Some of you may recognize me as one who has posted on this board from time to time over the past few months.  A few weeks ago, I made a big mistake that caused me and a provider to be banned from TER.  I wanted to share the details of my mistake with you in hopes that none of you make the same mistake.

Background:

I am a married man with grown children who through some good investments and better luck was able to retire at an earlier than normal age.  I wrote my two initial reviews to get VIP access and was so impressed I became a paying member when my initial month ran out.  

The provider is a newly divorced 35 year old woman who supports two children.  She has only been in the industry since August, yet had three pages of reviews, the vast majority of which are from long term TER members with dozens of reviews each.  Almost all of her reviews were 9/9.  I am not related to the provider nor am I in any type of relationship with her other than professional.

My Mistake:

TER has a very successful business model.  The strength of this business model is also the potential weakness of it.  It relies on the testimonies of hobbyists like me and each of you to make it work.  There is an inherent level of trust that is required from both sides.  

As one of the discussion threads below stated, every computer has an individual IP address that is like the computer finger print.  With a computer program as sophisticated as the TER program is, it is relatively easy to generate an "exception control" program that would identify multiple TER members logging in from the same computer IP address.  This would usually mean a provider was attempting to generate a phantom review under a different name.  TER must be very aggressive in identifying and eliminating this type of activity in order to keep its business model as intended.

Before becoming a member, I attempted to read everything possible in the TER manuals along with many pages of the discussion boards.  I was very aware of the rules regarding phantom reviews, shilling, flaming another provider, etc.  In all my readings I did not recognize a warning about signing into your TER account on a computer used by another TER member.  In the United States, ignorance of the law (in this case rules) has never been a defense for breaking the law (rules) so I am guilty.

After about four meetings with the provider in question, I asked her what she thought about a very highly complimentary review she had received.  She told me she did not have access to the VIP section of her review page.  I volunteered to sign in on her laptop computer under my VIP name and let her read her reviews.  We did this on more than one occasion.  Never was there any correspondence sent (reviews, discussion board posts, or anything else) while signed onto her computer under my name.

TER correctly identified these multiple sign ins on her computer under my name and banned both of us.  I can understand how this activity could be construed as counter productive to TER and its business model.

Looking Forward:

My intent for this post is two fold.  

First, I wanted to make sure that other hobbyists in their desire to help a new provider do not make the same mistake I did and sign into her computer under your name to show her the VIP reviews in her profile.   This activity will jeopardize the TER membership of both you and more importantly the provider.   This provider had three pages of outstanding reviews that are now no longer appearing on the review pages.  My ignorance has put her livelihood in jeopardy and she is devastated by it.

Secondly, I want to personally apologize to the provider who has had her business horribly negatively impacted by my mistake.  I was able to request reinstatement under the "Holiday" program.  She also has requested reinstatement but as of this moment has not yet been reinstated.

Sindie, I am truly sorry I got you into this mess.  I would do anything I could to undo what I have done to you.

Raven50

A reviewed provider just has to contact admin at TER to get their handle connected to their review page and they also get limited VIP status. They can see thier own reviews and use the PM system. They can't see the reviews of other providers. No need for any client to sign on to TER on the provider's computer when they can get all the VIP stuff they need on their own.

b-

There are many naive Netizens who have no idea of IP addresses, or security software that identify them or their redundancies. As such many an otherwise honest provider or hobbyist I'm sure has been summarily banned by the very system that helps to insure credibility to TER.

The conundrum is that a savvy and sculduggerous provider, shill or pimp can use said info to their advantage before they get caught for their subterfuge, while many who are simply struggling with finding out where the acronym list is, copy/paste or what CC and BCC means on their e-mail could gloss over such information as 'Geek Speak'.        
   

-- Modified on 1/4/2008 6:57:36 PM

I've been informed that Sindie's profile has been reinstated!

How long was she delisted before she got reinstated?  Poor girl.