Addressing Coercion and Building a Stronger Merb Community

[Fradi]

Actually Merb is not what it used to be at all it Is really getting to the point where I am losing interest in it.
I actually trust some of the ladies I have met more. I will take their recommendations first.
They have zero to gain by recommending their friends and colleagues and are not jealous of each other, you cannot get better information than that and you already have a reference that vouches for you.
As for contacting an agency there really is nothing to be gained by revealing that you are a Merb member.
Personally I don’t like revealing detailed reviews and have never written one, there are much better ways of saying whether you had a good time or not without dehumanizing the ladies that go out of their way to put a little kindness into our life. I know I would not like reading that about myself if the tables were turned so why would I do that to any of the ladies I see.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

Actually Merb is not what it used to be at all it Is really getting to the point where I am losing interest in it.
I actually trust some of the ladies I have met more. I will take their recommendations first.
They have zero to gain by recommending their friends and colleagues and are not jealous of each other, you cannot get better information than that and you already have a reference that vouches for you.
As for contacting an agency there really is nothing to be gained by revealing that you are a Merb member.
Personally I don’t like revealing detailed reviews and have never written one, there are much better ways of saying whether you had a good time or not without dehumanizing the ladies that go out of their way to put a little kindness into our life. I know I would not like reading that about myself if the tables were turned so why would I do that to any of the ladies I see.

I deeply appreciate your honesty and perspective. Unfortunately, there are members who heavily rely on positive reviews to guide them towards reputable service providers. Personally, I fail to see any issue with reviews as long as they are authentic, refrain from disclosing the service provider real name, and avoid including their actual face. I struggle to comprehend where the problem lies.

Regarding the current state of Merb, it is disheartening to see it fall from its former glory. However, like many good things, starts filled with butterflies and rainbows and decrease over the years . Unfortunately, over time, certain individuals took advantage of the Merb membership, causing harm to its reputation and impacting everyone involved. Despite these setbacks, I maintain hope that Merb can once again regain its past greatness. It may require a few adjustments to rectify the situation.

I still hold a deep admiration for the entire concept of Merb and believe that it is crucial to continue posting reviews for new members in this hobby. By doing so, we can protect them from falling victim to scams on platforms like Leolist and other bad service providers Moreover, it is essential for both newcomers and existing members who rely on Merb to have flawless encounters with service providers. The overall concept of Merb is truly ideal and innovative for individuals in this hobby. The collective knowledge and experiences shared by each member are what bring Merb to life.

Additionally, I would like to underscore the importance of maintaining privacy and anonymity as a member. This ensures that encounters are on equal footing with non-members, allowing for authentic experiences and a better understanding of the services provided by service providers. I genuinely hope that you do not give up on the community too hastily. Your posts, knowledge, and expertise are always a pleasure to read, my friend.

 

[Fradi]

^^^^^
You can write a positive or even a negative review without a play by play of each acronym and gymnastic activity minus all the orgasms had or given .
It may be informative and colourful but I very much doubt any lady wants or enjoys reading that kind of review about themselves.
I fully agree with reporting bait and switch or any encounters that might endanger a client or a lady that is totally mechanical and basically wants the money and can’t wait to get rid of you but I find many reviews ridiculous and more about bragging than anything to do with the escort.
On the flip side a lady that is kind and thoughtful and puts a little joy into your life deserves a positive review and hopefully the additional business it may bring her.

I can only say that I have stuck to Merb advertising indies and I have yet to have an experience that I can say was a waste of time and have found a couple that were amazing and one that has been a total angel but like I said now days I tend to ask the ladies I see for a reference of who to see if I feel like seeing someone new or an experience they don’t offer .

I personally don’t like the trend of Merb turning into a political web sight where a handful of posters dominate 7-8 threads with the same bs and most never contribute to what Merb should be about which is reviews, nor do I trust or like the reviews that are all about bragging.

 

[sapman99]

A long time ago, in a MERB far away, I met a very popular agency girl. During chitchat prior to the "action", I mentioned being a member of the board. As a result, I was treated to IQE (Ice Queen Experience). It was really bad karma, since the said lady had a handle on the board, which she used to prepare her "coming out" as an indy. Not only that, I was made privy to her stratagem: she and a hobbyist friend of mine conspired to have her meet "Colonel Cojones" (a very popular member at the time) as her first indy client. Needless to say, CC did write a glowing review to usher her into the scene.

