is it ok to offer a discount for a promise of a review?
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=81457&boardID=2&page=1

I feel this will only attract the shill element here who is looking for a bargain in exchange for writing less-than-accurate reviews.
The reviews should be a semi-sacred thing.  They should reflect the reality of the experience with the particular provider and not be a one-off special where YMMV to an extreme.
My advise is not to take her up on the offer.

Ethics: The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the conduct of the members of a profession

Entrepreneur: A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture.
 
Corporatism: A system of running a state using the power of business or labor unions that act or purport to act for the masses

Being that Harvard and other such schools have had classes in "ethics" for many years, and the Corporatists are now running the country. Right or wrong; she as an entrepreneur is merely following the current business "ethic".

Limitations in her service menu will limit interest despite her discount.

nothing indicates review should be stellar.  I would steer away from the provider, just my choice.

when she knows she'll get a review.

Considering how important reviews are, I bet this is pretty common for new or bad providers.

I don't offer discounts or special rates for reviews.  Just like I've never traded services for services, such as photography.

But, for some providers, it may be worth a discount to build their reviews, because it will bring them more business in the long run.

To each their own.  Isnt' variety the spice of life?  ;-D

I don't see a problem.  She is willing to "pay" us to try her.  If we like her, we write a good review; if not, she lost her money and business.  That is entrepreneurial, not unethical!

-- Modified on 8/11/2006 11:39:00 AM

This can be coupled with an "introductory special", maybe, or a "getting to know you" rate, both advertised only on the TER boards, or even a "discount for TER VIP members - send me a PM to qualify" rate.  This is much more likely to solicit reviews, and avoids the appearance of impropriety that might come from offering the "discount for reviews".

I just saw that post on another board.. and am amazed that the provider was so blunt on that.  But alas all have their own business strategies.  We all have reasons for which we may give a discount.  Some are liked some are questionable.

...claim as I did anything else.

I agree.  That would sit better with me as well.  I'm not the type that would knowingly write something other than my experience, regardless of price, but I'm aware that exists.  It makes this type of ad a little slimy.

-- Modified on 8/11/2006 12:17:20 PM

gents posting reviews?  Each has an aspect of quid pro quo that can shed some degree of doubt on the integrity of a review.  

As indicated by some replies already, this provider is not asking for stellar or inaccurate reviews.  If you give her the benefit of the doubt she just may have utmost confidence in her services but seeks reviews to perpetuate this biz fact.  Likewise giving TER VIP status for posting reviews is not meant to solicit inaccurate reviews for purposes of gaining such privledge.  It is meant to help hobbyists.  However that will not stop some guys from posting fake reviews just to get another 30-days.  Bottomline such practices may indeed be shady but then again they may have nothing but good intentions behind them.  The integrity lies within the final review itself and not in the motivation to write the review....

http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=87951&boardID=12&page=

http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=88355&boardID=12&page=

In my (graciously humble) opinion, no it is not.

Some may argue that if the lady does not say anything about a "good" review then she isn't crossing an ethical line, but I disagree. Nothing needs to be said about "please write a good review for me". It is implied in the discount itself. After all, what woman in her right mind would ask for a negative review??

When a discount is given for the promise of a review, the encounter and subsequent review becomes tainted on both sides of the sheet. She is more likely to give her "best effort", and thus what the reviewer is evaluating may vary wildly from what is typical of the provider when she ISN'T expecting that a review will result from her encounter. For that reason, the subsequent review loses objectivity.

From the reviewers perpsective, he is more likely to feel inclined to gloss over details in his own mind in order to paint a more favorable picture in his review out of a sense of obligation for having gotten a discount.

So, no it is neither ethical, nor objective (in my graciously humble opinion) to offer a discount in exchange for a review.

How would that work in practice?
A discounted price out front does not ensure a review will ever be written (or posted).