This is exactly why I did NOT sign up with Yelp. I read some competitors reviews that I know do decent work and pay for Yelp and they had 2 stars. I immediately realized that nothing good could come from advertising to the market segment that writes Yelp reviews. A vast majority does not understand what we do or the cost associated with it and would write negative reviews. We also have good reviews from our target market but all have been filtered because the client that "gets it" doesn't have time to write Yelp reviews so their rare reviews gets filtered. Its a flawed system that can only hurt companies like ours and its just not for our market segment.

I'm so glad I'm out of the residential market................

I just looked up some of my compitetion on Yelp. One that stood out had a 1 star review up front and two 5 star reviews hidden, and yes I had to do some nasty hard to read capchas to get to them. All three reviews had the exact same amount of history, none, that was their first and only review.

What a scam. Why has no one called out these extortionists?

i for one hope Yelp goes down in flames. They are are just a popup money grab, just slightly sideways from Bernie Madoff.

Thanks guys for all the info! ive put a call into my lawyer waiting for a call back. Ive also called angies list and they seem like they are willing to work with me regarding this. Ill keep everyone updated

Amazed they can even be reached by phone! Good luck. The client sounds like a real tool.

You should also join one of those private clubs that wears funny hats, has a secret handshake, and helps hospitals. They always can help you find someone to "fix" these kinds of problems. ;)

Please keep us updated. I know how much you have invested in Angies List. Those of us that use AL correctly know how important it is to keep the good rating so the cash keeps rolling into the checking account...

If all else fails, you receive negative reviews, etc. and you want to play dirty, put her info on 4chan. She'll probably commit suicide within a couple of days due to the commercial-grade $hit storm that would rain down on her, ruining her life. LOL.

So people use Angies List and apparently it works. Other use Yelp - and a couple of bad reviews can sink the (otherwise good) reputation. Yes? Or does that hold true for both?

I've always relied on referrals. Which, frankly aren't as plentiful as they were 5 or 10 years ago. Reading this thread makes me want to get on Angies List (with some trepidation), but what type of business comes through the door? I'm not interested in tiny projects.

Thanks,
Bill

I have used ServiceMagic and Angie's List. If properly managed, AL can make you a ton of money. I am booked solid into mid August...

But are you selling equipment, or is each job just a couple hours of labor?

Both. Just finished a job that was an AVR3313, LCR speakers (rears were existing) 2 subs, MX880, MRF350, plus hang a TV in the master, which was just the mount and power. He supplied the 80" flat panel. These people had just moved here and were looking for someone they could trust to install their system and found me on AL.

Today was just a TV install. His bracket and TV, my labor and raising the power. In, out get paid. And always a foot in the door for future work now that they are on my contact list. And since they were happy, it gives me a leg up for any future projects.

The great thing about AL is that their bread and butter is in the reviews too. I seriously doubt that they will let people abuse the system or extort people. If there is a conflict they seek to arbitrate between the parties.

I would have just told him to put the receiver on 5 channel stereo.. now you have sound from all 5 speakers, happy client. lol.

I swear the vast majority of people out there are idiots and nothing you can do will appease them. but yeah, get a lawyer involved and start talking about getting police involved as blackmail is taken quite seriously.

The exact reason I'll never join Angie's list. Too many crackpots out there...