Just read another terrible review on Brittney, which is consistent with the other 10 or more.  Is it because we don't read the other reviews first, or because we think that it might be different with us?

I was wondering the exact same thing.

I always liked this response from last spring that MrBlueEyes posted, I'll paraphrase it slightly:

"but sometimes bad reviews create this magnetic irritation/attraction. how many people get addicted to trying set up an appointment with kasha for instance. we get hooked on the anticipation, the chase, resolving the irritation and it makes our life all the more lame.  it makes us all the more likely to do something we'll regret--like set up an appointment with someone who does poor business. it creates a false sense of scarcity and like little boys, we must get ahold of what we can't have."

There's a provider on eros (Traci) that is a well established complete ripoff, yet I still catch myself salivating about her ad and have to remind myself how certain I am to be out 3 clams and frustrated.

Good point.  It must be some form of psychic self-abuse or an ego trip where we believe we can make it different (i.e. we are charming enough to make them give a shit).  It just makes no sense, when you look at the fair number of well-rated and the few very well-rated providers in this area.  But, I guess many of us are the type that like to push the envelope, so to speak, and are not going for predictable and comfortable all the time.

If you've ever taken any advanced psychology classes, there's a pretty well known phenomena at work.  Every person has their own unique need for both certainty and uncertainty in their lives.  For some people, waking up to a clean slate in the morning is mayhem, and they need more certainty, more structure.  For others, waking up and going to the same 9-5 job every day would be dreadful.

I think people who are comfortable with, or even prefer uncertainty are more prone to fall into the trap of seeing a marginal provider who strikes their fancy.