This was suggested by Not4lng on the GD Board.  I thought it was a good idea so here it is:

To avoid the common shill trick of having first time reviews of providers done by a hobbyist with no other reviews, I suggest that a ban on this practice be instituted.

From now on, a first time reviewer can only review a provider who already has reviews and a provider's first review can only be done by a hobbyist who has post one review already.

This will cut down on the practice of fake reviews, hopefully.

This would also have a positive effect for staff already over-taxed by having to review and approve.  Simply deny all reviews that are by first timers for first timers.  No brain work involved, no time taken analyzing.

-- Modified on 1/17/2008 12:13:02 PM

Is this really a problem here? My first review was of a lady who had many reviews on ASPD but none on TER. I'd just gotten back into the hobby after a six year hiatus and personally, I'd of been offended by this rule and more than likely would've never of joined TER.

As far as the "overtaxed reviewers" go, that's their job.

I think we should keep in mind, many of our new members have never been involved in the hobby before. Most lurk here for a while looking for guidance before seeing a provider. The common thread I see on the newbie board is how can I see an established provider if I have no references. If we enact this rule, we'll force more of them to look on CL or other places where their chances on a bad experience are much greater.

I think we do an excellent job of policing ourselves and this is unnecessary.

-- Modified on 1/17/2008 1:38:01 PM

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. However, that being said....When I see a gentleman that is not a TER member I encourage him to join as it is very beneficial to adding quality assurance to the hobby experience. I also let him know he may start with writing a review for me if he wishes. I also, when with someone that is a member but as you said, a lurker. I encourage them to come out of their shell and write a review. So, there really are some legit first time review writers writing reviews....

OK..
So if TER cans first reviews by first reviewers.. Just how will they track when a provider gets another review by a reviewer or  the same first reviewer??

It WOULD INCREASE thier work load as they would now have to add DB tables/fields to track these and make the process MORE complicated that it need be with queries for this..

There are ways that can be used to 'check' for fakes..
Many are very easy to spot others aren't.

There is even one reviewer I like to go see.. Most of his reviews are fake and he taunts TER with 'hints' that they are..
HOW?? Well lets see - he posted 22 reviews in December of last year, monthly average reviews range from 10 - 20 reviews..
Provider starting ate around the $300 make up into the high thousands for their time.. Had he seen all the providers he reviewed in December for the time he stated he would have spend over $30 grand. His total for last year would have been never a qtr mil.. Who in the hell has that kind of time and money to spend on this hobby.. NO ONE...
AND here is the real kicker.. The girls he claims to see in the 300-1000 range he "sees" at "expensive luxury hotels" the girls he claims to see in ranges above that he see at "cheap seedy motels" ..
It is right there in his reviews.. See the taunt??
sort of easy to catch..