“Scammed” multiple times on 1st cross country tour this year

[TallMuscl37]

Once or twice year I’ll pack up a month’s worth of luggage (which is a lot for me) and do at least 2 cross country rides. Generally called “tours” and can last a month or longer. This year, for fairly understandable reasons (hotel prices, gas, biz being less than desired): I haven’t done any. I’ve been traveling, but mainly just keeping it within a day or 2 drive from my home market in the middle of America. The last time I did one, was going to D.C. September 2023, but I couldn’t continue to New York, because I came down with Covid while I was in D.C. (Thankfully got on Paxlovid the next day and only took a couple days to clear).

But, I decided to go out on a limb and do a trip to California South this year: especially since hotels dropped in prices a lot once school started back up. Overall, it’s a 3-4 day drive across a few cities…but staying in each one for a couple/few days can add more time to it.

On my way to California: things were good, but there was rocky periods in between. Got scammed on the 2nd city I went to: Denver. I had a person I set up before arriving (albeit he didn’t send a deposit, my first mistake). I get there, he drags things along, eventually cancelling the morning of. Not great but, I got past it. However that was my only other booking I had scheduled because I only planned to stay 2 nights max. But ended up being a night and half day instead. Went to the next state, stayed a few days: booked 3 clients, everything was looking up.

Then I went to Arizona, and other than 1 newbie in Phoenix and 1 regular elsewhere: it was nothing going on. 1 guy who was in touch with me WEEKS prior to arriving, he ghosted when I got there, but then reached out again on my last day. I’m asking him to confirm, he doesn’t…just kept BSing and asking questions like, “are you really here”, wasn’t picking up his phone when I called: waits til 10:30 pm to say “I’m ready to send it” when I was telling him at 3 pm I needed a confirmed deposit within an hour: I told him too late, and I continued on to my next destination in California. 
 

Get to California: Shit show central. Multiple booking requests in San Diego area, not a single one panned out. Also advertised LA/Palm Springs: Only person I met was someone I was doing a makeup session from earlier this year. Everybody else were just playing games. Ended up traveling 3.5 hours to another city in the valley. Booked with a couple serious clients full service, but had horrendous World Series LA traffic to get there.

I did another round to San Diego and Palm Springs, But still nothing. It was coming up to Halloween and I was ready to leave, even though I was enjoying my time and the people I was with. 
 

The biggest “scams” came on the drive back: I stopped in 3 cities, and not a single person from RentMen or RentMasseur managed to SHOW UP. One after the next flaked, ghosted or cancelled. I only got 2 deposits worth $150 out of it all. It literally felt like zombie apocalypse the whole drive back. Election Day of course didn’t make things any better. I actually took my number down except on my website for a few days: I didn’t even have the motivation to answer the phone anymore. I was out of money, out of patience, and just couldn’t be bothered.

My latest scam: client reached out, requested a session: says he “hasn’t had good luck” with deposits. I agree to meet him with address as alternative: Sends address but then goes completely ghost the next day, even reading text to confirm…and ignores it. So I didn’t even waste my time going. Actually, the scam after that was when I stayed in a city an extra day, person reached out late for either a morning session or “could he spend the night” at my hotel if he came over: which I said normally not for a first time client, but then he still flaked the next morning, never sent deposit as requested even though HE SAID he could do Venmo. And then just declined the cancellation fee request that I CLEARLY OUTLINE in my ad:

The whole point of this is simply saying: No matter how many times a client(s) claim they’ve gotten scammed: for every 1 time it happens, it could be happening 10 times for us. It’s sad that I can’t really trust the majority of people who reach out from the RM sites much. I don’t know what’s happened, places that I used to do well: were barely producing this time. And I don’t get to do trips like this often. This was a lot of money and time spent, yet I only accomplished 1/4 of what I needed done because: without clients keeping their word, it makes it harder to afford the trip and take care of expenses back home.

And before anyone says it: this is not a pity party or “playing the victim” (and people should read why that’s bad form). This is just an illustration of how merely advertising in the industry as a Rent Man/Masseur can be exhausting, unpredictable, expensive, and not always exactly what it seems. If anything, there needs to be more accountability taken by clients and the RentMen platforms, versus cowering away from a responsibility to be reliable with people they reach out to. 
 

