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Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

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Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#51

Post by baddox »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #44

Is there any proof this is happening other than this post? I hope so otherwise internet vigilante justice is destroying a business and people's livelihoods. Edit: I took a look at their site and apparently they only enforce this policy for weddings: "Also, please note that we only request this of wedding parties and for the reasons explained above." The reasons seem to be that as guests are not booking the hotel them…

I don't see any evidence that they've actually enforced the rule, but the rule is posted on their website: http://www.unionstreetguesthouse.com/events_weddings.shtml.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#52

Post by ryanmcdonough »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #44

Is there any proof this is happening other than this post? I hope so otherwise internet vigilante justice is destroying a business and people's livelihoods. Edit: I took a look at their site and apparently they only enforce this policy for weddings: "Also, please note that we only request this of wedding parties and for the reasons explained above." The reasons seem to be that as guests are not booking the hotel them…

Yes on: http://www.unionstreetguesthouse.com/events_weddings.shtml

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#53

Post by egeozcan »

danielweber wrote: post #37
hawkharris wrote: post #33

After reading this article, I'm surprised to see that the guest house still has a high rating on Yelp and Google+. Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy. EDIT: Yelp rating is no longer high, but there's still TripAdvisor and Google+.

No, posting reviews of a service you've never used because of something you read on the Internet five minutes ago is not OK.

I agree, posting fake reviews as an individual is as bad as what they are doing. I think the services should put a warning though. Something like this: "The reviews for this hotel may not be completely accurate according to some recent evidence and we are still investigating the case. Thank you for your understanding".

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#54

Post by hawkharris »

danielweber wrote: post #37
hawkharris wrote: post #33

After reading this article, I'm surprised to see that the guest house still has a high rating on Yelp and Google+. Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy. EDIT: Yelp rating is no longer high, but there's still TripAdvisor and Google+.

No, posting reviews of a service you've never used because of something you read on the Internet five minutes ago is not OK.

You misinterpreted my comment. Yes, it would be unacceptable to lie and say that we've all visited the hotel, but that's not what I'm advocating. I specifically said "based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy." This isn't simply based on an article I've read. It's a public policy posted by the hotel.

I'm suggesting that people comment on a public policy. No more, no less.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#55

Post by baddox »

danielweber wrote: post #37
hawkharris wrote: post #33

After reading this article, I'm surprised to see that the guest house still has a high rating on Yelp and Google+. Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy. EDIT: Yelp rating is no longer high, but there's still TripAdvisor and Google+.

No, posting reviews of a service you've never used because of something you read on the Internet five minutes ago is not OK.

That might be your ethical analysis, but other people might have different ethical analyses.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#56

Post by nmjohn »

baddox wrote: post #42
nmjohn wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because it is extorting guests into not leaving bad reviews online - regardless of service. I'm not really sure how one would think this is okay!

It's not extorting if they are clear about these terms before you decide to book the hotel.

Yet it is.

When you attend a wedding, you have absolutely no say in the venue. Yes, the bride and groom may have agreed to the terms, but the attendees did not have a choice.

So if they get shitty service and want to post a review about it online, they find out doing so will cost the bride and groom $500. It might not be clear cut extortion - but it is not an acceptable business practice.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#57

Post by hawkharris »

personZ wrote: post #49
hawkharris wrote: post #33

After reading this article, I'm surprised to see that the guest house still has a high rating on Yelp and Google+. Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy. EDIT: Yelp rating is no longer high, but there's still TripAdvisor and Google+.

Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews "Activism" reviews are what make most online reviews useless. Please don't do that. And those who already have today do nothing but undermine their own reputation. While the ridiculous penalty claim is outrageous and likely illegal, and their behavior on Yelp is unacceptable, everyone should always take a moment to understand where they're coming from[1]: In t…

Please take a look at my response to danielweber. I'm not advocating that people post fake reviews. I'm saying that we should point out only what we know: some of the other reviews may be disingenuous because of the $500 fine. This is a public policy posted on their website. It's a simple matter of fact, not opinions.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#59

Post by Thriptic »

In a sense this strategy could be somewhat ingenious on their part, as after some exploration some people might assume that all negative reviews (even ones from customers who legitimately received poor service) are spurious ones associated with the fact that the internet doesn't like their review policy. With that being said, most people won't even bother to explore a hotel with a terrible review, so they're probably screwed.

Re: Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online

#60

Post by dm2 »

danielweber wrote: post #37
hawkharris wrote: post #33

After reading this article, I'm surprised to see that the guest house still has a high rating on Yelp and Google+. Our immediate response should be to post negative reviews based on the revelation that none of the other reviews are trustworthy. EDIT: Yelp rating is no longer high, but there's still TripAdvisor and Google+.

No, posting reviews of a service you've never used because of something you read on the Internet five minutes ago is not OK.

Is it necessary to have used a service in order to comment on its policies? What if you just call a place and they are very rude, would it be ok to post that in a "review"?

I don't really see anything wrong with warning others that a hotel's policies are irregular and for people to be careful.

Just saying something such as "make sure you carefully read their terms before staying at this place or leaving a deposit, they are not standard and you could end up paying much more than you anticipated." might be justified, no?

Yes, I feel bad for the hotel, this could cripple their business, but it will probably make the news and encourage other hotels to review their policies. In the end the consumers (who are innocent) will be the ones who benefit from this.

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