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.