mod

Well thankfully CL looks like it's in a heap of legal nightmare in the USA as of Friday and maybe that will knock them out a little. Here is hopping! Walmart is a good example as it comes to a town and destroys all the smaller retail business's and downtown market spaces (The places where you get the best service and that personal touch) and often offers you less quality products and pays crappy wages to people who could care less to help any of the customers. Maybe that is the way everything is headed... maybe we should just offer free CL type ads on EC and have them unmoderated too? (OMG I would be hung for even suggesting that at a staff meeting!) No one can compete with FREE especially when it's un-moderated free as you do not need to pay someone to moderate a site like that. It comes at a price however and the price is not always clear at first. Maybe those who use CL now don't care about stuff like the future of the business but all you guys who support CL your supporting a direction that you do not want this industry to go! You all complain about bait and switch and all the other crap that comes with the business and those SAME GUYS use CL and are supporting the very place that is allowing most of this to take place! It's SICK! Sure all the ladies who use it are going to try to convince everyone it's ok and defend it (It's free - they see that as a good thing and often don't look past that). Whats that saying... you can't have your cake and eat it too? It all comes full circle. Sites like cerb are not money makers and rely on the ladies advertising to keep them afloat. In the case of cerb we rely on the ladies supporting escorts-canada as that is who pays the bills for cerb. The other large discussion sites also rely on advertising revenue (without that they would not exist as these sites are high traffic and expensive to run with very little income generated compared to the expense) Making a site like cerb (Strictly a local Canadian site) as popular as CL? Are you kidding me? Do you know how much it would cost to promote cerb to that level? (Probably not cause you made that statement and are probably under the impression that it's easy to do!) - CL has been online for MANY years and was lucky enough to catch on. In this day and age you would need to spend MILLIONS of dollars to get as popular as CL or do something cutting edge like facebook and twitter have done. Suggesting that we promote the site better (a site that makes NO money) is ridiculous! When you consider it's pretty much a full time job these days for me to run cerb (I don't work for free as much as I like you all I need to live) and we may make at most $800.00 a month on banner revenue so who pays my salary, who pays for the cost of the servers, cost of the chat room FMS server, custom upgrades, etc...?? The math is simple... This site does not even come close to breaking even let along being profitable. If this trend and support for CL continues it will be very bad for everyone who enjoys sites like cerb or EC as we would have to choice but to make drastic changes to continue to operate. I am sure EC will be around forever as many people don't want to deal with CL and want a better more reliable site but if revenue drops on EC cerb will cease to exist as it runs as a loss (Or we just start charging the ladies if they wish to post ads on here like the other discussion sites do or charge a membership fee to everyone but I doubt that would work) we would need to find volunteer moderators like the other sites do and see if we can generate enough income to keep it running but either way it would be a drastic change ... in other words the site would go down hill and none of us want that but few people look to the future and think "I wonder what my actions today will impact the future". I guess I am one of the few who see this going VERY bad. Support CL if you must but in a few years don't point your finger at others when your scratching your head wondering what the hell happened to the industry! Many times the idea to remove ALL references to CL on cerb have come up in conversation here and it may only be a matter of time before we choose to make it a rule not to even mention the letters CL on cerb. Maybe it would be best for us to take the stand against CL more personally and just say that anyone who uses CL is on their own! Seams 90% of the time when someone asks about someone on CL here on cerb the answer is always the same "I PMed you info" (Meaning I can't post the truth as this site does not allow negative posts) It's only a matter of time... I am sure we will wait to see what the latest legal battle against CL in the USA and the 17 states who are now banned together to force CL into removing the adult section. CNN did a investigative report and cover on this and interviewed craig himself calling CL the "Walmart of child sex trafficking" Really... is exploited and un-moderated forums really the direction we want the industry to go after all this work to bring it into a positive light? Does this not set us all back 20+ years?

I am open to suggestions.... I changed it as new members were posting here because they were new ( not to ask questions ) it was confusing to many. I could not come up with the best choice.... how about you all give me some suggestions?

Congratulations megforfun!! I will be doing the icons later in the week.

Congratulations CATO!! I will be doing the icons later in the week.