In her posts prior to "coming out", she railed against members who talked of MERB when meeting her. She then turned the tables and used MERB for leverage herself. When we met, I suspected she was at least a reader of the board, and only mentioned it to foster conversation.

That being said, I wholeheartedly agree with the thread opener: there seems to be a number of members who are weaponizing their membership to apply pressure on providers. This is bad for the community and must stop.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

^^^^^
You can write a positive or even a negative review without a play by play of each acronym and gymnastic activity minus all the orgasms had or given .
It may be informative and colourful but I very much doubt any lady wants or enjoys reading that kind of review about themselves.
I fully agree with reporting bait and switch or any encounters that might endanger a client or a lady that is totally mechanical and basically wants the money and can’t wait to get rid of you but I find many reviews ridiculous and more about bragging than anything to do with the escort.
On the flip side a lady that is kind and thoughtful and puts a little joy into your life deserves a positive review and hopefully the additional business it may bring her.

I can only say that I have stuck to Merb advertising indies and I have yet to have an experience that I can say was a waste of time and have found a couple that were amazing and one that has been a total angel but like I said now days I tend to ask the ladies I see for a reference of who to see if I feel like seeing someone new or an experience they don’t offer .

I personally don’t like the trend of Merb turning into a political web sight where a handful of posters dominate 7-8 threads with the same bs and most never contribute to what Merb should be about which is reviews, nor do I trust or like the reviews that are all about bragging.

I concur with your viewpoint that writing a negative review is an unkind action. Instead, it would be more constructive to highlight specific issues that contributed to a poor service experience, rather than outright condemning the service providers. Such an approach could potentially safeguard their professional reputation and prevent a loss of self-confidence. Personally, I would prefer to refrain from writing any bad review, as I always consider the possibility that the service provider in question may be having bad day or simply not interested in me or my particular needs, which is understandable. However, if the encounter was truly disastrous and had the potential to harm other individuals, I would feel compelled to write a review as a cautionary measure. As for the political threads on the merb platform, I believe it is a fantastic idea to have such discussions alongside the usual focus on service providers. I must confess that the majority of independent service providers are of high caliber advertising on merb, possessing exceptional business acumen and providing excellent service.

 

[Fradi]

I am not against negative reviews or people being honest about their experience, however many things contribute to a bad experience and it is not always the fault of the provider. If someone is arrogant or demanding pushing her boundaries we can all come up with many scenarios.
I have always believed that if you treat a ,lady with kindness and respect she will return that multiple times.
Of course it helps to do your homework and stay away from sights like LL, humpchies etc…. where you are just asking for trouble.
Yes Merb was very helpful to me especially in the beginning but like the opening statement I don’t think Merb is what it was like 5 years ago or further back.
Yes it is disheartening to read many Twitter comments of providers who openly hate and bash Merb members and it is not the odd one but becoming quite frequent. I am sure the term slobbyist is not unknown to most here. This is not the kind of reputation I am looking for and it is definitely not the one I have with the ladies I have seen, so no I don’t mention the fact that I am a Merb member and only 3 providers actually know my Merb handle and two I have been seeing for over 5 years and trust completely and the third may be on hiatus permanently ( hopefully not as she is an amazing young lady).

 

[wiinston17]

Iirc, back in 2014 when i joined, leaving a brief review without going into excruciating details was met with some push back from other members either accusing you of shilling or simply putting up a review to access certain parts of the forum. Thus, the trend was to go into extremely long reviews including what time one got up that day to how many visible grain de beauté was visible on the provider's butt cheeks.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

I am not against negative reviews or people being honest about their experience, however many things contribute to a bad experience and it is not always the fault of the provider. If someone is arrogant or demanding pushing her boundaries we can all come up with many scenarios.
I have always believed that if you treat a ,lady with kindness and respect she will return that multiple times.
Of course it helps to do your homework and stay away from sights like LL, humpchies etc…. where you are just asking for trouble.
Yes Merb was very helpful to me especially in the beginning but like the opening statement I don’t think Merb is what it was like 5 years ago or further back.
Yes it is disheartening to read many Twitter comments of providers who openly hate and bash Merb members and it is not the odd one but becoming quite frequent. I am sure the term slobbyist is not unknown to most here. This is not the kind of reputation I am looking for and it is definitely not the one I have with the ladies I have seen, so no I don’t mention the fact that I am a Merb member and only 3 providers actually know my Merb handle and two I have been seeing for over 5 years and trust completely and the third may be on hiatus permanently ( hopefully not as she is an amazing young lady).

