Slightly crazy suggestion?

[davebhome 1474]

This may sound a little weird, but wouldn't it make sense for people posting services on BP to include a picture of them that features the current edition of the newspaper from the city in which they are located?

 

This would take an extra 5 minutes, but think of how many potential issues this one simple act would instantly put to rest (i.e. authenticity of photos, age of photos, actual location, etc.).

 

Any reason not to do this?

[Kilt Boy 29353]

It's starting to sound like a kidnap and ransom situation.

[cat 262460]

It might make things easier if most clients actually read anything worded in a backpage ad. ;) Rather than chasing down a local newspaper, most of us thought a website would fix that pesky "Is she real?" wonderment. All teasing aside, some kind of verification would certainly help but the issue is that girls who don't have a website usually aren't inclined to do so...

 

smiles, cat

[Jasmine Rain 23126]

I don't see a need too in my opinion. I work hard to keep my site, my twitter and my ads recent and accurate. I am not hunting down a paper to take a selfie with it daily. That is just too much.

 

My opinion is, if you are that concerned, move on to another lady. I want my clients to feel comfortable, but I will only go so far. Some of that responsibility is on the client.

 

Do tin-eye and google image searches, read reviews, etc.

 

I put in my time and effort as much as I can, and I hope you do as well. I am actually very impressed and attracted to men who take the time to read my site and my ads. It shows me the appreciation for my efforts and I like that. Those guys are the ones who get the extra attention from me. Instead of a pic of BP with a paper that everyone sees, they get a private pic emailed to them out of the blue with a special little sexy note. Now I know not everyone is like me, but do you want generic or do you want something different. Sometimes taking the time yourself, brings about the greater reward.

[Nora Brighton 9410]

Honestly, MANY service providers put a LOT of effort into writing ad copy, keeping up-to-date and information-ladden websites, posting regularly to social media, keeping up an online presence precisely for this reason - to cast away any doubt as to our authenticity. Rather than giving us yet another task - namely chasing down a local newspaper and taking a decent selfie daily - perhaps potential clients could make a small effort and do some research? It takes much less time to google "CITY escort NAME" than it does to go find a newspaper, doll oneself up (because yes taking photos requires a certain level of maintaining appearances), take a photo, and post it every day.

 

Just my two cents...

[davebhome 1474]

Obviously everybody is free to run their business anyway they want. And obviously clients can research authenticity issues in a number of different ways.

 

That said, I would have thought that an advertisement that made further research unnecessary would be better than and advertisement that required further research?

 

It would be a bit like a regular business saying "We don't need to put contact information in the ad; customers can go online and find that." True - they can, but if you give them the contact info in the ad, then they don't need to. It's one less obstacle to them making the call or visiting the store, which is the whole point of the ad.

 

For me, if I was trying to decide between two ads, I would definitely go with the one that let me immediately confirm the most information.

[Charlotte Edwards 8590]

Those of us who have websites, twitter and instagram often post it in our ads. I don't want defensive clients who are nervous and "terrified" if I am real or not because they've made poor choices before. It's not a nice power dynamic having to convince and prove you are real to very skeptical and scared potential clients. If someone can't tell that I'm real when I have pro photos, selfies, my website, my twitter, and instagram in my ad then they aren't the client for me. I have plenty of gents who are happy to find that I am real and clicking another link in the ad really isn't that much work. Most people do not bother to look at every single photo in the ad either because they're browsing on their phone. So going out and buying a paper to take a pic every day to try and get the few lazy guys who won't click a website or be able to discern someone real vs a fake ad seems like a low ROI.

[davebhome 1474]

Okay - I think the women replying here are not in circumstances that would benefit from my suggestion. If you have a website, then that pretty much speaks for itself.

 

But there are plenty with alternate circumstances. I've been looking at the ads on BP in the small city where I reside. None of the providers seem to have any sort of website. Many have great photos; some are fake and some are legit (according to credible discussion on this forum), but it takes a while to discern between the two possibilities.

 

Speaking of this forum - many of the discussions in the smaller cities here are concerned with the very issues I raise. This isn't just because clients are lazy.Research can confirm a fake, but it doesn't confirm authenticity. For instance, Google can tell you the photo isn't posted somewhere else. It can't tell you that the photo was taken today in the city where you are located. That last sentence is a major selling point, and not because I'm unduly timid. I just don't want to waste my time going down a fake path.

