I'm sincerely NOT trying to simply be proven right here, but I've been telling all of you for some time now that increases in fees would happen. Whether you like it or not. Especially considering the higher fees everyone ELSE in the country have been paying for quite a few years now.
And, now you are seeing it. What, did you think DC was immune? Pleeez... We've traditionally had the best scene in the Nation. You don't think you're going to PAY for that?
As I've said numerous times before, we've been paying the same rates for over 20 years now. TWENTY. There is no where else in the WORLD that happens. Remember the grand times and consider yourself lucky.
I haven't mongered in DC for some time now so, in your anger, don't try to attribute the rise in prices to me. I've always held the line, even though I knew it was futile. AND, I tried to tell the board it was futile and to explain why. Few listened...or agreed. Well, now you are seeing it. No harm meant to any particular members but STFU. You need to be prepared to pay to play, or go the hell home. Again, no harm meant but it's as simple as that. I'm not made of money either but I DO understand simple economics. And as much as some on this board may complain about said economics, it doesn't CHANGE them, simply, and mainly, for the reason that, you are unable to CONTROL them. You want it? You pay. Or, you go home empty (or should I say full) handed. It's as simple as that. While we may have some very limited control over this, people who want the service will pay the price. We do not control this...THEY do. The sooner you understand that fact, the less disgruntled you'll be. Life's too short to be pissed and stressed over $20. Especially when the choice is on you to partake of the service and spend it or not.
Hard economic times are the best time to do this, from their perspective. There are fewer of them due to numerous factors (less business, less competition due to increased 'outside' pressure, etc). The clientele has shrunk somewhat due to the economy, however, they're still there, and there's fewer providers in business. Other localities are charging more and they have similar challenges. If you raise your rates, yes, you'll loose SOME clientele in the short term, however, you'll set a new standard for the area. And, as long as the price is on par with other areas and the service stays up to par, they'll come. And you KNOW they will...
Even the independents have increased their rates. Take a look around. Really. Show me one less than $$(minimum)-$$.5 and I'm telling you, she won't even come nowhere close to meeting most spa quality providers...she's probably a skank...fat, worn out, unattractive, or so trifling and unprofessional, you wouldn't want to deal with her. Not all...but most.
However, there are other, more inexpensive alternatives, should you decide the bar is set too high for your usual entertainment...note the fat, worn out unattractive, trifling, unprofessional skank mentioned above.
Buck up and suck it up...if you want to play the game.