Also note that the process for linking the credit card is inherently arduous and not easy to figure out. It isn't like linking a CC to your online shopping store based in the US where you plug in the numbers and you're done. The vendor being used is on foreign soil and most mainstream credit cards flag their initial charge as fraud due to being foreign and a suspicious amount. Many ran into the issue that their bank wouldn't allow the link no matter what.
It took me several days of researching to find the privacy.com option and let Mark know about it. It also took my bank cancelling my initially-linked credit card due to the fraud alert it created and sending out a new one. The process isn't at all easy, and there's been lots of advice and idea sharing among the pros and with Mark to figure it out. Add on top of all of this the extra fees for foreign transactions and even in setting up a card that will work with the vendor, and it's quite a time.
I would hesitate to paint those who waited until the last minute, for whatever reason, to find out the process isn't nearly as simple as we all thought it would be. They may come back after receiving Mark's email about the privacy.com option, or they may have figured out an alternative once they realized this option wasn't available for everyone.
Anyway, those of us still here helped each other and figured it out; hopefully the solutions continue to work moving forward. Cheers!
ETA: By the way, the site wasn't aware of the issues this would create, and Mark was very responsive and proactive in helping us figure it out when we asked. This isn't anyone's fault, it's just how it is. Growing pains of change so to speak, but in general change is a good thing.
It actually seems to me that right now there are more pros than ever.
@PinkLipstick22 I would only add that while some Pros did have that initial hurdle, the vast majority had a smooth transition. But I agree the number that faced issues like yours is still notable and important to recognise.
@respectful Thanks for your thoughts.
@PinkLipstick22—I think the whole credit card issue was a really difficult thing for the pros that were located outside of the US. I felt really badly after I got my card linked in minutes (I’m in San Diego, CA) but for days I read posts from pros from non-US locations that struggled to get their credit cards to link to their account. I do hope anyone that is having credit card linking issues will be able to resolve the issues and come back to CC.
It looks like there are no longer any pros in the Seattle are who are able to host. That makes the site useless to me. I'll check back to see if any of them are back in the future, but it doesn't look good. I think perhaps CC should reconsider.
@vcrawford I think no matter the spin put on this that it was not a win. Anyone that travels for work will notice a significant change overall. I have looked over all the areas I go to and it is disappointing. I have the numbers of people I enjoyed in the past and most are de-activated now. So yes, the site shot itself in the foot.
@FunCartel To say it's a shot in the foot suggests the result was unexpected. I had posted on this forum a few weeks ago, and some months before that, explaining how the vast majority of Pros would be taken offline.
That aside, I'm sorry about how this has affected you. It's true that clients in low activity areas will have a poor experience for a few months.
@Mark It does not matter what result you were expecting. My remark is a perspective by a user of the site being me in this instance. You had a good thing for my purposes of use but now not so much. There are fewer options and when I travel I schedule cuddle partners about 1-2 weeks out and even then you get some that flake. Now there is less of a chance to find a back-up. Just the truth of it. Fewer options=more chances of disappointment.
Will I still use this site? Yeah, but not as much. The difference now will be if someone asks for a recommendation I will say the sites are all about the same whereas this site once stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Yes I do understand and I'm sorry that the sacrifices we chose to make have personally affected you in this case.
I'm hopeful we can improve the situation for those in your type of situation in fairly good time. Based on what I'm seeing, it would appear that newly approved professionals don't have issue with the card requirement. We are generally inundated with Pro applications and thus far have rejected around 90% of them. So going forward we can be more generous in approvals for areas that have been hit hardest by this update.
I would just like to say that being a Professional means you are running a business. There are small business people all over the world. There are franchise owners everywhere who are required to have a credit card on file. It's not a privacy issue to them. Even sculptors have credit cards on file with the supply companies they use regularly. As a professional cuddler signing a contract to use this site as a source of revenue why would you be worried about privacy from the site administration? That's nonsensical and bad business practice. I understand the request and desire for privacy and protection from the clients and each professional cuddler should be allowed to have whatever privacy makes them feel secure from the clients. That has nothing to do with keeping it from your parent sponsor. You are an independent contractor and that means you will always be required to have something on file no matter the area of business. My potential employer is an independent contractor for FedEx, he owns 7 semis and hires and maintains his fleet independently from FedEx but he has a card on file with Fed Ex because he enjoys the business they send his way.