 

If you're posting an ad, I assume it's because you want new clients to call. If you can make this easy by setting the client's mind at ease, then I suspect you are likely to get more calls. I would also think that cautious, deliberate clients are somewhat desirable (although I take the point above about people who are unduly fearful). I admit this is just speculation on my part, as I don't really know any of this for a fact.

 

Again - if you already have a full website - god bless. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty. We don't get many like you out here in the sticks. We do have some great providers though, and I still think they might do well to take a quick selfie with the newspaper.

[Gregsand 6116]

With people losing interest in printed media, it makes your suggestion pretty outdated. Also, with Photoshop it's quite easy(for someone experienced with the software) to edit a newspaper front page on a picture.

 

There's no magic foolproof solutions other than doing a quick Google search and reverse look-up to see if someone's legit or not. Or just use websites like LYLA instead of BP and CL.

[Manluvsex 13731]

I think Dave's suggestion is aimed uniquely at new or unknown providers who have no web presence, reviews etc and where Google searchs of photos and phone numbers either come up empty or are inconclusive. The proverbial ''diamond in the rough'' does exist on Lyla and this rare and legit breed would do well to prove their identity in one way or another. Many clients will not risk a trip to an unknown provider who can not prove her identity, which means that even those who are legit in real life will be mostly ignored until they acquire a reputation tooth and nail.

 

So the suggestion about running out for a newspaper on a daily basis may be too time-consuming, but the tried and true selfie method is an easier alternative. The provider writes her current location, name and phone number on a piece of paper held in front of her and takes her picture and posts it on BP. With this information posted, at least you know that the pictures and physical description are legit. If the client wants to find out more about the provider, he can always speak to her on the phone, which can give some feel for the type of service and personality of the provider.

 

Not having unlimited time or money, I prefer to go with providers who have a presence on the internet including twitter, their own website or a profile on a reputable site like Lyla. Those that have excellent reviews on Lyla, a detailed profile as well as a decent website get 5 stars and are as close as you can get to a sure thing as you can get in this crazy world. I rarely go for someone who doesn't have a glowing review.

 

My personal experience has led me to avoid BP except for known providers who have a web presence, reviews or other means to provide credibility about their identity, description, type of service and personality. Without that kind of basic information a client is flying blind and would as well throw his money out the window as drive out to a dive on Montreal Road.

 

My second comment about BP, based on a number of years of close observation and research about their daily listings, is that it is a minefield with about 10% of the ads being legitimate and that slim percentage is declining. As BP does nothing to eliminate the trash and there is no way to call the fraudsters and liars out on BP, it will never become a reliable site for clients seeking legit providers.

 

Except the proven ones as previously mentioned, because they need to advertise somewhere that remains mysteriously popular with men. My hunch is that some men would rather pick through the wasteland that BP has mostly become in search of that rare and elusive diamond. For the others, I believe the saying is: ''Never give a sucker an even break!''... or is it ''BBB: Bullshit Baffles Brains''.. or is it ''Never Act solely with your Little Brain -- You know, the one with one eye!''

 

There are several different categories of false, misleading or questionable ads that proliferate like weeds on BP, each in their own ugly patch:

 

1. There are providers who have not updated their photos or description for three or more years, so their information is unreliable at best.

2. There are many others who are fraudulently using photos of well known and stunning escorts, cam models, actrices or porn stars and yet they have the gall to say their photos as 1000% accurate and whine about time-wasters and cheap-skates.

3. Others work for disreputable ''non-agencies'', share similar phone numbers and often engage in documented B&S fraud.

4. Almost all repeat ads for asian providers have proven time and time again to use phony pictures and cite 20'some ages for providers who are 10-15 years older and as many pounds heavier in real life.

5. There are providers who change their names and phone numbers so frequently it is next to near impossible to authenticate them.

6. There are also some names that seem to be especially popular on BP, it is hard to tell one Chloe or Tiffany from another, especially when a name is chosen because there has been a recent positive recommendation for a legitimate provider with that same name.

7. And there are a large number of providers who have advertised on BP daily since the French first discovered Upper Canada and for whom there has never been a review or they have had reviews that have wailed about their lacklustre service etc.

8. Others have concurrent ads in Ottawa, Brisbane, Pretoria, Paris and Timbuctoo (OK I'm exaggerating!)

9. Bla bla Bla

10. More BS.

 

Yeah I have a list of 10!

[davebhome 1474]

"Do the research and you will thank yourself. SPs alone cannot held responsible for proving themselves to be reputable. Men also have to be a part of this equation since this is what could eventually stop the bait and switch scams and the fraudsters by doing their research and avoiding these people."

