Miami Companions brings up a good point on this Board.  There are spa/agency owners with no ethics who have shills writing bad reviews of their competitors spa/agency or their ladies or their business tactics.  The members seem to have absolutely no idea that this is happening and take the shills word for it that said spa/ agency is not good.
This happened to a good friend of mine in Texas who ran a spa, and was beaten to death by a competitor by: (1.) having shills write horrible comments about the spa and (2.) having shills attempt to steal ladies.  My friend eventually just gave up and moved out of the State.
He is now in another business, but the dubious spa/agency owner is now one of the biggies there.  
Not fair?  Yes.  But how are we members supposed to know what is real and what is not?  

-- Modified on 9/6/2002 9:28:46 PM

I just found out yesterday that a frequent poster on this board is on fact a partner in an agency here in NY, and that the reviews he posted for his agency employees are in fact bogus (he gave them all 8 and 9 for performance).  Interestingly, he is also a "hobbyist" and has accurately reviewed a number of independent and other agency providers accurately (IMO).  The source of this information is highly reliable, and this just shows why I tend to steer clear of agencies (YES, before the e-mails start flying, I acknowledge that there are some legit agencies out there).  Independents that are just starting out may be tempted to have friends write favorable reviews as well, but in the end a client performing due diligence in analyzing information on this or other boards can for the most part filter through, and cull out the bogus data to make an informed decision.

that have no ethics.  And don't think this is just agencies or spa/studio owners that have no business ethics and write bad reviews of competitors' business.  No, there are many (know for a fact this is true) independents (yes, I said INDEPENDENTS) who write their OWN reviews or have shills/friends write bogus good reviews for them also, and have bad reviews written for competitors that are independents.    
There are some great agencies out there with ethics.
There are some great spas/studios out there with ethics.
There are some great independents out there with ethics.
BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME GREEDY, MONEYGRASPING INDEPENDENTS, SPAS/STUDIOS AND AGENCY OWNERS OUT THERE WHO WILL SCREW THEIR COMPETITORS WITH FAKE BAD REVIEWS!
Guess the only way to tell the good from the bad is time will tell.  
Thats why I put little faith in reviews unless I know the other guy.

this is what is so great about TER and the reviews section,
if you want to take the time to research the reviews on the
providers, you can limit the risk of having a bad experience,
no matter what a schill might write or no matter what a low
down competitor may write, the truth over time comes out and
the game is up for those who are less than upfront and honest,
and if you should choose to not do your research then should
you get burned you have to admit to yourself that it was a
lack of good judgement on your part. as in taking one for the
team, and when you take one for the team you wtite a review
so others can avoid the provider who is dishing out the bad
and dishonest experience. so read those reviews and keep an
eye on those who post to aquaint your self with the handles
and learn to trust the honest posts and reviews.

In my searches I will add weight to a provider that has reviews from guys that have also written reviews of providers I have seen myself.  If a reviewer of a new girl has seen a provider(s) that I've seen as well, and his reviews more or less parallel mine, then at least I have some assurance that I'm not walking into a potentially aweful experience.  Someone once asked me why most of my reviews give the providers I've been with high grades.  The explanation is just what I said.  Homework.  The one terrible review I wrote is for a provider I took a chance on without any reviews, just a random thread on the DC Board here.  That was the one I took for the team.  And NEVER again! Until the next time :-0

I agree with you 100% however what do you say about first time guys who don't post butjust give a girl a review simply because they enjoyed her very much and want that lady to get some extra business?
Is it fair in that sense?
Quite honestly, a guy who sees allot of ladies and has all that time to post would seem to me as if he is quite pick and possibly plays favorites with ladies who already know he is a frequent poster and possibly bartered with the guy for a good review.
What else can you recommend to me other than to follow my gut instinct?

Either way, I like the young ones who are not burned out and will possibly provide better service.

I could be wrong but from my experiences, I have yet to have a bad one and sine I have had nothing but good experiences, I chose to keep shut because then naturally noone will take my review serious.

Just my opinion.

Good Luck to all Newbies

First of all, I have never met a quality provider who will barter for a favorable review.  Ladies, if you read this please back me up here.  And I have never asked a provider for this arrangement.

Secondly, there are many guys out there, myself included, that are picky. We're picky because we don't want bad experiences just as you don't want them.  So we, in each our own way I suppose, do whatever research with whatever resources are available to use.

Third, most of the reviews that I have posted are reviews of girls I have seen only once.  I prefer variety, and those that I see more than one time are special to me for my requirements.  They may be ordinary for others and that's what makes this hobby so interesting.  The reviews only tell me if the provider is a decent person, and what services are usually provided.  With one exception, none of the providers I've seen knew who I was (on TER) before our session, and I provided that information because she asked for it.  In another post I indicated that I would give this information to a provider in her screening process, but it rarely if ever comes up.

Fourth, with one exception, I have not had a horrible experience since using TER and other resources, with a newer provider or seasoned veteran.  Regardless of who you see and for what reasons you go, you need to keep in your mind that these ladies are professionals.  It's their job to make us feel special in the time allotted.  And the ones with the good reviews do just that.

Many years ago, my Dad taught me this management philosophy:  You have no right to criticize poor performance unless you also praise good performance.  I believe that posting a favorable review is as important as posting an unfavorable one.  The attitude of "No Comment" (ie-not writing a review), really is a comment for those who do the homework. They won't consider seeing the unreviewed provider.  I know I won't anymore.