Can a provider's actual rate be lower (or higher) than the rate advertised?
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I am asking because a high end provider that I went to see advertised a rate of $500, but when I actually contacted her and asked about her rates, the rate I was quoted was noticeably lower than what I had seen advertised.
I honestly wasn't expecting that, so I'm curious, is this something that happens occasionally? Do providers sometimes quote a different rate when communicating with a potential client, whether because of a temporary change in rates, a slower period, a promotion, or some other reason?
How common is it for the rates you usually offer, to differ from the rate shown in your ad?
I was just surprised by the difference because I had assumed the advertised rate was what I should expect to pay, so I wanted to understand how providers generally handle situations like this.