 

I agree that SP's aren't responsible for proving themselves to be reputable, but isn't it in their best interest to do so? If this is a service industry, would it make sense to make that research as easy as possible?

 

Imagine that a pawn shop buys a Rolex, complete with the original box and all the papers. I guarantee the pawn shop would put everything out together in the display case. They wouldn't display only the watch and say "The customer should be responsible to do their research to determine that this is authentic. It's not up to me to prove it, or do their research for them."

[LuxeMulvari 65764]

 

"For me, if I was trying to decide between two ads, I would definitely go with the one that let me immediately confirm the most information."

 

Sigh... this is the problem right here ^^^

 

I don't spend 500$ on photo shoots and 1000's more on web design, banners, and graphic design, hosting, twitter and instagram apps and paid advertising, just to go out and buy newspapers to prove I'm established. A simple look at my website, quality of my content and my reviews with a simple google search will show that. Problem solved in LITERALLY three clicks...

 

Not to mention all the time I spend writing ads, answering phone calls, texts and pm's and actually spending time with my treasured guests, I really don't have time to do that everyday, nor am I inclined. I've been a provider for over a decade and not to sound blunt, but I don't need to prove myself. My work and reviews speak for themselves.

 

What kills me is there is a variety of established ladies, right here on Lyla. If you actually take them to research and find someone with a reputation, then you'll get your money's worth plain and simple. If we were bad providers, we wouldn't be around as long as we have.

 

Consider the following two scenarios:

 

Provider A: Add on backpage. Selfies, no website or reviews. Prices are low range

15 min rates and specials. Explicit with Acronyms. Phone number in ad with rates and contact number.

 

Provider B: Add on backpage as well. Professional pictures, with few selfies for legitimacy thrown in. Links to website, has reviews, long and strong internet presence. Rates are higher range. Discreet ad with an intro, has a link to a website posted to for further info.

 

Which do you choose?

 

The smart hobbyist knows that even though it's "easier" to contact provider A as she requires no further research, probably doesn't screen, is ready asap and costs less, Provider B is the best bet. Why?

 

Because Provider B takes her business= her lively hood seriously. She invested time and effort into her presentation, which naturally carries over to her clientele and her service. She has a reputation to protect, and the small sum she may make by ripping a gent off or rushing him isn't worth the backlash or cost to her bottom line. Happy clients =happy bank account. It's simple economics.

 

Provider A can do virtually whatever she wants with literally no consequence. Some new selfies or pics stolen from IG (very popular new method) and 5$ text me app and she's back in business. There's virtually no consequence for bad behaviour. Sure, you may feel she costs less it's a better deal ;it's just too much work to actually read a 1 page website and she doesn't make you do that, however, if you are receiving poor service, a bad experience and/or bait and switch, was the 50-80$ you save and 15 mins of time to research really worth it? The reason there's no effort put in is SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE $$$. Look how a provider promotes herself, stop and think "If her business is run with the least effort possible, how does that translate over to the effort she will place on me? " Therefore, is the time and $ you saved worth it? Not really because you just wasted whatever you did spend and now you feel less than great....and threads like this get started.

 

"Imagine that a pawn shop buys a Rolex, complete with the original box and all the papers. I guarantee the pawn shop would put everything out together in the display case.They wouldn't display only the watch and say "The customer should be responsible to do their research to determine that this is authentic. It's not up to me to prove it, or do their research for them."

 

Established providers already do this, that's why we spend so much $, time and effort on our websites, all the info is there, in one convenient place at your fingertips. We've done our due diligence in providing the info, it's your job to read it.

 

If the pawnshop provides the Rolex papers/booklet for you read, then you actually have to read it. You wouldn't say, "Oh that's going to take too long. Please provide me a picture of the previous owner wearing it holding 5000$ to prove its real." You'd have to read the papers, authenticate them, double check the serial numbers with Rolex to confirm legitimacy and if it all checks out, then you'd purchase it. Otherwise, you'd know the pawn shop could print out any old papers, stick them with the watch, and some poor sucker would buy it. It's up to you to actually fact check and verify the info provided as the consumer. If you bought it without said research and you ended up buying a fake watch, then it's no one's fault but your own, as the adage goes, "buyer beware."

 

All these problems can be SIMPLY avoided with a small investment of a bit of time into research, communication and a little extra $ to find someone who has a proven history of stellar experiences. Don't scrimp out or cut yourself short due lack of due diligence. You deserve better...

