Hi Girls
why is it that trannys haveto pay threw the nose for sevices like transform , cissy , beomont socity chat lines. IS IT NOT ENOUGH WHAT A TRANSEXUAL GOES THREW WITHOUT BEING SCREWED FOR MORE. If seems to me that people think that we are sick not that we have no control over our feelings.
Hugs MANDY XXX

As Joni says, It's market forces sweetheart,

Good news - as society becomes ever more accepting of those that deviate from the 'norm', more and more poeple feel able to come out and more demand is created.
I've been looking for heels, size 11. Almost all U.K. shops that advertised that size on the net have sold out on most if not all styles. I bought a pair off *bay finally (come ON Mr postman!)

There must be others like me, I'm thinking, that are having trouble finding clothing that fits (I'm tall, with big feet). A definite 'hole' in the market that somebody with a bit more 'get up and go' than me will doubtless exploit.

Some of the prices you see for whatever services you need are just plain silly. These shops/sites are way behind the times. Whilst using the internet to peddle their wares, their mindset is stuck in the pre-internet era.

A long time ago, BC (before computers), what we do, what we are was thought to be so shameful that many girls that DID have the courage to seek advice/clothing etc were forced to pay whatever price was demanded by the 'enlightened' supplier - via mail order usually.

You and I are fortunate enough to live in the age of the internet! If you don't like a price, don't pay it - and tell them why! They have something that they need to sell in order to make a living. Nowadays their need to sell is greater than your need to buy.

We now have alternatives. Use that to your advantage.

Nicky
XX

I could understand some gals using a place like that if a big event was coming up like Sparkle or the SCC here in the states. I'm not going to knock anyone who would like to have that special evening and price is not an issue. It is a rare day for me to do more than lipstick and eyeshadow when I head out and those are usually neutral tones. If we go to a club for the evening I usually add foundation, powder and a brighter lipstick. If I get a ma'am, great. If I get a sir, life goes on because I have stopped worrying about that stuff.

As for shopping, I shop at normal stores like Walmart, Sears, Macy's and Penney's. I would never buy anything online from a place that uses crossdresser in the description unless you understand you are paying twice the price for something you can find in women's wear for so much less. Those places are trying to sell to gals with "FOOL" stamped on their foreheads.

As for "Feelings", it is a nice touchy feely word that sounds so good and if we could all just get along then the world would be such a better place. But in the real world sadly there are plenty of people who can care less about your feelings and are willing to walk all over you. We all have feelings, we just can't drop our guard and be stupid about reality. Here in the U.S. we refer to GG's that function outside of reality as "bimbo's". Fortunately not all women are bimbo's.

Love,
Marsha

Rae,
You can do one of two things I do. With Internet Explorer you have the option to open a "New Window" under the "File" menu. That will give you a duplicate window that you can leave on the main thread.

The other way is to use a program like MS Word and type your response while you have the TW forum window open to refer to. Then click on reply and just copy and paste your reply.

Hope that helps,
Marsha

Well, I don't mean to sound cold hearted about this but........don't pay. I have never needed the services of anything more than a good friend to get me through any problems that have arisen over the years.

I know we are all different on how we deal with it but seriously, if you aren't happy with the situation, ask around in here and see what the alternatives are. It's just a thought.

Nikki

Ugh. Who says we NEED to pay for any of those services? Why would any TS feel the need to shop at Transform, or “Cissy”, whoever they are?
Any TV who is into any sort of "specialist" stuff can probably find it cheaper on ebay.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”, and likewise, no-one can screw you over for tranny tat unless you really want them to. Shop for clothes, shoes, make-up at Etam, Woolworths, Oxfam… wherever, you’ll get better quality than Transbloodyform.
As for Beaumont chat lines, I’ve never used them, but there are thousands of places to chat for free or find info on the net.
You don’t need any of those “services”.
xx

Hi Mandy-

I understand what you're saying, but Nikki and Lucy are right, there's no need to pay a premium for services that are obtainable in other ways. It's all market forces. I don't mean to sound negative in any way, really I don't, but some girls who are not at that point in their journey where they wish to come out in any way at all, are willing to pay more, often a lot more, for "services" that can be gotten in other ways. If there's a need and money to be made then someone will fill it. I have no problem personally with places that offer clothing and chances for makeovers and going out and so on for t-girls even if the prices seem exorbitant. If someone has the money and wishes to use them, it's up to them. Personally, I just use what's out there and available for any real girl to use. But I do get the meaning of your post, hon.

