Simple answer:

Yes.

Because you really can't stop them from seeing them - can you?

Most providers can find at least one satisfied client who will copy & paste everthing and send it off to her - thus defeating your "hobbyists eyes only" policy.

Sorry for being so practical, but I formulate my opinions based on realistic logic & practical experience - I just don't see a way (technically) that reviews could ever be 100% hidden from a prying provider.

Just our 4 cents,

It may not be practical to completely stop them from doing so but putting up barriers would be a good thing IMO. It would stop providers from contesting bad reviews and probably give them less chance of intimidating hobbyists if they didn't like the review.

There is two sides to every story and I think the provider should be able to respond.

short answe no long answer HELL NO!

the providers ability to see the reviews is the main reason they are in such a flawed system currently.

I second that. I have a feeling the OP feels the same way too. It would be nice if reviews were exclusively for hobbyists instead of being a major promotional tool for providers.

@ Sinsational, I agree - I suspect the OP feels the same.

Hey - it's nice to have dreams...

While anything may be possible in never-never fairy-land, does anyone have an clue of exactly how to keep reviews exclusively private and to keep their contents away from providers in the REAL WORLD???

Peace - Alex

PS: My day job uniquely qualifies me to have a rather detailed and intense discussion of the tactics and strategies that could possibly be used. I have been in my field for a very long time and am recognized as one of the fields "founding fathers". I am very familiar with assessing such "systems" that the one above would likely be built upon. It would suffer catastrophic flaws, leakages & breaches, rendering it practically as useless as the existing system. Feel free to call me, I have some free time today and would enjoy a live, real time convo. 480-389-6865

Oh man - please understand that I am currently traveling so when y'all want to form that lynch mob - understand that I will be a while responding. FIRST - I don't do reviews anymore. Frankly, I don't even look at reviews any more other than to verfiy the legitimacy of a provider. So please take the following in that context. I do actively engage in back channel information. I am going to go against the grain here and say yes, let the providers see the review. But, my reasoning is not based on the practicality that FC noted (I agree with the point raised though.) My reasons are:

I am not shy, if performance was bad, I tain't gonna go back and I have no issue with telling the lady my impression. I don't go out of my way to be rude, but I am not gonna skirt the issue if asked, "so when you going to see me again."

If I am gonna have the balls to write something in a review, then I think I should have the balls to tell the lady to her face. Conversely, if I had a great time, I usually tell the lady this - so if I am going to compliment in private, why not in public?

I maintain there is so much BS with reviews because certain sites link free VIP to doing reviews. The other reason is a nature of the biz with false hobbyists that are actually pimping of tied to an agency trying to use the review process to drive revenue. Any and all of this leads to bogus crap. If reviews are out in the open - then I think the backroom politics will diminish and both providers and hobbyists will be seen in their true light.

I should note there is ONE exception to my position on reviews - when there is a blatant ripoff or potential danger to a hobbyist - then yes, I would do a review in addition to my backchannnel.

So, y'all can go light the torches and git yer rope - just remember, it was just IMHO.

I think a lot of the fake reviews could be avoided if sites like this posted every review that wasn't approved somewhere. I wonder how many providers get caught for writing their own reviews that we don't even know about?

Actually if you find bad reviews on a provider and then you see her comment where she bitches about it for 2 pages, then you know enough. If the comments are allowed, you have less fakes and you see right away who can't deal with critique.

I think it really depends on how much provider participation a forum wants. NR seems to like having the girls around, some others don't.

I'm not against hobbyist's boards that are only for the guys, and I understand how you all are sick and tired of the girls having all the power.

It's your money (not to mention time) and you risk to waste it when you fall for fakes.

The trick is to learn your lessons and figure it out - just like life in general. I'm sure that most experienced hobbyists can tell if something is fishy about a review.

I can deal with critics
what I can't stand is confusing ratings and false statements or fake reviews.
Shills- NO to that as well.

Providers should be able to read their reviews
I think it's helpful to both parties.

I only comment if they make a false statement.