An idea for massage aficionados - let me know what you think

[ChaosFactor]

There are tons of massage therapists in Edmonton and it seems there are new ones offering services all the time but unfortunately the number of reviews on this site really does not represent this fact.
I know for myself I have a favorite or two that I primarily stick with but I also enjoy finding that hidden gem who gives a great massage and a HE. The trouble is you can spend a lot of money on bad service, bad massages or no HE (if you are specifically looking for that) plus the number of MPs I would like to try out is pretty long so it could take awhile.
So my idea is to start a review club with other members! I will go to my usually MP once a month but I am also willing to visit a second (new) MP that is unknown and unrated and report back my findings!
If we can get at least 10 of us in Edmonton who are willing to do this we can get through a large number of the ads on Craigslist and Kijiji etc and build up one heck of a reference guide for us so we know who to visit with less waste of our money.
I figure we can create a list by each of us choosing several providers we have interest in to add to the list and then each member chooses the provider they will see that month and report back their findings on this site!
What say you? Is anyone interested in joining?
If so we can start working out some ground rules..

 

[GuyIncognito]

I'm all for that, I'll usually go about every two months. Last two I saw I left unsatisfied, it was about a week apart due to the first one being a strike out (Betty massage), then the second was also a strike out

 

[Albertaman]

The plan is good. However, posting on such an open site means creating trouble for the good providers - not just LE, but there are idiots (clients) who simply don't understand that even good therapists who give a bit more to a good client have limits. Also, some therapists (usually indies) give a bit more if they sense some mutual trust...meaning No Public Posts. This is quite different from providers who have a list of items/prices on a menu. And finally, there are other massage therapists who are not doing so well, who are out to file complaints against the ones who are succeeding.

 

[ChaosFactor]

Having the information public was my concern as well, like you I to do not want to see any bad come to a MP who provides their client with exceptional service and this is why I have not really shared my experiences.
But what good is a review site that doesn't post worthwhile reviews? I am open to suggestions perhaps a private section (is this possible) sharing the basic details such as quality of massage on the site and sharing any additional information via another method such as Twitter to only members of the club? Using code?
Like Guy mentioned I have wasted money on bad MP, either poor massage skills, pushy upsell, being short changed time to list just a few! I also like trying new MP so if there is a way we can cull out the bad that is what I suggest.
If it is just a few of us or just the three of us to begin with perhaps we use a method like Twitter to share?

 

[Super77]

i'd be interested, but not on twitter, can start a private thread that requires password, or permission?

 

[ChaosFactor]

If we can set up a private thread that would be the best solution, does anyone know offhand if this is possible? I will write to the admin and see what they say.

 

[admin]

This seems like a great Idea, let me work on adding ability for you guys to create groups that you can control and provide access to whoever you choose.

 

[TBone]

I would definitely be interested in this

 

[GuyIncognito]

The plan is good. However, posting on such an open site means creating trouble for the good providers - not just LE, but there are idiots (clients) who simply don't understand that even good therapists who give a bit more to a good client have limits. Also, some therapists (usually indies) give a bit more if they sense some mutual trust...meaning No Public Posts. This is quite different from providers who have a list of items/prices on a menu. And finally, there are other massage therapists who are not doing so well, who are out to file complaints against the ones who are succeeding.

I agree completely, finding out about a therapist prior to going there and wasting time and money.

There is one that I see, but she hasn't advertised in years (originally on kijiji). She has a full time job, but has a table in a spare room at her place. I would put her as my #2 non-RMT therapist that I've seen that gives HE. I rate each part of the massage separately, so a good massage followed buy a good HE is what I am after (both are 9's). The down fall with her is that she works her regular job and doesn't always jive with my schedule. I never wrote about her as I wouldn't want to give her number out to anybody as she doesn't advertise (as far as I know). And there are a few RMT's that go the extra mile, but once again I'll never say shit as I don't want to hurt them for making me feel great.

I find with CAF, that they tend to only want to hear about FS providers, even in the massage topic as I'm not interested in FS. And definitely don't want people talking about the indies. I had one post deleted of a review of an indie that I thought was decent for the cost.

 

[ChaosFactor]

This seems like a great Idea, let me work on adding ability for you guys to create groups that you can control and provide access to whoever you choose.

This would be fantastic and would alleviate quite a bit of concern, really appreciate this!

 

[ChaosFactor]

I agree completely, finding out about a therapist prior to going there and wasting time and money.

