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Singapore Food: Fake reviews...

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- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008 edited)
Can't stand them... argh!!
An obvious Example: Chop-s-tick... with an overall of 9.6 from 4 reviews?

But WAIT!! Look @ the reviewers!! ARGH!!

(krishnan- 1 Reviews)
Food and Beverage - 10
Ambience / Setting - 9.1
Value - 10
Service - 9.2

(Glutton - 7 Reviews)
Food and Beverage - 9.6
Ambience / Setting - 8.9
Value - 10
Service - 10

(raju mohan - 2 Reviews, both on the same day on the same shop...)
Food and Beverage - 10
Ambience / Setting - 9.1
Value - 10
Service - 9.5

Food and Beverage - 10
Ambience / Setting - 9.6
Value - 10
Service - 9.2
- CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008)
This is nothing new on hgw. And while these reviews are fake and ignored, genuine ones are disagreed by others. Wonder why.
- CommentAuthorThe Baba (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008)
The most we can do is click 'No' or report if it's totally irrelevant.
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008)
Disagreeing genuine ones... fair enough considering personal preference...
But these blantently fake ones... I mean if they want to write fake reviews, make a better effort of it :-\
- CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008 edited)
Posted By: GazDisagreeing genuine ones... fair enough considering personal preference...\

There you go. Different strokes for different folks. It's not even fair to Disagree with a Genuine Review coz the number of "disagree" clicks will determine whether the review is Reliable or not. If any one review is even disregarded because of this reason, HGW isn't even a portal From The Masses To The Masses.
- CommentAuthorcontrarian (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008 edited)
Oh look! It's not fair to disagree! It's not fair for one to have an opinion!

Who can control freedom of thought and public opinion? Not the PAP, not the Chinese Communist Party, not the Burmese junta. Almighty God, who can compel man to love Him, chooses not to, but leaves it to man to do so out of free will.
combat wombat, macadamia^n, Petite Mummy
- CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeSep 13th 2008)
It's OK to disagree. But NOT OK if the review is being discredited because of Somebody's Opinions. Afterall HungryGoWhere is Supposed to be a portal for Free Expression. FROM THE MASSES TO THE MASSES.
- CommentAuthorPetite Mummy (CommentTimeSep 18th 2008)
Somehow...I've this weird feeling that "someone" or "some people" out there with "multiple personality" is / are trying to create havoc on this portal. Don't remember having so many "interesting" & "loud" reviewers within such a short period of time.... from the Review site to the Forum. Hmm....
- CommentAuthoreym C (CommentTimeSep 18th 2008)
Posted By: Petite MummySomehow...I've this weird feeling that "someone" or "some people" out there with "multiple personality" is / are trying to create havoc on this portal. Don't remember having so many "interesting" & "loud" reviewers within such a short period of time.... from the Review site to the Forum. Hmm....

well these ppl are too free mah :P
- CommentAuthorPetite Mummy (CommentTimeSep 18th 2008)
Haa.. yup. U r right ; )
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 18th 2008)
contrarian: Wah Sey... Deep....

Petite Mummy: errr... here also so political one meh? Hiaz...
- CommentAuthorEittus (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
hey guys,

How do you know that they are fake reviews or not? Hmmm of course the Gopal is obvious.. but others? Its really hard to tell.
- CommentAuthorEittus (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
oh.. i found one more. This hooha cafe?! 2 person review 4 times today?? errrrr..... seriously.. weird..
- CommentAuthorBoon Tiong Lam (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
Hi hi...I agree that fake reviews are really starting the get overboard. I normally use this place for reference and only review those which left a strong enough impression for me to bother writing but Hooha's reviewers are definately questionable! My goodness...out of words! Just trying way too hard!
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008 edited)
Eittus: I think it depends... IMO, once in a while, you will get those genuine reviewer that stumbled onto this site, and wanted to contribute and be part of the community. So it such cases, it will not be uncommon for someone to fire off a few postings on the first week or so.

Then again, there are some reviews that (specially those perfect 10/10 or close to perfect for everything) are obviously there to mislead the masses... One good example is: http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/the_west_end_boutique_restaurant/

The inital three reviews are most likely real... I am 99.9% sure the next three '2-liners' review by David Chung, Starry Ng and Darren Seah are fake.

And you are right... the Hooha Cafe is plauged with bogus reviews too :(
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/restaurant_details.php?urlname=hooha_cafe&offset=5
It seems the same suspects: David Chung, Starry Ng and Darren Seah posted there too!

Damn the Fakies!!!
- CommentAuthorBoon Tiong Lam (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
Anyone knows if West End and Hooha related in anyway? Same management or bosses???
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
From their website, it seem like they are 'associate' to each other...
Not surprising tho if you look at the amount of fake reviews marring both of Hooha and West End.

