Open Making Recommendations

So if I recommend @datto's grass cutting service for his neighbour's lawn I'll get a word from the sponsor/mods? (I've never had need to seek out @datto's grass cutting services personally but his reputation precedes him).

 

I think the rule should be only recommend a service if you have actually used it , it seems to be rife here people/services recommending other services to get their own name or service out there.

 

Simon

Point 1
Agree, if someone is making a recommendation they should confirm that they have used their services.

But if PC members don't ask, they wont know and I notice most don't ask????

How can we change this practice? How do you make it happen?

I have mentioned a few times on posts that I wont recommend anyone unless I have used their services as I have learnt the hard way.



MTR

 

Interesting. I now wonder how reliable all the personal recommendations are!

And it's got me thinking about # 2:

If anyone ever asks about batts for walls I always enthusiastically recommend the ones I installed because they really are excellent. However, I have no relationship with the company at all...

Would this type of completely genuine recommendation continue to be acceptable?

I think people should make it quite clear whether they have used the services of a person they are recommending.

But how would we know they actually had used the recomended person's services? Being the Internet and all?

And what about the posts asserting 'XXX is booming' (or crashing)? Or that 'XXX is the best place for business'?

I do think that recommendations could come with a sentence along the lines of 'I used xx to do xx three years ago and found them xxx'

 

There is always a fine line between "I know of this service in your area" type link and "I know this service in your area" type recommendation
I think people could be clearer rather than just say 'use Person X', doesn't hurt to add some context about why even if it's "I know person X is in your area if you are looking for someone but I haven't used them myself"

 

I've seen posts where brokers recommend a BA and will explicitly state they are recommending on the basis that they have clients who have used the BA and been very happy, which is fine I think. I've noticed a group of friends/associates who recommend eachothers'particular services but I don't think they've used them. I have used one of the service mentioned and didn't find their service that flash. I think friends should stop recommending eachothers'services unless having actually used them reasonably recently. Otherwise it's looking like a boys'club and loses credibility.

 

Definitely see this as a problem on PC.

It is pretty obvious the people saying "call so and so" just so they will get a recommendation in return. Many of those type of threads will have a 90%. Business member replies.

I just see it as part of the commercialisation of the site.

 

Good point - do punters spruik Dungog, Meridith, Moonee Ponds, Gladstone or Karatha because they're selling up (maybe a bit too obvious, misleading or too small an influence in a larger market).

 

Yes, this also opens a can of worms

Should you also mention on PC if a person is not providing a good service to warn other? If you mention the company name/person is this defamation?

 

I have noticed this going on a bit, appearance of cross-promotion or same recommendation occurring over and over from same individual/s. I think in some cases it is just genuine interest in assisting others, both those requesting a recommendation and business members that contribute to this site (financially or otherwise). I can imagine that makes it difficult to differentiate between those who are doing the wrong thing vs those who are just trying to help.

It is refreshing this has been noticed and would strengthen the integrity of the site if addressed in some way (as best it can, you're never going to stamp it all out).

Perhaps there could be a rule that when making a recommendation there is a minimum post length which includes the posters specific reasons for recommending the services of the business. In many cases the posts just say 'talk to x' or 'x covers that area' without really explaining why they would be a good fit.

 

This one is a great question.

 

Also if there is a conflict of interest should you also mention the relationship you have with the business person, in particular if you are making recommendations?

It gets bigger than Ben Hur unfortunately, I don't know all the answers but I think some changes should be made which will help maintain integrity on the forum

 

Very tricky, and apart from that you'd probably get a hard time on the forum. You may not even be talking about bad practice at all but just someone who's taken on too much work. Too thinly spread to give a prompt and thorough service.

 

Perhaps everything that could be dodgy should be questioned and if doesn't pass that sniff test then they should be reported?
I dunno... I don't have an answer.

 

perfect.

 

Just having this post is sometimes enough for people to make mental changes and if someone recommends either follow up via PM or in the thread as to why they have made that recommendation.

I don't think we need to have vast rules for every conceivable relationship but being aware, providing context, asking for clarification will assist everyone.

If you have had negative issues they are ok to bring up as long as they are factual and accurate - then there is no defamation or libel issues.

 

that does not bother me as long as its fact of course
More concerned about people getting burnt to be honest.

 

I think you're on the right track with aiming for full disclosure, rather than trying to cut it out altogether.
There are certainly a few members with excellent reputations. It could be possible to say, "There is a broker in X who has a very good reputation on the forum."
Or: "Y comes across as very honest and knowledgable on the forum. I would put her/him at the top of my list of possibilities for a BA as long as she/he passes your interview questions and meets your criteria."
Then again, there are services which get a bad rap, rightly or wrongly. Maybe the clients are just weirdos.
Glad you are addressing this because it has been the elephant in the room for a while.
I remember when I called up a carport place in qld then posted about some discount I was getting and then when I rang back I couldn't get through because there were so many calls. I should've got a commission!

 

The big question needs to be asked though...... Have you personally used their services? recommendations, reputation is here say unless the person can confirm this.