I think karma is one of the best parts of this site! It's unique to CC. There are certainly issues with it too, of course, as some have noted..... Cons: 1) Some clients use it for grooming, apparently....they collect plenty of good karma, help to have the pros be more trusting quickly, then when guard comes down, advance nuanced inappropriate behavior. They then leave amazing karma for the pro to keep her from reporting. 2) Pros often have generic "good" karma, as many clients don't want to leave anything too critical, both for fear of retribution and to not appear to be unkind. It's so rare for a prospective client to find anything balanced in karma. It's either 5 star or 1 star (usually for a no show or miscommunication)
Pros: 1) Thoughtful pros and clients leave more specific karma that actually gives the reader a better idea of what to expect. It could refer to environment curated (music, lighting, space), touch provided (creative positions, confident/experienced, massage, head-scratches, etc.), conversation, spirit, and the like. The more specific, the more helpful 2) One can read between the lines to detect the enthusiasm of the writer, be it client or pro. Wording like "the best experience on the site yet", or "time flew by and I extended our session" vs. "nice person and fun time" or "beautiful inside and out"......really helps to determine levels of appreciation. 3) The opportunity for both pros and clients to reach out and message the karma-leaver if you want more specifics or more candor. Pros can ask about how respectful the touch is, the space provided, the hygiene/smell etc. that may not be part of the karma left. Clients can ask about clock-watching, enthusiasm, active vs passive touching, conversation topics, also hygiene/smell..... 4) Cross-referencing.....I always do this myself. I don't just look at karma left for a provider; I always go to the page of the client too, researching to see if the reviewed pro I am considering left karma for her clients. I like to see how she articulates her gratitude, as I'm sapio and word usage is very important to me, and is rarely part of a karma given her directly. If a well-reviewed pro doesn't leave karma herself, I won't reach out to schedule. I assume she either doesn't have time or interest in leaving karma.....or hasn't cultivated the spirit of gratitude I enjoy so much.
Karma is a tool. It may not be helpful at all if not used in a way that provides the information you seek.....or it can be very helpful if you understand how to read the more subtle aspects. I skip the pros that have been on the site for a long enough period of time yet lack karma.....something hasn't been developed that I seek.
Even though the OP has been banned, it's still a good topic for conversation!
@AllAboutSoul A report should be filed and investigated immediately, I agree with that. But I think karma is not as critical as a filed report.
Excellent advice @beaubliss, thank you.
I don’t typically get involved in all the heavy/serious discussions on the forum, but I thought this one was worth responding to in order to share a different perspective. As it seems perhaps there’s some misunderstanding around why some people do what they do- I certainly cannot speak for others, but glad to share a little background on why I do things the way I do. Certainly not telling anyone what to do- but this is shared in the vein of understanding and perhaps learning a new perspective, as we all have different ways of viewing/doing things. Everyone is a unique individual, after all!
