For me the rate is important but not the first thing I look for. Many charge the same but everyone has different equipment and skills. Personally I view someone expensive if they are new and only have photos of themselves holding a whip or in lingerie. How do I know if that whip is going to hit me in the wrong area? It’s happened in the past.

Now if another dominatrix has the same rate, great skills, and a good play space then I am more comfortable sessioning with that person. They have photos of their play space and a few photos during a session. The mystery of that person has disappeared and I am more comfortable to schedule and session.

As AspX said buying high quality gear and some toys from amazon are two different animals. You will get two different experiences.

I see many being a mystery and that mystery makes me not want to session.