Why do you charge for readings? (Blog)

[Erin Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Erin Pavlina's blog:

Why do you charge for readings?

[radeldudel]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Why do you charge for readings?

Well, lets see, what would happen if you would provide your readings for free? You'd have to manage other sources of income, of course, wasting your time, so in the end you would have less time to provide readings to people.

I wonder when people will start to recognise money as an energy form, an energy form that has to flow.
Blocked energy is bad, just like blocked money is bad. Giving something without something flowing back, direct or indirect, is bad.

Love you,
Sam

[KeithHandy]

Originally Posted by radeldudel

I wonder when people will start to recognise money as an energy form, an energy form that has to flow.

You say this as if "people" is one person.

[dreamscape]

I get a kick out of skeptics that think psychics are frauds because they charge... I guess doctors, dentists, etc... are all frauds to because they charge people for helping them too.

All psychics should work for free and live in a cardboard box behind Walmart.

[Lola]

Originally Posted by dreamscape

All psychics should work for free and live in a cardboard box behind Walmart.

You're much more gracious, Erin, than I would probably be in your shoes. My response to such a question would likely be along the lines of, "Gee, Dr. Smith / Attorney Jones / Police Officer Franklin (insert profession of your choice here), I'll provide my expertise for free when you do."

Thanks for all you do.

[KeithHandy]

Incidentally this is the first I was made aware of a package for learning to improve our own psychic abilities, and I'm very interested in it.

I feel that as a musician/artist who gets very into what I do, and who is very passionate about it, that I already am doing some form of channeling, but it's like an unlicensed and inexperienced driver; they may know how to start the car, and make it go left, right, and straight forward, but meanwhile they're constantly crashing into things and running over things because they haven't really mastered it.

[Mr.Mustache]

I thought the question was absurd. Spending all of your time giving free readings would be pushing altruism to the point of stupidity. You can't help anyone when you're broke.

I don't mean to be rude but the price seems a little steep. Nearly two hundred bucks for just a half an hour seems a bit much. Although I've never had a reading so I don't know how satisfactory it is, it could be worth that much, I don't know.

[kgiuliani]

I'm interested in the package too! Can't wait to find out more!

My guides are always around - I just don't always take the time to listen to them (they're all nodding their heads now!). And their advice is really exactly what I need to hear - and comes through in a much more detached form than my own.

And as for the prices for readings - I don't think they're too expensive. Your time is valuable and supply and demand has made the price what it is. I appreciated the reading you gave me last year although you didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know deep down inside myself.

If you need a test subject for any of your materials, I'm raising my hand!

Kathy

[alexstrandberg]

how many people can a person help when they are poor themselves?

[KeithHandy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mustache

I don't mean to be rude but the price seems a little steep. Nearly two hundred bucks for just a half an hour seems a bit much.

It can be prohibitively steep for those of us that are scraping. I had a positive experience, but I wished I'd had more specific questions prepared. Keep in mind, she's not the only psychic in the world. Some very famous psychics charge substantially more than her, whereas there may be some perfectly capable psychics in your local area that charge substantially less. But how would you know which ones are most "tuned in"? I guess you'd have to listen to your own intuition there.

[Rosie]

As a student, Erin's readings do seem a bit costly. Some psychics only charge 60 dollars for a half hour reading, but their readings are generally not as good. I've gone to a "cheap" psychic, and I was very dissapointed. Well known actors inevitably make more money than less known ones, and I think it's the same with psychics. I'm asking for money this christmas so I can get a reading done with Erin. I think it'll be more than worth it

[Mags]

Let's take a look at the question again, but replacing psychic abilities with another God-given talent, painting... (sorry couldn't get the bold to disappear after the cut and paste):

It seems that a lot of people wanting paintings are at a point when they really need beauty in their lives. We don’t all have this gift and indeed can not ‘grow’ this gift. It is the most sacred gift one can have. Wouldn’t it be more in line with a life purpose to grant this gift free, and make your money from ads and donations on your site like your husband does?
I’m not saying you don’t deserve to make money from your gift at all. I am saying that your gift is God given and would be lovely to be enjoyed and used by as many people as possible.

While there's certainly often a belief that artists can't earn much money, we certainly don't expect them to give away their talent for free

Erin provides value and is a professional. Her prices may seem steep to some, but they are not at that level because of greed - rather the complete opposite... For example, setting a price to manage supply and demand allows Erin to manage her time and hence give her full energy and attention to those for whom she reads. She is not distracted by the need to find alternative income sources, nor is she distracted by "non-serious" clients who want a freebie to test her abilities, or for fun, or because they have to run every decision by a psychic before they can act. Instead, Erin's prices ensure a meeting between a quality psychic and a serious client - that synergy results in a good outcome for all.

Sure, there are cheaper psychics out there. Some may even be as good or even better than Erin. But, as Erin pointed out, she is very open on her blog about her process and her abilities. I would rather invest money in getting a reading with someone I trust rather than potentially waste $60 and be disappointed (and then have to spend another $60 with someone else and another $60 with someone else...).

[Spirittap]

I paid only $40 for a reading and it turned out great.

I see no problem with Erin charging what she does. It's not up to me to judge what she should charge. She has her reasons for charging what she does.

[KeithHandy]

Originally Posted by Spirittap

I paid only $40 for a reading and it turned out great.

I know many people close to me who would shriek if I "threw away" even just $40 on a psychic. I'm certainly not telling them about Erin.

[Lola]

I asked Santa for an Erin reading for the new year.

(He said I've been a very good girl so it looks promising!)