Rating Reviews

Contributor: Sammi Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but Not Useful, and Not Useful at all. Think of it like a grade scale, where Somewhat Useful is a C.

We aren't allowed to vote on our own reviews for a reason. It's the opinion of others on our review that matters, not our own.

Obviously, if a review is voted Extremely Useful, this is good.

If a review is voted Useful, this is also a good thing, not a bad thing. I think a lot of us get hung up on getting Extremely Useful votes, but everyone needs to keep in mind that Useful is good. It means your review was useful to the reader, it covered the bases, and helped give them an idea about the product. Useful is not a "down" vote at all.

It's often not appropriate to PM someone about why they voted the way they did on a review. This can put someone on the spot and make them uncomfortable when they shouldn't be and cause them not to vote and express their opinions on reviews.

We all need to not take votes we receive so personally, and not worry so much how people are voting, but that they are voting honestly on the review.
02/09/2010
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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Thanks for starting this, Sammi. All good points and very true.

I think people sometimes don't realize how on the spot they're making people feel when they ask for reasons for their votes.

And we all tend to forget, sometimes, that useful is good and no one has yet achieved perfection.

Even Victoria got a "useful" vote on her last review!
02/09/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
Sometimes I read a poorly written review and just skip voting because I know if I vote "not useful", my name will be on it and I'll have to explain myself without coming off as a complete bitch. Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.

But that does bring up another side of transparent voting, rather than anonymous. How does transparency influence honesty?
02/09/2010
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but ... more
Sammi, I've noticed a lot of negativity about votes recently. I always try to vote fairly but as of yet, I haven't been approached for a bad vote. I think that if people are upset about how others vote they should be able to ask about improving their reviews. Perhaps there should be a thread or guide as to what should never go in a review?
02/09/2010
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but ... more
Sammi, I've noticed a lot of negativity about votes recently. I always try to vote fairly but as of yet, I haven't been approached for a bad vote. I think that if people are upset about how others vote they should be able to ask about improving their reviews. Perhaps there should be a thread or guide as to what should never go in a review?
02/09/2010
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
I have not rated anything below a somewhat useful, and even that I do not like. 90% of the time people are trying there best, sure things can be improved, and its nice to help people. If it is too bad I may not vote on it, or comment. I am a coward maybe, but I do care a lot about peoples feelings, whether I am wrong or..

Me not wanting to vote not useful has little to nothing about what others may think, but more of how it may make the reviewer feel. If I had a tip, I might suggest it, maybe PM the reviewer. Good writing takes practice, good example is, my first reviews were not the greatest, and I feel I have grown and become better (not saying they are great now or anything like that)

I read a review where someone whom first language was not English, and yes there were quite a bit of mistakes, and it was difficult to read, but I applaud the user for taking the time and even writing a review in another language. I can see where people can expect, or want better, but it was an effort.

I am guilty of the asking why when I got a useful vote, I now, after discussing it with others see the errors of my way.

anyway, I just thought I would say this.

Anyway, I think after every review, I will make a point to say "Any tips on ways to improve my writing is greatly appreciated but not mandatory" or something along those lines, then again I am not so sure I want someone dissecting a review and telling me this is what they would have done line by line, but tips are fine/
02/09/2010
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Here's my take. Useful is still good. I do see them and wonder what the hell I missed, but maybe we didn't *miss* anything. I kind of look at extremely useful as useful with extra info you didn't need, but it's still good to know.

Somewhat useful: I will explain why I voted that, BUT if four other people have already asked or suggested the same things I am not going to bother. I think it is just stupid to be redundant.

Other votes: I will tell why I did this (again if like 10 people did already, I may skip the whole explanation, but I will say ditto or something). I will usually PM them, because it can be embarrassing if you don't. I do think if someone votes not useful at all they need to say why. And if I get 10 useful and one not, you can bet I am going to ask why (ok, well I may not because I most likely won't care if everyone else liked it, but still).

New reviewers: Please set up messaging so we can PM each other and not comment it.

