Some of you may recognize me as one who has posted on this board from time to time over the past few months. A few weeks ago, I made a big mistake that caused me and a provider to be banned from TER. I wanted to share the details of my mistake with you in hopes that none of you make the same mistake.
Background:
I am a married man with grown children who through some good investments and better luck was able to retire at an earlier than normal age. I wrote my two initial reviews to get VIP access and was so impressed I became a paying member when my initial month ran out.
The provider is a newly divorced 35 year old woman who supports two children. She has only been in the industry since August, yet had three pages of reviews, the vast majority of which are from long term TER members with dozens of reviews each. Almost all of her reviews were 9/9. I am not related to the provider nor am I in any type of relationship with her other than professional.
My Mistake:
TER has a very successful business model. The strength of this business model is also the potential weakness of it. It relies on the testimonies of hobbyists like me and each of you to make it work. There is an inherent level of trust that is required from both sides.
As one of the discussion threads below stated, every computer has an individual IP address that is like the computer finger print. With a computer program as sophisticated as the TER program is, it is relatively easy to generate an "exception control" program that would identify multiple TER members logging in from the same computer IP address. This would usually mean a provider was attempting to generate a phantom review under a different name. TER must be very aggressive in identifying and eliminating this type of activity in order to keep its business model as intended.
Before becoming a member, I attempted to read everything possible in the TER manuals along with many pages of the discussion boards. I was very aware of the rules regarding phantom reviews, shilling, flaming another provider, etc. In all my readings I did not recognize a warning about signing into your TER account on a computer used by another TER member. In the United States, ignorance of the law (in this case rules) has never been a defense for breaking the law (rules) so I am guilty.
After about four meetings with the provider in question, I asked her what she thought about a very highly complimentary review she had received. She told me she did not have access to the VIP section of her review page. I volunteered to sign in on her laptop computer under my VIP name and let her read her reviews. We did this on more than one occasion. Never was there any correspondence sent (reviews, discussion board posts, or anything else) while signed onto her computer under my name.
TER correctly identified these multiple sign ins on her computer under my name and banned both of us. I can understand how this activity could be construed as counter productive to TER and its business model.
Looking Forward:
My intent for this post is two fold.
First, I wanted to make sure that other hobbyists in their desire to help a new provider do not make the same mistake I did and sign into her computer under your name to show her the VIP reviews in her profile. This activity will jeopardize the TER membership of both you and more importantly the provider. This provider had three pages of outstanding reviews that are now no longer appearing on the review pages. My ignorance has put her livelihood in jeopardy and she is devastated by it.
Secondly, I want to personally apologize to the provider who has had her business horribly negatively impacted by my mistake. I was able to request reinstatement under the "Holiday" program. She also has requested reinstatement but as of this moment has not yet been reinstated.
Sindie, I am truly sorry I got you into this mess. I would do anything I could to undo what I have done to you.
Raven50
...but I still don't think it compares to my leaving a map to the Sheraton in my pants pocket for my wife to discover while doing laundry.
Or locking my keys in my car on the way in...
The Stupidest Hobbyist Award still goes to... Moi!
SO hell and purgatory. Welcome back.
Double doh. I am sure others will chime in but how could you not know this would eventually be a problem? When I feel like paying for it I'm a VIP member, but when I'm not I have always been able to read my own reviews - but not others'. TER absolutely exhibits a nearly flawless business model. Don't be sorry. She is the supposed professional and you are the client. Don't even get me started - I'm grumpy right now. And don't even think of White Knighting her - you already have. -e
Both of you are showing up as of now and you seem remorseful enough so maybe someone will plead your case to the TER gods... Now, learn from this... These ladies don't need rescuing or saving or none of the other White Knight behavior. If she had three pages of reviews, she's doing quite well and news travels fast enough all by word of mouth. Anytime you compromise the system you are doing more harm than good. If you want to cultivate a different kind of relationship do it outside of this community, because when pussy gets you off balance, you'll sell your mother's TV to get more. I am not sure you think what you did was wrong and you may be pleading for her to get her reinstated at your expense and that is noble, but you both look like liars and I can see why TER believes you have compromised what they try to bring.
I am sorry for your misfortune, but don't providers have vip access to their own reviews? I'm not a paid vip member but because I'm a reviewed provider I have access to my own reviews, the private mail system, and the provider only board. Why wouldn't every other provider have that same access?