It’s also not great when a “client” contacts a provider like myself and uses words like “sounds like a scam/scammer” or immediately refers to being burned by another escort who I have no idea from Adam. I don’t think that requires me to let down my guard and take a risk, multiple risk(S) that I’ve already taken more than once and seen the results.

Going forward, I’m limiting a lot of my accessibility to texting and being very to the point with inquiries, moreso than I’ve already been. If I have to screen shot my ad to them, and making sure they’ve actually read and agree ✅, that may be what it takes. 

Edited November 11, 2024 by Jarrod_Uncut

[+ ApexNomad]

1 hour ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

Once or twice year I’ll pack up a month’s worth of luggage (which is a lot for me) and do at least 2 cross country rides. Generally called “tours” and can last a month or longer. This year, for fairly understandable reasons (hotel prices, gas, biz being less than desired): I haven’t done any. I’ve been traveling, but mainly just keeping it within a day or 2 drive from my home market in the middle of America. The last time I did one, was going to D.C. September 2023, but I couldn’t continue to New York, because I came down with Covid while I was in D.C. (Thankfully got on Paxlovid the next day and only took a couple days to clear).

But, I decided to go out on a limb and do a trip to California South this year: especially since hotels dropped in prices a lot once school started back up. Overall, it’s a 3-4 day drive across a few cities…but staying in each one for a couple/few days can add more time to it.

On my way to California: things were good, but there was rocky periods in between. Got scammed on the 2nd city I went to: Denver. I had a person I set up before arriving (albeit he didn’t send a deposit, my first mistake). I get there, he drags things along, eventually cancelling the morning of. Not great but, I got past it. However that was my only other booking I had scheduled because I only planned to stay 2 nights max. But ended up being a night and half day instead. Went to the next state, stayed a few days: booked 3 clients, everything was looking up.

Then I went to Arizona, and other than 1 newbie in Phoenix and 1 regular elsewhere: it was nothing going on. 1 guy who was in touch with me WEEKS prior to arriving, he ghosted when I got there, but then reached out again on my last day. I’m asking him to confirm, he doesn’t…just kept BSing and asking questions like, “are you really here”, wasn’t picking up his phone when I called: waits til 10:30 pm to say “I’m ready to send it” when I was telling him at 3 pm I needed a confirmed deposit within an hour: I told him too late, and I continued on to my next destination in California. 
 

Get to California: Shit show central. Multiple booking requests in San Diego area, not a single one panned out. Also advertised LA/Palm Springs: Only person I met was someone I was doing a makeup session from earlier this year. Everybody else were just playing games. Ended up traveling 3.5 hours to another city in the valley. Booked with a couple serious clients full service, but had horrendous World Series LA traffic to get there.

I did another round to San Diego and Palm Springs, But still nothing. It was coming up to Halloween and I was ready to leave, even though I was enjoying my time and the people I was with. 
 

The biggest “scams” came on the drive back: I stopped in 3 cities, and not a single person from RentMen or RentMasseur managed to SHOW UP. One after the next flaked, ghosted or cancelled. I only got 2 deposits worth $150 out of it all. It literally felt like zombie apocalypse the whole drive back. Election Day of course didn’t make things any better. I actually took my number down except on my website for a few days: I didn’t even have the motivation to answer the phone anymore. I was out of money, out of patience, and just couldn’t be bothered.

My latest scam: client reached out, requested a session: says he “hasn’t had good luck” with deposits. I agree to meet him with address as alternative: Sends address but then goes completely ghost the next day, even reading text to confirm…and ignores it. So I didn’t even waste my time going. Actually, the scam after that was when I stayed in a city an extra day, person reached out late for either a morning session or “could he spend the night” at my hotel if he came over: which I said normally not for a first time client, but then he still flaked the next morning, never sent deposit as requested even though HE SAID he could do Venmo. And then just declined the cancellation fee request that I CLEARLY OUTLINE in my ad:

The whole point of this is simply saying: No matter how many times a client(s) claim they’ve gotten scammed: for every 1 time it happens, it could be happening 10 times for us. It’s sad that I can’t really trust the majority of people who reach out from the RM sites much. I don’t know what’s happened, places that I used to do well: were barely producing this time. And I don’t get to do trips like this often. This was a lot of money and time spent, yet I only accomplished 1/4 of what I needed done because: without clients keeping their word, it makes it harder to afford the trip and take care of expenses back home.

