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Yelp! Free Speech or Defamation?

Home - by - December 9, 2012 - 20:03 America/New_York - 6 Comments

Yelp is a site where people offer their reviews of businesses and services. It’s like a Better Business Bureau run by mooks.

Personally, I don’t give any credence whatsoever to an online review unless there are 100 of them and they all say something is great or that it sucks. But that’s me. I’m cynical that way.

But there’s a story out there that might lead to more “honest” reviews.

 

» 6 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    December 9th, 2012

    There is nothing at all wrong with giving a bad review for legitimately bad work.

    Unless the contractor has been convicted for it, you absolutely do not publicly allege theft, or you deserve to get your ass sued off.

    Angie’s List has been a good source of business for us.
    I like that, unlike the BBB, a contractor can’t buy their way into a good rating, but I don’t think most people realize that it is not as grass roots as the advertising leads people to believe.
    The contractors listed must have, and maintain, a good customer rating, but it is “pay to play” to appear on the list for a zip code, and you have to basically buy your position on their call center list.

    Yelp and Google reviews are the most useless trash in existence.
    I personally know of HVAC/R contractors that have their employees create accounts with the free review sites so they can give their company good reviews, and their competitors bad reviews.

    Thumb up +2

     

  2. "That Guy"

    December 9th, 2012

    The first post was me.

    Thumb up +2

     

  3. Jim

    December 9th, 2012

    Too bad CBS doesn’t investigate Obama half as thoroughly as they do yelp.

    Thumb up +7

     

  4. Xavier

    December 9th, 2012

    If the work was that badly performed and jewelry was missing, the police and the courts should have been the homeowner’s first stop instead of Yelp.

    Something doesn’t smell right.

    Thumb up +5

     

  5. TR

    December 10th, 2012

    I once used Angie’s list. I read some of the “complainer’s comments” on different types of contractors. When I saw the same people complaining about different jobs from different outfits, I realized that the whole concept was tainted.
    I wouldn’t waste my time with Angie’s list. On the other hand, the guy who does painting for me, gets my 100% approval when his future clients call me for a referral. I’m glad someone is fighting back. Like they say, that town could not afford one good lawyer but could easily support two!

    Thumb up +1

     

  6. The Finisher

    December 10th, 2012

    My policy is Not one penny up front!

    I DO NOT pay for work that has NOT been done!

    If a contractor cannot afford to do the work without upfront money,
    I do not hire them.

    Enough said!

    Thumb up +1

     
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