Re: Businesses removing their names from this forum

[Goose]

One of the problems with publishing is "Publication Bias" - where only positive trials (e.g. of a new drug) get published and trials that show disappointing results don't for various reasons.

Aren't we at risk of similar things if certain businesses ask for their name to be removed when they are mentioned in the forum ? (see recent post on Lordship Lane Services (http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1207906) and this removed one previosuly (http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1184753)).

Admin - surely unless a comment is malicious or defamatory then the post should remain - alternatively the business in question agrees that all references to it anywhere on the forum (i.e. all the glowing reports as well) are also removed. This would then remove this potential bias where negative reviews are elimated and positive ones remain giving a skewed opinion of that business?

[lane lover]

I agree. If businesses have poor service, then let it be known.

It should make them ultimately better businesses if they listen to the comments.

[????]

Er...and if they make all sorts of legal threats which admin - does this for free, got a life and day job - can,t be arsed with dealing with shitty threats although almost certainly unable to stand up in court are just hassle and expense. Personally I just never use them businesses as they are clearly sh1te if they are scared if a public forum

Ps they don,t want to listen to comments or let others hear them

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

But how can admin be responsible for the opinion of someone ? Isn't it free speech that if we don't like something we are allowed to say so ?

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Do restaurant critics and mystery shoppers end up in court defending their views ? What about all the reviews for products and companies online ( amazon , feefo etc?)

If I had bad service somewhere I would think nothing of posting it here. I can't see how these business are legally allowed to gag us ?

[silverfox]

I agree with the sentiment of what you are saying Goose, although I do take many people's criticisms of poor service with a pinch of salt (eggs not cooked the way I like them, no wheatgerm bread, demanded a discount blah blah blah). For example, the current poor service in Lordship Lane thread - what does the OP expect, fawning obsequious staff treating her like the Queen of Sheba?

However, in this case, despite the name of the establishment being censored, most of us know who '(A certain place's name removed, sorry - Admin)' refers to. Not sure that protects the establishment in the way it was intended.

[Tr?]

Agree with 4 pounds, just assume the business is sh*t and don't use it. And then frequent or at least try any business that has the balls to engage on this forum, for good or bad.

[Mick Mac]

"4 pounds" - who he?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

The jockey's Nemesis.

[eberg]

It's a double edged sword for businesses. If you continually get glowing reports that's great for business but one lousy comment can cause all sorts of problems for a small business. I won't take on work if I feel that the client will be difficult, it's not worth it as some people are just plain spiteful or mad or both. There are some clients that you just can't please, so avoid them.

[maxxi]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> "4 pounds" - who he?

It's the weekly weight-loss target surely?

I think it's fair enough that admin should pass-on a business's request not to be discussed on this forum - perhaps a sticky list of these businesses would let us all know the places to avoid.....

...talking about I mean.

[*Bob*]

They have 50 Cent / We have 4 Pounds.

[Mick Mac]

Whats the difference between someone putting a positive/negative comment on here or putting it on trip advisor - businesses are going to get both and these days they have to learn to live with reviews being public.

[Siduhe]

alternatively the business in question agrees that all references to it anywhere on the forum (i.e. all the glowing reports as well) are also removed. This would then remove this potential bias where negative reviews are elimated and positive ones remain giving a skewed opinion of that business?

My understanding is this is what Admin does - removes all references good and bad. Except this post, which sets out the position of this forum better than I ever could. This is the top result if you google the name of the business and the East Dulwich Forum.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,915467,915467

Edited for clarity

[*Bob*]

Tripadvisor has a legal team.

That's the diff!

[????]

as *Bob* says politely and i am going to shout

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LAW OR THE PRICIPLE OF FREE SPEECH/SLANDER WHATEVER....ADMIN JUST CAN'T BE ARSED WITH THESE SH1TE, THREATENING BUSINESSES AND NOR CAN I

[zeban]

Spot on Quids and Bob! that's exactly what it is and I can't blame Admin at all. They don't want to have to deal with these bullying, threatening, pretty nasty businesses, despite those threats having absolutely no legal standing. It's just not worth the headache. Life's too short! If this is the response of a business it tells me a lot about the business and I'd just take my money elsewhere.

[MrBen]

This one was done to death a while back. One day when I don't have a life, a job and with a bigger legal bankroll I'd happily take them on in court because as 4 Pounds says, they wouldn't stand up in court and well, it would be small notch on the post of free speech for mighty East Dulwich etc

They're like horse traders complaining about the first cars. Ignore and avoid.

[Salsaboy]

4 pounds - I like it!

[StraferJack]

Isn't it at least a thousand quid?

[Mick Mac]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Tripadvisor has a legal team.

>

> That's the diff!

My point was from their perspective not that of the forum ......reviews will end up on trip advisor, they better get used to it.

[*Bob*]

I suspect that Tripadvisor has little impact with regards to the purchase of (eg) cakes and tea in non-'destination' London suburbs.

I take the wider point though. But I guess if fight you must, you fight the battles you can win.

[Mick Mac]

True.

[StraferJack]

You could always "find" a review about a local business on tripadvisor

And you could, without naming the business, link to it on here

[Mick Mac]

Oh SJ, you have all the answers.