In my previous posts in the past , I consistently emphasized the importance of behaving like a gentleman, being kind, making the service provider feel comfortable, avoiding rushing the encounter, and offering hospitality as key factors in receiving excellent service. This formula has proven successful in 99.99% of my experiences. When I come across a negative review, I reflect on how different the provider's behavior was with me, almost the opposite. Disappointing encounters with service providers are extremely rare for me, thanks to my adherence to these principles. This formula has been developed over years of experience and is the key to ensuring a satisfying experience. Regardless of physical attractiveness, age, or body size, as long as these principles are respected, one will not be let down by a service provider.

I agree with your viewpoint that the service provided may vary depending on the client's behavior. Merb should be seen as a valuable resource, similar to Wikipedia, for those seeking information about service providers. Some people misunderstand that being a member of Merb does not grant any special privileges, leading to confusion and ruining the reputation of Merb.

I also agree that Merb is particularly useful for beginners in the sex industry, but its usefulness diminishes once one becomes familiar with the landscape of service providers.

The criticism directed towards Merb by other service providers can be attributed to their own shortcomings within the industry. Instead of self-reflection, they prefer to shift blame onto others. Rather than questioning why they receive negative reviews on Merb, they blame the platform itself.

It is apparent that certain individuals are not suited for this profession due to the potential mental toll it can take. Not every service provider possesses the necessary skills to meet diverse client demands. Thriving in this industry requires strength and resilience. Most service providers Indy who advertise on Merb embody professionalism and can handle challenging clients and situations. Those lacking the necessary qualities should reconsider pursuing a career as a service provider.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

Iirc, back in 2014 when i joined, leaving a brief review without going into excruciating details was met with some push back from other members either accusing you of shilling or simply putting up a review to access certain parts of the forum. Thus, the trend was to go into extremely long reviews including what time one got up that day to how many visible grain de beauté was visible on the provider's butt cheeks.

I apologize to hear about your unfortunate experience when writing a review. It is possible that as new members, others may not have taken you seriously, which is a common issue with certain members on the platform. Instead of appreciating your effort to provide honest and helpful feedback, it felt like a disrespectful gesture. It is important to remember that those who accuse or complain are often individuals who have not posted a review in a long time or have never written one at all. These individuals tend to cause trouble and engage in bullying behavior towards other members, which is not conducive to a respectful community.

I appreciate you bringing attention to this issue, as it is a significant problem on Merb. It takes a great deal of courage and effort to write a well-thought-out review, only to be accused of promoting or shilling for the provider. I am sorry that you had to go through such an experience, and I thank you again for shedding light on this matter.

 

[CaptRenault]

Actually Merb is not what it used to be at all it Is really getting to the point where I am losing interest in it.
I actually trust some of the ladies I have met more. I will take their recommendations firs…

I agree. The only reason to check reviews anymore is to make sure that a girl doesn’t have several recent bad ones. Even then, you can’t know anything for sure. It’s important to remember that all the information here is from anonymous and unverified sources. There is no way to know if a reviewer even actually met the girl he is reviewing. The info and photos posted on agency websites are more useful to me. In the case of one leading agency, the agency website is the only way to find out the agency’s roster and schedule.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

I agree. The only reason to check reviews anymore is to make sure that a girl doesn’t have several recent bad ones. Even then, you can’t know anything for sure. It’s important to remember that all the information here is from anonymous and unverified sources. There is no way to know if a reviewer even actually met the girl he is reviewing. The info and photos posted on agency websites are more useful to me. In the case of one leading agency, the agency website is the only way to find out the agency’s roster and schedule.

With the utmost respect, my friend, I must express my disagreement with your stance. It is important to acknowledge that not all reviews can be categorized as falsehoods. Within the realm of Merb, there exist reliable sources who provide accurate and trustworthy reviews. On the other hand, those who fabricate their reviews are quite conspicuous, and their deception can be easily identified. All it takes is a simple comparison between one's own personal encounter or the review of another member with the dubious review in question. Merb should be regarded as a veritable Wikipedia of service providers, offering a wealth of information for users to make informed decisions.Personally, I prefer to form my own judgments by experiencing things firsthand rather than relying solely on reviews.

