Rant about reviews

dogboy · #1 04-16-2008, 08:05 PM

I know it would be nice to have reviews but I think it is best done in private through PM as suggested and not in the open... this topic has been discussed many a time as well.....

I love coming to this site way above any other reefing site on the web for the simple fact that it is sooooo laid back here... I do more reading then posting but the reason I stay here is that there is almost a cozy feel to this place.....some of the other bulletin boards where they have forums set up specifically for rating people you have bought/sold to/from get out of control and the bashing starts followed shortly there after by threats of law suites etc etc... It is a whole lot of drama that I would rather do without on my home site....makes for an intimidating environment... and from reading any of those vendor reviews it is all a bunch of he said she said were nothing is really accomplished.... "You suck as a seller!"
"OHHHH REALLY!!? Well you suck as a buyer!"
"OHHHH REALLLY!!!!? WELL your momma!!!"
"MY MOMMA!? Now you just gone done it!!! I'm calling the police!"
"WELL I AM SUEING!!!"

Etc etc....

That is my two cents.....FWIW

bassman · #2 04-16-2008, 08:08 PM

Is it possible to create a thread that does not allow replies?

Maybe there could be an area that allows members to post that they have a negative review to share but in order to learn about it the poster must be contacted outside of the forum via e-mail, phone, etc? No names would allowed. The poster could state the general geographical region, if it is hardware related or livestock, etc. Just to narrow down the posts a bit.

This would "take it outside" the forum, give members the option to learn about the negatives as well as the positives and would put the task of dealing with the back lash created by the review on the original poster.

dogboy · #3 04-16-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman

Is it possible to create a thread that does not allow replies?

Maybe there could be an area that allows members to post that they have a negative review to share but in order to learn about it the poster must be contacted outside of the forum via e-mail, phone, etc? No names would allowed. The poster could state the general geographical region, if it is hardware related or livestock, etc. Just to narrow down the posts a bit.

This would "take it outside" the forum, give members the option to learn about the negatives as well as the positives and would put the task of dealing with the back lash created by the review on the original poster.

Do you think that might creat a bit of a problem due to the fact that someone can post things about another reefer and that person has no way to defend themselves other then start a new thread to critisize the original poster? (if that makes any sense lol)

bassman · #4 04-16-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogboy

Do you think that might creat a bit of a problem due to the fact that someone can post things about another reefer and that person has no way to defend themselves other then start a new thread to critisize the original poster? (if that makes any sense lol)

I am not sure how the reefer being discussed would know he/she is being discussed as no names would be allowed. However If he/she had anything to say or ask he/she would contact the original poster via email. It's no different then me and a fellow reefer discussing another reefer face to face or over the email, the reefer in question wouldn't be there to defend himself either.

24storm · #5 04-16-2008, 08:49 PM

If someone was to post up a thread asking for peoples experiences with a company via PM would you respond to that person only if you had a negative experience or a positive one or both? Would you even respond?

Would it be okay to start thread that said PM me for my experience with XXXX vendor. Or is this a bad idea.

Keith

skylord · #6 04-16-2008, 09:07 PM

I would be one to respond either way. If I have a good experience I tell anyone I know who needs that service. If I have a bad experience I tell everyone even if they don't want to know or want to listen.

Scott

christyf5 · #7 04-16-2008, 09:28 PM

I would imagine most people would respond either way. Usually people who have good experiences with stores are loyal to them and will tell anyone who will listen about how fabulous they are. Same goes for people with bad experiences.

Like Skylord for example

mark · #8 04-16-2008, 10:56 PM

Depends on the the question. If it's "have you been ever ripped off by XX?" you'll get one set of answers, if it's "considering purchasing from YY, pls give feedback good or bad" you'll get other answers. It's also a heads up to XX and YY that people are watching and gives them the opportunity to PM the buyer to clarify issues that they think might be coming back to haunt them.

I'm just wondering about the rating forum on RC and how it's done. Some how I don't think they have a team of lawyers vetting every rating, is it they're not worried about lawsuits or is the threat overated. Thinking from my Judge Judy watching, if I give negative feedback and it was true I wouldn't have much to worry about, nor would Canreef.

Can see about staying away from vendor rating as just a matter of economics.

Aquattro · #9 04-16-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark

Thinking from my Judge Judy watching, if I give negative feedback and it was true I wouldn't have much to worry about, nor would Canreef.

If we were taken to court, even if we're in the right, it involves our time and money to defend ourselves. The owner of the board currently resides in Hong Kong and I can't see that he really wants to fly here to deal with something like that, or hire someone to do it on his behalf.
Thats the whole point here. It's just way easier to run a board without all that trouble. If a business screws people, it will go out of business eventually. We certainly don't need a public broadcast system for vendor alerts, and if someone really wants to complain, file with the BBB, and others can check with the BBB for reviews.
Now, another point, which does not apply to all cases, but many. Everyone on this board has already bought stuff for their tanks. If the place you bought from treated you well, be loyal to them. Don't worry about some new shop that is $2 cheaper, stay with who is good to you. There are plenty of comments on this board over the last 7 years touting how wonderful many of the regular sponsors are. You all gave them these comments, so stick with them.
I heard of one person who was blatantly warned about not shopping at one particular store. They took your money and didn't deliver. Well, this person tried anyway, becase, well, it looked like a deal. Hmm, well, it wasn't and they should have listened to their friend.

Stick with who's been good to you, and you don't need to post reviews.