I haven't read thru all the previous threads, so I may not be offering anything new here, but I actually spent a bit of time there. I figured I'd give it a shot for the same reason that I am here. I can "hook up" on my own, but "the hobby," and Ashley Madison (in theory), strip clubs, etc, kind of keeps the dirt a little more compartmentalized. Or maybe just in my own mind
I really have the biggest problem not banging girls I work with and/or my SO's friends. That tends to really create problems in your life LOL.
It's a great business for the owners, though, and I don't doubt for a second that they are making a killing on it. They DO nickel and dime you on everything. There's fees for sending/receiving messages, chatting (at a rate that no one in their right mind would find reasonable), and then they also offer a monthly plan, which they promise will keep you at/closer to the top of the search page. You can also 'improve your likelihood of success' in some manner by sending "gifts".....like, literally .gif images of a heart, or teddy bear, or some other nonsense LOL, which obviously costs. I think they said that might also keep you towards the top of the search list as well.
It is also certainly true that there are fake profiles. I can't remember where I read it, but it either came up in a lawsuit, or some other way. And, it must have either been of little or no consequence, because it seemed pretty clear after about a week that there are more fake profiles than you'd think they could legally get away with. It was actually pretty amazing. Like, I would seriously question about 30% or more....minimum.
As far as revenue is concerned, it's basically set up so that the women don't have to spend money. Naturally, right? I don't know how many "collect" (just like a collect call) messages I've received from women. Now, there are some who are "mongers", and who probably do have "membership status", but for the most part, they don't have to. Once someone makes and pays for the initial contact it's free going forward. Obviously that's going to be the guys, most of the time, and you'd be surprised how quickly it adds up while you're sifting through all the BS.
Ultimately, the only girls there who are real are either ugly as shit (and I'm sorry but LOL @ when they also have the most attitude-laden profiles ever, talking about how they want a sugar daddy!!), complete time-wasters, or good looking women who find what they are looking for and are gone in the first day or so.
In sum, LOL @ the whole damn thing. Most everyone who's tried it is obviously still here, and it's true that you'd save yourself a lot of time and headache by just going over to the provider ads/specials section
Ashley Madison (Sp?)
