Perhaps staff has forgotten that many of the paying VIP Members (like me) take this issue very seriously and would appreciate it if TER would take heed to the number of requests for this service in order to remain in line with its policy of providing support to the it's members. The argument that a member can post no shows just to ruin a lady's business does not hold when you're looking at a number of different members voicing the same complaint and requesting the same item (a no show review). It would seem that a little common sense (in business) would lead one to balance an issue of being fair with who pays your bills and, for what reasons. Discussion boards roll by fast, a number of postings regarding no show issues can be missed by many. I for one, will give TER one month more (paying membership)and sincerely hope TER will resolve this issue in favor of their members.
There has been a huge and heavy discussion going on on San Diego Discussion Board on providers who don't show-up inspite of confirming the appointments.
Hobbists have already pointed out a few things which are worth to be noted
1. Some of the very well rated providers have constantly been NO-SHOWS. At last count about 5-6 hobbists have complained about atleast one-two providers who did not turn up for the appointment not once but thrice - and surprisingly these very providers and highly rated in the reviews.
2. Due to No-Show a hobbist cannot submit a review, hence the unprofessional attitude of a fairly well reviewed provider is not know to the TER members.
3. It is time a seperate category for NO-SHOWS/UNPROFESSIONAL is set up - similar to the RIP-OFF category.
This would inturn help a hobbist to know that even though a provider has good ratings, the number of no-show/unprofressional points can help him weight his decision whether an appointment with the provider is worth pursuing or not thereby saving him a lot of time/energy and ofcourse money.
Regards,
There is a certain level of checks and balances to the review system allowing both reviewer and provider a fair chance to contest the other. This would not be possible in a no-show review.
In other words, if a guy wanted to ruin a provider, he could just submit no-show reviews and there would be no way to prove or disprove what he says.
Another issue is how do you properly rate the provider you have never met? Most times we get no-show reviews they are rated 1-2 (I was really scared/should have stayed home.) This is not fair to the provider because the guy cannot rate what he has not seen. This is also unfair because a 1 or a 2 rating will completely ruin a provider’s average.
I would recommend if you are in this situation, post it on the local discussion board. This will give both you and the provider a chance to post your side of the issue without involving their reviews.
-- Staff
This is bull! What we (in San Diego) are asking for is a chance to warn others that a provider did not show up for a confirmed appointment. If we post on the local board it goes away in a short time. If we were able to submit on a review that states that she did not show up for an appointment without any rating would let others be aware that it has happened. One or two no shows would not ruin a career.
The provider in this particular thread metioned has had at least 10 guys step up to say she did not show up two to three times each. In my case I saw her early on in her career. The first two appointments she left me standing at the 7/11 waiting for her. I saw her three times after that with great results. Many others tell the same story.
For me, It costs me lost wages to hobby. I willingly do so if the results are satisfacory. If the provider does not show, I am out $250 and left horny.
Simply add a catagory on the providers profile that allows for a no-show. In the comments we could tell our story without rating her at all.
IE: I had a confirmed appointment. I called to let her know I was at the meeting spot. She said she would be right there. I waited an hour. She did not show up.
OR
She said she was at the hotel and asked for the room number, she never showed up.
I have become attuned to relying heavily on the Review Section. I suppose I could try to search the local boards too but how would a newbie learn to do this also?
Sorry Staff, I can't agree with you. A "no-show" category would be a valuable addition to the review database, and an important resource for the hobbyists who ultimately pay for this service.
The logic of your arguments is flawed. If it is OK to "discuss" no-shows in the Discussion review database, why is it not OK to "discuss" it in the review database? If it is objectionable in one database, it should be objectionable in all. You could make "no-shows" a nonreimbursed data file (i.e., hobbyists who file only a "no-show" get no TER credit). A running tab on "shows" vs. "no-shows" would indicate to the prospective hobbyist whether it is worth him time to book an appointment.
Usually Staff does a good job in sorting out these issues. Not this time.
I'm disappointed in you.