Haiz...
- CommentAuthorBoon Tiong Lam (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
They're actually doing more harm to themselves ultimately I guess...Think most users would be discerning enough to see through this sudden flood of bogus postings. Just felt irritated and frustrated!
Gaz
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
Irritated and Frustrated is exactly how I felt... though it is really non of my business...
Its hard to have a perfectionist's mentality :(
- CommentAuthorEittus (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
I think that it is terrible.. I have been using this site to look for good food but i think it is really difficult to know which is good and which is not - given the no. of fake reviewers coming up. Very sad.
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
Its promising to see most of the Fake Reviews from West End and Hooha deleted...
Alas, I suspect the lastest review there by "andreayw" is probably fake...

Hiaz...
- CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeSep 19th 2008)
these are the boons and the banes of an online community forum. there are bound to be fakes and reals. at the end of the day, we should practice some restrain when looking at the reviews. best not to assume and believe 100%.
Petite Mummy, Gaz
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
Its not easy identifying if the review is fake or not. 'Cos a newbie reviewer may not really have that inclination to describe in huge detail and only just want to share. Yet at the same time, it get may get translated into warning bells sounding loudly in the mind as to whether the review is worth taking into account even.

Its the Internet where everything exists, from the genuine ones to the fake ones to the malicious ones to the making-use-of-the-community for self advert. So, whilst we can grouse over the 'fake' ones from time to time, there isn't a need to let oneself get overly uptight over them. Chill. What we can do is to exercise restraint in reading the reviews and always take all positive and negative reviews with a pinch of salt. After all, the review written is about the dining experience on that particular day at that point in time. A separate visit on another day or even on the same day at a different time may translate into a different experience. Very unlikely that any 2 experiences can be exactly the same.

In terms of the ratings, well, this is even trickier as everyone have different benchmarks for the values. What someone rates as a value of 9 may prob only be my personal equivalent of 7 for example. Not forgetting that everyone rates according to different benchmarks of dining experience cos some may have had better experience to benchmark against, whilst some may not have any. Some who understands the intricate workings in the F&B industry or culinary skills prob have more stringent ratings compared to someone who cant tell the difference b/w the ingredients or cooking styles used.
So for me personally, I tend to ignore the ratings and read the reviews for a better understanding. Of cos in this case, it will boil down to having a descriptive review to begin with. :)

So, most importantly, the only way to know if the place is good or not, try it personally lor. :P
contrarian
- CommentAuthorflatfood (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
if need to try personally, why need this portal?
- CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
this portal is to check out how different people find a certain restaurant. how they thought of the food. not everyone likes the same food so its quite ridiculous to automatically assume a place is good or bad without trying it personally.
contrarian
- CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
this is something my lecturer taught. it's called Expert Judgement. Basically if that person is a foodie for a long time, there is a certain level of confidence on his reviews.
- CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
trying is good...be adventurous...some hits some misses but I cherish the hits. Hgw is just a site for sharing information, the fun is not in only the food, its also the process of finding good food.
contrarian
- CommentAuthorflatfood (CommentTimeSep 20th 2008)
wa, don't know how to judge the review meh? how can food got perfect perfect perfect? who will write that their food is lousy? so don't look at the good 1 only. if you got con by the writer then too bad. it.s OK to be a moron once a while, just 1 more lesson learned.
- CommentAuthorHoongy ! (CommentTimeSep 22nd 2008)
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Ratatouille</cite>this is something my lecturer taught. it's called Expert Judgement. Basically if that person is a foodie for a long time, there is a certain level of confidence on his reviews.</blockquote>

So based on what your lecturer thought you, how much confidence do you have in my reviews ;p
- CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeSep 22nd 2008)
haha.. that is a good question! your guess is as good as mine.
- CommentAuthorPetite Mummy (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
You've my vote of confidence Hoongy ; )

<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Eittus</cite>hey guys,

How do you know that they are fake reviews or not? Hmmm of course the Gopal is obvious.. but others? Its really hard to tell.</blockquote>

Eittus: We can "study" the text (reviews) by
1) Examing the background / history (note the dates of review & profile set-up, note profile of the reviewer and the type of outlet).
2) Comparing & Contrasting (do this with the reviewer, do this with the restaurant.)
3) Using Social Linguistic & Halliday's Theories (If a person claims to be say an Italian, the style of language, tone, sentance structure, and even content etc should and will reflect that certain "Italian" aspect and not interestingly familiar to home. That will also explains why certain "style" remains even though the "reviewer" uses different and mutiple names.)
4) Reading the reviewer's response. "Always on the offensive? Don't even bother to answer comments? etc"

Hope this helps
- CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008 edited)
Posted By: Ratatouillethis is something my lecturer taught. it's called Expert Judgement. Basically if that person is a foodie for a long time, there is a certain level of confidence on his reviews.

It doesn't take a foodie to point out which reviews are fake or not. These reviewers come on hgw raving on one place then disappear from the surface of the earth forever. It's easy to note coz such establishments would suddenly see a deluge of many one-review reviewers.
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
If its one-time reviewers that disappear forever after raving about a place without even substantiating with proper and credible descriptions, then yup, such are easy to spot.

