all the requirements originally listed. Many men here are hiding from their wives and giving fake first names, let alone a real last name and address.
~ Sunset Snuggles
🫂 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Junkie 📷 Shutter Bug
I applaud you for trying new things and I've thought similarly about how to help those who can't afford but would greatly appreciate my time. Sounds like a wonderful way to get some good data points for your form!
It’s a misnomer that a deposit will prevent a cancelation. I met with a new cuddler a few weeks ago who said there are pros charging deposits and won’t issue a refund when the pro cancels. In actuality, a deposit in ANY case is just a money grab. My electric company charges a deposit and once you pay on time for 12 months straight, you get the deposit back. If you move before the end of the 12 months, you just get it back. If your payment’s late, they don’t take it out of the deposit either- It’s just “extra money” for them. I could see it if the pro refunded the deposit or put it towards their fee after the session, but deposits don’t make sense to me.
I don’t think this will work out the way you think it will. It really doesn’t make sense.
I agree with most that I would not be incentivized at all to pay 50% deposit for a lower-cost cuddle. I have yet to be asked to pay a deposit (I will absolutely not do that), or show ID (after reading some insights, I would show but won't allow photos to be taken of mine,nor would I take a photo of the other's ID). If I can't afford the pro cuddler's price I can either search for another pro cuddler with a lower hourly price, or I don't cuddle with a pro. To me, it's that simple.
To those who sympathize with people in need but unable to afford a cuddle, I'd think there are ways to get that cared for. Barter system, anyone? Or, how about Cuddle Comfort Gift Certificates or something similar? The more I look at this, the more I like this idea.
My last response to everyone:
I think there may have been a small misunderstanding about the purpose of the two options. The lower rate isn’t just about price. The extra steps are there to address two of the main issues that make rates go up in the first place.
The deposit helps reduce last-minute cancellations and no-shows, and the deposit goes toward the session. I keep the deposit if they are a no show or cancel last minute unless there was a real emergency(need proof). The ID verification & form helps deter boundary pushers and people who try to treat sessions as something other than professional cuddling. Those situations unfortunately affect pricing across the board.
So the idea was to create an option where clients who are comfortable with a little more accountability could access a lower rate. If someone isn’t comfortable with deposits or verification, that’s completely fine. That’s why the regular booking option would still exist.
@cuddlefaery @SweetCuddler33 @sausalito and others brought up good points that have led me to the conclusion of not going through with any type of discounted rate on my prices. The End.
@cuddlefaery Aine is an Irish Goddess similar to the Aztec Goddess Xochiquetzal and both cultures run in my blood. 💖
I simply want to applaud you and your curiosity!
That capacity will serve you greatly.....as a pro cuddler, a friend, a lover, and a parent. It requires pondering and wondering....as well as humility, knowing that one's own bias may be influenced by the reflections of others.
Best of luck to you in whatever you decide!
@cuddlefaery I've done something similar to that. It's challenging to do a tiered system on this site due to how it's set up with booking, but I mention a pay it forward invitation for folks who can contribute and then also let folks know if financial access is a barrier, all they have to do is ask and we can negotiate.
As long as someone is willing to meet my basic safety requirements and is respectful and still values the service, I'm happy to try to offer reduced rates when I can as they are subsidized. I also offer a discount for prebooking multiple sessions & for those who receive regular sessions from me.
I recently had someone pay it forward for an hour and I used that for a person who I did sessions with in the fall who needed to stop due to finances. He reached out to me recently to say the sessions were helpful but money was still tight and timing was perfect so I offered him the session. He booked immediately. Win/Win.
If I didn't have space rental overhead costs to navigate I would offer sessions at a lower rate. Sometimes I think people receiving cuddle sessions forget that those of us who offer pro sessions need to navigate that aspect which requires scheduling ahead and cost on top of the 15% site fee for each booking.
@BellaAine I appreciate you posting this question... it made me think and consider my vetting & booking/pricing process. Thank you for sharing the inquiry and inviting a conversation about it. Glad you got what you needed!