1571

The funny thing is, when dealing with a 5 star rating system, I generally ignore the 5 stars and the 1 stars. Those are usually worthless. If I give something a 4 star, I feel that is pretty much tops as nothing is perfect. Amazon is the worst because a majority of 5 star reviews are either paid for or part of their review battalion that 5 stars everything to keep in the program. If someone ragged on me for a 4 star review, I would immediately deduct a star for that. I would also never use that place again.

1572

I can’t blame a business for being protective of its rating. Most of the algorithms favor showing max ratings over ones that are 4 or 3 stars. Not being on the top of the offering scroll is a gigantic difference in revenue.

If they’re jerks about it, then sure. Screw 'em.

1573

Yeah, if they are cool about it, no problem. I get that its important to their business. But as you say, If they are jerks about it, screw 'em.

1574

I understand completely. Yet I have worked for companies where anything other than a perfect score (say 5 on a 1 to 5) is effectively a zero. Never acknowledging that you learn nothing from a perfect score.

On Amazon, what I usually do these days is look at the percentage of 1-3* reviews to get a rough idea. Not perfect by any means, but usually guides me in the right direction.

1575

I had a company contact me asking why I gave them a 4 instead of a 5, and I told them I gave no one a 5.

1576

Hey elves are Scottish now! That’s more like it.

Oh I take it back. They vary. Still. Beats being the dwarves all the time.

1577

Don’t get me started. Fucking Airbnb.

You need a consistent 96% score over a period of time to get superhost, so all it takes is a few “not great” reviews and you’re tanked.

Plus Airbnb keeps pushing me to do this or that (lower prices, allow instant booking) yet when something goes wrong the assumption is always that I’m at fault, and I have to build a very strong case just to clear my name.

I’ve got maybe 150 reviews now most 5 stars, some deducted over things I have no control over or because they didnt read the listing properly.

It’s a studio flat, it’s small but someone downgraded me because it wasn’t family sized…:o

Edit: it’s also a pretty shitty review experience as a guest, not much room for nuance when you do your own review.

1578

FWIW I use Airbnb a ton and as a guest I couldn’t give two shits about Superhost. (I don’t know if it provides other benefits to the host besides advertising.) I actually read the reviews left by other guests and can tell which are bullshit.

1579

Superhosts get put at the top of the sesrch queue.

Luckily demand is high enough and what I have is niche enough that it doesn’t affect us too much, but Airbnb has so much bs…

1580

So, I finished the four episodes. I really enjoyed it; apparently, it’s hated, but it’s certainly far, far above 9%. My only critique would be that it’s a little too Game-Of-Thrones-ey, but that’s reaching. It’s perfectly serviceable, and, I mean, have you seen what else is on Netflix?

1581

Serious question as an Airbnb regular: how can you tell?

1582

This describes most of the things that generate outrage on the Internet. Sometimes I check them out myself to see what all the fuss is about. I think setting expectations really helps too.

1583

For me, read the listing description then reference the reviews with the description.

If something is clearly labelled in the description and the review is complaining about it, likely to be a suspect review.

If numerous reviews complain about it, then more likely the host changed the listing.

If numerous reviews highlight the same thing, good or bad, each “excellent view,” and then one revies says the opposite, possibly suspect.

Also, again imho, anything by an “influencer.”

Had one of those try and hustle us for a good review.

Checked her out, her fanbase is in Hungary and in the low thousands.

So politely declined.

Still got a good review out of it.

1584

Two down and it seems pretty entertaining to me so far as well.

Looks and sounds nice, the characters have charisma, the dialogue is sharp (if a little predictable) and the action well-choreographed.

1585

Teaser:

To be released in two volumes like the latest season of Stranger Things: first five episodes on June 29, the three remaining one to follow on July 27.

1586

Trying to get people to subscribe to 2 months.