If the lady doesn't want her picture shown, DON'T SHOW A PICTURE!!! Many agencies across the country offer available ladies who do not wish to have their picture displayed on the website. The simple solution? Post a description without a picture. I've never heard of an agency admitting that they use "replica" photos. You write, "we are taking this oppurtunity to air out the reality of "agencies"." This may be a local reality. In the rest of the hobby world the reality is that when agencies or independents get caught doing this, it's called "bait and switch." If you choose to post a "replica" photo,  and you are serious about providing the "best customer service," then the photos should be clearly labeled as "replicas" or you should volunteer this information to potential customers when they contact you.  

I'm not a member of your community. I don't dislike agencies but I know BS when I read it!

thirsty

-- Modified on 2/4/2004 11:27:54 AM

There are ways to disguise and nicely blur a face, hair in front of face...not show it etc....This is done by about half the women In this profession anyway.  I think if you were to do this it would be better for your business.  Stock pics seem very manipulative and hobbiest are very sensitive to false pics as much as false reviews.  Do real pics and edit, blur, leave face out etc....but be real and be honest and your business will prosper in the long haul.  Just my opinion and not trying to be mean..just advice from someone who has been in the profession and learned alot.

Raven

ps...an example of still being discreet and not known

I actually appreciate your polite and composed responses to the board. You seem to know your audience and are trying hard. I think that following the suggestions regarding labeling of the photos is the only way to restore credibility to your operation. After doing that, be sure to schedule a provider that has the same appeal as the woman in the "stock" photo. When you have a photo of a young hard body, and you schedule a woman whose only similarity is that she has blond hair, you set yourself up for dissatisfaction with your client base. That very same blond could build a solid return customer base if she advertised "a relaxed pampering session with an experienced mature woman of elegance". Then she would draw the folks who look for that type of service and would not dissappoint those just looking for a hot young body.
If you do not have anyone available at the time that resembles the woman advertised, state that she is not available but "so and so" is, and give an accurate description of her qualities. If they don't book an appointment, at least maybe they'll try again another time, instead of booking with someone that will upset them enough that they not only don't return, but they post negatives about your operation on here.

I've been watching these threads with some amusement. In any other area on TER, you would be berated for your B&S tactics and more than likely not have any TER customers for very long. As I have said previously, ATL is very lenient on this practice, your lucky.

I took a lovely young indie to task on this same issue and her white knights came to her defense everytime. I have shared a few emails with her since, and she does seem genuinely nice. But I still stand by my opinion that anyone that uses pictures of someone other than the actual woman that shows up, is guilty of bait and switch!

And as Lady Raven said so well .."...but be real and be honest and your business will prosper in the long haul."

Honesty. That's the answer!

You have photos that are dozens of pounds off or off beauty wise by a gazillion miles. No photos are better than bogus photos. you are not the first agency to try and pull the wool over our eyes. Get a grip. Want to stay in business or flake out like the rest of them ? Set expectations correctly. There is no romm for stock photos. Might as well use cartoon characters. I also know that you have fewer ladies than there are photos, which is another bad way to run a business...

What if you ordered something online...let's just assume it is a book for conversation's sake. On the website, it looks like the latest Stephen King novel. But when it arrives, it is the latest book from Don King. Not that the book would be all bad, but it just wasn't what you were looking for.

That's the position you put us hobbyists in. We are looking for the thin, young blond in the ad and we get someone about 50# heavier. Sorry, but that type of "false advertising" would really piss me off and I think it would piss you off too.

If there is no picture but the description is accurate and everything is correct, it is my fault. If the picture and/or accompanying information is not true, then I am likely to refuse service.

I wish you the best of luck, safety, and business success but there must be a sense of fairness between both parties or you simply won't survive.

The whole community comes out and says "just be honest and don't post fake pictures", that seems reasonable.  So their solution is to "take it under advisement".

Me thinks the only reason you leave the fake pictures up after being called out is you could never charge the same rate with the real pictures.

Me also thinks if the girls looked anything like the stock photos on the site they'd be very proud to display it in any way possible.

You are right about the "choice" part of your post.  I've already made mine.

I know this group has already given you a "couple dollars worth" of their 2 cents, but here's mine, added for your consideration ...

It seems the general opinion is one of "misleading advertising". You might understand if you saw a new car advertised - call it a Chevy Malibu, but the ad shows a picture of a Corvette. If you really wanted the sports car design, then you've been setup for a great disappointment. We tend to label that as a "bait and switch" scenario. Your usage of pictures other than the actual person is very, very similar.

It seems the idea of a picture in the first place is to (1) give us some idea what the lady looks like - body style, hair, etc., and (2) to get our attention. We hope it is not to mislead us.

And, in this age of very easy "digital manipulation", blurring a picture's facial area is such an easy chore. Or, taking the picture with the lady's head turned is another way of addressing the lady's need for privacy.

Anyway, myself, I would find it very hard to trust your agency knowing you do use these type of "misleading" pictures.

Just my opinion. Use it as you see fit.