Richards wrote:
So why are the hotel rates and Chica rates going up or still asking cien. I just don't get it. Is it not a buyers market in Costa Rica?
I have heard that prices have come down. But you have to incorporate this into your interview process. Before you talk price, while you are chatting up the girl, you have to be subtle and bring up the world economic situation.
"Wow, when I was here last year, there were three times as many foreigners in this bar. I know the American economy is keeping guys away, but I don't even see any rich Chinese or Japanese or Russian on this trip. Those guys used to have LOTS of money."
"Oh, you like Obama, TOO? He's great. I just hope he can improve the economy in the states by 2010. If the recession doesn't end, his party is going to suffer in the elections."
(Pointing to some scowling news broadcaster on the TV monitor or to a copy of a newspaper or magazine. (This doesn't work if it is in Spanish) "Wow, did you see that? XYZ company just had a big lay-off." or "The World Bank/United Nations/International Monetary Fund says that investments are off 43% in Central America."
"I am on a business trip to start a xxxx business here in San Jose, but now we can't get matching loans from (pick a big bank they have heard off). We may have to delay construction for 6 months...geeez....."
"How is the economy in your country? It can't be worse than mine....They are cutting back in my company. My company was supposed to send 20 reps to this conference, but we could only afford 3....AND we might not come back for the next one in three months."
Even these chicas are exposed to some of the gloom and doom economic news through radio/TV/newspapers. And the imported ones who have been there a while are hearing from their families back in Colombia, Nicaragua, etc. In fact, you will probably run into a new wave a fresh chicas who have taken to this profession in the wake of the global slow down.
Bring this up, casually. Ask them how it has affected them, first, be very sympathetic and ask for details. Furrow your brow and nod as they begin to talk about it. Wait for them to get emotional about it and be "super simpatico". "Feel their pain", and ask them how it has affected their customer base. "I guess there aren't as many clients coming here to HDR/BM/SL as there used to be, huh?" At that point, share how it has affected you, too.
Don't do it in a way that makes them realize how much richer than them you are. Don't talk dollar figures. "I had to take 15% pay cut." "My company laid off my best friend last week." "I had to take a job with no medical benefits. My mother got cancer and the surgery was very expensive. You know we gringos don't have free medical care or an Instituto Nacional de Seguridad (INS) like you Ticos do....."
At that point, sigh heavily. "But I figured...you only live once. I could lose my job in a few months, so I figured, why not take this last trip down here and have whatever fun I could afford?"
At that point, you have gotten her to admint that the pickings are slimmer than they used to be, you are NOT a candidate for a RFM, and there is no way you will be able to pay CIEN.