What are reviews for?

moulesy replied on 08/07/2019 21:42

moulesy

Posted on 08/07/2019 21:42

I like reading reviews of both club sites and CLs. I like to know what folk think of the sites, the surroundings, local places of interest, activities (even occasionally shopping opportunities!) and places to eat. For CLs it's also useful to know about any access difficulties or what facilities are available and their standard.

But just lately reviews, particularly of club sites seem to have become little more than an opportunity to air grievances. If it's not having a go at the wardens (usually prefaced by comments like "we were only 50 minutes early", "my dog was only off the lead twice" , "I only just drove over the grass when reversing my van") it's complaints about barking dogs, loud TVs etc.

Today we have a review which now stretches to 20 posts and, apart from a reference to it being "a lovely site " in the opening sentence of the OP, there's not a single word about the site itself.

Is this what reviews should be? Are there not more appropriate means of taking up issues which have happened on one's visit? When I read reviews, even of club sites on, for example, UKcampsite these grievances aren't aired.

So my question is as in the title "what are reviews for"? What do others think?

124 replies

Takethedogalong replied on 09/07/2019 15:23

Member

Takethedogalong

Posted on 09/07/2019 15:23

I used it merely in terms of noise irritation, both would have me grinding my teeth. It’s the pitch and the repetition.😁

Tinwheeler replied on 09/07/2019 16:15

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:15

I’ve just stumbled across a CL owner posting her own reviews which she says originated on FB. They seem to be much the same but tell us nothing about the site. In my opinion, they are worthless.

1 person likes this

brue replied on 09/07/2019 16:24

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brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:24

TW, there are 10 reviews for that CL and the owner has just added a couple of FB ones to the list. I think that's an ok thing to do as it has added to the general list of reviews. If I was a CL owner I'd consider these little FB reviews as a valued addition..

cariadon replied on 09/07/2019 16:26

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cariadon

Caravanner from Carmarthenshire

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:26

Maybe there should be a section called "let's rant and moan about everything that's wrong and everyone who breaks the rules on a site" review, which might make reading informative reviews a little easier than trawling through complaints and negative comments.

Tinwheeler replied on 09/07/2019 16:28

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:24 by brue

TW, there are 10 reviews for that CL and the owner has just added a couple of FB ones to the list. I think that's an ok thing to do as it has added to the general list of reviews. If I was a CL owner I'd consider these little FB reviews as a valued addition..

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:28

Obviously we consider them differently.

replied on 09/07/2019 16:32

Posted on 09/07/2019 11:38 by moulesy

I'm not sure how many reviews of club sites you read, David, given you rarely stay on them. Yes, that last sentence is factual and useful for future visitors; exactly the point I'm making in fact. Axe grinding, in my view, is of little use.

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:32

If the club read reviews (if they do not the they should) and if the same axe is commonly being ground by different reviewers then it might be useful for the club to consider why that might be happening.

Cornersteady replied on 09/07/2019 17:02

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Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:24 by brue

TW, there are 10 reviews for that CL and the owner has just added a couple of FB ones to the list. I think that's an ok thing to do as it has added to the general list of reviews. If I was a CL owner I'd consider these little FB reviews as a valued addition..

Posted on 09/07/2019 17:02

well maybe I would too, but how do we know they actually do come from FB? If that is the case the owner could simply post a link not just copy them.

Personally I do think just copying word for word with out some form of proof is just useless.

Cornersteady replied on 09/07/2019 17:08

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Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 09/07/2019 16:32 by

If the club read reviews (if they do not the they should) and if the same axe is commonly being ground by different reviewers then it might be useful for the club to consider why that might be happening.

Posted on 09/07/2019 17:08

Well I would hope that perhaps not the club but the area manager for that site would read them?

I often wonder what happens to the visitor's book comments?

trellis replied on 09/07/2019 17:24

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trellis

Caravanner from Kent

Posted on 09/07/2019 17:08 by Cornersteady

Well I would hope that perhaps not the club but the area manager for that site would read them?

I often wonder what happens to the visitor's book comments?

Posted on 09/07/2019 17:24

Probably gets nailed to the wall of the outside privvy.😀😀.