3 ms·

I tend to leave a review when something is better than expected or if I'm disappointed enough to do so. I'll also occasionally leave a review of something if I'

I tend to leave a review when something is better than expected or if I'm disappointed enough to do so. I'll also occasionally leave a review of something if I'm prompted, but that more depends on whim. I also am likely to leave a review on products that are occasional purchases - small kitchen appliances. This is because I personally find these helpful when sourced from multiple places. I rarely leave a review for average products. There is rarely a good way to communicate to folks that the product simply met expectations. For example, if I buy a bag of coffee that I've purchased before and I get said coffee, there isn't much I can say. "I bought this because I find this coffee good enough to buy a second time. It isn't my favorite, but it is good and my average quality of coffee. Package was undamaged and contained the expected coffee". That isn't exactly a 5 star review, yet if I give 3 or 4 it seems to be a ding on the company. I'd rather not, thank you.

thirdsun 8y ago
> I tend to leave a review when something is better than expected or if I'm disappointed enough to do so. And that's the problem with user reviews. They emphasize the extreme ends of the spectrum. There's little incentive to leave a review for the potentially silent majority of moderate users that are simply satisfied with the product.
- Broken_Hippo 8y ago
  It is, and it is something that could be solved simply by asking the right questions instead of the overall review on a number (or star) scale. I hardly think simple satisfaction warrants a 5-star review, but I think if I just put 3-star, it might hurt the company... or waitress, or whatever. It isn't sane, and I'd almost argue that there is a disincentive to leave a moderate review. It is the same for store satisfaction surveys and many more - I know folks get penalized for not having overly good results. But if they simply asked if it was what I was expecting and had reasonable options - along with not punishing folks for simply delivering what I expect - I'd answer yes.

thirdsun 8y ago

> I tend to leave a review when something is better than expected or if I'm disappointed enough to do so. And that's the problem with user reviews. They emphasize the extreme ends of the spectrum. There's little incentive to leave a review for the potentially silent majority of moderate users that are simply satisfied with the product.

Broken_Hippo 8y ago
It is, and it is something that could be solved simply by asking the right questions instead of the overall review on a number (or star) scale. I hardly think simple satisfaction warrants a 5-star review, but I think if I just put 3-star, it might hurt the company... or waitress, or whatever. It isn't sane, and I'd almost argue that there is a disincentive to leave a moderate review. It is the same for store satisfaction surveys and many more - I know folks get penalized for not having overly good results. But if they simply asked if it was what I was expecting and had reasonable options - along with not punishing folks for simply delivering what I expect - I'd answer yes.