I'm half scared to post here for fear that I may be corrected on my grammer! I dont post much and only have a couple reviews but I am an active hobbiest. I use TER as a guide to provider performance based on others experiences, wow what a concept. But lately Im a bit taken back by the bullshit drama ( this GD macy thing gets old)that I read and number two, I've posted a review last week and it hasn't appeared yet.
I would really like to hear comments from others, positive and negative, like myself who rarely post or review. I think this board needs a good kick in the ass and some new blood. Although some of this bashing shit is humorious.
As for the rateing system, take it for what its worth. Everyone has their own taste and you have to read reviews deep to get an idea of what a provider is like, especially in the looks catagory. As for this "10" thing, well whatever!
Low profile types, on both sides of the game, please comment.
And mod, correct me if I'm wrong but how long does it take for a review to go thru?
What do YOU think
I, too, am a frequent reader here and am guilty of not participating alot. I don't need drama in my life and there seems to be plenty here. With that being said....I would be wasting alot of money without the valuable information that I get from some of the regular posters here. As with anything, it only takes a few annoying apples to rot the whole basket. I remember when TBD was the source for all my information as well as online banter about the hobby. Now, on the Philly board anyway, that message board is a wasteland with little to no information other that ads. I sincerely hope that TER doesn't go in that direction becasue a few posters turn off the rest.
Good points... what else can I say...
You left out a few apostrophes which kind of destroys your credibility... just kidding...
My thoughts are that TER is the best place for Philly-area reviews and Bestgfe.com is the best place for discussions. TBD is at the bottom of the list for either. Efforts to change this discussion board probably will be fruitless. The best approach is to use both Bestgfe.com and TER IMHO.
I'va been a member since 2003 and an active contributor for a while. I, too, am fed up with the drama. I can say, however that if you filter the bashing and BS, there is some very useful information on TER. The others are useful but you can spend the entire day reading all of them. The core of regulars are stand up guys. There are a few who are buzz killers, but I choose to ignore them.
Hang in there guy, you'll be glad you did. As for the fear of english and grammar majors, FTITCTAJ!
Enjoy...this isn't a dress rehersal.
use both boards that he mentions and you will find alot more useful info.
Most take less than 24 hours (except weekends).
I UNmoderated you Galaxy. Have fun.
-- Modified on 7/2/2007 6:44:44 AM
Thanks Fuzz, and the rest of you low profilers who choose to respond. So come on, I want to hear the shit! And a reminder to all to get more involved. I too will continue to use TER.
I've always been one to use the Olympic scoring system method when it comes to reviews - I eliminate the best and the worst (best & worst 2 or 3, if there are a large number of reviews), and make a decision based upon what's left. If you recall from school, some teachers were rather liberal with grading, while others could count the number of A's they had bestowed upon their students with one hand. Who is right and who is wrong? Neither - it's all subjective. I pay more attention to the narrative that describes the action, and at times I have had an issue or two there. And then there is the YMMV factor. If she likes client A better than she likes client B, well, who is going to have a better meeting and as a result write a better review? Every so often the boards need a bit of shaking up; it clean out the bad blood, like Clemenza said.
-- Modified on 7/2/2007 10:49:39 AM
Galaxy, excellent post. Guess I don't qualify as someone who rarely posts or reviews but I thought I'd give some input - take or leave as you feel appropriate.
For the board to get "a good kick in the ass and some new blood", guys like you and others who have posted should do so more often and contribute your thoughts, your help, your experience. As you have found it valuable from the experience of others, so will others from you. We were all new blood at one time.
As far as drama is concerned, I guess it's somewhat relative. I don't want to go into specifics here, but in a couple other cities both providers and hobbyists are undergoing or threatened with undergoing some life-altering action, retaliation, crusade, zealotry, whatever you want to call it. Very ugly. So we don't have it quite so bad here, but I do agree and am also sick and tired of the name-calling, bashing, and constant recriminations all in the name of self-expression and self- justification. But I bet if you asked any of those who you think contribute to the Philly version of drama, they'd tell you that are being informative, helpful, and because it's a public board they can say whatever they want. I doubt they consider themselves negative, or really care if others do. I guess they can say what they want but...there is often reference to this being a "community", presuming there is interest in benefiting each other rather than taking off on each other. Hell, I get that in real life. Why do I want to come here and see more of it? (Rhetorical question - no need to answer it 
)
Lastly, the subject of ratings is a constant point of discussion as you can tell. You hit it right though, in my opinion. While there are guidelines, the ratings and the details are subjective and are read by someone who interjects his/her own subjectivity in deciding whether or not to accept it as written. Look at the entire picture (reviews, posts, website) of the person, not just the numbers.
Hope to see more of you and others here to inject that new blood.
-- Modified on 7/2/2007 11:28:53 AM
Good points galaxy. The drama can almost be intimidating sometimes since many of us are in the hobby to avoid just that. I think that some of the providers engage in such tactics as part of their marketing strategy. Crazy posts that bring attention to them keeps their name out their for top of the mind awarenesss. A form of shock jock advertising if you will.
Some of it tuns me off, so I just filter them out. Although you can't hit the delete button on a board, like email, you choose whether or not to read.
For the most part, like life, it's a rollercoaster, hang in there and enjoy the ride. If it gets to be too much, just close your eyes and wait till it's over. Just have fun, that why we're in it, right?
You know the old saying "no such thing as bad publicity".. I agree with you.. its all about marketing..!!
-- Modified on 7/3/2007 5:01:11 AM
