[chrisbennet]

Yes, it is a much larger discount than normal. In reality it is a disguised punishment for paying late but cauched in nicer terms. The bill paying arm of a companyee prefers to effectively borrow money from people they owe for 30 days. It isn't because they can't pay promptly. The $50hr difference changes that calculus for them. I did have a client that couldn't get its act together and pay promptly and I was actually happy to get paid late - at the higher rate.

As for the rate, I'm a software developer with a skill set that, while not in high demand, is rare enough to let me charge $20 more than I was being billed out at 10 years ago (of which I would get half).

As far a losing clients based on the rate: It hasn't happened yet but if it did, that would be a good thing. A client who can't appreciate/profit from the value I bring to the table is a client I don't want. I just don't want to work for a client I can't make happy. That just doesn't do anyone any good and since my reputation is livelihood, I actually can't afford to make unhappy customers.