Yelp...
By definition: Yelp is to give a quick, sharp, shrill cry, as a dog or fox.There is a website named Yelp.
It's intent is to offer a service where people give reviews of businesses (typically restaurants) they have visited.
You can rate (by stars) 1 to 5 where 5 stars is the most liked rating.
Along with the rating reviewers have room to explain their experience, what they like or dislike about a place.
Let's say you want to try a new restaurant and you check their Yelp page to find 1 or 2 five stars and 20 reviews only giving one star. Would that change your mind on going there?
Reading the reviews you might find people like the food and prices but dislike the long wait to get service. So the patrons may give them a poor rating.
Air Conditioning and auto repair companies often get some harsh reviews. Many are warranted and 'Yelpers' love to report dishonest businesses.
However, there are 2 sides to some of the people doing the reports. The person doing the report leaves a trail of who they yelped on and it appears some people cannot give a like to any business they tried. I call them 'the professional complainers' as nothing pleases them. They go around only giving negative reviews.
Maybe there should be a rate the reviewer where the other people can yelp on the yelper who cannot find any business they like!
After-all, the reason for the 'yelp' is to alert people to avoid a bad business.
So why would you go to a restaurant that got 40 negative reviews?
Comments (3)
When one company received a bad write-up the owner personally addressed it.
Of the three referral companies I know about (Angie's List, Google, Yelp) you cannot pay to make them go away... so, you have to deal with them, including the bogus ones from competitors and clients with a vendetta. Unless there is slander or profanity, to my knowledge, disputes rarely get removed.
Not perfect, but apologies when necessary.
To the fake customers, clearly state it's a case of mistaken identity as you went through all the records and they don't appear anywhere in the system.
Another way to catch a thief:
"Hey, I'm sorry for all your troubles. Come to my showroom and bring your contract with paid receipt and I'll rebate you 10 percent."
Let's see who shows up then!