Jakarta

Prompted by a passing comment in a recent report by Asian Rain I would like to get views on a theory I've held for some time around pricing - especially in places like BATS. I know the "how much should I pay" issue is often raised -but not as far as I can recall this specific point.

I never negotiate price up front - mainly I have to admit because I find it something of a turn off and I like proceed under the (admittedly ludicrous) illusions that the girl actually likes me!

In fact I think there is a more valid reason for not agreeing a price in advance: the cost is likely to be lower and I don't mean ripping the girl off, I mean she will jack the price up significantly if you discuss price up front. One example doesn't prove anything - but here is one.

Last week I went to BATS with my friend, we each found girls who were our respective "types" and broadly similar in standard. He agreed upfront to pay 1 juta and his "service" was in his words "a disaster". I didn't discuss price with "my girl" and she didn't raise it. At the end of my session I offered 500k (I would have paid 1 juta instantly if she'd asked for it) and she snapped my hand off not even asking for "small money" for the taxi - and I got stupendous service.

She was happy to have photos taken and didn't mind if I "advertised" her which I will do when I've uploaded some.

Any views on this issue?

[QUOTE=Bulai69]
Any views on this issue?[/QUOTE]

Old school, maybe but I pay for the girl to leave and don't want to be hassled with an argument when we're done. So when I'm at Blok M or a go go bar on Soi Cowboy, I always agree on price up front.

On the other hand, in places where I am a regular and/or in cases when I get a number from a 'friend', I usually don't discuss price. Service is usually good to great and I pay accordingly.

Bulai,

Good subject for a discussion. I have frequently avoided discussing price and like you I find 'I will do X for $Y' negotiations a little distasteful. If you are both *sure* you understand each other the 'no disussion of price' strategy can work very well.

I think it needs a few things in place to work - a girl who isn't too mercenary for a start, and a guy who can make the girl feel confident he knows what is 'fair reward' in the circumstances and she'll be 'seen right' at the end of the encounter.

I've often gone the no price discussed route in Singapore and BKK without any problems. Where I'm careful is where expectations on either side of the deal
may be mismatched - taking a Geylang SW LT for instance.

It also isn't a strategy for the inexperienced. Any P4P girl has a sixth sense for the greenhorn in her market and for some 'no price discussion' may be a route to demanding top dollar later. Those experienced in a particular market, say Block M or OT will be less of a target and more likely to spot this trick coming.

One reason I think it works, and does seem to lead to good service, is that the type of girls willing to take this route are not the most moneygrabbing and to some extent look on it slightly more as a 'date' - or at least something not too unpleasant rather than as a 'do X for $Y' transaction. We all know it's a business, but sometimes the rapport and to some extent friendship with the girls can be genuine.




[QUOTE=Bulai69]Prompted by a passing comment in a recent report by Asian Rain I would like to get views on a theory I've held for some time around pricing - especially in places like BATS. I know the "how much should I pay" issue is often raised -but not as far as I can recall this specific point.

I never negotiate price up front - mainly I have to admit because I find it something of a turn off and I like proceed under the (admittedly ludicrous) illusions that the girl actually likes me!

In fact I think there is a more valid reason for not agreeing a price in advance: the cost is likely to be lower and I don't mean ripping the girl off, I mean she will jack the price up significantly if you discuss price up front. One example doesn't prove anything - but here is one.

Last week I went to BATS with my friend, we each found girls who were our respective "types" and broadly similar in standard. He agreed upfront to pay 1 juta and his "service" was in his words "a disaster". I didn't discuss price with "my girl" and she didn't raise it. At the end of my session I offered 500k (I would have paid 1 juta instantly if she'd asked for it) and she snapped my hand off not even asking for "small money" for the taxi - and I got stupendous service.

She was happy to have photos taken and didn't mind if I "advertised" her which I will do when I've uploaded some.

Any views on this issue?[/QUOTE]

Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.

I said I posted all, but look what you can find with some effort.

Pictures fom 2007. More will follow.

Other people musthave pictures of this little gem. Please post them.

Enjoy

[QUOTE=Blair]

It also isn't a strategy for the inexperienced. Any P4P girl has a sixth sense for the greenhorn in her market [/QUOTE]

Great point!

