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Tired of being harassed by business owners!
Category: Other
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17
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05/16/2008
Lindsey "Nippy" P. says:
I for one believe that the one and two star reviews on yelp are just as helpful, if not more helpful than the 5 star reviews. I try to write a balance of both. Lately though, I have been receiving messages from the owners of businesses I have given one/two star reviews to. It's nice to hear that they are reading the reviews and making improvements, but it's starting to make me very uncomfortable and in a way I think it's inappropriate. I'm not going to change my review. I almost always give a place two chances before I write a review. I don't want to feel like I can't write an honest review on yelp without getting harassed about it. I know freedom of speech comes with consequences, but this site is supposed to be about "real people" and "real reviews" so leave me alone! Okay I am done ranting.
That's just my two cents.
I for one believe that the one and two star reviews on yelp are just as helpful, if not more helpful than the 5 star reviews. I try to write a balance of both. Lately though, I have been receiving messages from the owners of businesses I have given one/two star reviews to. It's nice to hear that they are reading the reviews and making improvements, but it's starting to make me very uncomfortable and in a way I think it's inappropriate. I'm not going to change my review. I almost always give a place two chances before I write a review. I don't want to feel like I can't write an honest review on yelp without getting harassed about it. I know freedom of speech comes with consequences, but this site is supposed to be about "real people" and "real reviews" so leave me alone! Okay I am done ranting.
That's just my two cents.
05/16/2008
Jay "jdisco wants it all in small bills" D. says:
i've written many - some serious, some not - and no one has contacted me. i know others have been. linds, maybe you really push their buttons? :P
i've written many - some serious, some not - and no one has contacted me. i know others have been. linds, maybe you really push their buttons? :P
05/16/2008
Lucy "a.k.a. Joan" E. says:
lindsey, you're right.
if they are harassing you contact ruggy aka dad.
but if they are trying to fix the issue and such...then...i say...that's good...huh?
best o luck!
lindsey, you're right.
if they are harassing you contact ruggy aka dad.
but if they are trying to fix the issue and such...then...i say...that's good...huh?
best o luck!
05/16/2008
Tonie "Cheeky" T. says:
copy and paste their message into your review! As a reader of reviews, I'd want to know if a business harasses their customers on or offline.
copy and paste their message into your review! As a reader of reviews, I'd want to know if a business harasses their customers on or offline.
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05/16/2008
Kevin "SD Artist" B. says:
The wonderful thing about the internet and sites like Yelp.com is it offers an open forum to exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas. But I certainly agree that it is tacky, rude and just a little bit sad that a business owner would contact you to give you a hard time about a review you wrote. You wrote "It's nice to hear that they are reading the reviews and making improvements" but obviously they are not taking actions to correct the problems, instead they are using that time to lash out at you. Depending on the type of business it is you are referring to here, if they have time to sit and surf reviews of their establishment all day they have bigger problems than a bad review from you, so don't take any of it personally.
and that is just my two cents.
The wonderful thing about the internet and sites like Yelp.com is it offers an open forum to exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas. But I certainly agree that it is tacky, rude and just a little bit sad that a business owner would contact you to give you a hard time about a review you wrote. You wrote "It's nice to hear that they are reading the reviews and making improvements" but obviously they are not taking actions to correct the problems, instead they are using that time to lash out at you. Depending on the type of business it is you are referring to here, if they have time to sit and surf reviews of their establishment all day they have bigger problems than a bad review from you, so don't take any of it personally.
and that is just my two cents.
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05/16/2008
Lindsey "Nippy" P. says:
Some of the messages have been polite, some of them not so much. One message said something along the lines of "you should have asked for the owner when you were there." Well sorry, but the guy working there was on his cell phone and ignoring me so I couldn't ask for the owner. It was masked condescension (I think that's a word. If it's not, it should be). Plus, asking me to come back and have a meal on them just seems inappropriate to me, almost like a bribe....That's just the feeling I get from it.
Some of the messages have been polite, some of them not so much. One message said something along the lines of "you should have asked for the owner when you were there." Well sorry, but the guy working there was on his cell phone and ignoring me so I couldn't ask for the owner. It was masked condescension (I think that's a word. If it's not, it should be). Plus, asking me to come back and have a meal on them just seems inappropriate to me, almost like a bribe....That's just the feeling I get from it.