-- Modified on 2/24/2003 8:47:27 AM
I guess it is fair to have this feeling. From your perspective, as a good member of TER and valued contributor, I can completely understand how you feel. Unfortunately, you don't see what we do "behind the scenes"
It is not that uncommon for a member to try and create a bunch of TER profiles and systematically submit bad reviews on a provider that would not see him or that she has "cut off" from seeing him.
It is not that uncommon for someone who submitted a 9-9 review to, after being shunned by a provider, submit a 6-5 review. Even though the performance may have changed that much, I doubt the appearance has. He did this to hurt the provider out of revenge.
This happens ALL THE TIME. Part of our job here is making sure to be fair to everyone.
The logic of our argument is not flawed. Our current review system does not accommodate for a "no show" review. There is no way to fairly rate appearance and performance if you have never seen the girl. It is not fair to average a 1-1 review into a provider’s rating just because she missed one appointment. This in not to say we cannot change the review system to accommodate this once we have a fair way of doing it. This is why I suggested using the message board system at this time.
I am truly sorry if you are "disappointed" in me. I am aware this is a very important issue. Please remember guys, this is our fun, but this is the girls livelihood. It is just as much our responsibility to protect the membership as it is to protect the providers from the certain portion of the membership who would use TER to hurt their reputation for revenge.
I am more than willing to hear ideas on the subject, if you have them. Providers, feel free to speak up too.
-- Staff
Thanks for the additional, behind-the-scenes information.
It's always unfortunate when either provider or hobbyist attempts to use these boards to further their own narrow, dystrophic agendas.
Your present solution of allowing "no-show" information to be posted and rebutted in the local boards should allow the TER community to gauge just how prevalent the problem is. In San Diego, most of the responses have been about a single provider. Possibly the problem will not prove to be that widespread.
Perhaps staff has forgotten that many of the paying VIP Members (like me) take this issue very seriously and would appreciate it if TER would take heed to the number of requests for this service in order to remain in line with its policy of providing support to the it's members. The argument that a member can post no shows just to ruin a lady's business does not hold when you're looking at a number of different members voicing the same complaint and requesting the same item (a no show review). It would seem that a little common sense (in business) would lead one to balance an issue of being fair with who pays your bills and, for what reasons. Discussion boards roll by fast, a number of postings regarding no show issues can be missed by many. I for one, will give TER one month more (paying membership)and sincerely hope TER will resolve this issue in favor of their members.
A simpler review form.
Providers name, contact info and website.
Date of missed appt.
Comments box to fill in the details of the mishap.
Possibly a comment box for the provider explain after the no show has been filed.
No need for actual services or rates or looks, since these would not be known.
A no show review can be submitted only by paid members.
And this in turn can be reflected when a providers profile is pulled up with a new category showing No-Show : x
I completely agree to Staff's viewpoint but a No-Show submit by only paid members can help eliminate Staff's concern.
That part is easy, my question would be how would a provider protect herself from someone abusing this feature to hurt her reputation?
-- Staff
Take jaejae's concept but "track" the data outside rather than on the discussion board. If it isn't visible, guys couldn't gang up on her. If you get multiple, independent "no show" reports, you have an action item. Then, either penalize her or present the evidence to her. Experience will end up guiding you.
Is it possible to add a comment box to the no show review that only the provider and staff would have access to?
If so she could give a brief explanation as to her situation/frame of mind at the time of missed appt.
I also think that any no show/ missed appts. should be short & sweet, to the point, concise.
I travel a lot. This isn't just a problem in the OC area. It happens in areas that are even considered desolate.
Also, a no show for clients might be something to consider. I have never missed an appt. but have been stood up twice in the past 6 months in different parts of the country. Neither provider has ever offered an explanation or even tried to contact me after I politely asked for an explanation. Both providers have great reviews.
BTW, I think you do a great job of keeping personal info personal, keep up the great work!
Click on Problem Reports and up comes there have been no problem reports submitted for this provider, or it comes up 3 members have submitted no show rerports for this provider again it should only be for paying members not the general public. To record the data put a section below the standard review submission form that says To Report Problem with Confirmed Appointment. Then let the hobbist who had no show just fill out this part and only staff see's this same as with review submission. I know I am not explaing it easily but you get the idea. Then if hobbist wants details he is given the PM of the 3 who had no shows so he can contact them for details private