Great run down of current status
I think that explicit ads on places like bedpage are even more likely ways to get scrutiny.
I've cut back on reviews even on sites where I am free to write all I want. Need to get past this time.
[QUOTE=StuntDriver;7689033]Joy was shut down very recently because they were operating without a business license. The orange notice is on their door. Because massage is technically a medical practice under state law, LE is limited in how aggressive they can be without probable cause and a warrant. So they've started using compliance as their mallet.
Options are limited in Marysville because the city requires a city business operations endorsement in addition to a standard state business license. The only open AMPs there now are Oasis, Lily, and Sunrise. As far as I can tell, they all have valid licenses posted. Lavender was open and compliant but the partner who held the business license is retiring so the store is "offline" until the licensing is all squared away under the new name. The stores are justifiably scared to operate without a valid license because the municipalities are now being heavily punitive for any violations.
I'm told Lavender is reopening soon with a new name once the updated licenses are ready. Local government isn't known for speediness. But it will not be a "big jobs" shop. The official word is "massage only with no extras" at all of the Marysville stores. Moving beyond that may not be possible for most, and an relaxing L1 finish will be the max available for regular customers who establish trust and who don't write online reviews. It sucks, but it's where we are right now. Reviews are useful to LE only as a way to help target potential stores to investigate, but not enough by themselves to get a warrant. But now a single review is enough to trigger a simple unannounced compliance check from a non LE agency. This is happening statewide.
Further, services at many of the Puget Sound shops are shrinking out of fear. Reviews are now being used by LE to trigger compliance inspections from fire and health departments because they don't need warrants. Many places now ask for no customer reviews.[/QUOTE]