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05/16/2008
Tim "At least I got one ROTD out of it" C. says:
I got asked to come back to the Waterfront by the business manager after I gave them a 3 star review. I didn't look at it as a bribe, I looked at it as trying to make things right!
Now, the obvious owner of Dirty Del's posing as a patron and saying shit like 'well lady, you got a roach in your salad, that's just how it goes sometimes' - THAT'S fucked up.
I got asked to come back to the Waterfront by the business manager after I gave them a 3 star review. I didn't look at it as a bribe, I looked at it as trying to make things right!
Now, the obvious owner of Dirty Del's posing as a patron and saying shit like 'well lady, you got a roach in your salad, that's just how it goes sometimes' - THAT'S fucked up.
05/16/2008
MaryLou "MotherYelper" D. says:
I don't think comping a meal is a bribe. I think it is an enticement to return and give them another try plus a compensation to partly make up for not being completely satisfied the first time. If they don't offer us something we say they should have and if they do we say it's a bribe. Our reaction might depend on our personal outlook and how it was presented to us. How can they second-guess us? At least he tried.
I don't think comping a meal is a bribe. I think it is an enticement to return and give them another try plus a compensation to partly make up for not being completely satisfied the first time. If they don't offer us something we say they should have and if they do we say it's a bribe. Our reaction might depend on our personal outlook and how it was presented to us. How can they second-guess us? At least he tried.
05/16/2008
Warren W. says:
MH, The FAQ actually addresses the point of comp meals and freebies. http://www.yelp.com/fa...
Basically it says that if they give you something for free in exchange for a good review, that's a no-no. But if they give you something for free and not put strings on it, you can accept it and you SHOULD mention it in your review that you got something for free.
MH, The FAQ actually addresses the point of comp meals and freebies. http://www.yelp.com/fa...
Basically it says that if they give you something for free in exchange for a good review, that's a no-no. But if they give you something for free and not put strings on it, you can accept it and you SHOULD mention it in your review that you got something for free.
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05/16/2008
Lindsey "Nippy" P. says:
I hear what you're saying. I'm not trying to imply that they shouldn't offer people a comped meal. They can do what they want. I'm just saying I don't care for it. I do give places at least two chances before I write a review. Plus, I already turned off the option of allowing business owners to message me, so these messages are coming from owners who have created other accounts. I'm all for businesses trying to make things right, that's why I write the reviews in the first place.
I hear what you're saying. I'm not trying to imply that they shouldn't offer people a comped meal. They can do what they want. I'm just saying I don't care for it. I do give places at least two chances before I write a review. Plus, I already turned off the option of allowing business owners to message me, so these messages are coming from owners who have created other accounts. I'm all for businesses trying to make things right, that's why I write the reviews in the first place.
0
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05/16/2008
Tim "At least I got one ROTD out of it" C. says:
Lindsay, not to be rude... but if you don't think offering people who had a bad ordeal at their restaurant isn't going to make help make things right, what other recourse does a business owner have?
Certainly not suggesting they should make an account just to harass you with.
Lindsay, not to be rude... but if you don't think offering people who had a bad ordeal at their restaurant isn't going to make help make things right, what other recourse does a business owner have?
Certainly not suggesting they should make an account just to harass you with.
05/16/2008
Lucy "a.k.a. Joan" E. says:
the only way a free/comp'd meal would be legit is if fully disclosed in the review/edit......
the only way a free/comp'd meal would be legit is if fully disclosed in the review/edit......
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
Plus, asking me to come back and have a meal on them just seems inappropriate to me, almost like a bribe....That's just the feeling I get from it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lindsey: You make valid points.
But I worked in "the hospitality business (restaurants & hotels) for many years. Bear in mind...the best thing is that they are trying to fix whatever was wrong. In the restaurant & hotel business...comps aree the primary ways of making amends.
I think it's actually classy of them to to offer you a comp...and to address your issues with their busness in their letters to you.
Plus, asking me to come back and have a meal on them just seems inappropriate to me, almost like a bribe....That's just the feeling I get from it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lindsey: You make valid points.
But I worked in "the hospitality business (restaurants & hotels) for many years. Bear in mind...the best thing is that they are trying to fix whatever was wrong. In the restaurant & hotel business...comps aree the primary ways of making amends.
