Double Glazing Blogger: Company Ratings A Risky Move?

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Company Ratings A Risky Move?

The Double Glazing Forum has put a section on it's website where people can rate double glazing companies on various areas of their experience with them: http://www.double-glazing-forum.com/company-ratings.aspx.

Now, from previous experiences, this could be risky. It could be something they completely ignore, or could get quite touchy about it. Personally, I wouldn't like my company being so open to debate and judgement. I've always found that the bigger companies are more sensitive to this sort of material being published. We may just have to wait and see how companies react.

Labels: Double glazing companies, Website

8 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Why wouldn't you want your company rated on or spoken about on an "open" forum? What's wrong with your company? Also, why hide behind this name; it doesn't exactly allow an honest debate or discussion on this site. It’s pointless.; July 19, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Double Glazing Blogger said...: There's absolutely nothing wrong with my company, but think about it, more people go on to forums to complain rather than make positive comments, in fact I think I've only ever seen negative feedback. Go on to YouTube and you'll only ever see negative videos showing how bad a particular company or installation is.

I have this name as I don't want this linked to the company I work for. Competitors generally bad mouth the company I work for out of jealousy, so I don't want this blog being linked to it. Most people know who I am, but because it doesn't officially say it, it can never be linked to the company I work for. I've already had one company tell me they are using it against us.

Just because I don't put my real name on here doesn't mean we can't have open debate. The fact that people leave comments on here means we can have open debate and discussion. My name has nothing to do with it.; July 19, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Anonymous said...: Sorry, I understand now! It’s ok for you to openly criticise other companies whilst hiding your own! Obvious purpose of this blog really so hardly worth continuing any debate; July 19, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Double Glazing Blogger said...: I hardly ever talk about other companies, I have to be very careful i.e. legal threats and so on. I don't hide my own, I just don't talk about it, there's a difference. Like I've already said, people who know who I am know who I work for. Writing about who I work for would be of no benefit to this blog anyway.; July 19, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Mike @ Roseview Windows said...: I like the irony of getting criticised for your openess or lack thereof by someone who marks their comments as "anonymous" :)

Anyway, back on track. I saw the Double Glazing Forum ratings. In theory there's no problem with the idea; however, as that forum seems to be an advertising/SEO platform for Anglian, Everest, Safestyle and Zenith, they look vulnerable to questions on authenticity and impartiality.

I think they'll need a lot more ratings from the public before the whole idea carries any weight.; July 19, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Double Glazing Blogger said...: Mike - agreed. The forum probably isn't popular with potential customers, more likey it will be busier with interest from industry peers. And yes, it does look like it's there to help the nationals, but confront them about impartiality then they could be a tricky spot.

Anyone who doesn't like my anonymity, but comments as 'Anonymous', should think about it before they comment!; July 19, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Alex said...: Good post and you are right to worry.

The problem is that they become 'bitching boards'. Its a bit like ebay, the retailer becomes terrified of bad feedback, which has the potential to ruin a good business.

The consumer has too much power in the web 2.0 'review culture'.

I had a customer whose deposit cheque bounced, but I continued to start the job as she said it was a banking error. We then got to the first stage payment and she said the bank had refused her the loan she thought she was getting to pay for the job (hence the bounced deposit cheque)

Like fools, we thought we may as well finish the job as we thought we had paid for the materials and labour and would eventually get paid.

The customer at the end, went onto Free Index (a site we had a profile listed on) and left a review saying the workmanship was terrible and rated us 1/5.

She didn't get the loan, defaulted on the deal 100% and screwed my comnpanies reputation on that site.

Luckily, the local LABC officer wrote his opinion of the quality of the installation on a letterhead

What we need is a 'review site' for buyers. If the same women then tried her luck with a kitchen company, the kitchen company could read my review as a supplier and then decide whether to proceed with the contract.

People who 'knock' for a living would think twice.

Regards

Alex,
West Wales
Pay up Greenway... or else; July 19, 2010 at 10:42 PM
Double Glazing Blogger said...: Alex - I've always said the industry needs as much positive material on the web as possible. Setting up a ratings system, which could then turn into a 'bitching board' as you aptly put it, isn't going to do that. People only go online to complain.

We are on Free Index by the way, not the easiest thing to navigate round is it!; July 19, 2010 at 11:13 PM

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Company Ratings A Risky Move?

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