Session Rates going down

I noticed about 3 Dominatrices in the Seattle area have lowered their advertised rates. I noticed one that was previously firm about $ 500 in the past, is now $ 450 and advertises that that she offers special lower rates occasionally.

Is the Dominatrix business slowing down due to the high cost or is this a first sign the economy is slowing down and we’re entering a recession?

It has always been something that ebbs and flows, for various reasons.

Jeeze, I hope not. I raised my rate to 350€ last year after almost 20 years of being $300/300€. 350€ adjusted for USD, and inflation since 2000 is $207. This is a seven-buck raise since I was a novice domme in LA in 1998. I'm still the highest in my area but have the most experience and advanced dungeon.

Of course, it's supply and demand in an area. Mainstreaming BDSM means more women are interested in doing it. The upside is you can probably more easily find a lifestyle partner. If you are interested in a bratty-girl type domme (nothing wrong with that), you will have more options to have her dominate you at your hotel or in her living room. If you seek a dungeon and specific outfit experience, that will probably keep being expensive. Investing in gear and outfits is still cost-prohibitive.

There will most likely be a fracturing of domination types. I hope we can do it gracefully without turning on each other.

I think that fracturing has already occurred. I think the person encountering BDSM today would most likely do so on social media, where the brat style and findom reign. The traditional domination experience -- leather, a real dungeon -- seems like a niche experience, increasingly. And FWIW, your rates are incredibly reasonable for what you offer.

Domina M - I think you are dead on with “fracturing of domination types”. I’ve noticed that over the years. 20 years ago when I started sessioning most Domme ads were similar. Sure they had some different focus areas, specialties but for the most part were similar. Now I think the world has already split a bit. I see wrestler focused, findom focused, classic focused, Video/online only, more new school, etc and to your point a lot of “bratty girl type”. I suspect this will continue. Whether that’s good or bad is subjective I suppose

On a side note, fwiw in my experience I seem to see rates going up more than down lately but I have expensive tastes ????

Domina M,

Your hourly rate of 350€ ($375) is frankly extremely reasonable for someone of your reputation and experience. No doubt back in the USA you could rightly command more, of which I am sure you are well aware.

You mentioned that your fee is the highest around, which is surprising to me as I would think that a cosmopolitan city like Paris would have a thriving professional BDSM scene with high demand for a Domme like yourself. Are rates in Paris typical of rates throughout western Europe ? If so, any thoughts as to why that is the case ?

Unlikely. There was a time there was a stronger correlation between price and value. After Covid there was a big increase of supply and a uniformization of prices. I do not expect any significant changes until we get a recession. When it happens I still don't think it will change as much prices as who remains in the business.

I think that those seeing you in the past or present were lucky and had a very good deal. I think you are one of the most interesting persons on this site and if I were to visit Paris you are the first I would like to meet.

You put it better than I did. Yes, I think we are all much more "niche" than we were 20 years ago. I don't see any reason for that to be a bad thing. Many aspects of FemDom aren't for me--you mentioned wrestling and findom, which are fine, but just not me. I am pretty comfortable with the phrase, "That is not an experience I provide," responding to requests that don't feel good. Being all things to all people would be exhausting.

Nothing wrong with expensive taste if it corresponds with quality.

One can have a quality life for much less money in Paris than in New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. I also make a lot of personal sacrifices because I take pride in the level of experience I provide. (Also, it stokes my ego to be the only one at my level in a city as famous as Paris.)

There isn't a "culture" of BDSM as I found in other places. There are some legal and historical reasons for that. I see it changing, but to be honest, I have a wait-and-see attitude to many people flaunting the law. I still remember why I left NYC in 2009.

People cannot legally train another domina (trafficking/pimping) or rent a dungeon to a pro (again trafficking/pimping), so most domina's are not well trained and don't invest in a dungeon. Few people are exposed to the dungeon experience.

My dungeon door is open and welcoming you.

I agree. We are going to have more sub-genres of FemDom. I try to separate my experience without sounding too snooty. Hah!

What you describe seems very different than my perception of conditions in other European countries (Germany, The Netherlands etc come to mind). If that a fair statement?

All completely different countries and cultures.

Fwiw you definitely seem like the opposite of snooty. I’m sure you are Uber down to earth in real life and in session. I would love to meet you which would mean sessioning with you which would mean travelling solo in Paris which is doubtful. My loss.

Domina M,

Thank you for the courtesy of replying to my question. I am surprised that the city that gave us DeSade would have such a conservative attitude toward ProDommes.

I do remember 2009, it was a very scary and difficult time for some folks, glad that none of that blew back on you. You certainly chose a beautiful city to relocate, and no surprise that are at the top of the ProDomme Paris scene. I expect it would be that way no matter how glorius the BDSM scene was in Paris.

I've been doing a little more research and the lower session fees are more widespread than I initially believed. It's seem to be just in the Seattle area the session rates have have drastically come down. It's defiantly a buyer market.

It isn't a case of new inexperienced Dommes charging less. It's the exact opposite. It's the most experienced Dommes who have being practicing in Seattle for over 10 years, who have fully equipped locations, that are offering the cheapest rates. It's the less experienced newer Dommes that are charging the most.

I made a list of the the current session fees, starting with the cheapest. Asterisks indicate how long they've been a Pro Domme.