[QUOTE=Blair]
One reason I think it works, and does seem to lead to good service, is that the type of girls willing to take this route are not the most moneygrabbing and to some extent look on it slightly more as a 'date' - or at least something not too unpleasant rather than as a 'do X for $Y' transaction. We all know it's a business, but sometimes the rapport and to some extent friendship with the girls can be genuine.[/QUOTE]

And experienced mongers also have their 'sixth sense' about non-money grabbers ;)

Hi; I am thinking to bring with me some porn DVDs. Do you know if girls like to see them? Above all will I have some problem with indonesian customs agents?
Thanks

Don't bring them in, Foxes. If they catch you. Of course, like everywhere, also here the girls like to watch porn. You easily can buy them in Glodok area, the Chinese part of Jakarta.

[QUOTE=Koperen Ko]Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.

I said I posted all, but look what you can find with some effort.

Pictures fom 2007. More will follow.

Other people musthave pictures of this little gem. Please post them.

Enjoy[/QUOTE]Sorry.

These Pictures should of course have been posted in the Photo Gallery.

Please forgive me:.)

Regards

Koperen Ko

[QUOTE=Bulai69]...I never negotiate price up front - mainly I have to admit because I find it something of a turn off and I like proceed under the (admittedly ludicrous) illusions that the girl actually likes me!...

...Any views on this issue?[/QUOTE]

I monger in all the capital cities in SE Asia and this is my approach exactly, Bulai69. China is an exception - everyone knows the prices and sticks to it, not a yuan more, not a yuan less.

For example, KTVs are 2-5-8 (RMB200 for sitting, RMB500 for ST, RMB800 for LT), etc.

A close buddy of mine has a more mercenary approach - he treats each encounter as a freebie by default. ie, he never negotiates up front AND he doesnt pay unless she brings it up.

[QUOTE=FoxesHunter]Hi; I am thinking to bring with me some porn DVDs. Do you know if girls like to see them? Above all will I have some problem with indonesian customs agents?

Thanks[/QUOTE]I'm my experience, girls who haven't seen it before can get a kick out of watching.

Case in point, last weekend in Manila I had bought a few porn dvds with me to motel where I was with a girl, and she asked me to put it on, as soon as we got there. Basically she didn't pay much attention after we got to work and the sound of fakes ooohs and aaaahs were a bit irritating, but overall it seems to work.

I usually have one or two discs with my pc bag, and have never had problem with immgration. After all, you can buy porn dvds in all south east asian countries, even if frowned on.

[QUOTE=FoxesHunter]Hi; I am thinking to bring with me some porn DVDs. Do you know if girls like to see them? Above all will I have some problem with indonesian customs agents?

Thanks[/QUOTE]No need to bring porn DVDs to Indonesia: they are plentiful and cheap (less than $1.00) at a number of locations in kota, including just outside Glodok on Jl. Hyam Wuruk (at the underpass).

Why bring a sandwich to a smorgasbord?

Bule 2004

[QUOTE=Bule2004]
Why bring a sandwich to a smorgasbord?
Bule 2004[/QUOTE]

Only because I will bring with me the best DVDs in high definition. ;)

[QUOTE=Bulai69]Worth reporting is our visit to Atrium: I think it was a Sunday evening and Monday evening around 7pm. Both occasions, unlike my last trip were hopeless. On Sunday, in over around an hour, I "found" around 6 or 7 girls/women but they were completely unacceptable bar one who was very marginal. Neither I nor my friend wanted here but I got her hp number; her main merit was that she was quite young - maybe around 20, average looking but too fat..[/QUOTE]Bulai69,

Many thanks, I share similar dry experiences in Atrium this year. Have you perhaps tried the Sarinah department store recently?

On some visits a few months back, I noticed some girls with tell-tale signs of being available and at the adjacent Macca's, walking into the restroom area, one actually followed under the pretense she wanted to improve her English language skills. Not that I'm very good at that, but she looked gorgeous and I could have made a great teacher.

At the time I was going out with this hot girlfriend and taking down miss gorgeous details could have turned a little stressful, but things looked up here and reminded me of the time the old Jakarta Hard Rock cafe was still a happening place (sigh..). Best.

I agree with your analysis especially the final paragraph. The girl in my example has emailed me a few times as well since I returned to UK - admittedly asking for "oleh2" when I return to JKT - but my guess is that the one who asked for twice and much and delivered less than half the service hasn't.

[QUOTE=Tommy Suharto]I share similar dry experiences in Atrium this year. Have you perhaps tried the Sarinah department store recently?[/quote]
I'd recommend Plaza Indonesia, opposite of Mandarin Oriental.
[quote]reminded me of the time the old Jakarta Hard Rock cafe was still a happening place (sigh..). Best.[/QUOTE]
Yes, remember those days as well...... Too bad that it's gone :(

Cheers!