Site reviews and stars
I have occasionally noticed that in some site reviews the overall star rating does not reflect the stars given under the individual headings, sometimes they are considerably adrift. Do folk think that the overall score should be generated automatically from our input across the areas we score? As with a fairly recent one I've just read, not only did I feel that there was a one off 'gripe' involved but also facts were incorrect in the review itself regarding additional charges. Such reviews and stars appointed can be giving the wrong picture to members looking to stay for the first time at specific sites don't folk feel?
Comments
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I've had a problem with the club's star rating system for some time now Micky but maybe from a different perspective from yours.
I personally would prefer it if just the last 10 reviews were used to arrive at an average rating. I intended using a site last year and looked at recent reviews which for a club site were actually not that brilliant. I seem to recall that 3 of the most recent had marked the star rating as 3* whilst the previous 4 had all given 5*. There were good reasons for the 3 but because the site had over 100 reviews mostly giving 5* the overall rating did not reflect the current situation.
I also wish that there was more stars to choose from rather than the 5. There have been times when I have done a review where neither the 4 or 5 Stars is correct.
Once you get past a certain number of either extreme marking then the current state of play cannot be truly reflected.
It's not just Club sites, but it also affects CLs to a lesser degree as there are usually a smaller number of reviews to give an average. I would still like to see a grade between 1 and 10 used for these as well. It's not just caravan site reviews that are affected this way.
Anyway I would rather dissect the reasons for the grade given by the reviewer which not always reflects on the quality of the site but on personal grievances or good reviews because the sun shone etc. One often has to delve a bit deeper to get a truer reflection.
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There is much that’s not perfect with the site review system and, as has been discussed here before, tougher staff scrutiny seems to be needed to weed out the personal gripes and to edit/delete the reviews that are in breach of the review guidelines. Those guidelines are well hidden and I doubt many reviewers have read them so I think positioning them in a more obvious place would help.
As for the stars, people's views are subjective so I tend to disregard stars and base my judgement on the contents of the reviews.
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Totally get that WN. May be that 'counter'could be reset at the beginning of each new season. However, no matter what system is used it is open to misuse and misrepresentation. As you say maybe we need to delve deeper just as I did to find the unjust, incorrect and unfair, or very good reason. Just to clarify mind, I was talking about the individuals overall rating not that generated for the site as a whole.
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Agree. We never look at the star ratings to be honest, prefer to research a site for ourselves, based on location, google maps, and then if there are any, reviews from other members who we know do a good review with similar wants and needs to us.
I also know that somewhere like Yellowcraig (for example) would be five stars for us at certain times, great location, dog friendly, good facilities etc...... But we wouldn’t want to be anywhere near it during the school Summer Holiday periods.
Most of the ranting reviews tend to be dated during school holidays, driving too fast, dogs noisy, children not supervised, toilets not flushed, people walking over pitches, etc....... We discount these, in terms of visiting if we are going outside busy periods. But of course, they affect the star rating. Rendering it pretty useless really. Not sure if there’s still a question about family or children friendly, but never having toured with children, it’s an obsolete question for us at all times. I couldn’t answer it.
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I saw a review this morning that was nothing more than a complaint about a CL owner who refused to refund a deposit when the member cancelled due to the weather. This wasn’t a review because the writer hadn’t stayed there yet an overall 2 star rating was given which was unfair.
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I can’t get onto latest activity pages at moment, was going to have a look at review. I think such reviews ought to be taken down if bookings policy says no refunds but then someone complains. You take out your own insurance or simply don’t choose a CL that takes deposits, or do what we do this time of year, and only book once you know what weather is likely to be doing. Having said that, most of CLs we use this time of year are very understanding.
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We've found the same with CL owners being understanding. We've had to postpone our arrival by a night on our current CL and only been asked to pay for the nights that we are here.
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The guidelines for reviews state that if you haven't stayed on a site your review will be removed...? I hope that particular one has been seen by a staff member, it was most unfair as was a review from someone arriving on a main site very early as they were late setting off at 3 AM !!!
Couldn't make it up could you.
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I think the non-review has been taken down. I reported it at the time but I can't now recall the name of the CL to check.
Do people really pay deposits without understanding the terms of cancellation and refund? Yep, I think they do!
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I think that was a different one, Brue. The one I reported was purely a complaint about non-refund of a deposit when cancelling due to weather conditions.
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Correction: the non-review has not been Deleted User.☹️
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Sorry, I now see you were referring to two.
PS. Nothing to stop others reporting it as well to reinforce the message😗
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That review has now been hidden. I am still of the view that it is better to report the review rather than commenting as that can lead to a lengthy discussion which of course is not what the review section is for. On one occasion I had to delete 50 comments which quite frankly is a waste of everyone's time!!!
David
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Looks like it's been taken down now TW as your link no longer works.
Edit Sorry David I hadn't read down to your response.
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I have just read the Hunters Moon review. 😂
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Good! I’m surprised it’s taken all day to remove it, tbh.
I am aware of your view, David, as you've stated it many times before and the issue has been discussed on this forum with Rowena.
Really, I’m damned whichever way I jump. If I only report, nothing happens and the review just gets buried. If I comment which helps bring it to attention, you disapprove. Likewise, if I simply say "Reported" to let others know, you say that’s pointless.🤷🏻♂️
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Unfortunately my electricity has been off most of the day as I am having some electrical work done in the house so my intervention was the first opportunity I had to act today as I use a PC. Reporting is the best option in my view as I don't think commenting on a review actually achieves anything. Invariably the original poster does not come back to acknowledge such comments so therefore to whose benefit is the comment for? You could always post a link like you did up thread in How to Use section which would be quickly picked up on by the mods. Whilst I tend to look at Latest Activity once a day it is not my main way of looking for new post as I prefer to look at each section in turn.
David
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