This is a continuation of yesterday’s post on the topic of pro-domination and the amount taken as tribute. In that post I argued that the number one factor that drove tribute was the local cost of living and property prices. However, that’s not the whole story. If you look just at a single city and take an average across tribute values, you’ll still find a non-trivial variance. I’ve occasionally seen as much as a two times variance in hourly rate within the same metropolitan area. So what gives with that? Is the experience offered by some pro-dommes that much better?
…There’s a slight pause at this point while I strap my flameproof pants on…
In my entirely personal and anecdotal experience, the answer to that question is no. Among the various well established and independent dommes I’ve played with, I’ve never observed a correlation between session quality and tribute rates. I’ve had lots of amazing sessions and I’ve had a few very average sessions, and which was which always came down to personal chemistry and all the other intangibles that go along with great kinky play. The amount of cash I had to show up with never made any difference. It’s the same story with equipment and general professionalism. I know dommes with mad scientist levels of equipment stuffed into their play space who charge less than dommes who play out of hotel rooms. I had one domme who was charging 50% over the average San Francisco rate show up two hours late to our session, where Lydia, who charged around the average for Seattle, was never once late in 100+ sessions.
Of course you should never ever haggle over tribute rates. A pro-domme, or a sex worker of any type, can set her rates at whatever she wants and absolutely have that rate respected. If you don’t want to pay it, then don’t contact her. However, don’t be tempted to think that higher necessarily means a better experience. If you’re budget limited, you’ll almost certainly be able to find an amazing domme who doesn’t charge more than the average for her part of the world.
Of course, everything I just wrote applies only to regular professional kinky play. If you’re into findom of the kind depicted by Sardax here, then all bets are off.
I agree that price isn’t always an indicator of what the experience will be. Here in the U.K. prices seem to go from approx. £250 for 2 hours to £500 and my usual Mistress who I’ve been seeing for over 20 years gives me what I can only assume is a loyalty discount making her rates the least expensive I’ve found. Often the rate is influenced by the cost of the premises and a Mistress using her own premises is normally a little cheaper than one who has to hire them. I also agree that there is no point complaining about the rate as you say if you’re not happy with it don’t use that Mistress.
That seems pretty similar to my experience in the US. Although on those figures actually seem cheaper, assuming that’s for 2 hours, not an hourly rate. In the US I’d say 2 hours is typically between $500 and $1000 – which translates to between 380 and 760 sterling. LA and Seattle tend to the lower end of that range, where SF and NYC to the higher.
And yes, I’ve typically encountered an extra charge when hiring a playspace rather than having one of her own. That’s usually around $70 an hour here.
Thanks for sharing that perspective.
-paltego