Of course they are not all bad but it's a FREE UNMODERATED forum that is easily exploited and abused (SO ALL THE SCAMERS FLOCK TO IT) so I say assume they are all potentially BAD and any that your interested in come research or ask about here. If not your at high risk (AS THE ORIGINAL POSTER FOUND OUT FIRST HAND) of getting someone BAD! You need to support the good sites, the ones who do not allow the scams and bait and switch. It costs money to police the sites (Moderate them) as someone is doing a job (Like me) where CL no one is moderating and no one could care less!! Support the sites that fight for you!! That kick the scum off and have integrity! It may cost a few dollars on sites like escorts-canada to advertise but it's worth every penny as you will not be mixed in with all the scammers and you would be supporting a site that fights for this industry! CERB ONLY EXISTS BECAUSE OF REVENUE FROM ESCORTS-CANADA so by support a site like CL and coming here to DEFEND it and PROMOTE IT is a BIG KICK IN THE FACE and I think very shortly we will have to change our policies here if this trend continues. EC is not going to support cerb if stuff like this continues. Tulsa, you use this site but are supporting CL you don't even have an ad on EC (And I don't see you with an ad on EC in the past unless it was under a different name). You have not purchased a banner on cerb or done anything to help financially support this site. You seam to just use everything you can that is FREE for you and people like this usually do not consider the big picture. I am not sure what direction cerb is going to go but if people continue to do this I don't see the future being all that bright for cerb. CL is not going to change any time soon. For those "Good" ladies who support it... well your just making it easier for the scammers as your part of the problem as your ads are the ones that help bring traffic for them and your giving the scammers a place to go! Your actually doing harm to the industry by supporting such a place and I know many of you don't consider the effects you actions have on the industry and only really consider what is best for you personally right at this moment (and I don't blame you for that) but please keep this in mind... CL is turning the clock backwards in this industry - it's making MORE AND MORE scammers (Bait and switch, robberies, pimps, etc...) all get involved as it's free and it's a place they can easily exploit!! AND THEY DO!! Think of this... How many guys for the FIRST TIME call a girl from CL and get bait and switched or scammed in some way (Have a horrible experience?) ... those guys who have a BAD experience off CL may NEVER use a escort again. Who looses here? You a little... but future generations of escorts are loosing BIG time as this is a paradox (What you are doing now will greatly effect the future for this industry) Some of you complain about SLOW TIMES? Wonder why less guys are booking escorts? Wonder where that money is now going? (A lot of it - as we can clearly see here is going to the bait and switch, pimps and scammers on CL) - Sometimes I think I am the only one who see's this!?!? These people are taking YOUR clients and scamming them (with no concern for themselves) and they are giving you all a BAD NAME!! and you just let them do it!! and worst of all some of you SUPPORT these sites like CL!?!?!? ?!!? Now this is happening MORE AND MORE all the time as CL gains popularity! Why is CL gaining popularity??? Because some of the good ladies are supporting it and that is just a shame! I know a lot of you use it because it has high traffic but remember... you are pushing the industry backwards when you do this! I CAN not allow people to promote CL here because it's VERY damaging to our entire industry and I look at the BIG PICTURE as I would like to have a job in 10 years!! If the ladies who are not scammers would just abandon it and leave it for the scammers it would loose popularity. Some of you think "It's free" .. it's not! It comes at a price and your just not getting it!! Every dollar that goes to a scammer is a dollar out of the pockets of the ladies who deserve it! Now we have American sites getting desperate to compete with CL and CVibe for instance now has the same free exploitable text ads that CL has. Is this really where the industry is headed??? If this continues 10 years from now your all going to be scratching you heads and pointing fingers at other things saying it must be that reason why this business is gone to crap!! Just remember CL is the reason and your supporting it now you and still in the business in 10 years you will deserve what you have to look forward to. You think I am over exaggerating? I have been involved in the industry since 1992 and I have seen the trends and how things are effected by bad industry choices. I have watched strip clubs go from million dollar establishments to just getting by as the industry was exploited with lap dancing. I watched massage spa's pop up on every corner and kill off a big chunk of the strip club and escort industry money. I watched the internet grow and start to turn power back to the independent escorts and start to make the industry respectable in the media while the pimps and scammers started to loose power... and now I see sites like CL that are giving power back to the pimps and the scammers and some of you are allowing this to happen inadvertently. See you in 10 years as the industry is not headed in a good place with sites like CL. Now is the time to stop this trend or pay the price down the road.

Thanks Seymour! Great idea's and suggestions! Very much appreciated.

Probably better off not to... No one really wants to hear about that stuff here. Your messed up (Used CL without checking) you obviously know better... I say it's best to chalk it up to a screw up and move on.

I was told my previous post sounded a little harsh (and that was not my intention - I was just doing it in a hurry I guess) I revisited it and the member was correct it was coming across a little rough and could be mistaken so I reworded it. Sorry if anyone else felt I was out of line - really that is not what I intended it to read like.