I think it's actually classy of them to to offer you a comp...and to address your issues with their busness in their letters to you.
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
A comp isn't a bribe...it is part of the restaurant industry and is part of doing business and making amends with a customer. In the restaurant business comps are part of it. =)
A comp isn't a bribe...it is part of the restaurant industry and is part of doing business and making amends with a customer. In the restaurant business comps are part of it. =)
17
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05/16/2008
Lindsey "Nippy" P. says:
One owner messaged me to tell me they were working on fixing the problem. That's great! I'm all for going back there now to see if changes have been made.
What I'm trying to say, and not completely successfully, is that I am uncomfortable going back to a place for a comped meal. That's just me. I don't want special treatment, and I would feel like I would have to change my review. I write reviews based on my experiences at establishments, so the review I write should be somewhat representative of what to expect of the place, and people who read the reviews know that every place has bad days. Changing my review to reflect a comped meal would not be a real review. That's why I am uncomfortable with businesses offering me comped meals, and I am not going to accept them.
And just to make things clear, my main problem is that some of the messages have not been polite, and that they are coming from owners who have created accounts not listing them as owners. The comped meals thing is just a personal thing that I am not okay with. Different strokes for different folks. "Bribe" was obviously too harsh of a word.
One owner messaged me to tell me they were working on fixing the problem. That's great! I'm all for going back there now to see if changes have been made.
What I'm trying to say, and not completely successfully, is that I am uncomfortable going back to a place for a comped meal. That's just me. I don't want special treatment, and I would feel like I would have to change my review. I write reviews based on my experiences at establishments, so the review I write should be somewhat representative of what to expect of the place, and people who read the reviews know that every place has bad days. Changing my review to reflect a comped meal would not be a real review. That's why I am uncomfortable with businesses offering me comped meals, and I am not going to accept them.
And just to make things clear, my main problem is that some of the messages have not been polite, and that they are coming from owners who have created accounts not listing them as owners. The comped meals thing is just a personal thing that I am not okay with. Different strokes for different folks. "Bribe" was obviously too harsh of a word.
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
That said...if my original complaint was graciously addressed by the bussiness...and rectified. I would see it as only right to reflect that in the review and in the points.
Mistakes are going to happen everywhere...the question is....what does the company do once they've been alerted?
That said...if my original complaint was graciously addressed by the bussiness...and rectified. I would see it as only right to reflect that in the review and in the points.
Mistakes are going to happen everywhere...the question is....what does the company do once they've been alerted?
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
Lindsey: You have made yourself very clear. I get what you're saying.
See this is the thing...for me....I worked in restaurants & hotels...for almost 20 years...from KFC to The Four Seasons.
Comps (whether comped rooms or comped food or drinks is really the ONLY thing a restaurant or hotel can offer any guest...to make amends.
Lindsey: You have made yourself very clear. I get what you're saying.
See this is the thing...for me....I worked in restaurants & hotels...for almost 20 years...from KFC to The Four Seasons.
Comps (whether comped rooms or comped food or drinks is really the ONLY thing a restaurant or hotel can offer any guest...to make amends.
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
Lindsey: You have made yourself very clear. I get what you're saying.
See this is the thing...for me....I worked in restaurants & hotels...for almost 20 years...from KFC to The Four Seasons.
Comps (whether comped rooms or comped food or drinks) is really the ONLY thing a restaurant or hotel can offer any guest...to make amends.
Lindsey: You have made yourself very clear. I get what you're saying.
See this is the thing...for me....I worked in restaurants & hotels...for almost 20 years...from KFC to The Four Seasons.
Comps (whether comped rooms or comped food or drinks) is really the ONLY thing a restaurant or hotel can offer any guest...to make amends.
05/16/2008
Warren W. says:
Lindsey, I got a comped meal after a bad first experience at one place. I was messaged, and invited back, with the note that they'd corrected the problems. I went back on my own, and did not take them up on the comped offer at that time. Sure enough, things were better, and I amended my review. I still have the complimentary meal being held for my next visit.
Lindsey, I got a comped meal after a bad first experience at one place. I was messaged, and invited back, with the note that they'd corrected the problems. I went back on my own, and did not take them up on the comped offer at that time. Sure enough, things were better, and I amended my review. I still have the complimentary meal being held for my next visit.
