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Marc Piperno, President ET Week Media Group |
| Typically, I never write commentary on matters that affect my customers. But, as a small business owner, something has hit a soft spot, so I’m here to fire back. The internet has not only revolutionized our ability to access information, but in a world where consumers evoke their decisions according to what they read online from perfect strangers it is getting out of hand. I’m talking about reviews that you find online on yelp, ripoff.com and thousands of other sites where you can find information about a particular business. This is the way I see it, if you are genuinely ripping people off or giving below standard service consistently, well then, shame on you. Your name deserves to go up on that “digital wall of shame”. However, there are businesses out there that are abusing the privilege by placing false reviews in order to make gains for their own business at the expense of another. Yes, you sometimes see negative reviews in print, but with online reviews, it becomes a permanent fixture on your reputation. There are entities out there that have cropped up, calling themselves “reputation management” companies, claiming they can remove negative reviews. Maybe so, but it’s a gamble. One that can cost $5,000 to $10,000 to find out. Risky, if you ask me. Laser East of Commack has fallen victim to this disgusting practice of businesses making false claims. Though I am not at liberty to mention the business creating these reviews, you know who you are. I’m here to tell you that I know the owner personally of Laser East, and in no way have any of these negative reviews been credible. In her own words, she has clearly stated, “if a client of ours would have any problem whatsoever, it would be addressed” I cannot substantiate any of these claims made in these reviews and challenge them to be false. Many of Laser East customers have come forward to express their support and have posted client testimonials on her website at www.lasereast.net and on yelp too. As a consumer before “assuming” reviews on these sites are in fact correct do some homework. You can very quickly check consumer affairs or the Better Business Bureau www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/consumeraffairs and www.bbb.org Lastly, before you post a less than favorable review, give the business owner a chance to make good on whatever it is you feel was not handled properly. Give them the chance to make good, because once you post a review, you are literally putting the future reputation of that business in your hands. Think twice, before you share your hate with the world. |
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