Trip Advisor - good or bad?

[Louisa]

I recently went to a fish and chip shop in the West Country which had been heavily recommended on Trip Advisor, in fact it had exclusively positive reviews. On arrival the elderly owner was keen to shove people through the conveyor belt process by handing you the menu whilst waiting close to the door. Then demanding your order within moments of taking your seat. The restaurant was busy, and it was towards the end of the summer season. The chips were anaemic on arrival and they even charged you for sauces (which is a real annoyance of mine). My question is, how heavily can we rely on Trip Advisor for providing honest and fair reviews? Are there processes in place to monitor who is reviewing for example? I mean it could well be certain businesses are giving themselves positive reviews to entice customers. What does everyone think?

Louisa.

[malumbu]

Simply put your review in to get some balance

I always look at the high and low scores.

It has been very helpful to me in getting mid range accommodation

I am aware of concerted efforts by businesses to falsify reviews but never seen it in the places I have stayed.

I was conscious in Morocco over Xmas that virtually every restaurant had a Tripadvisor sticker on the door. Well it is better than the Lonely Planet when we used to backpack and every traveler getting off the train would rush to the recommended hostels, guest houses and restaurants which could put their prices up accordingly.