Sort:  

Think of it this way. We do not charge for our service. So how do we avoid abuse? Well we TAKE votes from you in the beginning (cost) while we monitor your behavior. As we see how you perform ORGANICALLY on steemit that either increases or decreases your Shadow Rank (your priority in the pool of posts to up vote). Those who want to sign up and abuse us land up GIVING up votes to the big fish who over all make this system possible while those who sign up and are good steemians move up in the ranks and get back more over TIME than they could give! This isn't a get rich quick scheme! We are a community! We work together and grow and learn over many months, years even! I hope this makes things more clear!