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
Go there with me for a second.
Every place is going to have "Off days" maybe they are understaffed one night...say a chef got hurt in the kitchen...making your meal an hour to come out.
A property which is run...with accountability and class...will step forward to offer to make amends to the vexed customer.
To me...knowing that....part of the beauty of this website is the honest feedback it can offer to a business.
If I'm reading reviews...and see that a business actually stepped up to offer a comp in apology...I want to see it!
Go there with me for a second.
Every place is going to have "Off days" maybe they are understaffed one night...say a chef got hurt in the kitchen...making your meal an hour to come out.
A property which is run...with accountability and class...will step forward to offer to make amends to the vexed customer.
To me...knowing that....part of the beauty of this website is the honest feedback it can offer to a business.
If I'm reading reviews...and see that a business actually stepped up to offer a comp in apology...I want to see it!
05/16/2008
Caroline "Nuh-uh...I am the one and only Andrew H." B. says:
=)
But my view is undoubtedly colored by the fact that I worked in that industry for almost 20 years.
=)
But my view is undoubtedly colored by the fact that I worked in that industry for almost 20 years.
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05/16/2008
Jim B. says:
I disagree. These businesses are these peoples lively hood there is no reason they should not inquire ask questions and try to fix the issue. They should not bully you to change your review, but they should inquire as to why there are issues.
I disagree. These businesses are these peoples lively hood there is no reason they should not inquire ask questions and try to fix the issue. They should not bully you to change your review, but they should inquire as to why there are issues.
05/16/2008
Joe A. says:
I never read the piece about "comps", Warren. I sent Teej a gift certificate, just because I knew he was a fan of a coffee shop I own. Teej, do you feel cheapened?
I feel dirty.
I never read the piece about "comps", Warren. I sent Teej a gift certificate, just because I knew he was a fan of a coffee shop I own. Teej, do you feel cheapened?
I feel dirty.
05/16/2008
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
05/16/2008
lauren "here comes trouble" c. says:
I like how Warren did it (hi Warren!...no, don't run!) b/c if you do take the comp then, it kind of feels like payolla. Am I really getting it for free? Or are you "paying me" to change my mind? I would feel weird giving a good (bribed) or bad (gulity after a free meal) review after getting it comped b/c I would have some stake in it, even if I didn't want it to seem that way.
I think it's necessary to put it in a review if it was comped. And I think it's a great thing if people want to improve their business, but there has to be boundaries.
I like how Warren did it (hi Warren!...no, don't run!) b/c if you do take the comp then, it kind of feels like payolla. Am I really getting it for free? Or are you "paying me" to change my mind? I would feel weird giving a good (bribed) or bad (gulity after a free meal) review after getting it comped b/c I would have some stake in it, even if I didn't want it to seem that way.
I think it's necessary to put it in a review if it was comped. And I think it's a great thing if people want to improve their business, but there has to be boundaries.
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05/16/2008
C "oc" K. says:
I'm gonna stick my neck out here a bit.....Yelp is great, I am on every day, I am also a business owner, I wish to hell people would grow a pair and say to me or a manager, Hey, our server was a snot, or our food was cold or whatever the grip is. I agree with Caroline in that I want to make you happy, let me know you had a bad experience before you leave, otherwise I can do nothing to help or make amends
I'm gonna stick my neck out here a bit.....Yelp is great, I am on every day, I am also a business owner, I wish to hell people would grow a pair and say to me or a manager, Hey, our server was a snot, or our food was cold or whatever the grip is. I agree with Caroline in that I want to make you happy, let me know you had a bad experience before you leave, otherwise I can do nothing to help or make amends
05/16/2008
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
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05/16/2008
C "oc" K. says:
I have sent messages to people on here, for good reviews and bad, I have always accepted responsibility and assured people I will try to right the wrong. I have never brided anyone, regardless of my nickname :-P
I have sent messages to people on here, for good reviews and bad, I have always accepted responsibility and assured people I will try to right the wrong. I have never brided anyone, regardless of my nickname :-P
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05/16/2008
C "oc" K. says:
it goes back to the adage, you can please some of the people all of the time, ........................
it goes back to the adage, you can please some of the people all of the time, ........................
05/16/2008
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
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