I'm relatively new to the hobby and am just beginning to post reviews. It is very clear that a subtle blackmail goes on--if a hobbyist posts a negative review (and I don't mean nasty or meanspirited, just honestly stating some negative aspects of a date) the provider in question (and her girlfriends) will not want to see him again, may say bad--even untrue, invented--things about him, etc.  A provider told me she knew a provider who "got even" with a hobbyist for putting in a review that she was over an hour late, even though that was true. On the other hand, a rave review may net more favors from the provider who has been given the great review (and maybe even from her girlfriends).  I try to be fair and honest but I probably would think twice about posting a really negative review.  So I take all reviews with a grain of salt--anything lower than highly recommend is dubious.  It's like grade inflation in our education system.