We are working on a e-zine for Canada (DIGITAL MAGAZINE - NOT PRINT) we looked at doing a version in print as well (Since we have experienced staff here who have done work for a number of magazines and know the print business well) but it's not feasible in this industry to do that. At least not without getting advertisers and subscribers (and that requires a BIG investment and a lot of staff) The $pread magazine is a perfect example as they don't have the money to continue (as stated in the blog). Internet is the way to go and if you all would like to be involved in our ezine we would love to have you as contributors (or more if you have the time)... We do not have any plans to print it however but we are considering a E-Book version for mobile devices (Iphone, bberry, android phones, etc..) It is in the works now, we have an editor and a number of people who have expressed interest... just working out the details now. Print is on the way out the door anyway...

Not on cerb. We do not allow negative posts but if someone ASKS about this lady you can PM that person information (Just not offer it or post her name here) You know about CERB now so picking ladies off CL without checking is a BIG NO NO and you found out the hard way. Do your homework next time and this will help make sure this does not happen again.

Most of the ladies do not have MBA's so expecting them to do what mainstream business's do (In the way they operate the business) is not realistic (Wrong expectations!) Mainstream business men and women with either a business education or years of being in a professional business environment learn certain "rules" for successfully marketing a and operating a company. These are things you LEARN over time but can benefit greatly upfront if you learn them early. For Instance... Such things as.. downturns (How to anticipate and how to ensure security) never admitting your slow (sales are down) most business professionals know NEVER to do this (Always say your doing great) ROI (Return on investment - how to make 10.00 into 100.00) landing a deal (Market, Sales Pitch and HOW TO seal the deal!) Addressing your customers needs (It's not always about the sex or the looks - the personality is very important and the way you make your customer feel is very important) phone sales (Mannerisms... not to answer the cell phone while driving or with screaming kids or yelling friends... or loud music playing) Time Management scheduling Follow Ups Repeat sales (Return clients) etc... A lot of the ladies learn this over time and trial and error... (and that can hurt a ladies reputation before she even gets started full swing). Things many people who work in mainstream business assume are common knowledge or obvious choices allude many people who have no formal business experience - and it's easy to forget that at times. This business has no prerequisites, you do not need any business skills to make money as a provider but if you had those skills you could make a LOT MORE money. A few of the ladies over the years have had MBA's and they usually excel rapidly and really do well in the business... and really you do not need a MBA to learn these things. Most are common sense but often overlooked or viewed as not as important. The most successful ladies are the ones who have the ENTIRE PACKAGE (Sell the fantasy, polite on the phone, never miss appointments, treat the guy like he is a god, have lots of fun and enjoy people).... It may just be a big act or illusion ... or it may be the lady really likes her job (Either way the customer should NEVER be able to tell the difference). If you do this you will rarely have slow times as your "Regulars" will keep you busy during these off season times.

Rules and FAQ area have been updated Please review: http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/faq.php If I have missed anything please let me know.

This is a very common thing with the ladies... Always looking for the "Reason" the business gets slow at times and always looking for answers as to why they get no shows and cancellation more at different times of the year. Most NO SHOWS can be stopped by screening your calls properly. Use the Caller ID and CALL BACK the number to verify it. Most guys will not pull a NO SHOW on someone without having the decency to call and properly cancel if you have their number. They know that come appointment time one very upset SP is going to give them a call asking WTF! It's not 100% but it sure helps for those who screen calls. It also makes the call a little more safer as that phone number is now a connection between the guy and the lady... I doubt someone dangerous is going to want to leave a number that can be traced back to them. Most of the ladies look for reasons when things are slow. I guess most of us do that when the business we are in takes a drop in sales/traffic/work load/etc.... You can spend a good portion of your day trying to figure this one out but it's not really worth the effort. It's WAY easier to just plan for these lows (Put some money aside for the slow periods) and just accept that this is part of EVERY business and it will happen. Stop stressing out and trying to point a finger at what you think is causing the slowness as your just going to convince yourself of something that is probably not correct. We have been tracking patterns in this industry since 1996 and the answer for this is... (Drum roll please)... It has no pattern EXCEPT for a few obvious LOW spots. 1) The end of Aug is SLOW every year! (Kids out of school, getting ready to go back to school, family summer vacations, etc...) This is the most popular summer weekend in the tourist industry!! 2) 1 week before and 1 week after Xmass (No need to explain this one right?) New years day too? NOT... 3) January/February for 2 weeks every year (We sum this up to winter blues and getting your credit card statements from Xmass! but we never know what two weeks it will be but for sure 2 weeks around this time it does drop... one year we did not see this and come April we saw a real low drop for 2 weeks and that was obvious weather patterns (Long winter/early spring ... warm winter/cold spring etc...) it does effect this business and you never know when this is coming exactly... so just put some cash aside for these times. 4) First nice weekend of spring (A lot of the ladies take this time off too) 5) Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentines, long weekends, really large sporting events (etc)... they also effect the business. The rest has NO identifiable pattern. You can try to blame it on the economy as a low economy brings more people into this business causing more competition and the overall amount of "Recreational money" the guys have gets a lot smaller so yes the economy does effect it but a low economy BUT it also brings more guys (New guys) in to the mix as well so it's not hit as hard as one would assume. Remember money and sex are the two big things couples fight about... When the economy drops and the money gets tight the stress levels go up, the fighting between couples goes up and the sex stops!! FACT OF LIFE... and I hate to admit it but that is good for this business for all you ladies!! When economy starts to get good again business will decrease a little at first! It's OPPOSITE of what everyone ASSUMES! As for NO SHOWS... This time of year it will obviously be higher. Kids are still home from school, Family vacations, relatives coming for visits, back to school shopping, etc.. etc... and all those people taking time OFF work for family vacations makes other people have to work more (Overtime to cover shifts, higher work loads, etc) it's all relevant.... A lot of LAST MINUTE things come up this time of the year for the "Family Man" and well... kids and family (for most people) come first so recreational visits take a back seat so stuff will get canceled more this time of year. Picture this... The guy is all ready to come see the lady he has chosen and the door bell rings and it's his brother or uncle or who knows who just "DROPS BY" for a visit... URH!? Probably with his annoying kids and wife... (Many of us have been in similar situations) This happens EVERY YEAR... Come September 17th (Or around that time) once the kids are back in school and the routine is back... things will pick up. Summer sucks as a lot more things can get in the way or throw a guys schedule off. Don't spend all your time looking for reasons why the business slows down.... it happens to EVERY PROVIDER & EVERY BUSINESS ... It can not be busy 100% of the time and it does take a little planning and anticipation.

