Andy Y Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 It has come to my attention that a trader has attempted to solicit positive feedback through RMweb offering previous customers a 10% discount on their next order if they mention the business in a positive light on RMweb and provide a link to their post. I have written to the trader concerned to request that they desist such solicitation; if I have any suspicion that such feedback is given it will be removed. I would ask that no member does carry out such a practice as it devalues the honesty of freely given unsolicited feedback given by the members of the community. If a business provides good service obviously we're more than happy to hear but customers should not be incentivised to do so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted October 23, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 23, 2013 My agreement was unsolicited Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 If you're going out soliciting, don't get caught. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted October 23, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 23, 2013 There goes my deal with "Caravan Buyer" magazine.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
multiprinter Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 There goes my deal with "Caravan Buyer" magazine.. I would have thought that WC Monthly would be your scene! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted October 24, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2013 In view of Andy's comments I shall not be endorsing "Model Goat Weekly" with any bleats of approval Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 There goes my deal with "Caravan Buyer" magazine.. Would ya loyke ta boiuy a caravan? Do Ya loyke dags? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 In view of Andy's comments I shall not be endorsing "Model Goat Weekly" with any bleats of approval I'd be careful if I were you, making jokes like that.... you might get baaaaaaaa'd from the forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 24, 2013 There goes my deal with "Caravan Buyer" magazine.. Isn't that Caravan Burner? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 If you're going out soliciting, don't get caught. Honest Guv, I was asking her for directions, I forgot what the other two girls said and didnt want to get lost! (Gen!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Honest Guv, I was asking her for directions, I forgot what the other two girls said and didnt want to get lost! (Gen!). You still need directions at your age! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom J Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I was very disappointed indeed with the trader concerned when I saw what Andy refers to not long ago. As for not soliciting, I am always amused when I see this phone box, just behind John Lewis on Oxford Street in London: I wonder how many people with cards read the notice and decided that, it being a conservation area, they would miss that 'phone box out after all? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 So the only feedback is that approved through a BRM review? I'm probably the only one here to believe in the "freedom" of forums where any such practise soon gets found out and exposed for what it is by the general (not admin) membership. Ultimately getting both the supplier and the member posting the product into a very bad place in terms of publicity. We have, over the years, had several suppliers damned publicly in topics, usually for poor service but also poor product. Sometime justified, often not - or are specific to a select set of customers. I don't see anything legally wrong with this type of service offer - though like many things it is morally suspect - and of course it is right that BRM should approve advertising (for that is what it is) on their site ... isn't it. BTW I haven't a clue who the culprit is and respect BRM's position as owner to control site use - even if it is contrary to the way I'd deal with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 24, 2013 So the only feedback is that approved through a BRM review? Andy Y said "If a business provides good service obviously we're more than happy to hear but customers should not be incentivised to do so." If you or I receive meritorious service, we are free to report it here as we always have been. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom J Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 If any magazine was being paid to say nice things about a product I would be similarly concerned. Reviews should show neither fear no favour, whoever the author is and whether they are selling their opinion or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Isn't that Caravan Burner? Editor: Richard Hammond. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 So the only feedback is that approved through a BRM review? I'm probably the only one here to believe in the "freedom" of forums where any such practise soon gets found out and exposed for what it is by the general (not admin) membership. Ultimately getting both the supplier and the member posting the product into a very bad place in terms of publicity. We have, over the years, had several suppliers damned publicly in topics, usually for poor service but also poor product. Sometime justified, often not - or are specific to a select set of customers. I don't see anything legally wrong with this type of service offer - though like many things it is morally suspect - and of course it is right that BRM should approve advertising (for that is what it is) on their site ... isn't it. BTW I haven't a clue who the culprit is and respect BRM's position as owner to control site use - even if it is contrary to the way I'd deal with it. I'm trying to protect that freedom of honest reporting by the membership and not have it distorted by incentives. Once I was aware of the 'offer' if I chose to do nothing I'd be doing the general readers a disservice; would you know that feedback was genuine or just someone who wanted to save a small amount? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I am now inspired. As a one time offer I will use sheet of toilet paper less for every person who likes my post, saving me a huge fortune in paper, saving the planet and also saving money on brown nail varnish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 And I do like the love hearts option for feedback. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold grandadbob Posted October 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 24, 2013 Especially for you Boris! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I was very disappointed indeed with the trader concerned when I saw what Andy refers to not long ago. As for not soliciting, I am always amused when I see this phone box, just behind John Lewis on Oxford Street in London: IMG_2363.jpg I wonder how many people with cards read the notice and decided that, it being a conservation area, they would miss that 'phone box out after all? In my younger days I was at a party in Kilburn. A friend and I got bored and caught the tube into central London. We walked back to Kilburn along Oxford Street collecting every 'business card' along the way. We ended up with the most interesting deck of Snap cards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I see a lot of "comical" responses to Andy's message. With due respect I think they are missing and minimising the point he is trying to make. I feel he is trying to ensure the neutrality and integrity of this forum by stopping what I suggest is basically a Shrill practice. Living where I do, I have to rely a lot on reviews and comments from people on this forum. I will not say anymore except that I fully support Andy's position! p.s. In another thread I will shortly be praising the service I have just received from a supplier that I sourced on this forum. I will not be receiving any brown envelopes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted October 25, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 25, 2013 Couldn't have put it better myself. While the original message was perfectly clear and dealt with accordingly we can also be in danger at times of taking ourselves too seriously so a little humour after the point is made and perhaps just used to reinforce it is something I have no problem with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted October 25, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2013 Couldn't have put it better myself. While the original message was perfectly clear and dealt with accordingly we can also be in danger at times of taking ourselves too seriously so a little humour after the point is made and perhaps just used to reinforce it is something I have no problem with. That'll be you off Chris T's Xmas card list, then ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted October 25, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2013 Returning to the original "problem", I got that email but didn't feel incentivised to fire off bogus recomendations just to get a paltry 10% off an item costing less than a fiver. I have had good service from the supplier, and have said so on the forum, (no I didn't get a discount!), so whilst I can see where the supplier is coming from, and maybe he didn't go about it in the totally correct manner, I think the issue is with any members who would cash in on the offer just for the discount. Since the trader made the offer I haven't noticed an unwarranted flood of posts extolling the virtues of his goods, so we must have fair minded forum members who understand his viewpoint. Just my two penn'orth. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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