You've all seen it.  A hobbyist evangelize a certain provider.  Someone hijacks a board and posts about his ATF every chance he gets.  His review(s) of this lady are punctuated with exclamation points throughout and capital letters.  Hypothetically speaking, when you post an ISO for a Asian preggo lactating in Cleveland for example, he will PM you with his recommendation, even though she isn't Asian, pregnant, milking or in Cleveland.  

I never gave the garden variety TER shill much thought, until I posted for suggestions in a certain city and one such guy, who had apparently monopolized the board with one woman's name, sent to me his "must see".  I told him it sounded like his getting paid commission, and as it turns out - he is.  

Well, at first I despised him, but after thinking about it, I am now envious.  He's got it all figured out.  Some free screws and a little kickback change left over.  Damn.

I am still walking the line and I don't write reviews or chat in threads sounding like my balls are in a provider's handbag.  I've only got two balls, and my wife and girlfriend have those pursed.  So excuse the hint of misogyny now and then.  Just think of it as keeping it real.  I think when we write a review, we should ask ourselves, "Will the reader need to spring free and stroke it a little through the zipper flap while reading this?"  If so, it's a public service announcement and we should pad ourselves on the back for not having sold out.  Preferably after we've zipped up and washed our hands, I mean.

But, having said that,  I'm open to donations!

one provider in particular, and an agency in general. The NYC Mod, declared no more "I love you Elizabeth"  posts, and that pretty much put an end to it. The offending poster isn't a bad guy, (and wasn't getting a commission) , but couldn't seem to help himself.

Reviewers getting kickbacks from providers, whether in $$$, sex, or both, to post reviews that may be more flattering than fact really compromise the whole intent of sites like this.
I know it's going to happen, but I think all legitimate reviewers, who I'm sure make up the vast majority, need to kind of police this activity whenever possible. Otherwise it not only hurts the credibility of honest reviews & reviewers, but could jeopordize the reputations of all the wonderful, quality providers as well.

It's more common than you think.  I see it widespread on little local MB's, though.  I'm sure it exists on national boards, but I think it's pretty rare.  There's a board here in Michigan that has one provider who's notorious for giving freebies to guys who "promote" her.  It's nauseating to see the constant fawning and read the mighty efforts to recommend her, even if she doesn't meet even one criterion that the ISO calls for.  But, what can you do?  All's fair in love and war and the hobby.  Actually, it's sometimes rather amusing.  With that said, I can truly state that I'm asking for trouble for trouble's sake.  :-P

that a hobbyist would want to keep his ATFs to himself, unless there was either [a] something in it for him [like maybe money or pussy or whatever], or [b] he's a typical male fool who mistakes his hormones for committment, or [c] he's underemployed and believes in truth for its own sake.  

Now my guess is the average hobbyist's time to write a few reviews is worth more than the $20 monthly VIP charge.  So the board pretty much depends on the illogical fellows described in [b] & [c] above, and the system may be very fragile and open to abuse.

As usual you are right, Mister Spock.  Judging by the number of reviews on TER by Mister Spock.

[d] he's yet to do engage in anything to review.

rather pay the $$ than write the reviews - who can  know?

That includes writing glowing reviews (all true) that are right at the word limit of TER. I think I would feel a little weird about that anyway. The only free lunch I've recieved in this hobby is going over on time with girls that seem to enjoy my company, the coversation and laughs.

Beseides the shilling, the white night syndrome that some guys have for certain ladies can become rather annoying, but that's another thread. These are big girls who can handle themselves.

NSF

Well, well, well - must be nice having all this extra time to idly comment on threads, but never bothering to contribute a single possibly informative review.  Or even a fake one would be a step up for you.

I was wondering how you were gonna save face and back out on that last checkmate move, and setting up all the pieces and starting over is the only out I see too.  

Stick to writing nursery books, Baby Doc.  The diaper you save might be your own.

So what's it gonna be, Dr Spock?  A mind melt or more butt melt.

Since the "Mister Spock" name is an alias, we have no way of knowing how many reviews he may or may not have, for all anyone, other than "Mister Spock" knows he could have over 100 reviews, or none.

On that note, though, since "Mister Spock" is an alias, that would mean that he is a VIP member of this board, which only happens in a couple of ways free VIP through the posting of reviews, or by buying a membership, which supports the servers, bandwidth, staff pay, ads, ect. which allows the site to able to be live at all.

So, "Mr Spock", it would seem does support this site, either through reviews or in monetary means.

lol, you know that I have seen more than one lovely lady.... so what would you say to me?

I was not questioning support for this website.  In the context of this discussion thread, I was responding to Doctor Spock's dissertation in multiple choice about motivations of those who review providers.  He stepped into it and I simply handed him his pointy ears on a platter.  As Emeril would say, "Bam!"

You are very right about the anonymity of the all mighty alias.  In fact, you could be Doctor Spock in another alias.  In which case - yes, he does need your defense since that alias beemed up and outta here.  The membership defense is a common, but nice retort when you've painted yourself into a corner.  But dollar for dollar, those of us supporting the providers are shelling out more $.

The difference between those who write reviews and those who wonder off the political board trolling for trouble for trouble sake, is we reviewers have something to show for our $.  A review.

Live long and prosper.  \\//