Sometimes the perception of shilling is actually the honest  personal opinion of an object, feature, session or provider that the shiller perceives as real and only others perceive as a shill.

Some shilling might be YMMV.

I was just wondering...what real benefit does one get from writing shill reviews? Is the discounted sessions really worth the embarrassment the shiller has to endure once he has been busted for shilling? And does the shiller, himself, not realize that he is deceiving his fellow hobbyists by being dishonest with the inaccurate reviews he gives the providers? Just wondering...

I always thought a Shilling was worth one 20th of a pound.


Thank you
XLVI = 4

There is more than one type of shill review. The situation you describe is of the "quid pro quo" variety.  In that case, the hobbyist could not care less about the intrinsic value of his review because the lady has established a tangible value.  

And there is little danger of being "outed" for this practice.  How would any of us know?  What guy admits to writing reviews in exchange for discounts?  And what lady (with a few exceptions) lets it be widely known that she offers discounts for such favors?

So, to answer you question: In the scenario you described, yes, it's worth it to both parties.  He gets his discount and she gets good advertising.  

Some shill reviewers are too blatantly obvious even if they are highly influential. They may also attempt to wield undue influence over who sees who and act in various ways to corrupt the review system and hobby economics.

The discerning hobbyist who insists upon integrity from courtesans, their mongers (if any), their clients, and reviewers may choose to DNS any lady who seems to be excessively dependent upon her shill.

(To clarify: I am using "monger" in the strict sense of agency, madam, or pimp in contrast to the overly lax usage on this board which equates monger to client, A monger sells, does not buy.)

I agree this can happen. But I was discussing the shilling variety with no motive other than to save $50.  What you describe is far more nefarious.

The big time shill is a security problem for us all. He attracts undue attention from those hostile to the hobby.

To do a solid for his fellow hobbyists?  Last time I checked, I was paying.  So unless another hobbyist has some great info to share with me, I don't him anything.

I don't shill, and I don't cater to the providers for their reviews.  I think you should just be honest, and if you feel like you can't be honest without hurting her feelings, then don't write the review.