 

[CaptRenault]

With the utmost respect, my friend, I must express my disagreement with your stance. It is important to acknowledge that not all reviews can be categorized as falsehoods....

I didn’t say that all reviews are fake. I just said that I don’t find reviews to be useful anymore, except possibly when a girl has several recent negative reviews. Also, it is true that all reviews are unverified.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

I just saw a post under @Sensation agency and almost felt like puking .Tired of seeing relentless criticism towards the agency's booker by merb members, it's important to highlight that the majority of reviews regarding service providers from sensation actually praise the agency's Sensation for their effortless and relaxed booking process. Speaking from my personal experience, I had the pleasure of interacting with this booker in the past when I met the lovely Marie Sophie, and he turned out to be the most kind and laid-back person I've ever encountered. He didn't even know who I was as it was my first time calling. Just recently, I took a shot in the dark and tried to schedule a appointment at 2am, fully aware that it was a long shot due to the late hour. Surprisingly, he promptly responded and politely informed me that no one was available called it a night long time ago. This incident speaks volumes about his character and his dedication to go above and beyond to address inquiries. The question arises as to whether individuals like these members are the reason why service providers and agencies hesitate to interact with members of merb, leaving me feeling profoundly disappointed. These types of posts help me understand why nobody is willing to associate with merb members. Another incident occurred this week when I tried to book an Indy, and she inquired where I learned about her. I mentioned that I had read several positive reviews on merb, to which she responded that she dislikes dealing with merb members. The situation is becoming increasingly chaotic, and frankly, I am very angry.

 

[DouMan]

There is the abuse of power as you said...

But at the same time when a review is written in details, almost to the point of an erotica, spank bank worth, a girl can feel violated. Often to her the intimate time spent was that intimate time with YOU... She isn't going around to tell someone every detail of that time with him, and he isn't being judged and expected to provide the same to everyone he meets. She has no anonymity in the scenario, while the gentleman in question are still anonymous..

But many reviews aren't actual reviews.. They are written in a manner you might have seen as an article in playboy. Every detail written so clearly the audience might as well have been sitting in the room during the encounter. Her privacy completely obliterated. She may have deemed you good enough to do this thing with, but now because it's out there in her review everyone who comes across the review expects the very same treatment.

Which I guess comes full circle to what obvio said and forcing her into a corner to do something with this guy she only intended to do with the original review poster.

Totally agree.

To read some reviews is almost hilarious and looks more like a "hey look how good I am" than actually acknowledging the lady. "I did this, I did that, She wanted more" and bla bla bla.

Most have totally lost the understanding and respect of "YMMV" and probably don't even know what it means anymore.

Easy enough to see when reading some that always want more intimate details probably wacking off with one hand, typing with the other and siting with a cucumber up their ass ...

Details yes to a certain extent, but let's respect the intimacy offered to us by those we have the privilege of meeting.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

I didn’t say that all reviews are fake. I just said that I don’t find reviews to be useful anymore, except possibly when a girl has several recent negative reviews. Also, it is true that all reviews are unverified.

With all due respect, most people on this platform come here to read reviews and most of them are not here sports, politics and health.

Differentiating between valid and unverified reviews is quite simple. If a review is written by a trustworthy member who has been vouched for by other members and their accuracy has been acknowledged, then you can trust their review. On the other hand, it is easy to identify unverified reviews. These may come from new members or individuals exposed as spreading lies or posting fake reviews, and most of the time, are caught and exposed by moderators,agency owner’s, service providers or trustworthy members.

Now, you are an intelligent person, and surely you understand where I'm coming from. When you dismiss reviews as worthless, you are inadvertently insulting those who take the time to write them and spend their hard-earned money to ensure others can enjoy quality service or save their own money.

Personally, I am more inclined towards writing reviews because, back when I first entered this hobby, I was constantly let down by service providers. It was then that I discovered merb and, from that point on, my experiences were often like a walk in the park.

Many members put in a great deal of effort and have to save up quite a bit to afford booking a service provider. Imagine meticulously saving your money for weeks, eagerly fantasizing about the experience, only to be disappointed. This is the main reason why I write reviews - I want to give everyone a clear idea of what to expect and help them find the best value for their hard-earned money.

If you are on this platform for other reasons, I understand,but please refrain from belittling the importance of reviews. Doing so is an insult to the entire platform, as there are many individuals who take the time and go out of their way to contribute through reviews.

