Here's an idea to stop the possible posting of fake reviews.

Just like eBay lets you post feedback after a transaction has concluded imagin if a review had to verified by the provider after it was submitted? Now, before you go off and bite one of my heads off, hear me out.

1) The provider CANNOT edit the review.
2) All the provider can do is say the person saw her
3) If the provider wants to comment on the review, they may in a comment area.

On another site I read that a rather highly praised provider my not be more than she is reviewed as, leading me to beleive one of two things...

1) She's being targeted by other providers for cutting into their turf...doubtful...
2) She's cooperating or is someone we hobbyists don't want to mess with.

Either way, a validation system which authenticates the reviews would be an interesting twist...

2. Not all providers even know how to use them.
3. Not all providers know about TER.
4. Do you think a ripoff provider is going to verify any review?

Nice try but I don't think it will work.

Good points.

2--> Then how are they on the net with ads in the first place? Many of the agency providers are not even aware what's on sites like TER I'm led to beleive.

3--> If the don't know about TER they're not looking out for their own interest.

4--> Good Point.. A Ripoff should not need to be verified but with the comment section they can explain--but have you ever seen Bridgette or Austin counter a Ripoff claim..Nope...They just say the sold entertainment..

My thoughts were, for free membership, to have 2 reviews for unreviewed providers, and require at least 4 reviews for those providers already reviewed, and perhaps invalidate free membersip "points" to those providers that have multiple pages that are within the last year....

For example, what benefit does one get by reading more and more of the reviews of the famous Jaqueline that advertizes in Thatmall.com? She is so heavily reviewed, that anyone can post reviews on her and be dead on, and still get membership.

A feedback system of some other kind would also help. What about reviewers validating other reviews, a la ebay?

I realize that this won't be for everyone, and it probably opens a Pandora's box, but I'd use fear to prevent fake reviews.  How?  Each time we have a known fake on this board, we have somebody do a little detective work to post the relevant ISP information on the fake reviewer, and if possible their specific identity.  My guess is most of the people that are pulling off the fake review stunt aren't that careful about being anonymous.

Put it up as a hall of shame or something.  Put it somewhere it can be Googled.

Make the risk much greater than the reward...

I have a lady in North County that does not have a computer. SDX contacted her through her ad in Swing. So, a provider does not need a computer to advertise on the net. It sounds like a great idea, but I think we are just opening a big can of worms. Just an opinion.

The idea of the feedback system ala eBay is exactly the point.

By allowing the provider to validate yes she saw the person, and issue a comment (my kid was sick, it was that time of the month, my car needed new tires, i hadn't been with anyone for a good while so I was really excited, etc.) we make the reviews even more valuable.

Often I read movie reviews before i go to see a film. The same for seeing a provider. Now, as it goes with the movie reviewers, some carry more credibility with me than others, and that helps me decide who I see. Adding in who really saw who, not bashing each other means the review system become more, not less credible.

MasGrande

And false reviews, pro or con isn't a can of worms.....tell that to the hobbyists or providers who get burned in other parts of the country and here....because there is no check and balance system. This at least is a step in that direction.

I love to hear from the providers on this one!

MasGrande

If a provider does not even have access to a computer I'm not sure I'd want to deal with them. Virtually all TER reviewed providers have access to the internet and I have never had less than a great time with TER providers.  However, the girls I have seen through print ads have almost entirely been poor (or worse)
experiences.

I dont think it would completely rid us of fake reviews.  It would cut down on the "2 fake reviews will get me a membership" people but the providers/agencies who are working with other hobbyist and providers/agencies that are self reviewing will still be able to beat the system.  What I do like is the fact that situations can be clarified such as in situations where a hobbyist maybe got stood up and posted the review but the next day talked it over with the provider and she fixed the situation by offering a discount...giving the provider the ability to clarify things would help.  One person pointed out that a Rip Off provider would't verify a bad review.....I think thats a good thing at that point you would know that maybe the situation played out just as reviewed.

I understand that there maybe some providers out there taht don't have a computer but think of it this way, for the ones that do it would be a great ability to have.

Well, TER could make another selection on the VIP search. Something like, "TER verified". By marking "yes" on that selection, you would be seeing reviews from providers that have been contacted and verified. Sorry, but that's the best I could think of.

TER does verify reviews.  When you submit a review and it is "deferred", that means, according to TER, "it is being reviewed by a senior staff member."  I would ASSumme that means they are verifying it with someone (the provider??)

i for one probably wouldnt offer feedback on my reviews... when i get a totally fake review... i alert Staff... and let them decide...

If i see a review from Jack.. and i don't recall ever doing the things described... i would assume the review was fake... but.. maybe i did see Jack.... and he just wrote more fantasy than fact... doesn't mean its fake... just fiction... like the disclaimer says....

If i want to give feedback for say a not so high score... i have the Boards for that... i don't think i would want to say anything with the review to confirm what could be mistrued (did i spell that right?) as illegal.. no need to try and 'change' the look or feel of the review... i just wait for the next one.. and hope it says... "boy was the last reviewer wrong"...

If feedback were allowed... i think it should only be allowed for special circumstances... and maybe only once a quarter... otherwise i think it could turn into a major bitchfest.. after all.. we could be talking about girly moods here...

i think most of the guys that spend the time to really check stuff out.... can pick out the fake ones from the real...

baby ~

Excellent post, baby.  You make some great points.  Speaking of great points... er, uh, oh never mind.  Sedagive.

that is one point i would love to make.. (it with)... giggle..

xoxo...

baby ~

I think this idea is the best I have heard yet... "TER verified" for applicable reviews.  

Since it is virtually impossible  to determine the identity of every reviewer, noticeably eliminating the fakes to any measurable level EXAMPLE:

I recently read  my "new" reviews posted in January, though both gentlemen claimed they saw me in November. One of the reviewers mentioned he was dissapointed I would not do "blank". I had no idea who either of these reviewers were and  I politely e-mailed the reviewer  through TER ( with no ill intentions of course, just to ask  him if there could have been some sort of missunderstanding as to why he thought I would not do "blank" and foil any possibility in my mind  of a fake reviewer)

The reviewer replied and said I had e-mailed the wrong guy. He also mentioned, and rightly so, that he did not feel right about revealing his identitiy to me, which is totally understandable. He had written a not so complimentary review of me and didn't want me to know who he was for two obvious reasons I am assuming.

1( he didn't want to seem like a jerk ... seeming as though he had a great time with me and then writing a review that didn't comply with his words to me directly etc. )

2. and most importantly, the screening info he gave me becomes an issue  ... I would be a little nervous if I were in that position also  
someone FINALLY... my point!  Some reviews are not complimentary in comparison compared to others  that is what TER is here for.... honest reviews.


A gentelman who thinks it is important to caution others (YMMV ) because he doesn't feel the reviews are accurate, has every right to do so.
It is only human nature in most cases, that the dissapointed hobbiest  may not want to "make a big stink" or prefer their identity is unknown. When you add to this risk equation  the information the provider has obtained for screening purposes, there are legitimate reasons why the reviewer may not wish to/ should not have to.. reveal himself to the provider.

.

I'm glad you have nice thoughts about my idea to make the reviews more accurate.

Seriously, I don't think reviews that are posted over 30 days from the meeting are at all valuable. How about requiring the post to be current. Since many of the better providers don't seem to be the quality, not volume performers, I would think that it would be easier for them to validate.

This I'll admit is not a perfect solution, but one to make it better and safer for all.