Like a phoenix rising from the ashes

[rogerG]

Greed was the downfall of Rentboy? Funny, I thought it was hubris.

Usually, when you find one, the other ain't too far behind.

[+ oldNbusted]

Why do I get the impression you're rather adept at generating free advertising on a popular site?

 

Kevin Slater

 

Isn't it curious how that just happens?

[TopTierTop]

If you were an escort would you go for a free sample session?

 

That's too much and somewhat weird....

 

But I'm not trying to get a new site started.

HELL NO! Not a chance! Creepy!

[jvanchicago]

Maybe a crazy idea, but if they really wanted to verify identities and verify the level of service, why don't they look at what has worked in the service industry for years-secret shoppers?

Clients on staff who go through the motions of contacting an escort, having the session, PAYING FOR THE SESSION (reimbursed or covered in advance by the company), and then having them write a review after the fact. This review could then be labeled as "Staff Verified" or something along those lines. The mystery shopper client would of course not let it be known that a review will be forthcoming, so the performance of the escort shouldn't be altered by the promise of a review. I know there are some things that just depend on the client's perspective, but these reviews could cover the basics that most of us look for: ease of making appointment, communication, valid photos, etc. This just seems less creepy and less exploitative then "give us a freebie, and we'll give you the a-ok."

And if this were to come to fruition, I'm always looking for a side gig, and happen to have mystery shopping experience

[+ Keith30309]

Maybe a crazy idea, but if they really wanted to verify identities and verify the level of service, why don't they look at what has worked in the service industry for years-secret shoppers?

Clients on staff who go through the motions of contacting an escort, having the session, PAYING FOR THE SESSION (reimbursed or covered in advance by the company), and then having them write a review after the fact. This review could then be labeled as "Staff Verified" or something along those lines. The mystery shopper client would of course not let it be known that a review will be forthcoming, so the performance of the escort shouldn't be altered by the promise of a review. I know there are some things that just depend on the client's perspective, but these reviews could cover the basics that most of us look for: ease of making appointment, communication, valid photos, etc. This just seems less creepy and less exploitative then "give us a freebie, and we'll give you the a-ok."

And if this were to come to fruition, I'm always looking for a side gig, and happen to have mystery shopping experience

Sign me up

[rogerG]

Maybe a crazy idea, but if they really wanted to verify identities and verify the level of service, why don't they look at what has worked in the service industry for years-secret shoppers?

It's not a crazy idea at all, jvanchicago. In fact, I think it's the right approach and the "verification process" that they should adopt.

 

Obviously, the free-service option to acquire a verification is too controversial. The perception is "disrespect for the service provider." With a "secret shopper," there's no perception of disrespect. The review/verification comes honestly, with integrity.

 

In the spa business, we occasionally had to recruit massage therapists who had sizable followings. In order to do it secretly, we had to send a recruiter to a competitor spa and approach the therapist in the privacy of his or her room. We had a budget for the recruiter to pay for the massage, but it's not something that was done often.

 

Here are a just few obstacles.

1. Gay men aren't very good at keeping secrets. If a secret shopper gets exposed, then the escort community will know which customer to stroke with more enthusiasm. Sort of like figuring out what the restaurant reviewer looks like, even though he reserves under an alias. Once exposed, the owners would need to find a replacement. Of course, there would be plenty of volunteers, but how many would be reliable and trustworthy? Hiring for that job could be a revolving-door time suck for the team.

2. The cost to the business could be significant. Someone would need to provide deep pockets until the money can find its way back in profit.

 

HELL NO! Not a chance! Creepy!

If one of their team members is old and obese, it very well could be a "creepy" choice for an escort who screens his clients based on certain criteria.

Edited October 10, 2017 by rogerG

[ChristianCronin]

Well let's not all forget that they have the option to verify by Skype also.....

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Well let's not all forget that they have the option to verify by Skype also.....

Do you know who choses which option is used for verification? Them or the escort?

[rogerG]

Well let's not all forget that they have the option to verify by Skype also.....

Skype may not be available for some users. For example, now that Microsoft owns Skype, Mac users must upgrade to a recent OS before they can download Skype. There are a number of Mac users who don't want to update to a newer OS. When it comes to relying on technology, it can get complicated.

[+ freecahill1965]

If one of their team members is old and obese, it very well could be a "creepy" choice for an escort who screens his clients based on certain criteria.

Doesn't a great escort overcome those obstacles?

[+ oldNbusted]

Doesn't a great escort overcome those obstacles?

 

No, a great escort doesn't see them as obstacles.

 

But you do have to give credit to someone who is upfront about their limitations, no matter how much you may disagree with them.

[+ freecahill1965]

No, a great escort doesn't see them as obstacles.

 

But you do have to give credit to someone who is upfront about their limitations now, no matter how much you may disagree with them.

Agreed! Though I usually pass over those with limitations, even if I like them and meet their limits. I have found SO FAR that those that have limitations tend to provide limited services so to speak.

[rogerG]

a great escort doesn't see them as obstacles

I agree with that.

 

But you do have to give credit to someone who is upfront about their limitations

Credit for honesty has its worth, but escorts with limitations like weight, age, and skin color don't get the label "great" from me.

[+ Keith30309]

Interesting differentiator.

 

What constitutes “poor”, “average”, “good” and “great”? (removing inherently subjective elements like appearance, position, ethnicity, etc)?

 

If forced into a distribution something like 10%/40%/40%/10% how many “great” companions have you met?

 

In my mind anyone can be “average”. It takes some commitment to one’s clients to be “good”.... and I think “great” companions are born - that is, there is some innate emotional intelligence or other quality that enables certain guys to stand out to any given client.