Om G tH at m Ade my h e ad hU!rT

I Installed a "patch" (Security maintenance update) on cerb today - please let me know if anything is not working... often when these patches are added they change some stuff (This one was very large) if you find a feature that was previously working that is not longer working please let me know. I notices a few things already and addresses the problems so I am sure someone will find something I have missed.

This feature is disabled. We have photo albums in your profile and you can LINK them into your ads OR use the icon when posting and you can link them in from another site. Allowing attachments on actual posts poses a security threat for the site so we disable that feature.

newer versions are buggy and all of our features (plugins and custom code) are not compatible so we would loose most of the features. a friend has upgraded his site to 4.0 and has had nothing but nightmares so that is not even an option at this time.

we have a number of things installed. apparently this is something new none of the anti spam stuff can stop yet. I am sure it will be addressed and a patch will be issued shortly. the systems we have in place do stop 99.9 %. and up until yesterday 100% has been stopped in the last year since we had the last big spam problem. how they get past the moderation queue is what bothers me. that means they are using some exploit we are not aware of yet and that has not been patched.

Ok, Someone has figured out how to get past our moderation... I am not sure how yet but the spammers have been able to post some SPAM posts and somehow bypass the MODERATION QUEUE. If you see these posts please DO NOT click on the links and DO NOT reply to them. Simply click the REPORT THIS icon on the posts.:-?:-?

I just noticed it says "posted by a mobile device" I wonder if this hack messes up with mobile devices? Anyone else having this problem where they can not get past the mandatory read thread on a mobile browser??

You probably have your browser's security settings to high if you can not get past this area. I beleive the mandatory read program plants a cookie in your browser so that if knows you have read this page. Can you let us know what browser you are using?

I agree the site has LOTS of content and a joke or two in every issue would be nice as well.... what we don't want is to repeat content in a "copy and past" sort of way from cerb to the magazine. Just use cerb (and the other discussion boards) as references for research on certain topics... Maybe having someone do a story based on a hot topic here in each issue would be a good thing and we can tag it with "To join in the conversation and comment visit this link" (Since it is a "E-Zine" hyperlinks can be made to reference pages and discussions). I would really like to see a lawyer or course contribute and a medical professional as well. Many sites exist with actual MD's who answer heath questions but having a actual doctor or public heath nurse answer questions specifically for the magazine on health topics would be really good. I know some of the members here are lawyers and medical professionals so hopefully they want to help (We would only publish the persons REAL identity if they told us it was ok - everyone who contributes can use a alias if they wish and it can be a different alias from what they use on the discussion boards too). One of our members is a tax specialist and has offered to help out with tax Q&A's (I am very excited about this as I think it will be a HUGE help as I get asked those types of questions all the time).

just being nominated makes you a winner as someone has found value in your contributions and wats to give you some recognition! everyone on this list should feel great about it! everyone nominated will get a nomination icon (anyone who does not have one already that is... a few people already have them from last time)

did someone nominate you and I missed it?? if so I am very sorry... I tried as best I could to get everyone who was nominated. pm me if I missed you and I will add you in.

fixed it.. sorry wit!