[minuteman06 519]

Sometimes the rate a SP charges is not a reflection of quality of service. This has been discussed many, many times on Lyla. The rate a SP charges is the rate that she feels is...well...simply the rate she wants to charge for a variety of reasons that she had made up in her mind. We all know there is not industry standard to go by, and no written rules anywhere. There are many reputable lovely ladies here on Lyla that charge what they feel they want to charge and that rate would give other ladies a heart attack whether it be higher or lower than what the perceived rate should be by the reader. I love the discussions that go on here but sometimes I wish rates could be left out during justifications as it is only justified in the mind of the person offering the service to begin with and of course the hobbiest.

[davebhome 1474]

"All these problems can be SIMPLY avoided with a small investment of a bit of time into research, communication and a little extra $ to find someone who has a proven history of stellar experiences. Don't scrimp out or cut yourself short due lack of due diligence. You deserve better..."

 

Sorry - this may be the reality in Ottawa or Toronto, but it is simply not the case in the city in which I live. BP adds are pretty much it, aside from providers on a traveling circuit who advertise on BP but also have their own sites.

 

But don't don't feel too badly for us - some of the newer providers are hot as balls...

 

Even if this weren't the case, there is something to be said for sweet, youthful (i.e mid to low 20's) inexperience. I expect some of the more mature providers may disagree with this, but diversity of opinion is what makes the world go round! I just need to be able to reliably confirm new talent as it arises.

[Kilt Boy 29353]

I'll take the velvet touch of experience over the sandpaper enthusiasm of youth any day.

[davebhome 1474]

I'll take the velvet touch of experience over the sandpaper enthusiasm of youth any day.

 

Don't necessarily disagree, but this is an intentional over-simplification of the issue for the purposes of ingratiation with the dominant demographic found here.

 

Just sayn'...

[Meaghan McLeod 179664]

As a provider in a small town, I see the ads you are referring to. BP and craigslist are the main advertisers used here. Most hobbyists are not aware of the review boards. A lot of providers as well don't know. So it can be a crap shoot when a new ad pops up. Looks great, nothing showing up to dispute she's a fake so let's go and check her out right?

 

However, I know guys who have been robbed, asaulted and blackmailed. All in the hope this "unknown" is the real deal. There is a very strong gang operating and trafficking underage and coerced women in the maritimes. Putting a newspaper in the selfie will not address this.

 

If you are comfortable taking your chances, by all means, keep doing it your way. However, just fully understand the risks you are taking.

 

Good luck.

[davebhome 1474]

"There is a very strong gang operating and trafficking underage and coerced women in the maritimes. Putting a newspaper in the selfie will not address this."

 

I'm very sorry to hear this. I assumed this was an issue in the larger centres. This is a totally different issue, but obviously much more important.

 

How does one address this issue while finding an attractive provider in a region where very few have websites, etc.? Do you have any advice for avoiding bad situations (i.e. exploited women and scammers)?

 

Thank you very much.

[Jasmine Rain 23126]

"There is a very strong gang operating and trafficking underage and coerced women in the maritimes. Putting a newspaper in the selfie will not address this."

 

I'm very sorry to hear this. I assumed this was an issue in the larger centres. This is a totally different issue, but obviously much more important.

 

How does one address this issue while finding an attractive provider in a region where very few have websites, etc.? Do you have any advice for avoiding bad situations (i.e. exploited women and scammers)?

 

Thank you very much.

 

Research, reviews and chance. This is why boards like this are important. Communication between your fellow hobbyist is essential here. There are tons of recommendations here but you have guys who always want to try the unknown.

 

Sticking to ladies with sites usually helps but again, you seem to want to see others that don't have that presence so then take the risk. That is on you.

 

That is all anyone can expect in this industry.

 

I am sorry but there is not simple "fix". You are at risk just like everyone else here. Every first time meeting is the same for both men and women. None of us know the outcome of a first date until it is over.

 

I understand your are trying to minimize your risk, but other then what has already been mentioned, you are on your own for figuring things out and deciding if you want to risk it.

[davebhome 1474]

I agree - the best one can do is minimize the risk of a bad encounter. That was certainly the spirit of my initial suggestion, but I totally understand that this would be redundant for providers who already have an established presence beyond BP, etc. And the others providers probably aren't here to see the suggestion.

 

Thanks for all the insightful comments and advice!