1. I mention my Karma reviews on my page, not in an effort to brag. I don’t think I’m the top cuddler and in fact I don’t have the most Karma either. There’s a professional cuddler on the site who has nearly 300 Karmas. I don’t think I’m better than anyone else, as there’s more to someone than just their Karma reviews in deciding if they’re a good fit. I post my Karma for very specific reasons. I am a professional cuddle provider and though I can be very nurturing and laid back, I like to handle myself as a professional. Which in this setting includes being nurturing and friendly, while balancing the business aspects. I’m not perfect and have learned along the way how to best run this as a professional service like it is. I pay taxes at the end of the year and this is my business. Like any other business, people who consider using the service, would like to know more about what they will be experiencing. As every person is different and so you want to get more of a sense of that person. So if you read my Karma reviews- a few of them- you’ll see certain things that might stand out or be repeated along a general theme- and that highlights who I am as a professional cuddler and touch provider. 2. I recently had a meet and greet at a restaurant with a new cuddler and when they asked how I chose the restaurant- (as I was visiting) I let them know- I read the reviews. I always like to get a sense of background information and what others have experienced at a restaurant before I go there or make a reservation. Before I buy something on Amazon, I read the reviews. In a similar vein, I’d certainly expect someone to read the reviews as one component of deciding which professional cuddler they might choose to book, as my page can give some information, my karmas can, as well as my personal interactions and conversations with someone who inquires with me about my cuddling services; these all can reveal a sense of who I am as well. 3. I’m not the type of person who shares about my Karma to brag or to boost my ego. I use a certain finesse and don’t need my ego boosted to feel good about myself. I’m not going to go up to someone and saying hey look at my Karmas- book me! Book me! And I don’t even mention them unless someone brings them up or is hesitant or not sure about my booking process. I’ve had people who are new to the site who might not even know what a Karma is, let alone how the site is set up or how it works to book a cuddle. And just as a customer service or tech person will guide someone along a web page they’re unfamiliar with, I might point out my Karmas or where to find them under the Karma tab. 4. I do require a deposit as part of my booking process. If a potential cuddler expresses they’re unsure of booking me, due to my deposit requirement, this is when I might point out my Karma, to assure them I am real and have a reputable standing on the site. I always require a deposit for a first time booking or if I’m traveling out to someone. And even for repeat cuddlers, I typically ask for a deposit. If you’d like to know more on why this is, I’m always glad to share. But I first I adopted my deposit policy towards the beginning of my time as a professional cuddler. 5. I had someone who reached out to me when I was fairly new and asked to book me for multiple dates that they’d be in town- we did a video call, then met in person prior to setting up a session. They had provided the booking info of the place they’d be hosting at. We had planned our session for a different night- since we were going out to get dinner before our session, I agreed to travel 2 hours to them. I made the drive, and they ghosted me and I never saw them again. I made the drive back. So it was a 4 hour round trip, and no session. 6. Now it’s very rare I will waive this requirement even for a repeat booking, as I won’t have that happen again. Just as cuddle clients might say “what about the pro cuddlers who scam you?” The other side of the coin is why I have this requirement as a professional cuddler. As I’m putting my trust in someone’s word who might enjoy doing a “fantasy” booking and playing around with someone’s time. So that they can laugh at wasting someone’s time and having them travel out of pocket. 7. Hence why I might point out my Karmas to someone who’s unsure about sending a deposit. To show them that I am a professional, I didn’t just start yesterday, and I have positive reviews showing that I am a real touch provider. You won’t see any reviews saying I ran off with someone’s money. As the point of making a booking is to be able to cuddle with someone. It wouldn’t make sense logically to get a $100 deposit or whatever the amount agreed upon is, to run off with it, when I would wish to complete the booking and as a business minded person, get the rest of the agreed upon balance- let alone to meet someone who I might enjoy cuddling with very much. As I do genuinely enjoy physical touch and affection as well as meeting new people. 8. It’s rare once I’ve set up a cuddle that I will return a deposit, as if it’s a scheduling conflict change, I strive to make the cuddle happen and to reschedule it if there’s a genuine reason we cannot cuddle in that time. But I’m a very reasonable business minded woman- so if the circumstances are such that we cannot reschedule at an agreeable time on either end, then I have returned the deposit under special circumstances. Otherwise I will keep it on file as credit to encourage rescheduling if we both wished to cuddle with each other from the beginning. As I am flexible and understanding if someone needs to reschedule due to a change in plans on their end. But the one thing for certain is that when someone sends a a deposit I know THEY are real. And then I use the karmas to help them understand that I am real as well.
As this is my livelihood, and I do this full time, I always welcome new cuddlers along my travels. And hope for a great first time cuddle- and more cuddles down the road if we’re a good cuddle fit! As everyone is different. I hope this perspective sheds some light. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to give you a different perspective than what’s on here. This is what works for me and what’s allowed me to build a very successful business. Hope it helps. Please, if you don’t like it or don’t do it this way, please don’t resort to speaking negatively about the way I do it. It just works for me. Happy cuddling- enjoy many cuddles in your future.
Didn't read everything, but as a pro I often refer people to my karma when they ask why I charge what I do. Because I'm good at what I do and I have the proof.