Also... why didn't you just log into your account on your computer, copy and paste the reviews, and then send to her via email?
Anyway, not trying to pour salt into a wound.. just wondering...
I have been around now for awhile and I have to admit that I was unaware that using a provider's computer would lead to a problem of this nature. Such an incident has never occurred with me since I have other things to do at a provider's place, even if we are really off the clock. Also, I have always felt that our TER reviews should NOT really be a topic of discussion with our providers as it may overly bias what is actually 'exchanged'.
If there is any complaint I have consistently seen against TER, it is not so-much that someone is banned or blacklisted or obtains fake reviews, etc...but that it takes so long to clear the problem up. Alas, as you state, the 'business formula' for TER is apparently successful and they have grown considerably over the years.
Now that you have described the system of IP tracing, it seems to me that this would actually be pretty easy to get around for a provider that lives in a town with at least 2-3 different cybecafes or DHCP servers.
-- Modified on 1/4/2008 8:42:22 PM
And being a computer geek from way back: Someone attempting to even touch my computer will be commuting home with a bloody stump. -e
"...but that it takes so long to clear the problem up."
I have found that TERs customer service is wonderful and very fast - when you are sincere and diligent with a 'real' issue..
They have cleared up past issues/questions at a very fast pace..
As in anything YMMV...
because your review links to her profile, which contains the three pages of reviews you described. Next time just give her the friggin money to buy the membership.
if they register their username as a provider
Life's a bitch. Happy New Year
I believe this unfortunate incident is a common leitmotif in many aspects of computer cyberdom. For those quick to chide raven50 or the respective provider; may I remind you of how many people drive a car, yet know absolutely NOTHING about it except where to put the fuel in.
Take a trip to the Newbie board sometime and see how many netizens are completely unaware of the simple bon ton of not posting using all CAPS.
With all there is to know (and/or learn) about computers, the internet, the hobby and TER; using them adroitly does require more than simply booting up a computer.
Both were ultimately reinstated, but they had to junp through hoops explaining and vindicating themselves! Ultimate lesson: as a hobbyist, never log on to TER using a provider's PC. Ever. Your case is textbook...
I was on vacation with a hobbyist without my computer so he offered I use his.
I emailed Staff explaining the circumstance and was promptly reinstated.
Now, I travel with my laptop.
I don't think it's the IP as much as the cookies used when logging in. Either way, not a good idea to use anothers computer.
I know of another instance a provider logged into her email from a hobbyists house. After she left, he got access and caused a storm of trouble for her.
For several months now any provider signing in to her own account from her own computer has been able to read her reviews in full. I remember making a complaint about not being able to see the content of my reviews, and apparently this was a common complaint because it was changed shortly thereafter.
It's not really enough to know your reviews are "good"; I, for one, want to know that men aren't sharing details I might consider too intimate, or embellishing their experiences in a way that could endanger me or attract the wrong kind of attention.
Your provider obviously did not know this, or she would surely have spared you such a tribulation. Hopefully more ladies will now be made aware of this, so the same thing doesn't happen to others.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that TER now offers limited VIP access to providers so that thy can view all of the information in their reviews. BUT it is beyond me as to why any provider would not have simply paid the $20 in the first place!!!! I'm sorry, but that's just cheap and in my opinion bad business. Full VIP membership is a great tool that no provider should be without, and in turn our paid membership is supporting a venue that 'supports' us.
Just my two cents....
Kisses,
Amanda 
I agree, every provider should have VIP membership. The $20 is such a small amount compared to the valuable informaion they get.
Most of these providers recieve enough money from the donation, so the Vip fee is relativly a small amount.
Why every hobbyist and provider doesn't pony up for a measly $20 VIP membership is surprising.
Some of these hobbyists spend sometimes up to 1 grand and complain that they got ripped off. Well if they had VIP membership they most likely wouldn't.
-- Modified on 1/6/2008 6:15:20 PM
but the thicker the bullshit, the more it smells and this is pretty thick.
i can see how maybe you'd log on once to check out some reviews, but more than once ?
it doesnt matter now, but whatever you were doing, just dont do it.
we all play by the rules here or we dont play.
integrity will always pay better in the long run anyway.