For those of you who travel and enjoy renting some form of comfort when you do ~ work with what's here or look elsewhere. I can recall off the top of my head two commenters above me in this thread who have complained about prices and "only" being able to use pro's because no enthusiasts were active. Some of the same men here in this thread have made a it a point to complain about everything pro for years. I may have only been on here for 6 months but I read. I've read both the pro and general forums almost back to the beginning on general and all the way back on the pro side. This was originally set up as a non professional free site. It works well that way. What did you do before pro's started showing up here? What did you have to complain about then? No need to answer, I've read the threads.
@Mark, the changes you've implemented are all positive. Just listen to the few pro's here such as @PinkLipstick22 and others who have done it the right way. You are moving this site back into the platonic realm where it absolutely needs to be. Cuddling isn't sensual only men; it's therapeutic, it IS touch therapy, it's for medical issues, for social issues. Professional cuddlers should be required to go through some sort of training program, but that is purely a personal opinion and not something the site should worry about. In fact I know of two grand master cuddlers on here who are fully and completely platonic never trained and yet have a line of pro's that would like to ask them for sessions because they are so good! In fact they could be cuddle mentors!! The one's who have are all still here as far as I can tell in fact I've seen a return of a few trained pro's since Mark started alerting every pro that this was going to be happening. I believe Mark himself woke up quite a few pro's, one's who were disillusioned with the way the site had gone. I'm excited to see what becomes of the site as it moves forward. I'm guessing he along with whoever else manages the site can actually see a positive gain. Having privately communicated with a few of the "pro complainers" above I know for a fact that they go into it with the intent of platonic but will and do push for more. They also find pro's from here who will give more than platonic. Don't worry men, I don't name names, you know that; that's why you've said the things you have to me in the past. One or two of those very men have actually blocked me at this point probably for fear of the things they've admitted to me. This 6 month experience has largely been a huge disappointment, not to mention a disillusionment to me as an enthusiast with an opinion. If I sound more bitter and jaded as recently accused on another thread it's probably I've heard many things that don't sit well with me.
@Mark would have a larger issue on his hands if he caved to a handful of complainers. As a site in general we are all happy to see the decline of shady pro's and the increase of enthusiasts. Do you see that one member from a few months back with a horrendous smell who complained about having no vitally needed touch in his life on this thread complaining about the loss of pro's? The PTSD suffers, the Autistic spectrum members? The lonely touch deprived younger group much like Mark was when he started this site; who have been so busy in life they've neglected creating or maintaining friendships here in this thread complaining about the loss of less than desirable pro's? I haven't seen any yet. That's because the less than desirable one's refused to cuddle them.
Let me say what maybe Mark is thinking but is to tactful to say, maybe he's not thinking this. If you don't like the changes stop threatening to leave and just do it! The population on this site is large enough to not miss you. But my guess is you'll be back eventually. Who would listen to you complain anywhere else? @BlueIris nailed it on the second page. The only good information to show up on this thread in the last few days is the fact that some of the long term pro's are now stating their support. Why is this thread still open? It's devolved into nothing but whining at this point. I believe it's served it's purpose hasn't it?
Please stop whining!! Really. Enough is enough.
You just deactivated almost every pro in my area and SEVERAL I had been trying to meet up with out of town. Many of whom responded. I am not sure how this increases my experience as a customer?
Deactivated here, and thought I'd be coming back, but I may have to close down officially pretty soon due to some unexpected life events which happened to creep up around the same time.
I have no issue with adding a credit card whatsoever. @PinkLipstick22 is right in that we should not paint all pros who were deactivated with the same brush, or assume that they are unprofessional, or don't care about their business. First off, I'm Canadian, so it's going to be harder to hook up my card even with the newly prescribed methods if I do come back. The bigger problem is, my bank account was closed due to an unpaid overdraft. I haven't been in a good enough financial position to be able to reinstate it due to some problems on my husband's end with being able to find and retain steady work. It's been a challenging year for me, fiscally. I'm currently caught in a cycle of cashing out my work checks at the pawn shop so I can pay my bills and basic needs, I have no extra cash to expend. That isn't CC's problem at all. The site is doing what it has to do in order to deter people who are coming here for the wrong reasons, and to ensure that due diligence is done with fees being paid. I can see where others are concerned about privacy and whatnot, but as @PaulaDahla mentioned, you are in business first and foremost... would any professional person be so privy to hand over their credit card if they were running, say, their own beauty salon or repair shop? What about if as a paying customer, you were paying for a scalp massage or ordering something from an eBay seller you have never met? No, probably not, and PCuddling is no different.
