Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - unethical business experience *LONG READ*

Cecil Terwilliger · 12-13-2021, 04:12 PM

This thread has made me think about how I actually use reviews. That’s whats at issue here. It’s not really about what kind of rating is fair or how people rate businesses, it’s about how we use them. Also, ratings are useless, I ignore them. Reviews though, are super helpful.

First, what’s the source? Google reviews with comments, and sometimes pictures, are useful. The rating itself is not. And they have to be recent. 3 year old reviews mean zilch to me. Reviews on a website itself are touch and go. Amazon? Completely useless and 90% of the 5 star reviews are fake. I ignore reviews that complain about shipping, that’s got nothing to do with the product. On other sites, like for clothing, I usually read most recent and lowest rating. I want to see what the general trend is.

FTR I’ve never left a google review in my life. I don’t like that it shows my real name. I’ve always feared a scenario like OP where some psycho business owner starts threatening me.

I don’t really pay attention to stars, like most people have said. But what I do look at is the recent reviews and comments. And the pictures! So important for restaurants.

I want to know what the general impression is from people. If one random says a restaurant sat them too close to the door and their server forgot to sing happy birthday, well #### that person. Their review is useless to me. But if there’s multiple 1/2/3 star reviews that the pizza is too greasy and the sauce tastes like ragu, then I’m probably gonna order someplace else.

Sometimes I even read the reviewers other reviews to see if they idiots or Karen’s or whatever. Even trusted reviewers or local guides can often be untrustworthy idiots. Like Yelp reviewers on that South Park episode.

I also like when a business responds to negative reviews with more than just a canned response or threats and accusations.

Or for clothes, I’ll often read the bad reviews to find out about fit/quality. I find they can be pretty telling, depending on the website.

I’d be curious, how many people actually leave google reviews here? I assume it’s not many. I almost never do other reviews for websites either, unless it’s a small business that easily lets me post an anonymous review as a verified buyer.

12-13-2021, 04:12 PM	#378
Cecil Terwilliger That Crazy Guy at the Bus Stop Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Springfield Penitentiary Exp:	This thread has made me think about how I actually use reviews. That’s whats at issue here. It’s not really about what kind of rating is fair or how people rate businesses, it’s about how we use them. Also, ratings are useless, I ignore them. Reviews though, are super helpful. First, what’s the source? Google reviews with comments, and sometimes pictures, are useful. The rating itself is not. And they have to be recent. 3 year old reviews mean zilch to me. Reviews on a website itself are touch and go. Amazon? Completely useless and 90% of the 5 star reviews are fake. I ignore reviews that complain about shipping, that’s got nothing to do with the product. On other sites, like for clothing, I usually read most recent and lowest rating. I want to see what the general trend is. FTR I’ve never left a google review in my life. I don’t like that it shows my real name. I’ve always feared a scenario like OP where some psycho business owner starts threatening me. I don’t really pay attention to stars, like most people have said. But what I do look at is the recent reviews and comments. And the pictures! So important for restaurants. I want to know what the general impression is from people. If one random says a restaurant sat them too close to the door and their server forgot to sing happy birthday, well #### that person. Their review is useless to me. But if there’s multiple 1/2/3 star reviews that the pizza is too greasy and the sauce tastes like ragu, then I’m probably gonna order someplace else. Sometimes I even read the reviewers other reviews to see if they idiots or Karen’s or whatever. Even trusted reviewers or local guides can often be untrustworthy idiots. Like Yelp reviewers on that South Park episode. I also like when a business responds to negative reviews with more than just a canned response or threats and accusations. Or for clothes, I’ll often read the bad reviews to find out about fit/quality. I find they can be pretty telling, depending on the website. I’d be curious, how many people actually leave google reviews here? I assume it’s not many. I almost never do other reviews for websites either, unless it’s a small business that easily lets me post an anonymous review as a verified buyer.