And before anyone says it: this is not a pity party or “playing the victim” (and people should read why that’s bad form). This is just an illustration of how merely advertising in the industry as a Rent Man/Masseur can be exhausting, unpredictable, expensive, and not always exactly what it seems. If anything, there needs to be more accountability taken by clients and the RentMen platforms, versus cowering away from a responsibility to be reliable with people they reach out to. 
 

It’s also not great when a “client” contacts a provider like myself and uses words like “sounds like a scam” or immediately refers to being burned by another escort who I have no idea from Adam. I don’t think that requires me to let down my guard and take a risk, multiple risk(S) that I’ve already taken more than once and seen the results.

Going forward, I’m limiting a lot of my accessibility to texting and being very to the point with clients, moreso than I’ve already been. I’m going to start screen shotting my ad to them, and having them ✅ agree that they’ve read it and understand how I deal. 

I get how frustrating it must be to deal with flaky clients and last-minute changes. Setting boundaries to protect your time and resources is totally fair, but keep in mind that adding too many conditions can sometimes turn new clients away.

Do you have regulars? Along with staying open to new clients, consider leveraging those regulars by making sure they get first-class treatment. Offering little enticements that feel good for you to make, but can big impact. I’m not necessarily talking discounts, but little gestures like staying a bit past the agreed time or a follow-up text to say thanks. They’re the ones who come back over and over because they genuinely enjoy the full experience with you and how you make them feel. A balance of solid policies and focus on your loyal clients could help make things more predictable and rewarding. Good luck—sounds like you’ve been through a lot on the road!

[rvwnsd]

I'm sorry you had to find out about San Diego's flakiness firsthand, @Jarrod_Uncut. If it is any consolation, meeting up for coffee often leads to what you experienced. 

[+ keroscenefire]

We actually met on that DC trip Jarrod! Sorry you got sick after. I did too, maybe from that rooftop bar we went to. But yeah I just met with a guy on a trip and he said similar things. Just a lot of flakiness. I think the road trip method is really hard. Just too many expenses that you have to cover and if guys don't work out it can be very hard. Hope it gets better for you soon.

[jeezifonly]

3 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

Once or twice year …

being less than desired …

I couldn’t continue …

Not great but, I got past it. I was out of money, out of patience, and just couldn’t be bothered …

So I didn’t even waste my time going …

I CLEARLY OUTLINE in my ad:

The whole point of this is simply saying: No

This was a lot …

This is exhausting, unpredictable, always exactly what it seems…

cowering away from a responsibility …
 

It’s also not great …

let down …

already taken …

Going forward, I’m limiting 

Did some trimming for clarification. 

😎🤣

[marylander1940]

7 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

Once or twice year I’ll pack up a month’s worth of luggage (which is a lot for me) and do at least 2 cross country rides. Generally called “tours” and can last a month or longer. This year, for fairly understandable reasons (hotel prices, gas, biz being less than desired): I haven’t done any. I’ve been traveling, but mainly just keeping it within a day or 2 drive from my home market in the middle of America. The last time I did one, was going to D.C. September 2023, but I couldn’t continue to New York, because I came down with Covid while I was in D.C. (Thankfully got on Paxlovid the next day and only took a couple days to clear).

But, I decided to go out on a limb and do a trip to California South this year: especially since hotels dropped in prices a lot once school started back up. Overall, it’s a 3-4 day drive across a few cities…but staying in each one for a couple/few days can add more time to it.

On my way to California: things were good, but there was rocky periods in between. Got scammed on the 2nd city I went to: Denver. I had a person I set up before arriving (albeit he didn’t send a deposit, my first mistake). I get there, he drags things along, eventually cancelling the morning of. Not great but, I got past it. However that was my only other booking I had scheduled because I only planned to stay 2 nights max. But ended up being a night and half day instead. Went to the next state, stayed a few days: booked 3 clients, everything was looking up.

Then I went to Arizona, and other than 1 newbie in Phoenix and 1 regular elsewhere: it was nothing going on. 1 guy who was in touch with me WEEKS prior to arriving, he ghosted when I got there, but then reached out again on my last day. I’m asking him to confirm, he doesn’t…just kept BSing and asking questions like, “are you really here”, wasn’t picking up his phone when I called: waits til 10:30 pm to say “I’m ready to send it” when I was telling him at 3 pm I needed a confirmed deposit within an hour: I told him too late, and I continued on to my next destination in California. 
 

