Economy and the hobby

[zencntr_01]

I would like to get people's views, discussion on how selection for hobbyists, demand for providers, rates during the 08-09 severe recession compare with the current environment. How does the hobby, providing differ currently vs. during the recession? Any comments welcome, providers, and hobbyists.

[Ed Highlight]

Can't wait to read the book when you're done!!

[RochBob]

This is not specific to the Years you mention. But it seems like local Economic conditions do effect the Hobby in various ways: Ladies getting into it due to job loss, Not being able to make ends meet on Minimum Wage (true for anybody, but especially single Parent Households), As this is a Leisure/Recreation activity, Guys reducing the amount of Time/Money spent on it for the same reasons. Its no surprise that the Shale Oil boom (and the resulting Economic good fortune) in Oklahoma/North Dakota have led to a marked increase in the number of Providers in/Traveling to these areas over the last few Years.

[ICU 812]

In the early 1990s, the economy was revving up. On the stock market the DOW ran up from 3k to 6K and more. Locally there was an energy boom in deregulated electrical power trading (remember Enron?) .

I recall reading the strip club forum on ASPE/RAPS where local regulars who were used to a high level of in-club extras from stunning strippers for a SW-level donation were complaining bitterly about the influx of young players with a seemingly unlimited ability to pay, driving up the cost of extras or taking the best providers out of circulation as high-end SBs.
Later in that decade, when the "Dot-Com Bubble" burst, there were again plenty of strippers who would do in-club extras for the SW donation. (I may have made these points with some exaggeration).

There is a definite boom-bust cycle to the Hobby, but the relationship of this cycle to the economy is not simple. AT root, it is always Supply vs Demand. The reasons why each side of that equation change may not be easy to find at any specific time.

The conditions found in 1998, 2008 or 2014. . .all different.

[zencntr_01]

The recent decline in oil prices may have some effect in Houston or the fracking/shale areas. Pricing may drop, but selection may drop as well if providers move on. If the economy in general suffers though, selection may increase as alternative employment decreases. But hobbyists resources or willingness to pay may also decrease if the economy suffers.

[Cpalmson]

I live in an area that is pretty immune to the national economy b/c the local economy always sucks or at least there are no good paying jobs as everything is tourist oriented in terms of jobs. This has 2 contradictory effects which tend to cancel each other out. Since, this area has a lot of tourists, girls think they can charge a higher rate. In the same light, a lot of local gals can't make ends meet due to the lack of good paying jobs, so they turn to providing. This tends to flood the market with girls who have to compete which lowers rates. It is kinda like a double edged sword. Also, it makes for a very fluid market as girls turnover rather frequently. Additionally, it creates a very interesting UTR market for girls who aren't wanting high volume and prefer to see repeat/established clients.