OK...food for thought based upon what TM said.
What if the PROVIDERS asked him to help them and in return they would provide free sessions. Everyone is assuming (and correctly I assume) that CF approached them for the arrangement. What if the provider says if you will help me, I will give you discounts. Is there any difference? I believe THIS scenario happens more often than the one with CF.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevalier
One wonders, for those few who could and would write an unbiased review, even though they got a free session for the review, why they're not willing to disclose that arrangement in the review. Because I don't think I've ever seen such a disclosure.
You'd think if they were confident in their integrity in writing the review, they'd be willing to let people know that it was compensated.
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I may have gotten a free session once or twice in my life. I can't remember why but for the sake of argument, I am sure in the hundreds of sessions I have had somewhere in all of that was a freebie.
Most of what we get in this hobby are discounts similar to PC or other discounts centered around reviews and frequent visits. Since that is well known and advertised there is little value of disclosing that info. I am one of the few (good or bad) that will put the price advertised but never (rarely) the price paid. The reason for that is simple. If I get a $25 or $50 discount for being "me" it is not in the best interest of the provider to disclose that. I may get what the next guy doesn't and by disclosing MY discount, then everyone else assumes they get it to. I never ask for a discount (except for a PC where they expect you to take it) and many times knowing that the discount is there, I wait until she offers it. I guess I am old fashioned and believe it is rude to negotiate unless invited.
My financial arrangements with a provider or any other business is no ones business but mine and theirs. If I get my car tuned up and the guy likes me because I send him business, I certainly am not going to tell all his customers about the discount he gave me. That is bad for both of us. It is HIS jib to give discounts not mine to advertise it. Yes a little self interest there, but also respect for the provider/business too.
So to me it is quite obvious why many choose to not disclose the financial arrangements of the sessions. In return, my reviews regardless of arrangements will stand the test of time, are accurate, and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise or challenge the integrity and accuracy of my reviews.
CPI probably remembers the knock down fight I had with DJ, CK, Poonicus and Dagwood over integrity and reviews. Dagwood publicly stated to me that you could not write an honest and accurate review if you did not pay full price. That is simply not true and I fought them over it. Ended up getting 30 days in the cooler simply because they did not like being challenged in public. You simply cannot judge all people based upon what some do.