What I don't understand is that, whoever these ppl are, by doing this, it usu backfire on the food establishment. Yes, with the raves, it will no doubt attract ppl to chk it out.
If its really great, fine.
But if say its not that great, the crowd will not last and where does it leave the food establishment with?
Short term crowd that doesn't last? Sad isnt it?
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
Maybe its reverse Psychology.....

Whatever it is... DAMN THESE FAKIES!!!
- CommentAuthorCc (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
Exactly Cloudgal!

I am a 'cake' person and had wanted to eat the blackforest cake (MY FAV CAKE) just once to dispel any notions.. BUT I am slightly put off now and don't even want to try. So it has backfired (for me)!
- CommentAuthorEittus (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
Petite Mummy,

WAH! Such a long analytical review! Cool. haha. Oh well. Just have to pick and choose the real reviewer and the fakey ones then.
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
Posted By: CcExactly Cloudgal!

I am a 'cake' person and had wanted to eat the blackforest cake (MY FAV CAKE) just once to dispel any notions.. BUT I am slightly put off now and don't even want to try. So it has backfired (for me)!

U are put off by the numerous one-time rave reviews?
- CommentAuthorgirlgirl17 (CommentTimeSep 24th 2008)
One-time rave reviews are quite a turn-off especially if that place has been around for some time. Cos IMO the food's prolly not really good, which causes bad business, and the owner or whoever will try to pull in crowds by posting fake reviews.
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 25th 2008)
Well, to be objective, its still better to check out the place personally to quell any negative notions one might have about a place. :) At least get ppl whom u are familiar with their tastebuds or preferences and can judge from there.

Its ok to have raving reviews or even negative reviews but always substantiate it with details and descriptions. Whats the point of jus saying its bad or good or out-of-this-world and then jus name the food item? It doesn't translate into anything meaningful for ppl reading the review. 'Cos everyone's benchmark of good and bad differs and who can visualise or picture how good or bad the food/service/ambience/value is without details?
- CommentAuthorGaz (CommentTimeSep 25th 2008 edited)
Haizzzz… Another one of those probable fakies reviewssssssss… Mini Grill...
Star Reviewer for today somemore!! PUI!!

Too bad this place is too out of the way for me, if not I'd sure go down and have a look...
- CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeSep 25th 2008)
ill be headin there soon... stay tuned for a review!!
- CommentAuthorPetite Mummy (CommentTimeSep 26th 2008)
Actually, one time reviewer is alright. Everyone will start with one and slowly build up. However, it's their ratings, content and response to comments that really bothers me. We can't deny that there are also fake ones that actually build up their profile in order to meet their objectives too. But nevermind la, it's a free world. They've their perspectives, we've ours.

MN: You are going? If you take pics, they'll know you r from HGW. They are "in-tune". So, your food will surely be good and in bigger portion too ; ) Hee....
- CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeSep 26th 2008)
PM..im so going but camera will come out after the food comes...hehe...or the best one..use camera phone!!!i love technology...
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 26th 2008)
1) can always sit at a table that is not visible from the stall...unless its so open..:)
2) camera shld remain hidden until food is served...by then its too late for the stall owners to realise...besides, having a camera doesnt necessary mean from HGW...many ppl take food pics nowadays for their own blog, etc. :)
- CommentAuthorpicky gourmet (CommentTimeSep 28th 2008 edited)
i'm called a fake reviewer for rating poorly =) someone thinks so and told me so...hahaha funny getting called a fake reviewer by a fake one time reviewer on Akira...made my week.
- CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeSep 28th 2008)
haha! U must have had a good laugh then. :P
- CommentAuthorPetite Mummy (CommentTimeSep 29th 2008)
I don't understand la. If people know it's fake, can't stand the tactic, then why still waste time and then spend effort and money to go try? You are putting $ into the pocket of the reviewer. And by writing another review, isn't it giving the restaurant another shot of publicity, albeit a bad one?
- CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeSep 29th 2008 edited)
Restaurants use this portal as a free form of advertising.
- CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeSep 29th 2008)
if restaurants want to do that advertise emselves on this site its their choice lor..cnt do anithiin abt it but we should be able to know well enough to tell the credible reviewers from the non credible ones. its all abt how we react to this. Maybe after trying out the place(even though the rave reviews are from fakers), the food may be not too bad. But at least there will be a review from a neutral person. No one place deserves to be slimed unless it really was terrible.
But on the other hand, as much as i hate fake reviewers raving abt a place, one time reviewers sliming it isnt nice too as they go really overboard some without even going into detail about the food or are those complaining about prices when they know they are paying for quality food made with quality ingredients. critisicing a place is fine but at least with basis. there is no need to put down another establishment only because you support another selling the same food. the whole world is made up of billions of people. if everyone likes food from the same place then all other establishments will close down

haha pg..think that person had a few screws short in her head..
contrarian
- CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeSep 29th 2008)
although this is a free for all forum, i feel reviewers should still practice integrity and restrain in their reviews.
Sam, Petite Mummy, White Fairy

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Singapore Food: Fake reviews...