[MikeBiDude]

If forced into a distribution something like 10%/40%/40%/10% how many “great” companions have you met?

Waaaaaayyyyyy too subjective for this group!

[+ oldNbusted]

Interesting differentiator.

 

What constitutes “poor”, “average”, “good” and “great”? (removing inherently subjective elements like appearance, position, ethnicity, etc)?

 

If forced into a distribution something like 10%/40%/40%/10% how many “great” companions have you met?

 

In my mind anyone can be “average”. It takes some commitment to one’s clients to be “good”.... and I think “great” companions are born - that is, there is some innate emotional intelligence or other quality that enables certain guys to stand out to any given client.

 

I would set aside outright scammers, they give real guys a bad name. Even though my history is short, with the help here, I've been lucky enough to meet one guy I would say was great, three guys who were good, in that they were fun and I would like to meet them again, except one turns out to be not offering the experience I want, two guys who were average, some minor misrepresentation and small time scheming, and one guy who was just poor. So it would break down to 14%/28%/42%/14%, so most guys have been good or better.

 

If it shows anything, the average and poor guys were not recommended by anyone here.

Edited October 11, 2017 by oldNbusted

[+ José Soplanucas]

I would set aside outright scammers, they give real guys a bad name. Even though my history is short, with the help here, I've been lucky enough to meet one guy I would say was great, three guys who were good, in that they were fun and I would like to meet them again, except one turns out to be not offering the experience I want, two guys who were average, some minor misrepresentation and small time scheming, and one guy who was just poor. So it would break down to 14%/28%/42%/14%, so most guys have been good or better.

 

If it shows anything, the average and poor guys were not recommended by anyone here.

 

 

I do not think we can judge an escort quality and talents based only in our experience with him. I agree 100% we can say and share we had a poor or bad experience with a professional. But one bad experience with me does not make him a bad escort. We should look at patterns, and that is why this space is so precious.

[+ oldNbusted]

I do not think we can judge an escort quality and talents based only in our experience with him. I agree 100% we can say and share we had a poor or bad experience with a professional. But one bad experience with me does not make him a bad escort. We should look at patterns, and that is why this space is so precious.

 

 

I think there is room for some nuance there. I'm not talking about a bad match makes someone a bad escort and I suspect there is a threshold beyond which we would agree is bad.

 

In my case, the 'poor' guy was lying in his ad, lied in email, lied on the phone, was verbally abusive when I pointed this out in the meeting, behaved in a way that reasonable people would agree was physically threatening, made clear I wasn't leaving with my money, and in the end turned out to have a webcam set up in his hotel room, which made me paranoid he had recorded the entire meeting.

 

The only reason I can't honestly put him in the scammer category was because I have some experience de-escalating tense situations and wanted to test it here. So once we were able to negotiate an extremely limited set of activities, the meeting proceeded. I'm not a person to get up on my hind legs and act all offended because I've been treated poorly, but he was poor and I wouldn't recommend that anyone see him.

[+ José Soplanucas]

http://ilikepinga.com/2017/10/12/rentboy-pro/

[ChristianCronin]

Do you know who choses which option is used for verification? Them or the escort?

 

The escort gets to determine which verification method is used. I was very curious about the "investor" they mentioned who supposedly verifies escorts in person. I actually don't think anyone is verifying anybody in person. I think they're trying to appeal to escorts and clients with a familiar name so that they can soon start adding premium packages and whatnot.

[ChristianCronin]

Skype may not be available for some users. For example, now that Microsoft owns Skype, Mac users must upgrade to a recent OS before they can download Skype. There are a number of Mac users who don't want to update to a newer OS. When it comes to relying on technology, it can get complicated.

 

Just saying

 

All this gripe about the site "scamming" escorts for a free session and all the exact details hadn't yet been mentioned. Truly, if someone wants to be verified and is letting a software update prevent them from using Skype, then how badly do you want to be verified?

[+ Tarte Gogo]

The escort gets to determine which verification method is used.

Well, that is good and extremely important, they should say that on their FAQ. Terrible communication skills!

[+ Tarte Gogo]

I actually don't think anyone is verifying anybody in person. I think they're trying to appeal to escorts and clients

Well given the number of likes I had here about my outrage at their freebie option, they don’t seem to understand that it doesn’t appeal to many escorts or clients.

 

Most Escorts: I have to work for free? Fuck that.

Most clients: I have to pay but they get it for free, just because they work for RB.pro? Fuck that.

Edited October 12, 2017 by Tarte Gogo

[+ quoththeraven]

Maybe a crazy idea, but if they really wanted to verify identities and verify the level of service, why don't they look at what has worked in the service industry for years-secret shoppers?

Clients on staff who go through the motions of contacting an escort, having the session, PAYING FOR THE SESSION (reimbursed or covered in advance by the company), and then having them write a review after the fact. This review could then be labeled as "Staff Verified" or something along those lines. The mystery shopper client would of course not let it be known that a review will be forthcoming, so the performance of the escort shouldn't be altered by the promise of a review. I know there are some things that just depend on the client's perspective, but these reviews could cover the basics that most of us look for: ease of making appointment, communication, valid photos, etc. This just seems less creepy and less exploitative then "give us a freebie, and we'll give you the a-ok."

And if this were to come to fruition, I'm always looking for a side gig, and happen to have mystery shopping experience

There are potential thorny legal issues with the payment and reimbursement by the company.

[+ José Soplanucas]

Well, that is good and extremely important, they should say that on their FAQ. Terrible communication skills!

 

It is stated in the FAQs. It clearly says it is at the escort's request and choice.