Unfortunately I've had too many personal issues crop up this month to really be able to focus on any of this at all. For now in light of all that's been happening, I am out. I need to take care of my own crap first, before I can take care of others. In the beginning of February, I moved out to a rural area and intended to keep taking clients on my semi-weekly trips back to Calgary. Two weeks later, my stepdad was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer on the 26th, and I am now having to move again and be his caretaker while we get through this over the next few months. I had been visiting every weekend before this, which definitely isn't economical. It doesn't make sense for me to pay bills and rent in a place where I am barely living outside work, and then leave on the weekend. It is looking more and more likely that it just makes sense for me to move back home indefinitely, but then I will not have any business. There are only 14,000 people where my stepdad lives, and I am moving from the nearest metropolitan area which is give or take 200km away. While I really want to continue, having to drive out 2 hours just to take a client would be a loss of both time and profit. I'd end up drained.
Anyway, I think that what everyone needs to understand about this change is that safety, security and sustainability are at the forefront of any business, and this goes for Cuddle Comfort itself. This change makes the transactional portion so, so, sooooo much more secure. It takes all the ambiguity out of the picture, and will drive away those who are not serious, or with ill intentions. If you're angry that the site is taking the step to protect those you want to enlist and make sure there is some form of accountability in the process by asking that we link our cards to our accounts, what are you even doing here? Exactly what did you do before pros even became a fixture on CC? You have many options to choose from if you don't like it here...but I have been around, and the competitors are definitely not up to par on making sure that everything is running properly. Ask the women here who used to have CuddleUp etc. accounts. Go elsewhere if you think this place is being driven into the ground because the administators want to make sure everything can be accounted for, and more easily managed.
Chances are, those who are mad are mad because there is no longer a lot they can get away with.
If you were a non-professional and asked to link a credit card to help verify identity and to pay for services, would you have a problem linking a card? I personally would not. I would also welcome the fact that other non-professionals had to verify identity just to be on the site.
So, if a professional's account is deactivated ONLY because of failure to link a credit card, I think there's more to that story. Sure they might not have a credit card, but that won't be many people. And if professional cuddling is a business for you, and a requirement is to have a debit/credit card, and you don't take the steps to obtain one, then the business is not for you anymore.
My only regret with the changes is that it doesn't deactivate accounts where the first introduction from other non-professionals are one liners like: Hey baby; nice jeans; can I come over; etc.
I once suggested we have a macro or bot in place which scans the content of messages and picks up suspicious phrasing and words which tips off a mod to look into it, but that sort of has a logistical problem aside from being a little bit too reminiscent of 1984. Oh, the authoritarian lengths we'd have to go to get this place to be the platonic paradise we'd like it to be.
That's where the report button comes in, but alas.
The credit card requirement has nothing to do with verifying identity and everything to do with the site getting paid automatically.
Most of those who were deactivated were those who weren't active: the ones that "don't reply." Why is having fewer people who don't reply a bone of contention?
@BlueIris 1st point - I agree. About being paid. 2nd point - not the case in my area. Many pros that were deactivated were active and did respond. A few have gotten back on, but many have not. Time will tell.
@BlueIris Yes, I agree that's the credit card requirement is about the site getting paid, but for me, a nice side-effect is that I know the people are real. I've met with a couple of pros who look nothing like their pictures on the website. After the meet and greet I decided not to cuddle, partly because pictures from 20 years ago were on the profile and I felt a little deceived. But had they been verified with a credit card, I would have given it more consideration.
And before I get "hate mail": No, pictures aren't the only thing. It's more a trust issue. The CC agreement says "recent picture". So if a picture from 20 years ago that looks nothing like you today is what is considered recent, then you and I are on a different path.
