Can COM make or break a provider?

[+ pizzaBoy]

Not many other place on the web to get this kind of feedback. So I have to wonder if good feedback here is a coveted thing among providers, since RM reviews are kind of useless. And especially since bad feedback, on more that one occasion, has inspired said provider to sign up and weigh in.

In other words, does good glowing feedback here cause the proverbial phone to ring? Just wondering how important we are lol. 

[Archangel]

1 hour ago, pizzaBoy said:

Just wondering how important we are

If you have to wonder, you’re not 😉 😆 

I have found most guys don’t know this place exists. 

[mike carey]

The question posed is not so much about the value or otherwise of CoM to escorts, few of them know about it, fewer engage. Rather it is one for those who are here. The fact that some attend the Palm Springs weekend on their own dime suggests the site has some value, and that others engage more widely than to burnish or defend their reputations adds to that impression. 

I know I've buddy listed guys on RM based on their interactions here, I doubt I'm the only one. Others I've seen on RM and buddy listed them after meeting them here. That's not enough data to answer the question, but it's not nothing.

[+ DrownedBoy]

My understanding was that RentMen sometimes reads these forums.

[Nightowl]

I’m strictly a client but if I read positive reviews about a provider in my area (DC/Baltimore) or get emails detailing his quality of service, it increases the likelihood that I will hire him above others for whom I have no firsthand information.  It doesn’t necessarily “make” him as a provider, but it might help him if I spread the word after hiring.  As for “breaking” a provider, I’m reluctant to post a negative review for general consumption but will provide negative information in a DM.  

[+ Jamie21]

I’ve had clients book me because they know of me from here. I guess it works the other way too…potential clients on here thinking to themselves ‘I’m not booking him’. On balance I think it can only be positive to be present in spaces like this. The more clients know what you’re like the more confident they can be in booking. It’s half the battle if a client is confident they got the right guy for them before they walk through the door. 

I’m not here though just for business (I say without irony ….conscious that my sign off is promoting my website and fans sites 😂). I like the community insight the platform provides. I like the sharing of info and ideas and the largely respectful and constructive way it’s done, from both masseurs/escorts and clients. Online there are very few spaces like that so it’s important to nurture and value such a space when you find it. 
 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Back in the Hooboy and Daddy days when the site included daily reviews, I'd say sure, this place could easily make or break a guy.

But now?  The traffic isn't at the same volume and the concept isn't as novel.  It's a smaller group posting, no reviews/reviewers to talk about and social media has changed the business completely.

This forum is still a great resource, but it's dramatically different from even just a decade ago.

 

[BuffaloKyle]

I don't think we'll make or break anyone but we've certainly had clients book someone or not from feedback posted on here for sure.

Edited April 16 by BuffaloKyle

[+ Just Chuck]

I've booked because of positive reviews and comments here.  And I've told guys I've booked that's why I booked them and almost all of them have been surprised to learn of the existence of COM.

[56harrisond]

I too have booked and chosen to avoid a provider because of how they present themselves on the forum.

A provider with positive reviews on the forum is a big green flag. Positive discussions and reviews also help to build my RM Buddy List.

[+ JamesB]

The number of active members here is pretty small compared to the overall pool of people hiring, so it's unlikely that this site alone can make or break a provider. You’d be surprised how many clients hire purely based on an ad, without doing any research. Granted, those tend to be the ones who only hire once or twice a year. Are those the clients providers are aiming for? Probably not. Most serious providers are likely looking for regulars, not just one-time hires.

That said, I’ll admit I’ve both hired and passed on providers based on what I’ve read here. As part of my vetting process, I also reach out to reviewers on RMass and RMen, and I always mention COM to them. Whether any of them end up joining or even visiting the site, I honestly have no idea.

[BrickBuilder]

I view this site as just one data point to consider.    In the end I make my own decision on first time hiring and on repeat hiring.  From all the posts out there it is extremely apparent that we each have our own concept of a "excellent" encounter and our own "red flags".  Mine certainly do not match those of other posters here and I am sure the same in reverse.

I have to say that finding a true comment by someone that has actually hired a particular provider can be difficult here.  ALOT of comments are just about their ad, or their looks, or some extraneous piece of information that has nothing to do with an actual encounter.  (At times I have to wonder about the percentage of supposed 'clients' that have in reality hired a provider and are not just being voyeurs here).

There are providers that have been trashed here but when I have talked with them, interacted with them and hired them, I had a great time.  And I have every intention of doing it again.  

There are providers that have stellar reviews here that have never responded to an inquiry or ghosted me.  Additionally, there are forum members here that are providers that I would never hire a second time because of how they were in person (as compared to their on-line persona).  And my guess is that there are providers that do not want to meet with me because they did not like the vibe or our initial encounter.  

Again, my money...my choice.  Milage varies greatly among providers and clients.

[ShortCutie7]

20 hours ago, Archangel said:

I have found most guys don’t know this place exists. 

That’s surprising… if they google themselves, this place will often come up!

[Archangel]

4 hours ago, ShortCutie7 said:

That’s surprising… if they google themselves, this place will often come up!

I wonder how often they do that. 

[Nightowl]

On 4/15/2025 at 7:21 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

Back in the Hooboy and Daddy days when the site included daily reviews, I'd say sure, this place could easily make or break a guy.

But now?  The traffic isn't at the same volume and the concept isn't as novel.  It's a smaller group posting, no reviews/reviewers to talk about and social media has changed the business completely.

This forum is still a great resource, but it's dramatically different from even just a decade ago.

 

I wish I’d discovered the site during its heyday.  It’s been so helpful to many of us newbies.  What was in the reviews that are no longer here?