Get to California: Shit show central. Multiple booking requests in San Diego area, not a single one panned out. Also advertised LA/Palm Springs: Only person I met was someone I was doing a makeup session from earlier this year. Everybody else were just playing games. Ended up traveling 3.5 hours to another city in the valley. Booked with a couple serious clients full service, but had horrendous World Series LA traffic to get there.

I did another round to San Diego and Palm Springs, But still nothing. It was coming up to Halloween and I was ready to leave, even though I was enjoying my time and the people I was with. 
 

The biggest “scams” came on the drive back: I stopped in 3 cities, and not a single person from RentMen or RentMasseur managed to SHOW UP. One after the next flaked, ghosted or cancelled. I only got 2 deposits worth $150 out of it all. It literally felt like zombie apocalypse the whole drive back. Election Day of course didn’t make things any better. I actually took my number down except on my website for a few days: I didn’t even have the motivation to answer the phone anymore. I was out of money, out of patience, and just couldn’t be bothered.

My latest scam: client reached out, requested a session: says he “hasn’t had good luck” with deposits. I agree to meet him with address as alternative: Sends address but then goes completely ghost the next day, even reading text to confirm…and ignores it. So I didn’t even waste my time going. Actually, the scam after that was when I stayed in a city an extra day, person reached out late for either a morning session or “could he spend the night” at my hotel if he came over: which I said normally not for a first time client, but then he still flaked the next morning, never sent deposit as requested even though HE SAID he could do Venmo. And then just declined the cancellation fee request that I CLEARLY OUTLINE in my ad:

The whole point of this is simply saying: No matter how many times a client(s) claim they’ve gotten scammed: for every 1 time it happens, it could be happening 10 times for us. It’s sad that I can’t really trust the majority of people who reach out from the RM sites much. I don’t know what’s happened, places that I used to do well: were barely producing this time. And I don’t get to do trips like this often. This was a lot of money and time spent, yet I only accomplished 1/4 of what I needed done because: without clients keeping their word, it makes it harder to afford the trip and take care of expenses back home.

And before anyone says it: this is not a pity party or “playing the victim” (and people should read why that’s bad form). This is just an illustration of how merely advertising in the industry as a Rent Man/Masseur can be exhausting, unpredictable, expensive, and not always exactly what it seems. If anything, there needs to be more accountability taken by clients and the RentMen platforms, versus cowering away from a responsibility to be reliable with people they reach out to. 
 

It’s also not great when a “client” contacts a provider like myself and uses words like “sounds like a scam/scammer” or immediately refers to being burned by another escort who I have no idea from Adam. I don’t think that requires me to let down my guard and take a risk, multiple risk(S) that I’ve already taken more than once and seen the results.

Going forward, I’m limiting a lot of my accessibility to texting and being very to the point with inquiries, moreso than I’ve already been. If I have to screen shot my ad to them, and making sure they’ve actually read and agree ✅, that may be what it takes. 

I wouldn't use the word scam to refer to a no show.

When I read the name of the thread, I assumed someone had stolen money from you, hacked your Venmo, etc.

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by marylander1940

[Trick]

18 minutes ago, marylander1940 said:

I wouldn't use the words scam to refer to a no show.

When I read the name of the thread I assumed someone had stolen money from you, hacked your Venmo, etc.

 

I came here to make the same comment.  After reading a long post, I came to the conclusion that NO ONE WAS SCAMMED.  If I understood correctly, someone might have even made $150 from deposits.  It was just a story of a business that’s not doing well.

[marylander1940]

4 minutes ago, Trick said:

I came here to make the same comment.  After reading a long post, I came to the conclusion that NO ONE WAS SCAMMED.  If I understood correctly, someone might have even made $150 from deposits.  It was just a story of a business that’s not doing well.

Agreed!

[NYXboy]

I can see how this would be frustrating.  It appears you need to have some guardrails up to protect not only your time, but also your mental health from people who are jerking you around so much - and I suspect some are doing this to you for pleasure. It must be tough especially when you are laying down money for hotels etc relying on people who are giving you their word only. However, Too many guardrails and you scare off legitimate business.  It's a ting yang balance and you seem to be struggling with it. 