Hugs...Joni Marie

Businesses that serve the closeted or semi-closeted TG community (the vast majority) have a limited number of clients. When you are completely in the closet, even going to a TG shop can be a terrifying and traumatic experience. This cuts into the profit margin for the business, requiring a necessary increase in costs to make the business, not only break even, but provide a living income for the investor/owner and any staff. Some are full-time endeavors and involve evening and weekend hours as well. How much is a makeover involving only makeup at a a gg salon? A business judges it's profit on the profit per square foot of floor space. If they have to carry a wide variety of sizes and some items don't move, that decreases the profit per sq ft and the price has to be increased to cover this. A supermarket runs on a 2-3% profit margin (or did in the 70's). I have seen online TG service businesses that charge more than shops for items BEFORE they add on Shipping and Handling, despite having lower costs than a store-front business. Yes, WALMART and TARGET are cheaper. However, I equate a TG store to a computer store. You are paying extra. You are paying it for the knowledge and expertise of the service personnel inside. These are often people with extensive experience with the TG community. They know how to make you look good. You can learn the same thing the hard way, by buying lots of books and magazines and reading them carefully....but that is not easy or even desirable for much of the TG community. They prefer to pay. So the question is what do YOU get from store-front TG service businesses? Is it worth it? Apparently it is to some. I saved a fortune and avoided wasted time shopping for shoes by finding my size buying shoes in such a store. I was far from ready, then, to go into a generic store to buy women's shoes in my size (unknown) and try them on for fit. I felt I always got my money's worth there and even spent more than I would have to support the business, despite being short on cash. Certainly, I do far better now shopping KOHL'S or OLD NAVY or PAYLESS SHOE SOURCE. or The 99 CENTS STORE. When I was still totally in the closet, however, I cried over having such a store available. Even the personal interactions with the owners was far warmer than it would have been in a generic store. Had it not closed, my first public, en femme, socializations would have undoubtably been through their weekend outings. Pre-internet, they woud have been my ONLY path to where I am today. I condemn those who charge outrageously, but not those who take a fair profit to stay in business. I still miss the feeling of comfort and acceptance that I found there....before it went out of business. Judge all that you are getting for what you pay. This will be more or less for each individual.

Hey!

One problem I have with these forums is that when you reply to the post/thread you no longer have the facility to review all the posts made as you type. With a memory like mine thats a real handicap. [I know other forums don't have that problem, assume its a software issue]

Wendy, I understand what you're saying. If you're firmly in the closet and shy, then a company offering you confidentiality - at a price - is offering a service at a premium you're prepared to take, albeit through necessity.

The original post, I think, probably alluded to the fact that, if you're transgendered or tv/cd you're paying through the nose for items. I presume that means through the rather 'cheap' sex industry outlets. Those type of outlets - and I'll include the likes of Transformation in the Uk amongst them, generally have a mark-up in the region of 300% [not a typo]. They really do overcharge. [I've been involved in that industry in years gone by].

Where possible it makes sense to buy from the high street. And these days its even easier. If needs be go to a town away from where you live. Female shops are used to selling to guys buying a present for the other half. [But, to be frank, they're as used to guys buying female clothing for themselves and are generally helpful].

And, of course, there's the plethora of normal online stores.

Just my thoughts.

Much love

rae xx

Hey Marsha!

Thank-you so much for the tip - it will be a great help [and now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of it!]

Much love

Rae xx