Sorry if I sound cranky...I haven't slept in 3 days. I don't mean to if I do, I swear
02/09/2010
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Quote:
Originally posted by Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
I have not rated anything below a somewhat useful, and even that I do not like. 90% of the time people are trying there best, sure things can be improved, and its nice to help people. If it is too bad I may not vote on it, or comment. I am a ... more
I tend to wait. I will PM the reviewer, especially if they are gunning for an upgrade, and tell them what I think. Some have even changed or added to reviews. Good for them. If they do that, hell yes they will get a better vote. Just me though, I try to give new reviewers the benefit of the doubt because we were all there once too. So I see what you're saying here about not hurting feelings.
02/09/2010
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
A really good point was made elsewhere, I forget by whom, that I think bears repeating. We all need to be a little less emotionally caught up in the voting and ranking. The votes and ratings do not reflect on you as a person. Votes aren't personal - "good" ratings aren't done to make you feel good, nor are "bad" ratings done as a personal attack (whatever good and bad may be).

A lot of people have lost sight of what this is really about. It's not a social networking site where the goal is to be the most popular, to be at the top of some ladder. The reviews are there to help people with their toy-buying decisions. They are REVIEWS. Customers who aren't part of the community often won't pore over every review for every toy they consider. They usually grab maybe one or two reviews and read those. If a review just isn't all that useful, feel free to vote accordingly, knowing that you're helping steer someone who knows much less about toys that you do toward the best information we have to offer.
02/09/2010
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
Quote:
Originally posted by Luscious Lily
A really good point was made elsewhere, I forget by whom, that I think bears repeating. We all need to be a little less emotionally caught up in the voting and ranking. The votes and ratings do not reflect on you as a person. Votes aren't ... more
I see your point, but I still would rather PM a reviewer, give him/her tips than to possible hurt the persons feelings. Maybe if its a spelling mistake, or an error you can message him/her privately and they can fix it.

Yes this is not a social networking site and good ratings are not done to make people "feel good" but there I see nothing wrong with trying to avoid hurt feelings, this does not mean you have to be dishonest. Just because someone tries to look for the best solution, or tries to be kind, does not mean he/she has to be dishonest.

Be honest,the person may love the feedback, maybe the person will not, but if you are kind...

For the most part I agree with you, it is the reviewers job to try to provide as much useful information to potential customers

Yeah, I might be talking to much about feelings, but oh well...

My tone is one of respect, I know it is hard sometimes to interpret tone, it is for me sometimes, so I want you to know, I am respectfully stating my opinion. And I do not feel any anger or anything towards you or anyone

But yes, if anyone feels my reviews are not useful, feel free to vote so, if you want to help me by providing feedback please do so. Or if my reviews are useful or somewhat useful or whatever you think, please feel free to vote however. I want my review to be extremely useful to every single person who reads it, but I know it may not be.
02/09/2010
Contributor: TitsMcScandal TitsMcScandal
I usually try to say why I voted anything less than useful.

I agree that it is not personal, nor is it a competition.

If people are hesitant to give the lower ratings, the reviewers aren't going to know they need to improve. I figure be honest and give them a helping hand with it. If people aren't being honest and choosing the lower scores all we will have here is useful reviews, and that's not very useful.
02/10/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
yes, please: new reviewers could you please set up your messaging.

I think one of the issues that causes this topic to get brought up every few weeks is the system itself. Someone could be going along quite well with their reviews and then WHAM, one bad review or vote takes them from a 4.6 to a 4.3 or something. True, this could be because they have fewer reviews so one bad review could knock it down.

I've wondered a few times how the actual formula works for the rating; I've seen the % break down, but I'm still fuzzy on how it's applied. Call me algebraically interested, I guess.

Being aware of how my screen name is logged when I vote and how reviews can be edited, I usually refrain from voting anything under "Somewhat Useful"...unless the review is so bad that it'd have to be re-written to be better.
02/10/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but ... more
Great post, Sammi - I totally agree! Reviewers should not be so reactive to votes - because it drives people away. Take the votes in consideration, sure - but don't see it as a personal attack! Hell, I don't.