Have you considered taking time off from this role and pursuing something that would give you more fulfillment? it seems like a rest might give you time to recalibrate. 

[Trick]

10 minutes ago, NYXboy said:

Have you considered taking time off from this role and pursuing something that would give you more fulfillment? it seems like a rest might give you time to recalibrate. 

I was going to suggest that he stays put in his city, set up his place to be able to host and work on building his client base there.  There’s no “capital” to put down this way.  But I’m sure I’ll get a long reply explaining why the idea isn’t viable.

[ICTJOCK]

Thanks for the update!    Always good to hear from you.    I've never done a "cross country"  type of approach,  so good to hear input from someone who has.     I typically visit the cities  RM  room and converse with interested parties there to see what degree of interest comes.   I always feel that I have a head start that way.     If I'm not getting positive vibes,  I don't go.

I do have a large number of "regulars"  locally,   so I miss out on some of them when I travel.    Have to evaluate all.

I've talked at length that this is a side activity for me and I have a busy professional career otherwise,  so I also have the balance of determining making money on the side with a trip  (with a day(s) off from work or to stick local .     So far it has been a healthy mix for me.

[Delter]

Thanks for this perspective. While I wouldn’t use the word “scam” to describe these experiences, the seriousness of the issue still stands; dishonest, negligent , and time/money-wasting ”clients” exist on the other side of the business.

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by Delter

[Cretus]

6 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

Going forward, I’m limiting a lot of my accessibility to texting and being very to the point with inquiries, moreso than I’ve already been. If I have to screen shot my ad to them, and making sure they’ve actually read and agree ✅, that may be what it takes. 

This is definitely the way you should go. I try to be very direct with providers so they believe I’m genuinely committed to seeing them and interested in paying.  It’s probably very frustrating to encounter a “client” who is really just masturbating to the phone call or texts. 
 

 

[marylander1940]

@Jarrod_Uncut

Did you make a profit on this cross-country trip? 

[+ ApexNomad]

1 hour ago, Lolito said:

This is definitely the way you should go. I try to be very direct with providers so they believe I’m genuinely committed to seeing them and interested in paying.  It’s probably very frustrating to encounter a “client” who is really just masturbating to the phone call or texts. 
 

 

How much juicy information are providers texting to potential clients that would result in them masturbating? And to not shut it down? Not saying it doesn’t happen, just seems odd.

I can see how clients can waste a provider’s time with endless back and forth texts of scheduling, being non-committal, etc., which is unfortunate. But masturbating? 

[Cretus]

13 minutes ago, ApexNomad said:

How much juicy information are providers texting to potential clients that would result in them masturbating? And to not shut it down? Not saying it doesn’t happen, just seems odd.

I can see how clients can waste a provider’s time with endless back and forth texts of scheduling, being non-committal, etc., which is unfortunate. But masturbating? 

I mean, even mentions of positions, details about ejaculation volume, favorite dirty words, etc can be used to get off. Providers are  definitely less susceptible to a time-waster who texts rather than calls, as the escort would rapidly get tired of typing.
 

Phone calls are a more effective way for a time-waster to masturbate and get off. They involve  more rapid /effortless communication, and time flies by without the provider realizing they have given the “caller” 5 minutes of jerk off material.

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by Lolito

[Cretus]

Lots of providers on RM wisely list “no phone calls” to avoid being exploited for what is ,essentially, free phone sexual arousal. This is aside from the fact that some providers may view it as unfair to be expected to pick up your (a stranger’s) random, unplanned call.

Edited November 12, 2024 by Lolito

[marylander1940]

22 minutes ago, Lolito said:

Lots of providers on RM wisely list “no phone calls” to avoid being exploited for what is ,essentially, free phone sexual arousal. This is aside from the fact that some providers may view it as unfair to be expected to pick up your (a stranger’s) random, unplanned call.

I know people who've been in the business since before the area of texting and believe me a call suspicious of being phone sex would only happen once or twice per year.

I think nowadays young guys simply prefer not to talk on the phone some can't even do it.

29 minutes ago, Lolito said:

I mean, even mentions of positions, details about ejaculation volume, favorite dirty words, etc can be used to get off. Providers are  definitely less susceptible to a time-waster who texts rather than calls, as the escort would rapidly get tired of typing.
 

