New forum suggestion

[MinuWeb]

Hi,

As I have now found a few clients on these forums as well as become a client of a couple of other members I would like to suggest a forum for member feedback, where we can post our experiences both good and bad about services / goods received from other members. I think this would prove beneficial to all of us long term as it would build a level of trust that a member here is worthwhile doing business with.

[TechFox]

I agree

[StoneLink]

'ere,'ere...

Nicholas Tsiougos
StoneLink Coaching
www.stonelinkcoaching.com
"every step of the way"

[webit]

I like the sound of it - but it would need to be constructive - I sure the last thing the admin needs is to pi** off registered members.

Could be a fun one to watch the threads of though.

[Jayne]

Good Idea, as long as everyone tells the truth. I could say that Joe Blogs is excelent if I got paid a couple of quid :D It may get used for advertising, getting a friend to post etc. Need some way to tell if it's bogus or not.

I also think they should have a section for web site feed back and keep all that in one place :D

Jayne

[Marina Stone]

Perhaps the comments/feedback could be attached to the profile of the provider/member?

So, when you click on the forum member and get the 'all about member' section there could be a header for 'feedback from other members' bit.

This way there wouldn't be discussions about your work where competitors, friends etc. could write what they liked, it would be the customer who has experienced your services writing their comments.

Marina

[Jayne]

Perhaps the comments/feedback could be attached to the profile of the provider/member?

So, when you click on the forum member and get the 'all about member' section there could be a header for 'feedback from other members' bit.

This way there wouldn't be discussions about your work where competitors, friends etc. could write what they liked, it would be the customer who has experienced your services writing their comments.

Marina


Brilliant as usual :D

Jayne

[Marina Stone]

Thanks Jayne

I'm flattered! :)

[Jayne]

Your welcome, I know i'm not the only one on here that thinks that. You have a really good way of looking at things :D

Jayne

[MinuWeb]

Or.... simplifying it, a rating system (based on 5/10 stars like E-bay ?)

It would have to have rules though.....

I would request permission to post feedback about a member.
The member would have to agree, this would ensure (as best we can) that we have had a working relationship.
I then rate the member and leave a comment. The other member then has the opportunity to rate me as a client and leave a comment.

[Astaroth]

Would it not be best linked to a tender for services type forum? People posting wanted or offered services and upon completion the pair can leave feedback on each other.

Would only require people to refer potential customers/ providers to their advert in the relevant forum rather than simply giving their URL in the original forum.

The feedback would certainly have to be signon based rather than just an open forum - wouldnt want to spend a long time searching for all the posts about vshosting - much easier to click on their profile.

[MinuWeb]

The feedback would certainly have to be signon based rather than just an open forum - wouldnt want to spend a long time searching for all the posts about vshosting - much easier to click on their profile.

That is why I suggested a new forum for feedback.

Thread tittle = company name
post = brief description of work done and feedback

therefore there would only be one forum to search for feedback

I would like to post feedback in a forum like this about a couple of members here that have done work for me, giving other members the opportunity to see this.

Of course deliberate negative feedback by competitors could be an issue, so why not make it a "positive feedback only" forum. If I was ripped of by a fellow member I would mail Ozzy and let him know the situation so that he can then decide if the member that ripped me off a) really did b) should be banned to prevent them ripping of other members and c) post here that members should avoid using them because of this.

[Astaroth]

I think there has to be a place for negative feedback. Without wanting to mention any particular members there certainly have been a few companies that have advertised on here which I would have concerns over their credentials (though mainly on some of their side lines).

The obvious issue with a feedback system is that it will result in additional work for the forum moderators in resolving disputes over the feedback left - it would need to be more than just a case of a complaint over feedback results in the feedback being deleted as this could result in only possitive feedback being shown.

[Ozzy]

There is also an issue with my Professional Indemnity insurance if I allowed open feedback on this forum I'm afraid :( (remember we are in a litigation world and this is a moderated forum!)

As much as this does sound like a good diea it is one I cannot legally add, but backing up a suggestion from one member saying "Yes I also used so-and-so and found his/her service very good" in response to a question would have to do for now.

[MinuWeb]

??

So I can post "don't do business with xyz because they are crap and ripped me off" in response to a question asking about that company, but I cannot post "received great service from company ABC, would recommend them" in a feedback forum ??

There are 1000's of forums that are based on nothing else but feedback about companies in different areas of business.

[DuaneJackson]

Perhaps the comments/feedback could be attached to the profile of the provider/member?

I think thats a very good idea.

Although perhaps the way it currently works is best. IE, someone asks for some advice on who to use for SEO/PPC then a few people pipe up that they have used rob at top-click and are very happy with his service.

[MinuWeb]

Perhaps the comments/feedback could be attached to the profile of the provider/member?

I think thats a very good idea.

Although perhaps the way it currently works is best. IE, someone asks for some advice on who to use for SEO/PPC then a few people pipe up that they have used rob at top-click and are very happy with his service.

This is fine, until everyone that has had Rob do work for them misses the thread, then a pro-active member of the forums could lose out on some work which would be a shame

[Rob Holmes]

I see the idea but like Ozzy can also see it could get messy.

I always try and put work forum members way and have used a few members for business over the last few months and had good service from all :)

Rob

[MinuWeb]

lets have a "positive feedback only forum" then, I am sure no-one here would try to sue Ozzy because another member said something good about them :D

[Marina Stone]

I agree it could get messy!

Sorry... another suggestion!

How about every time a forum member does some work for another they can add the name to their list as a reference (perhaps, attached to their profile) - but with no comments.

And/Or visa versa, the 'customer member' has their 'provider member' on their list.

Now, if a member is thinking about using the service they can PM the 'customer member' for a reference.

Does that make sense?

Marina

[Asteeleleith]

Hi All

As i said in a previous thread i run another forum.

This one is linked to my business and allows people to discuss Computer related problems among other things.

On one occasion someone did actually try to download on of my courses and contracted a virus from it.
He then proceeded to assassinate my business in the forum. This could have been potentially damaging had it been filled with other potential customers.

I think and feel it is best NOT to provide a sounding board. We business people all love positive feedback, and would love to see good things mentioned about us in the forum, or even publish suhc things in the testomials part of our website. But as soon as negative feedback is placed, we dislike it, would even consider sueing in some cases.
One thing i learned is it can take years to build a business, but only minutes to destroy it.

Even if only positive feedback is placed, what becomes the point of that. You then end up with a tit for tatt like ebay. Leaving postings for good sellers and well as buyers.
After what are you going to do if someone recieves a service but is slow to pay, or worse does not pay. Add them to the forum as a bad customer as well? :wink:

I see it is a good idea in theory, but in reality, i do not think it will work.
Sorry to throw the spanner in the works, but i think and feel the concept would introduce more tension to the forum than would be needed, as well as provide a greater headache for the administrators :-)

Al

[Whistle Ink]

??

So I can post "don't do business with xyz because they are crap and ripped me off" .

Something like this would come in the way of any business that wanted to change / reform. This feedback would stick and if it was the only feedback on them (unless you gave them the opportunity to put their comments up) then people would skip over them.

Same with saying someone is over priced and you can get it cheaper elsewhere. On a product one persons view 'wow they are miles cheaper' might be someones 'what's wrong with it?' If you know what I mean.

Bye

Paresh :D