They replied:

QUOTE

"M.D., to address your concerns, a "No" answer to the "Did the company/individual perform services?" question automatically makes that review weigh less than a review submitted by someone who responds with a yes. If you think your overall grade is being calculated incorrectly, please feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will do my best to address any questions or concerns you may have. I'm Cas, and my e-mail is [email protected].

We're always looking for ways to improve our service, and we love hearing from members, non-members and business owners alike, so don't hesitate to give us a call or send an e-mail. "

END QUOTE

Yes, I'm aware of all these details and have thoroughly discussed this with Angie's List staff.

One big concern was the "AGAIN" that showed up in a negative report, when we were never hired in the first place, since "again" denotes having been hired once, minimum.

The reason I would not offer more advice, is that it's already been voiced, and corrections were either made or not, to the reporting system.

As far as "less" weight goes, it's actually a bit rediculous, that an "F" grade by someone that's never been met or talked to, should be able to reduce an "A" rating by an actual customer who experienced the actual craftsmanship and one-on-one communication.

The fact that the rating system retains this sub-standard grading system, reflects on Angie's list, far more than the companies being reviewed.

Grades by people who have never met someone or hired them, are virtually worthless.

Good referrals, are by customers who hired a company, and give honest feedback.

The top eschelon of grading and feedback, would be Professionals in the same trade, who give a good report, especially when coupled with good feedback from customers. Like this:

Testimonials / Background: M. D. Vaden

Again, a report from someone who has no experience working with a company under contract, or meeting them face to face, has no business providing a report. Equally as bad, is a company supporting something like that and selling it as a service.

Cheers,

M. D. Vaden of Oregon

@Cas:

You're more than welcome!

That's what this is all about.

I hope you can help MD out and I certainly forwarded your response over directly via email, too.

Thanks for reading, commenting and being a brand that pays attention to social media!

Lena,

So glad that you've mentioned how this service covered the right bases to create a warm and inviting experience once you joined.

One thing about Angie's List that's kept me from joining is not seeing any providers listed in my area when I initially reviewed the site during a trial membership.

Paying for a service and then not seeing any reviews in my area is not an ideal experience. Perhaps that's changed, but I won't know unless I pay, and there's the rub.

Still, you make excellent points about the benefits of post-service, the main focus for this posting.

Oh, heck no I would not mind at all.

I posted about this on 3 or the biggest arborist and landscape contractor forums online, sharing the details.

Even posted screen-shots of the review pages so other professionals could see the exact details. I also added that the Angie's List staff on the phone were pretty decent to talk to.

Sure, invite one and all.

Thanks,

M. D. Vaden of Oregon

Howdy. Hope my reply is in the right spot. Your replied, quote:

"@M.D.: ... Wow, that story is amazing....Have you shared this with the folks at Angie's List? ... Thanks for reading and commenting!"

Yes, I replied to Angie's List thoroughly, and for a related reason. Their reporting form has a problem. It was evident from the report by the person who gave me an "F" - the same person who had emailed, but whom I never worked. It never moved to a phone call, estimate, or work.

On the report, one part stated: "WORK DONE: NO", But also in the report: "WOULD YOU HIRE THIS COMPANY AGAIN: NO"

Grammatically, "again" denotes that work was done for them once before, or this time. The entire report as a whole, can connote that along the line, I gave them an estimate, started the work, and the project or contract came to a screeching halt for some reason.

So far, I can't tell if Angie's List corrected their code or form, but during conversation, they leaned toward excuses for the discrepency, rather than stating they would fine-tune the report system.

We did discuss the A and F reports in detail. And I mentioned to them that it reflects on them, more heavily that it does on me. Mainly because of the nature of testimonials on my site, which are pretty hard to argue with.

I suggested that when people do reports for them, but have not hired a company, that it be given even less weight, or put into an entirely different category. That way there would be reviews by folks who hired a service. And reviews by those who had not hired someone. And the grading would not be combined, but would be separate.

Cheers,

M. D. Vaden of Oregon