Phone calls are a more effective way for a time-waster to masturbate and get off. They involve  more rapid /effortless communication, and time flies by without the provider realizing they have given the “caller” 5 minutes of jerk off material.

 

Many providers are discreet and will always keep information simple and would never commit to do a certain sexual act especially by text considering the record will remain forever. 

 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by marylander1940

[+ ApexNomad]

29 minutes ago, Lolito said:

I mean, even mentions of positions, details about ejaculation volume, favorite dirty words, etc can be used to get off. Providers are  definitely less susceptible to a time-waster who texts rather than calls, as the escort would rapidly get tired of typing.
 

Phone calls are a more effective way for a time-waster to masturbate and get off. They involve  more rapid /effortless communication, and time flies by without the provider realizing they have given the “caller” 5 minutes of jerk off material.

 

Then these must be the young providers—which is exactly why I deal with the mature ones. If I were to ask a new provider - in text no less - what his favorite dirty words were, and he didn’t block me right then and there, then he deserves to have his time wasted.

[56harrisond]

3 hours ago, Trick said:

I came here to make the same comment.  After reading a long post, I came to the conclusion that NO ONE WAS SCAMMED.  If I understood correctly, someone might have even made $150 from deposits.  It was just a story of a business that’s not doing well.

If anyone was "scammed" it would be the two potential clients who didn't have their deposit returned when services weren't rendered. Buyer beware.

[Cretus]

19 minutes ago, 56harrisond said:

If anyone was "scammed" it would be the two potential clients who didn't have their deposit returned when services weren't rendered. Buyer beware.

Jarrod mentioned that the “clients” did one of three things- flaked, cancelled, or ghosted. They paid the deposit, so it is perfectly reasonable that they forfeited it.  There is nothing to “beware” there on the part of Jarrod.

Edited November 12, 2024 by Lolito

[Trick]

9 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

The biggest “scams” came on the drive back: I stopped in 3 cities, and not a single person from RentMen or RentMasseur managed to SHOW UP. One after the next flaked, ghosted or cancelled. I only got 2 deposits worth $150 out of it all.
 

My comment about the deposit is being quoted.  This is where I got it from.

[Ali Gator]

Once again, I need to point out that this is the cost of being in business for oneself, especially a service business. Whether you're a provider, a hairdresser, a restaurant owner, B&B owner, mechanic, etc. - THIS is the cost of doing business. It happens to the most experienced of us and the least experienced of us.  You live and hopefully learn. 

A friend of mine has been a mechanic for 25 years (that's how long I've been going to him), working at the same small business. This past Spring, when he turned 50, he took the plunge - invested his savings and bought the business from the owner. It's what he has wanted to do all his working life - be his own boss / business owner. The garage itself is small, and the property it sits on is small which made it more appealing, as he knew it would be easier to control his expenses. He hired a part-time mechanic to work with him through the summer, hoping to make him full time by now.

He actually lost money over the summer as long-time customers who made appointments were 'no shows'. Of the half dozen or so appointments he made for each day (6 days a week) one or two would show up (those were usually new customers). The ones who didn't show up would never call, and those he could reach by phone made excuses ("I thought the appointment was next week"). He couldn't wrap his head around it - these were long-time customers of the business, he knew them well, and now they were treating him like shit. 

The fall hasn't been so wonderful, either. He's had many sleepless nights trying to figure out how he can make ends meet. He's going to stick it out, as he really has no other feasible choice at this point. He started to ask for a small deposit with the appointments, but no one was willing to fork over $50 - instead they promised him they'd never cancel or be a no-show (so far, not true). With a little bit of my help via my own experience, he's learned to deal with it and make the best of it. It comes with the territory. 

[Trick]

What do you all think is the reason why Jarrod always gets the flakes and the scammers? Is it really that bad for the other providers?  I feel like there’s a side of the story we’re not getting here.

[NJF]

1 hour ago, Trick said:

What do you all think is the reason why Jarrod always gets the flakes and the scammers? Is it really that bad for the other providers?  I feel like there’s a side of the story we’re not getting here.

There is no need for any insinuation here. Many providers experienced these issues, and the typical clients of Jarrod probably are more flaky.