[billethkid]

Originally Posted by al & jane

Too much negative energy on TOTV overall. I never read a post that begins with BEWARE.

We all see things differently.

I for one think TOTV, all the different forums taken into account, for the most part is informative, polite and educational.
There are some few negatives but far from being the overall tone of TOTV.

It always seems the 2-5% get far too much credit and contaminate observations and opinions of some.

[DonH57]

I read posts that begin with" BEWARE" just to see who's griping about what next. I've never let them cloud my judgement about an establishment as it causes me to try the place out. I've found most that complain and never inform the management are the same ones who never have the courtesy or manners to later answer inquirys of their own post.

[dewilson58]

Like any open forum, there is good and there is bad, there are positives and there are negatives.

That is the nature of an open forum, otherwise it's a censored format and then the usefulness is limited.

Regarding reviews and recommendations: Discount the top 10% and discount the bottom 10%...........the remaining 80% will be reasonably close.

[Bonny]

I agree !! The bashing, especially of restaurants, can get out of hand.
One of my bartenders got a laugh. A customer ordered an Espresso Martini. The server brought it back to the bar and said the customer didn't like it because it tastes like coffee !!! DUH !!

What really bothers me is when someone starts with " I heard from someone " !!

[DonH57]

The worst I've witnessed here in TV we were sitting outside at an establishment in spanish springs. The waiter brought over a breakfast to the man behind us. He yapped on his phone a good ten minutes before touching his plate. Here come the complaint. " My food is cold, this is absolutely ridiculous." The manager assuming it just came out offered to make things right. The man just kept complaining then paid and left. Kind of sad really.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Happinow

On the other side of the coin, don't you want to know if the food is bad and service not good?? I'd rather know about these things and spend my money elsewhere. I know it's all subjective but when more than one person chimes in and has a negative experience then there may be something to it. Case and point....hubby and I went to a local place and on the first few occasions had really good food and service. On another occasion hubby had cold food. We told our waitress and she immediately made it right. I didn't see any reason to post anything negative on here. We have since gone back to the same place and the service wasn't that great but we understand that every day not everyone can be on their game. I think the bottom line is if just one person has an issue with a business then it may be just a bad day for the business and if several people complain then there may be a problem. I don't know....that's just my take.

Yes, I agree, I like to hear legitimate complaints.
It's when someone says something like a group of 8 us went, no one was happy, everything was bad and then complain cause their meals weren't comped and none of them are ever going back.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Yes, I agree, I like to hear legitimate complaints.
It's when someone says something like a group of 8 us went, no one was happy, everything was bad and then complain cause their meals weren't comped and none of them are ever going back.

You are so right!

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Like any open forum, there is good and there is bad, there are positives and there are negatives.

That is the nature of an open forum, otherwise it's a censored format and then the usefulness is limited.

Regarding reviews and recommendations: Discount the top 10% and discount the bottom 10%...........the remaining 80% will be reasonably close.

The o.p. is right....nothing good comes from a business being harmed by false rumors and complaints. Sometimes they earn the bad reviews, and often, customers HAVE told management and some do not care. Those apathetic managers are the reason why bad employees are allowed to continue.

And this quote above in bold/amber is right, too. Just because we read something here doesn't mean we swallow it hook, line and sinker. We do have other sources of information, like our own experience with a place that is a pattern of service and food quality, not just one or two bad days.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. --Aristotle

[caseycasebeer]

If we have a bad experience we generally just keep it to ourselves, and decide whether or not we choose to go back.

On the other hand, if we have a GOOD experience we generally shout it from the rafters. Example: A week ago we went to Carrabba's off 27/441. We avoided the dinner rush by going early, and when asked if we wanted to sit at the tables near the bar, we said 'Sure. As it turned out, during Happy Hour (3-7P) Carrabba's give those seated at the bar tables half off on draft beer and wine, AND half off on appetizers! (WaHoo!!) We had the BEST calimari we've ever had ANYWHERE, then we shared an entree that we couldn't finish, although it was Very Good.

When I asked to speak to the manager our waiter was polite ... but obviously a little concerned (until I told him I wanted to put-in a Compliment, not a complaint). The manager came over and we chatted. When I told him the calimari was the best we'd EVER had, he just 'glowed, and promised to pass it on to the kitchen. It was pretty clear that having a customer actually COMPLIMENT good food and service was a bit of a rarity.

Best,
Casey&Mary
PS: We went back a couple days later, and yes, the calimari was as good as the first time.
PS2: And when sharing an entree, we Always make a point to 'tip as though we'd both ordered entree's (versus shared...). Economical is good; Cheap is Bad.

[graciegirl]

And...after a time we get to know the honesty and fairness and lack thereof of certain posters. Some posters I always am skeptical of and others I know that they always can be trusted.


I think that we should be slightly skeptical of everything we read here. When a poster on his first post, says something negative about a contractor, I always assume that it is that contractors competitor.


Some people exaggerate everything. And you can just tell by what they say they have a screw loose.


Others over a long time, six years now for me... always are like cream. They rise to the top. I would buy the Brooklyn Bridge if Villages07 was trying to sell it.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And...after a time we get to know the honestly and fairness and lack thereof of certain posters. Some posters I always am skeptical of and others I know that they always can be trusted.


I think that we should be slightly skeptical of everything we read here. When a poster on his first post, says something negative about a contractor, I always assume that it is that contractors competitor.


Some people exaggerate everything. And you can just tell by what they say they have a screw loose.


Others over a long time, six years now for me... always are like cream. They rise to the top. I would buy the Brooklyn Bridge if Villages07 was trying to sell it.

I tend not to judge others in the hope they will not judge me.

[RErmer]

I agree that there can be too much negativity, however, I rely on TOTV for information on contractors and appreciate both the positive and negative comments so I have a sense of what to expect. Keep all those comments coming!!!!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by RErmer

I agree that there can be too much negativity, however, I rely on TOTV for information on contractors and appreciate both the positive and negative comments so I have a sense of what to expect. Keep all those comments coming!!!!

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by RErmer

I agree that there can be too much negativity, however, I rely on TOTV for information on contractors and appreciate both the positive and negative comments so I have a sense of what to expect. Keep all those comments coming!!!!

If you have been around TOTV for any length of time you get to know the contributors who have nothing good to say about anything, and in that case their input is disregarded. On the other hand, most of the necessary work around my home has been done by highly recommended contractors on this chat line - keep them coming.

As for restaurants - I find no one's taste is the same. I eat where I enjoy eating and don't worry about the rest.

[rubicon]

People, especially in this very highly charged troubled environment, are receiving more bad news than good. So it is understandable that some folks have already had their fill and little patience. It is also true that some folks seem to have a built in bias about anyone they view is complaining.

On the other side we have folks who are hard to please no matter what you do. But then you have some who develop a narrative that conveys their sincere effort of not judging harshly and you come to believe what they share.

From my view I find the vast majority of people commenting on bad food, service, etc have been objective .

But the real issue here is a repeated theme on this forum and that is this "Why do some folks complain about complainers? Should everything posted on this forum come under the heading of "kumbayah" Should no one be allowed to share their views, experience, etc with a vendor contractor, restaurant, etc?

One clue. I know some very smart owners of restaurants , Athens, being one that follows this forum so as to promptly respond to any legitimate criticisms. You may also remember that on any thread comments come down on both sides providing some good information on which to decide.