In San Diego, there is a case of phony review damaging a provider’s reputation.  See the link below.

I have been a strong advocate of submitting honest reviews on providers and have suggested that reviews should be independent of providers' wishes.

However, to be fair to providers, we as hobbyists need to be vigilant in stamping out phony reviews.  Since hobbyists are the main consumers of reviews, it is easier for us to spot phony ones.  I believe it is important for us to report to TER staff questionable reviews so that the integrity of TER can be maintained.

Congratulation to TER staff for their quick actions on behalf of MistressM.

Hello Everyone! Yes, it's me Sweet Sable (of Las Vegas), back on the National Board again...Did you miss me? LOL!

Re: Reviews

I'm sorry all that happened to you. I'm glad TER was able to help you out.

I have said in other posts in the past that "SOME" gentlemen use reviews in unethical ways. Some gentlemen (...maybe I should not call them gentlemen) will say: "Oh, you'd better be REAL nice to me or I'll give you a bad review" or "Give me FREE companionship or I'll give you a bad review". This happens more frequently than you might think. A provider who is new or not too savvy about these things might fall for it. :0( I just got a new review myself, I have never had a problem but I admit that I think about the possibility and what would I do if it DID happen. :0(

As it was said in the earlier post, hobbyist can spot a bogus review. In addition, a wise hobbyist will weigh the old reviews against the new ones and look for consitency.

TER is doing great with the reviews.

Sable

my .02 cents

I have always cross-check fellow reviewers' other reviews.  For bad reviews against a provider, I usually read the reviews multiple times against other reviews on the provider and check to see whether the reviewer is trustworthy in his other reviews.

As others have said, consistency is the key.  Hence more reviews are needed, even on heavily reviewed providers.

My rule (which I admit I have broken, but with reason) is that the provider has to have at least 3 reviews from guys who have each DONE 3 reviews...that way I get a corss sample of both that particular provider, and of the preferences for the guys reviewing her (versus a bunch of newbies who are just glad to be getting laid...or some jaded bastard who won't give a girl a "7" unless its the best fuck every administered in the history of mankind...)

The gentleman who e-mailed me to alert me of the phony review ending up booking an appt and visited me yesterday. Perhaps he'll write me a REAL review!

This was a very bizarre situation. I PM'd DerekFisher and got no response so I have no idea what his motivation was.

MM

I had lunch today with two providers, one who loved TER reviews and the other who detested it. The latter hated TER because it's described what some guys said she'd do on a date, which created expectations, when in truth YMMV. I explained my view, which is with many reviews it is possible to see certain traits that come up consistently, and filter out the stuff that might represent one individuals personal preferences. Admittedly that is tough on providers with only one or two reviews.

Are we equally concerned about those phony reviews posted by providers to generate more business for themselves?

i really disagree with this posse comitatus approach to reviews that don't jibe with the herd or with the provider's point of view.

because there is one bad review in the middle of many good reviews doesn't mean the bad review is inaccurate or malign. because the provider disagrees with the review doesn't mean it is invalid or bogus.

there isn't any fair and consistent way for people who were not at an encounter to judge the accuracy of one person's description of the encounter. and there isn't any use in having reviews at all, if a provider can willy nilly say a review she doesn't like is inaccurate and have it removed.

so what if a hobbyist or two writes in and says a review seems bogus? who's to say the hobbyists aren't the provider's husband, son, and landlord?

i feel a provider should take up a questionable review with staff, and let staff sort it out. the readers should post their best posts, and let staff and the providers sort it out. when the readers start acting as if they can dictate what's posted or not, then this whole service degenerates into the bickering of little factions, and it's only downhill from there.

it is often easier for us to spot inconsistency and potential phony reviews.  My point is that if we are suspicious of a phony review, be it good or bad, we should report it to TER staff.

In previous threads, there have been complaints from providers about being reviewed and hobbyists declined to post reviews unless permissions are granted.  I am a strong advocate of independent reviews.  To be fair to the providers, we as hobbyists should provide support if phony reviews are used to damage a provider.  Hence I raised the issue at the top of this thread.  I believe it will boost the strength of the case if the complaints are from reputable hobbyists than that of a provider.

There are quite a few questionable or self-promoted reviews out there.  I have spotted 2 questionable reviews last night and proceeded to notify TER staff.  Since there are lots of hobbyists that declined to post reviews, I decided to post the message to the LA board to get responses that can either disprove or confirm my suspicion. (See links below)

I have often cross checked other reviewer's reviews on the same provider I met to access their taste and truthfulness.  Some of them have greatly inflated their ratings for a couple of providers that I have met recently.  Based on that, I have since downgraded the value of their reviews.

Just my two cents, I have used TER to aid in the decision on whether i should  or should not utilize a particular provider. All in All the TER provided an accurate assessment of a providers services and expectations. But for some reason about half of my own TER comments didnot  make it onto the TER site.???

the best way to deal with a bogus review is to post an accurate review of your own.

the best way to ensure your good review has more influence than the bogus review is to write many reviews, so your opinion carries some weight.

girlcrazy's exception to a review was based on a description of the services offered. in my experience, providers do vary their services, depending on the client -- and that is the way it should be, imo.

girlcrazy has not yet posted a review on ter, as far as i can see.

Drollere, I don't always agree with you, but your post are thoughtful and articulate, much more so than mine.  I enjoy your post comparing an escort with a surgeon in the National board very much.  I will private mail you with my TER handle.  I trust that you will keep it in confidence.

Take care and have fun.