Why rate if you didn't read! (dooyoo - Members' Opinions On How to Rate And Comment)

Member Name: thehonesttruth

Product:	dooyoo - Members' Opinions On How to Rate And Comment
Date:	13/07/09 (99 review reads)
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This is potentially going to turn into a little bit of a rant , so please forgive me .

I write a fair amount of reviews - typically, I'll have a couple of months of binge reviewing, then vanish off for a bit as some new computer game takes hold,then come back and binge review again .

Recently, I've noticed something that annoys me . Most of my reviews are pretty brief, but every so often, a particular product will really hit a nerve, and inspire me to write a longer, more detailed, more passionate review . I can't get too passionate about a packet of noodles for example, but I might about a moving film, or a really good book .

Tonight, at 21.53 I posted a review of over a thousand words . It took me ages to write, and I put my heart into it. I posted it on Dooyoo, feeling pretty proud of my work. I felt I'd done the product justice, and that (for once) I managed to put across exactly what I wanted to say . I refreshed the page, and had 2 very helpful ratings, both submitted at 21.53.

I don't believe anyone can read a 1000 word review in less than a minute . I really don't , and I'm actually incredibly annoyed by those ratings . Sure, a very helpful rating is great - it means I'm getting paid, but I feel almost as though my work in writing that review is wasted if people are going to simply glance at is, say 'Yup, that's nice and long, VH for you!' without reading it .

I would rather have 1 rating of any kind from someone who had genuinely read my review, than a bunch from people who clearly simply opened it and judged it on length.

Reading rating and commenting is simple on Dooyoo . It's so easy even a baboon could do it, so it really annoys me that well established members are not doing it properly.

Let me break it down .

Step 1 ) Read!

Now, this doesn't mean look how long it is and rate on length. This means ACTUALLY read the review . Every word . Someone has taken the time to put their feelings down, the least you could do is pay attention . Rating a review without actually reading it properly is not at all in the spirit of things - it's the equivalent of having your friend telling you all about the crappy day she has had at work, and you just nodding along going 'Yup, that's nice' every so often while actually trying to decide what colour to repaint your bedroom .

If I talk to my friends, I expect them to listen . Now, you folks have a big advantage in that you can see what I'm talking about before opening my reviews . You can choose not to read all the reviews that don't interest you. Its like being able to talk to your friend, but making certain subjects such as their horrible ex or the amount of period pain they are having taboo .

If what I talk about does not interest you - don't read my review . Pass over it, no harm done. This applies not to me, but to any writer- if you read their review, READ it . Don't skim, and don't just rate on length .

Step 2) Rate

Rate according to how helpful the review would be to you if you were thinking of buying the product. Think about what you would want to know, and then see if the review covered it .

Long reviews are not neccessarily the most helpful - and short reviews are not in themselves bad . Some people are brilliantly able to get their point across concisely , whereas some people take an awfully long time to talk about nothing .

Don't rate on how much you agree with the view expressed either - some people like Marmite, some people hate it . Either viewpoint is equally valid - the point is, did they express their reasons clearly and give you a sound understanding of what Marmite is ?

If you do disagree though - you don't have to be silent!

Step 2 ) Comment

If you agree, or disagree, this is the place to say so. It is perfectly okay to leave your own feedback on a product in a comment box. I see it as a way to get a tiny bit more information. Just because someone things British Gas are incompetent muppets, does not mean you can't leave a comment saying 'My experience was different'. People reading Dooyoo want consumer experience, and your experience counts just as much as that of the person writing the review .

Step 4) Nominate (optional)

If you think a review particularly stands out, feel free to nominate it for a crown . Its always a nice thing to do, and is anonymous (although you can , if you like, let the reviewer know you have done so.) I don't think it is necessary really, but it is nice to know when someone likes my review a lot.

Well, there is my viewpoint, admittedly probably rather ranty.

Now, lets publish this and see how many people rate me within 30 seconds!

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