Despite my lack of respect for the use of aliases on both sides of this debate, I have to say that I am in agreement with Whats_it_worth. These are discussion boards so why should providers, who are publicly advertising their services on them free of charge, be immune from comment?

I do share the original poster's distaste for the rather dubious business ethics of some ladies on this site. I also dislike to see any provider's weekly ad targeted by the small minority of gentlemen who think it is OK to post disparaging comments about her rates, appearance etc. However, I strongly feel that maintaining as much freedom of speech as possible takes priority over protecting peoples' feelings from getting hurt or protecting businesses from competition. We are all adults here and I think most potential clients are smart enough to make up their own minds. Ladies who are on a continual drive for self-promotion at the expense of others are probably hurting their businesses more than they are helping them, in my opinion.

Any truely professional business would be happy if not ecstatic to receive feedback from its customers. My suggestion is feedback. As a customer who also benefits from TER, I feel it is important to share my feedback. Why wouldn't I? I push new clients this way every day. I reference TER in many different ways inevitably giving TER some sort of business, in addition to paying for the VIP membership myself. So, I have every right to make a suggestion despite a free ad. Do I not?

Again, what business would not want to receive feedback from those who patronize its services? It would be a poor business move to suggest I should just shut up because I have a free ad from them. I am certain TER is professional and understands feedback is helpful, thus the Suggestion and Policy board!

There isn't a way for us to get free VIP for our input or participation and -- in truth:  without us there is no TER just as reviewers are necessary.  It's symbiotic but the advantages lean towards the reviewers for the most part. I had a guy go on a diatribe on my thread once because I put "INDY" instead of "INDIE" and he smacked my one thread for the entire week.

Now the mods are good and getting better, KUDOS for that.  And I do love TER - it's a great advantage to me as someone who tours a lot.  But many of us do pay to use this board to our advantage and we are often vulnerable to suffer from random stupid crap on our threads and fake reviews and other doo doo.