I agree this hobby is a luxury, but could you imagine what sexless men would be like in this society without you lovely providers?In full agreement with you there, DFW5. A proper donation schedule designed to target your desired customer base and generate an acceptable level of profit is basic business management. This is a sound practice regardless of type of business or definition of "acceptable level of profit". I am not, however, objecting to sound business management or educating providers thereon who seem to need it rather badly. I'm pointing out that it's silly to expect ladies to lower rates, not from better business management, but because otherwise some hobbyists can't afford the luxury of playing as often as they want - doubly so on a thread about providers who can't afford everything they want.
I don't think the thread intent is to ask providers to lower their rates, it was to point out the "poor me, I'm not getting any clients and can't afford my <insert want here>." I agree that sometimes it isn't about a want over a need. However, during the course of a downturn, sometimes the best thing to do is practice a little humility and reevaluate your priorties. If a business fails due to bad business practices and they file bankruptcy, they have to liquidate or reorganize to become profitable.
That said, lowering a rate to attract clientel is a basic economic rule that works in every aspect of business. Yes, you may have to work a little harder during a less than stellar season, but that is what sacrifice is about. Just ride out the storm and raise your rate back to nominal when the storm passes. Humility seems to be a trait that is being thrown to the side. The "Me Generation" is a narcasistic, everyone-owes-me era that is extremely unattractive. Originally Posted by DFW5Traveler
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Money management! It's what's for dinner.