There is one that I see, but she hasn't advertised in years (originally on kijiji). She has a full time job, but has a table in a spare room at her place. I would put her as my #2 non-RMT therapist that I've seen that gives HE. I rate each part of the massage separately, so a good massage followed buy a good HE is what I am after (both are 9's). The down fall with her is that she works her regular job and doesn't always jive with my schedule. I never wrote about her as I wouldn't want to give her number out to anybody as she doesn't advertise (as far as I know). And there are a few RMT's that go the extra mile, but once again I'll never say shit as I don't want to hurt them for making me feel great.

I find with CAF, that they tend to only want to hear about FS providers, even in the massage topic as I'm not interested in FS. And definitely don't want people talking about the indies. I had one post deleted of a review of an indie that I thought was decent for the cost.

I am the same in that I want a good massage and a good HE one or the other is okay but I want that perfect mix and I am paying for it so I figure I deserve it.
I have one provider RMT who is excellent and both a 10 in massage and a strong 9 or 10 in the HE depending what you want! The trouble is she is almost impossible to get a hold of so having good back-ups is imprtant.
I also like trying new providers, I love the hunt in finding someone skilled and even the building of trust between the two of you, in some cases its almost like a first date and you are working to see how far you can get lol
Once the group is started we will make sure it is a setting where people are comfortable enough to share information whether the provider is an RMT or not. I am personally more interested in the RMTs because I claim my massages which is legal but I never claim or ask for a receipt for anything that may be considered extra service after the massage is done Some people may have issue with this but the fact is I am not claiming for anything I am not allowed to.

 

[sjlovesmassage]

I would love a private forum/thread as i agree i have a few good RMTs that are exceptional at there work with no HE and i am aslo trying to find ones who provide as well. I have wasted many a dollar lol. Great idea guys !

 

[Albertaman]

It's obvious from some of your posts that for a few of us there is a 'middle ground' that we seek in massages. We are not seeking FS or some of the potentially health-hazardous/disastrous activities such as BBBJs (yup, from a provider who is seeing 10+ clients a day!!!) that are sought out on CAF on the massage thread. A truly great massage with a highly sensual side is mighty satisfying too. And in a warm, clean and fresh environment with a great shower and a reasonably attractive masseuse. On CAF, I've shared information with the occasional poster that I trust, using the Private Mail function. However, it takes a while to know who to trust.

One of the other challenges on CAF is that users tend to rave about a few providers and these providers keep responding to these accolades with their own posts thanking the reviewers and taking a bow. At some point the stuff gets nauseating as it turns into a "mutual appreciation club" and anyone posting a not so stellar opinion about these providers are chastised or discouraged from doing so. Also, some providers in Calgary seem to always get a 'new poster' to put in a raving review on CAF on a regular basis, to keep their name front and centre. I'm not sure if I'm the only one who sees this.

In Calgary and Edmonton, the indie providers are still rather hidden, or perhaps there are not as many there because of silly municipal laws/requirements. That's unfortunate as I think it can be a great financial option for smart/responsible masseuses who also have some basic business skills. I vote with my dollars and am doing my part by not supporting the many sub-par massage parlors that have sprung up all over these two cities but will gladly spend it with indies that value good clients.

 

[ChaosFactor]

I agree with you about CAF hence why I visit there very rarely now and why I am hoping to create a thread for people like us who want a middle ground place to congregate and share!
If a person wants a rub and tug there are many places that offer that but I personally do not want someone to haphazardly rub oil on my body then turn me over for a finish, I want a true massage! There may very well be non-registered MPs that provide a really good massage and if that is the case I am hoping that information can also be shared.
Hopefully admin will soon have a solution for us.

 

[Topshelf]

I think this a good idea

 

[KyleLowry7]

I'm down to join

 

[ChaosFactor]

Hey everyone, I have not heard anything back from the admin regarding a private or secure forum so I am going to create one on a different site. Once the board is complete I will post the link along with the details!

 

[justagigalo]

CAF is a mutual admiration society and I cannot stand it. There are some great straight providers out there Yes Linda from Xiaoping no happy ending to well places where other services are available. But on CAF if you do not fit into their little box you great treated like crap.

 

[TalkinTom]

Also police enforcement raid sites like this and amazingly they do not go after the therapist they will tap the therapists phone lines though and hack there email accounts and catch the guys looking for more then just a massage. They always want the Johns.

 

[Qster]

It looks like someone dug up a thread that was over a year old, so was such a review club ever formed?