I hope you now grasp the significance of reviews and recognize the value of those who write them. While I may admit that my knowledge might not be the best when it comes to politics, I am spot on and genuine in my reviews of service providers.

* I'd like to apologize for my inappropriate behavior as a member for yesterday burst.The moderators were kind enough to give me a warning that could have resulted in a one-month suspension. I sincerely apologize for my actions,my friend. @CaptRenault .*

 

[Guido Vendetta]

Those highly detailed, Penthouse letter type reviews just make me laugh. I can't get through half of what is written before thinking "yeah, sure (eyeroll)..." and moving on. As for members trying to leverage positive or negative reviews for their own benefit, douches will be douches regardless of which team they play for.

 

[Obvio-0bvio]

Those highly detailed, Penthouse letter type reviews just make me laugh. I can't get through half of what is written before thinking "yeah, sure (eyeroll)..." and moving on. As for members trying to leverage positive or negative reviews for their own benefit, douches will be douches regardless of which team they play for.

I completely agree with you, particularly regarding the use of leverage for a negative or positive review, which is truly awful. In terms of reviews, I prefer to express my enthusiasm and highlight how the service providers made me feel. I also enjoy adding a touch of fun and flair to my reviews because some individuals appreciate it as it provides them with a better idea of what to anticipate. However, I greatly respect your comment. Well articulated, my friend.

 

[Lexus3]

Those highly detailed, Penthouse letter type reviews just make me laugh. I can't get through half of what is written before thinking "yeah, sure (eyeroll)..." and moving on. As for members trying to leverage positive or negative reviews for their own benefit, douches will be douches regardless of which team they play for.

Yep, well said, douches will be douches!

 

[MacDaddyBigBoss]

When I joined this board, I loved it. Back then, 2012, when contacting a SP and saying you were a MERB member was like you were a God.
As time went on, and speaking to the SP's I noticed that mentioning MERB got you almost banned from seeing the SP. I know because it happened to me several times. I stopped doing that., There is where I was told by the ladies about board members trading a good review and them paying less. It's disgusting. It's too bad people abuse this forum for their gain.
For me it's was a privilege, but today I mention it when we are pillow talking and ask if they want a review, if she says no I'm good with that.
The abuse has to stop because at one point it could happen that no one will advertise here.

Obvio-0bvio,thanks for starting this thread and it should have been much earlier.

I agree, I recently joined this community not to get discounts but to ONLY get reviews and maybe see some gems I haven’t gotten to see before. I thought that at least having a presence here would have some sort of validation with the screening process but I’ve learned that it means jack shit. I stay because I like to hear from the providers perspective and hearing about my fellow hobbyists about experiences good and bad. Hopefully we can weed out the ones who make this community bad, but for someone who just came around, I think you guys are doing a great job. You’ve got a new member in me.

 

[kabukicho]

I have come across stories regarding members who, in exchange for a complimentary service or discount, post positive reviews.

Hello O-x2, That's like blackmail.

Didn't occur to me this happened, though why it may not have happened at the 'beginning' of Merb could be just by chance. All said, I am fully open to the prospect of this having happened as you describe having heard, however I am on the side of being a tad hard pressed to believe the majority of providers would ultimately decide to go along with the blackmail just for a review.... I hope that is not the case. I'm basing this on is merb really that large a % of a agency or indy girl's clients? We can figure out when a poor experience report is scripted more often than not as well.

Ultimately I would be on the side of calling the bluff and allowing whatever false review being made and let that be called out in the end, rather than agree with any discount or special service. I only appreciate special service when the lady feels happy with the session proceeding well.

I recently noticed XO's twitter has pinned since 2019, sort of their own thread (from their point of view) w/ a couple of their employees chiming in (propagranda?) who knows...

Keep in mind XO stopped advertising here... most outside looking in, suspected it was simply due to money, which it still may well mostly be or fully, or not. I dunno.

But their pinned thread sorta throws mud at ALL MERB members, members being most difficult to deal with, a little paraphrase there.

With that pinned for 4 yrs now, how many XO workers or prospective providers wanting to join XO, or another agency, casually read that and conclude negatively toward Merb members too, since 2019? It breeds discrimination and extends the negative perception into the minds of others toward all MERB.

Yet, I think it's safe to say there is not anything which XO has implemented since, that allows them to supress their business coming from Merb members.