* = 10 years Experience
** = 20 years Experience
*** = 30 years Experience

Mistress Bridgette $200 ***
--------------------------------
Mistress Katherine $ 300 **
Mistress Elie Quie $ 300
Angela Vixen $ 300
Domina Jane $ 300
Fairy Queen Kiki $ 300
Katrina Khan $ 300 ** (for two hours)
------------------------------
Victoria Rage $ 320
Domina Victoria $ 320
--------------------------
Amy Springfield $ 340
Miss Jenn Davis $ 350 *+
Katherine Control $ 390
---------------------------
Ruby Enraylls $ 400
Domina Leiah $ 400
Goddess Jordyn $ 400
Goddess GG Flowers $ 400
Dea Starbabe $ 450
Anais $ 500
--------------------------------
In Summary:
1 Dom at $ 200
6 Doms at $ 300
2 Doms at $ 320
1 Dom at $ 340
1 Dom at $ 350

So that 11 Dommes charging $350 or less

$400/hr to see a 20 y o trollop that doesn't know which end of a riding crop to hold .... sign me up ! ! what could possibly go wrong?

It looks like you have some fantastic deals for top-notch dominas there. Good news!

I see people raising not lowering. But some people may lower for personal reasons. Maybe they're in a tough market. Too much competition. Not getting business. Or something else.

It's really like any other business. People in different industries have a standard range for rates. This varies depending on skill, reputation, dungeon/studio/office/amenities, locale, demand, etc.

What I think explains some of this is how our culture has changed due to the immediacy the internet offers.

When you're talking about sex, and sexual fulfillment, it's actually something that I would most people have very short attention spans for: You get aroused, it builds, you want (sometimes immediate) release, and when you get it you're done. The internet is fantastic for this. Sit down, type in whatever, watch the clip, jack off, get up and go get some Cheetos.

Seeing a Domme in a dungeon is niche because it requires planning, even just going to a house. Those of us who don't offer drop-in? Even more niche. To want to schedule your "release" 2, 7, 14, 30 or more days in advance requires a particular type: a lifestyle person who is always ready to indulge in their fetish fantasy. This is why those of us who can make a full-time living as an independent are total Goddesses. You either have to be really good or you have to live in a place where you corner the market.

Did I mention we're considered a luxury service? This is not meant to be cheap.

So, session rates? Stop complaining and pay them. Bring a bottle of wine or some other nice thing for your Goddess while you're at it.

Like I said, I think the internet has changed many aspects of culture, including the way people get their kinky needs met. When it's easier to buy an outfit and flogger, take photos of yourself with your cell phone, open a free FetLife account, copy what others are saying and doing, and call yourself a "pro Domme", it means that there will be more confusion about what one actually is.

Based on the feedback I've received from clients over the years, one thing I've heard from multiple people is about their experiences in quality. Some people have told me that they thought they were having good experiences but learned they weren't very good at all. They started with one of those people on FetLife and believed that was what a pro Domme was like.

So, I think this correlation between price and value has been distorted because of the way people are being introduced to "professional" kink. They see the proliferation of "pro" "Dommes" online and, without knowing how to "shop", they think that's a normal representation.

I'll be snooty for both of us, then! We have good reason to be!

*puts scientist hat on*

Your list is biased and therefore doesn't show people an accurate picture of rates. It will not pass peer review.

One, you seemed to focus on one area. Seattle might have a reason for doing what it's doing. Or the Dommes you chose to include or not include.

Two, there are many Dommes who don't post their tributes. Some are new and some have been doing it for a long time. This can be because the law prohibits it.

Three, I assume Dommes have some variance in what they might offer in their tributes, increasing it if certain things are requested. In other words the $320/hr you see might actually not include your fetish or some outfit or something.

There is a general national rate. It's about $400/hr. It goes up and down based on various factors. Location and its standard of living; skills and if any of them are specialized, complicated, or dangerous; experience; reputation; dungeon; etc.

My idea about tribute is that Dommes who started before the current rate may not raise their tribute as it increases and it's why they seem "cheaper". Newer Dommes, some of whom are the FetLife/Twitter/I-saw-this-on-Netflix people, hear the national rate is X and start their tributes at that, even when they really shouldn't. A new Domme with little to no experience, no established reputation, who's running sessions out of a hotel room shouldn't be charging the same as a 20-year, well-known professional with an amazing Dungeon. But that's how capitalism works.

I started doing sessions again and they are at best average. Rates have gone way up but expereince way down. I have done a couple 90 minute sessions. I paid for phone consultation each time and each said they knew exactly what I was seeking and that it would be no problem. I thought going to a private Domme and paying the higher fee instead of a commercial dungeon tipping was optional? And by going to a private Domme one could experience more private intense play that you could not expereience at commercial dungeon. I did not know having a Domme wear leather was extra up charge. Or when she tells you she got her nails done espicially for me and would I like to pay for them getting done. But the biggest turn off was the arlarm on their phone going off when the session was over.

Now I know why so many Domme travel to cities these days. The repeat customer is not coming back.

It is really a shame.

I disagree with your assessment and general statement of the professional scene. If researched and sought out, you will find great dommes that deliver great experiences. Without knowing your process and protocols for selection and contacting a domme, I can not say this is the case. I can only speak for myself. And also being committed to one (instead of hopping around) leads to cultivation and better experiences over time. I with you the best on your journey.

Celeste

Good to hear. I do my research and I am very selective with who I session with. In fact with both ladies we did have a wonderful phone conversation but it did not match up with the r/t session. I ahve sessioned for beter than 15 years. I can assure you it is not the same.

Hi Painslut,

OK, I understand. We may need to take this convo private. I see you are in So Cal, and I am in Northeast (NYC). Maybe there is a geographic difference in play here?

Celeste

I think what has happened is that our culture has shifted by the addition of the internet. It makes it easy to put up your shingle and call yourself a Domme. This means the "professional" pool is diluted with a lot of people who really have no idea what they're doing or what professionalism means. I think many of them think it just means you get paid. That's it: getting paid to do something = you are a professional.

But there are some of us who do understand this and provide above average sessions. You just have to thoroughly research who interests you.

Again, however nearly pointless acrimony appears to be the "spirit of the age".

po

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