Instant Pro

@Morpheus Perfect example of what I was talking about before the thread got hijacked with drama. There are a few Meetup.com cuddle groups and in all the ones I saw you have to go through a "training" class to participate so you are aware of what cuddling is, what you can do, what you can't do, etc. I don't see why CC, if it wants to be a main staple in this business, doesn't do the same. Make it mandatory to be a Pro, at least. The toughest part is finding a venue to have the training at once a month (or at whatever intervals).

@Alternis I've never been with a Pro so I'm not sure how Karma works, but it sounds like references over at Couchsurfing. I'm active in the CS community and I've met several people who have had bad experiences but don't want to report it for fear they'll get a bad reference in retaliation. CS devised a way to help thwart that by giving the host and guest both several days to write a reference. During that time neither reference gets posted until both parties have written what they're going to say. Then they both post at the same time so you have far fewer retaliation references.  I'm no coder so not sure what that would take to build, but it sounds like Karma should work the same way to keep retaliation bad karma from being a problem.

Ninsiana

Man, I am really sorry to hear that there are pros that treat you so badly . Though I was hired on as pro from the start and became pro within 24 hours, I really do want to genuinely help people with cuddles and intimacy c:, it makes me feel good too. I do agree that having a sub forum or thread or assessment be given out to pros to teach them isn't a bad thing, as long as it is free and easily accessible. Because if a woman wants to be pro, and especially a successful pro, and this is just my opinion...she has got to have a genuine care for her clients and people in general, and most of all, respect. Respect is very key, cuz for instance, I am offering a pro service. So I should be required to act in way that is professional and courteous, my number goal is to make my clients feel special and comforted. I really want to convey that.
But for the most part, a lot of men and clients on here happen to be gentleman and sweethearts, I only really dealt with one guy that was looking for more than just cuddling. But I sympathize with a lot of you. There seems to be a distrust or emotional gap between clients and pros and that just feels sad, well, at least among some pros. Pros are just as much accountable as clients are too. This site is about the cuddles and genuine human connection, we should all be caring, kind, and respectful

greenearth2

I suggest seeing a pro or two because it may help give you some perspective.
There are two kinds of snugglers. Those who see pros and those who don't. It's totally different. Everything about it is different.
When you see a snuggler for free it's both doing something for the other. Equal sharing of the cuddle experience.
With pros. It's more of a service. Much more one directional.

Revisiting this conversation months later....

@greenearth  I'm too much of a giver to be in a one-sided cuddle situation.  If I'm not helping the other person with my cuddles as much as they are helping me with theirs, then it's not a good experience for me and a waste of time.  Paying a Pro is just not for me, but I have no ill will against them or those that it does work for

I would tend to agree with the "instant pro"(actually had for awhile since I read this some months ago ), I kind of thought of a training for  them that would be pretty fair . 
It would involve :
first time younger wannabe pro applies....
the applicant is assigned a "mentor ".who is already an established pro 
the "mentor " who already has a thing going , pays less commission to the site , say 10%. 
Yhag is to compensate for their time 

the "probationary pr0" pays 25% commission. To the site , to offset the 5% less the mentor pro pays,
probation is ended at a number of hours / number clients/ also subject to performance comments from clients / approval of mentor

in case of the mentor being male ( qualifications needed) they also pay less in monthly fee )( or if they are strictly consumer)
they report pro visits to site , to allow cuddler pro they see , to pay less .
if course , the above will be tweaked 

someone else take it , I'm done 

I think what is not being taken into account here is different people's schedules, time, distance, and most of us have families, other jobs and responsibilities. 

I'm only able to cuddle once a week maximum, sometimes only once every other week (although I am able to do late/overnight sometimes). My regular job is on call and my hours are not 9 to 5 plus I have 2 busy & social kids in sports. This suggestion seems  like a good idea on paper but absolutely impossible in real life, just speaking for myself.

plus I'm the one planning/hosting events, i'm not sure I'd go for anything requiring me to get "certified"  doing something I am already apparently very good at. 

 I'm curious, why all of the push for certification or training? It's pretty basic stuff.  If someone isn't "good at cuddling" that is what karma is for. Or, just don't see that person again.  Sometimes two people just aren't a great fit for each other but are perfect for someone else. 

Interesting points, all. As someone who has no formal training, I will speak to this point: I feel called to do this, I don't accept every potential client, and I don't charge a higher rate because I am just starting out. I feel that $40 is actually too low except in cases of, perhaps, "for a 3 hr session, the 3rd hr is $40" type of rate arrangement. Or, I've seen bundled rates on some Pros' profiles which is great. The reason I believe it is too low as a flat rate is that you are, or should, be taking the client's time as 1st priority, whereas the client can do whatever he or she pleases (within the Client Service Agreement, of course!)--they can take a phone call, send an email, etc etc. Also I feel it is a bit of a risk we are taking, either going to a client's home or hosting for them. Sort of like danger pay. And, finally, the higher price will weed out some of the unsavory element. It has been my life experience that if someone is willing to pay a higher amount, they most likely are willing to take responsibility for the service they have paid for--as an investment. I have nothing against a cuddler-client agreement for a special rste, but I don't feel it's necessary or fair to bust new Pro Cuddlers to the lower rate. As for the Pro Cuddlers, if they themselves are poor at their jobs, they will receive ill karma and/or be reported if out of line.

greenearth2

As a client who has seen more than a dozen different pro cuddlers of varying experience levels I would like to say that I find the idea of training for cuddlers to be somewhat ridiculous.   
Of all those pros only one really sucked at cuddling but that wasn't something she could learn in a training class.  She was just too shy and not able to look me in the eye etc.   

some cuddlers are able to act like amateur therapists as well as cuddlers.  Some only cuddle and just listen while you vent.    They're all good in some way or another.   No need for certification etc.  or probation ?  No 

greenearth2

@starlight.  My favorite and longest snuggler pro was only charging me 40 per hour.  But she charged 80 to others she didn't know or like too much.  It all depends on the client and comfort level I guess.   Who knows why pros charge what they do. But it's up to them individually in the end.  

True dat, @greenearth!