[+ glutes]

What makes or breaks a provider isn't COM, it is how they comport themselves.

Good providers flourish.  Age shavers/photo frauders/name changers eventually fizzle.

[Act25]

2 hours ago, Nightowl said:

I wish I’d discovered the site during its heyday.  It’s been so helpful to many of us newbies.  What was in the reviews that are no longer here?

Perhaps someone smarter than me can post a link to the old Daddy's reviews.  Calling you AZDR.  

The really old ones were like reading a porn novel - all the juicy details.  Daddy had to tone them down a bit due to new laws. 

[Nightowl]

6 hours ago, Act25 said:

Perhaps someone smarter than me can post a link to the old Daddy's reviews.  Calling you AZDR.  

The really old ones were like reading a porn novel - all the juicy details.  Daddy had to tone them down a bit due to new laws. 

Must’ve been fun to read them!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

9 hours ago, Nightowl said:

What was in the reviews that are no longer here?

Hooboy (and Aaron Lawrence) pioneered the concept by allowing review submissions, which he personally vetted nightly...  A massive job.

The reviews gave a better idea of who the escort was and what they were capable of, long and short term.

There was also the 'Coverboy of the Day' status, which could send many thousands of hits to an escort's website if they were featured.

Daddy kept most of what Hooboy created while putting a few of his own tweaks on the system.  It also worked nicely.

Edited April 17 by BenjaminNicholas

[marylander1940]

On 4/15/2025 at 12:27 PM, pizzaBoy said:

Not many other place on the web to get this kind of feedback. So I have to wonder if good feedback here is a coveted thing among providers, since RM reviews are kind of useless. And especially since bad feedback, on more that one occasion, has inspired said provider to sign up and weigh in.

In other words, does good glowing feedback here cause the proverbial phone to ring? Just wondering how important we are lol. 

It certainly helps having a good reputation in this forum and being recommended, but at the end of the day is up to each of us to hire someone or not.

 

[marylander1940]

23 hours ago, JamesB said:

The number of active members here is pretty small compared to the overall pool of people hiring, so it's unlikely that this site alone can make or break a provider. You’d be surprised how many clients hire purely based on an ad, without doing any research. Granted, those tend to be the ones who only hire once or twice a year. Are those the clients providers are aiming for? Probably not. Most serious providers are likely looking for regulars, not just one-time hires.

That said, I’ll admit I’ve both hired and passed on providers based on what I’ve read here. As part of my vetting process, I also reach out to reviewers on RMass and RMen, and I always mention COM to them. Whether any of them end up joining or even visiting the site, I honestly have no idea.

[+ Gar1eth]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:08 PM, Nightowl said:

I wish I’d discovered the site during its heyday.  It’s been so helpful to many of us newbies.  What was in the reviews that are no longer here?

Here is a link to the (legacy) Review Site. You can still get to some of the reviews. I don't know if any pictures still show up.  

Daddy's Reviews - Terms of Service

ARCHIVE.COMPANYOFMEN.ORG

---

Daddys M4M Reviews

 

On 4/17/2025 at 5:18 AM, BenjaminNicholas said:

Hooboy (and Aaron Lawrence) pioneered the concept by allowing review submissions, which he personally vetted nightly...  A massive job.

 

I remember Hooboy always seemed to be traveling. In his personal blog, he'd always talk about his travels and whether he was having trouble posting  the day's reviews because of travel related mishaps.
 

As for Aaron Lawrence-now there's a name I haven't thought about in years. I believe he was from New Jersey but traveled a lot. He had his own very professional website. I can't remember if I ever contacted him or not-I looked at the Review Site for about 5 years before I actually ever hired in 2002, and I'm pretty sure he had retired by that time. Plus he wasn't really my type. He was cute enough -but more of a slender, twinkish build where I'm into more athletic/muscular guys.  But I remember he had an excellent reputation. 

Edited April 24 by Gar1eth

[soloyo215]

On 4/15/2025 at 12:27 PM, pizzaBoy said:

Not many other place on the web to get this kind of feedback. So I have to wonder if good feedback here is a coveted thing among providers, since RM reviews are kind of useless. And especially since bad feedback, on more that one occasion, has inspired said provider to sign up and weigh in.

In other words, does good glowing feedback here cause the proverbial phone to ring? Just wondering how important we are lol. 

As a client, I value the information that I read here, and the feedback that I get in PMs. That said, I treat the information I get here the same way I treat reviews:

• They are personal experiences, which means it might not be mine
• Fake sources are always going to be present
• I try not to let my confirmation bias get in the way, looking to confirm what I want to hear about a provider
• Multiple sources of information can give me a better sense of what I'm looking for. I see themes and experiences that show similarities.

At the end of the day, both the information here and reviews are not to be taken as guarantees, nor as assurance.

[moonlight]

It's really surprising that many providers and clients have no idea this site exists. I found it the very first day I even considered hiring and I don't think I would have been comfortable moving forward without it.

[nate_sf]

On 4/17/2025 at 3:18 AM, BenjaminNicholas said:

There was also the 'Coverboy of the Day' status, which could send many thousands of hits to an escort's website if they were featured.

The "Coverboy of the Day" was a big deal. As @BenjaminNicholas mentions, it could really raise the profile of an escort in a big way.

Also don't forget Daddy's "Seal of Approval." That was highly coveted. It did not necessarily mean Daddy had sampled the goods. Rather, it was awarded to escorts who had done something that Daddy thought was exceptional. Daddy himself was elusive in revealing what criteria he had for awarding the seal. By one estimate, guys who were veterans of the armed forces were rumored to be automatic candidates, but not sure that was ever confirmed.