Votes help people become better reviewers, they help rank a review for the customers - so everyone should vote fairly and accurately. If you think it's only Useful but not Extremely Useful, be honest and vote that way! If there was something missing, vote Somewhat Useful. There should be no shame in being truthful in your voting.
02/10/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Quote:
Originally posted by Heartthrob
Sammi, I've noticed a lot of negativity about votes recently. I always try to vote fairly but as of yet, I haven't been approached for a bad vote. I think that if people are upset about how others vote they should be able to ask about ... more
That's an interesting point. I've never thought about what shouldn't go into a review, except for phrasings and terms I have run across that are derogatory or offensive.
02/10/2010
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
I feel like, in general, I've been voting higher since public voting was implemented. Mostly, it's because I don't want to stick out by voting lower than everyone else has. If a review has over 10 extremely useful votes, but I only found it useful, I don't want to seem like a bitch by casting the only useful vote.

Back when voting was private, I felt OK with casting and receiving a few Useful votes. It was just a reminder that I couldn't be on the mark 100% of the time and that I still had places where I could improve as a reviewer. With public voting, however, it feels like the meaning of cast votes has changed. "Useful" seems to be the new "Somewhat Useful". Or, at least, that's what it seems like, judging by how some reviewers demand an explanation when they receive a Useful vote. And then, seeing that behavior, I start questioning the Useful votes on my reviews. If someone throws a fit over a Useful vote on their review, and then turns around to cast a Useful vote on MY review, does that mean I have reason to throw a fit as well?

Don't get me wrong, I definitely see the benefits of the transparent voting system we have now. It takes away the possibility of "invisible" petty votes that definitely happened back in the day. But in its place, I feel like there's the new possibility of reviewers bullying voters into only voting high, or not voting at all. An Extremely Useful vote just isn't what it used to be.
02/10/2010
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
You know what would be interesting? Delaying showing the votes when a review is immediately published. Like for a day. Or until there are 10 or something
02/11/2010
Contributor: MuffysPinguLove MuffysPinguLove
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
You know what would be interesting? Delaying showing the votes when a review is immediately published. Like for a day. Or until there are 10 or something
I agree with Adriana that would be interesting, and I think that it might solve the higher voting problem.
02/11/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
I realized what my voting logic is. In general, if you have everything that should be in the review, and you have it written well, I'll vote useful. If you have that plus something I hadn't even thought of (like trying new positions with the under the bed restraint system (one real example that I can think of off the top of my head)), I'll vote extremely useful. That's just in general though. There are exceptions.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
We could solve this problem, by just having the "Worth reading, but not useful" and the "Not useful at all" votes, and possibly the Somewhat useful.

Just a thought. Think it would take down the little problem.
02/11/2010
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
You know what would be interesting? Delaying showing the votes when a review is immediately published. Like for a day. Or until there are 10 or something
Maybe not letting us see the voting results until after we've voted? Or a few days' delay in (voters) getting to see the votes?
02/11/2010
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Luscious Lily
Maybe not letting us see the voting results until after we've voted? Or a few days' delay in (voters) getting to see the votes?
Oh yes, not letting us see. I like that.


I agree with LikeSunshineDust. Ideally, a review only gets an "extremely useful" if it includes everything, is written well and includes something that really sets it above. I think people should be stingier with those votes.
02/12/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Luscious Lily
Maybe not letting us see the voting results until after we've voted? Or a few days' delay in (voters) getting to see the votes?
I think this is a great idea. Sometimes seeing a bunch of other votes creates pressure to follow. I don't often succumb to this, but sometimes I do and I don't end up voting entirely the way I wanted. This goes both ways. Sometimes I think something deserves a better rate and I don't want to look like I'm sucking up and sometimes it is the opposite and I don't want to look mean.
05/04/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but ... more
Great points!
05/04/2010
Contributor: Michelle Menace Michelle Menace
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
There's been some discussion on another thread about voting on reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh thread on this.

Reviews have the option of being voted Extremely Useful, Useful, Somewhat Useful, Worth Reading but ... more
I've never had anyone PM me over a rating, but I am pretty new to this site... I hope that doesn't happen though. I hope I don't hurt anybody's feelings over rating a review. I know myself, I would never write anyone asking why they rated low on one of my reviews. I know there's a lot of stuff I need to learn about writing reviews still. But I would appreciate a comment about why they rated low, because it could help me in the future when writing reviews..
02/18/2011
Contributor: dette dette
I Agree With LikeSunshineDust
11/22/2011