While this is a follow-on to an earlier post regarding the turmoil on CL - is anyone else seeing this elsewhere?  It seems that CL in Philly has turned up some rather unsavory practices that are increasing in frequency:
- Provider imposters advertising through CL and then robbing or otherwise harming potential hobbyists (the so-called "guys with wigs");
- A provider or two video-taping sessions and then threatening hobbysists/blackmailing;
- Set of providers flagging other, more "professional" providers that are not trying to scam or rob hobbysists (thus getting their postings removed).

I'm sure there are other strange things happening, but it concerns me greatly that the hobby (at least as done through CL) has taken a dark turn in Philly.  Seems that if you don't pick a provider off of TER then you may literally be taking your life into your hands.  This is not even to mention the good providers that visit, adv. through TER, then get scammed or robbed by scumbags posing as hobbyists - thus the marquee providers avoiding Philly like the plague.  Anyone else see this in otehr cities or are we the lucky ones in Philly?  Other thoughts or ideas on how one may enjoy the hobby with less risk around getting setup or shot?

I started out in Philly. It was such a mixed bag. On the one hand the money was much better than it is out here in Portland. On the other, people were crazy as hell, and scary to boot. Too bad, its a great city.

My partner and I travel quite a bit and I think what you are experiencing in Philly is going on most places to some extent.

In smaller markets most ads appear to be scams or web cams.  In larger citys you have constant flagging of quality providers by trans phobics and jealous girls. The result is professionals are leaving CL.

Everything on the internet occurs in cycles. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end for escorting on Craigslist.  CL refuses to moderate their forums, allowing scams, stings, and robs to take over.  The next step is as quality girls stop advertising you guys will start looking elsewhere.  CL then loses market share and the whole thing cycles to some other web site which then becomes the site of the moment.

I have suggested to CL management that erotic services be a pay to play area.  Charge $2-5.00 per ad, require a credit card, allow one ad per day, no flagging, and give a separate forum for reviews and rants.

This would get rid of 99% of the spam and robs, and probably make CL a fortune.  Why they won't do it escapes me.

RE: Dangers in dating.  I think you have to be carefull when meeting a stranger, whether it's online or on a street corner, but in general hobbysists have less to fear than providers.

But if you will use common sense you won't get robbed.

And above all ENJOY YOURSELF!  Dating is supposed to be FUN!

Luv,
TS Jamie




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