@funnycuddles I don't think a credit card verification is going to make any difference on what picture they chose to post on their profile will it? I do agree that a current photo of their face and whole body should be posted so you know who you are cuddling with currently (not a past picture that does represent the current person just a head shot). I have experienced that as well where the picture did not reflect the current person.
@Jay222 What I am trying to convey is that if I meet with "John" and something nefarious happens at least Cuddle Comfort has a record of the appointment. And if "John" is actually Pablo Escobar the police will know I'm probably buried somewhere in the desert.
They might have not updated their profiles with the new booking system.
Is there anyone here who, like me, has a job where occasionally there are requirements to take tests, continuing education, update paperwork, pay licensing fees, etc? It's part of being in the working world. If someone is really a "professional" then is it really that big of a deal to do what the site is requiring? And, per site owner Mark, they were given a lot of notice. If they just have a "P" on their profile but no real profile info, no friends, no Karma, etc, are they really a pro or just someone who charges for platonic cuddle dates? If they are professional cuddlers, and have found a better website to obtain clients, that's their business decision. I think if there were a category called "Professional" and "Cuddlers For Money", you'd find it's the latter that have jumped ship. For the professionals, if the 15% is a hardship - raise your rates to cover it or use a different website. It's awesome to have choices - for pros and cuddlists alike.
As a professional- I find this change very positive. I like the fact that more accountability is being put in. The idea that people can cancel at the last minute over and over again with no repercussions was worrisome to me and now I feel like this might help eliminate individuals on both sides that are “time wasters”. Better service, for awesome people= a good thing!
@loveandsky - For my job I have to be fingerprinted and have a background check. I must inform my employer of any criminal convictions (basically anything but a parking ticket). Every three months we have to re-certify our current status. My credit card and bank accounts are on file with multiple companies, organizations and websites. All normal and expected in the modern world. The pros in my area that have gone were inactive, no friends, no karma, seldom online and unresponsive to messages.
Hi, I just read the whole string and thought I'd chime in. I just joined and it did ask for my credit card and the 15% charge per session. I feel like this is fair to cuddle comfort as a new signing pro cuddle comforter Bay Area. I too thought it was weird how there was such little competition. I have been getting booked and I have been working on setting up the profile while feeling like this will be a great service to adopt to my nanny agency to make more mainstream.
One thing I was curious about is if this sight might have been similar to other sights that claim they don't sell sex, when everyone knows the members break the rules and have sugar babies, etc. I get the feeling cuddle comfort doesn't want to be like that and perhaps are sending snuggle spies to cut out the rule breakers hiding in the shadows. I don't know though...you seem to have more experience hiring and you would know if the pros send hidden temptations clients can act on discreetly. I would like to think everyone is soooo innocent but we know better right....?
Sounds like it might be the credit card update. People hate change, especially having to provide more private information.
I'd love to provide you with my cuddle comfort so feel free to make a booking.
I just dropped my traveling fee and substantially lowered my rate. I hope this makes you feel heard by the new pros comforting you. Please tell me how I can help as a pro. I'm here for u.
@djsunshinerose How can you help? Move to my area
I like it.
@djsunshinerose You rock.
Out of all the paid sites, cuddle comforts 15% cut is the lowest.
I think because a lot of pros are hookers or scammers. They say something inappapriate in the messaging and they get hammered for it.
Agreed with @Morpheus. Compared to other certification bodies and advertisers like Cuddlist, CC takes the lowest cut and won't charge you money to be here on a monthly basis. The only downside is that we don't offer training, which I think Mark should consider in the future given that we have many seasoned and experienced mentors here. I feel like many other places have been commodified to the point that it's become more of a cash grab than an attempt to educate professionals and the surrounding community. That is why if I re-enter the biz and certify, I will go with CAPC which is a certification in Canada. They take a yearly $40 fee plus your training fee and that's it. They will advertise you without additional cost. I don't mind paying CC the 15% because it keeps the site free for everyone else to use. Social sites where there is a lot of activity going on are incredibly expensive to run and maintain, not to mention you do a lot of unpaid work. I know there are pros here who can attest and feel the same way about the work they need to do to uphold their business which they don't get compensated for.