Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to a brand new episode of ''We-the MS-ians''. I am your favourite MJ- (M= Mouthshut)...Pooj ! ;- )
Today we have with us ...Mr. Niraj Singh, one of the active members of MouthShut. Our guest of honor is more popularly known as 'niraj_singh4' at MS. Niraj is working as a software consultant in Belgium. He says he has always been lucky in life...getting much more in comparison to his efforts. His interesting interests are ...bird watching, travelling and shopping!
He is here to join us for a discussion on 'Rating reviews at MouthShut'. Before we move on with our show ...let me quickly remind you lovely people, that you are not supposed to interrupt while the 2 of us discuss the issue. You may ask questions, give your suggestions (and compliments) at the end our discussion in the allotted Comments Section.
So, here we gooo...
Pooja (flashing a million-dollar smile) : Hello Niraj! Welcome to We-The MS-ians!
Niraj (returning the warmth) : Thank you Pooja. Glad to join you here today.
Pooja (excited): Hmm! So let's begin with today's session. Our first question...What do you think about rating reviews at MS?
Niraj (not so excited!): I am here to read review on products to get a general idea about the product, to get that consumer awareness. Why should I really bother to rate unless I believe in the saying ''Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you''?
Pooja (interrupting): Rating is not just about 'returning the favour' Niraj...I see rating as a responsibility. People who read the reviews, rely on the ratings.
Niraj : I see many ratings to my reviews, probably just to please me or in return want their review to be read .... but their ratings mean nothing to me ... especially those who don't read but rate. There is a lady who even goes to the extent of writing comments without reading the review. Should I really care for her rating?
Pooja: Exceptions will always be there. But look at the benefits:
-You are helping other people to decide about a particular product/review
-You may express your opinions in the form of comments to justify your ratings when reqd. This may give a different perspective altogether.
-You are acting as a medium of support to the reviewer (author)...you give a feedback through your ratings which may help him/her in improving the quality of reviews.
-If not all that, you get points for rating!
Niraj : And what do I do with the points?
Pooja (with a naughty smile): Not sure what to do with the MS points. But be happy to see it accumulate ....who knows, what u might get when u redeem them!:- )
Niraj (in a serious tone): Ok! I agree about rating but reading is more important before rating. How can one rate without reading. No judge has the right to give the verdict without listening to the arguments. When you are rating, you shoulder almost the same responsibility (ok maybe too much) but you are no less than a judge then, so please read the review ... an honest appeal to MS members!
Pooja: Perfect Niraj ! So, here move to the next question. How do you Rate?
Niraj: I give a lower rating :
If the review is diverting from the topic.
If the review does not contain much information related to the topic(I personally feel the tourist destinations should also give us info about hotels, sightseeing, and how to get there)
If the review about a product/service is contradictory to my experience with the product/service.
If the writer writes a marketing pamphlet - like I like this soap.. I have been using it for the past 2 years and its wonderful... Hey, are u advertising or what?
Pooja: Okay, I agree to most of the points. But, regarding contradictory experience; I think we all have our own way of looking at things. What may be good for someone, may not be the same for everyone. I may relax the ratings in this case if the opinion is well justified. Anyway, what about good ratings?
Niraj: I give a higher rating :
If the reviewer is a first-timer. Everyone needs some space to begin with.
If the reviewer has the details of a personal good or bad experience.
If the presentation is wonderful and the standard of write-up is high.
If the review is much the same as my opinion.
If I feel that that the review should be read by most people.
Pooja (nodding in agreement): That is good enough I guess.
Niraj: In general, I do not care for a star reviewer or a non-sense reviewer (believe me there are some) while rating. In fact, I hide the ratings to towards the left side of the window so that I am not prejudice or influenced by other regular MS members.
Pooja (impressed): Wow! I definitely don't do that! I mean...cover the ratings. However, other's ratings do not easily influence me.
(Pause)
That was all about Rating reviews. Niraj, I think we must also give a mention to Adding Comments as a part of this issue. What say?
Niraj: You're right Pooja. Adding comments wherever required is as important as rating it. When do you add comments?
Pooja: As you know, I was tagged as the Official Welcome Girl of MS ;- ) So, I add a welcome comment to make the new member feel at home. But now, I restrict doing so...when I see a spate of Welcome comments already added by other members.
In general, I comment:
When I really like the review or I am impressed. (a few words of praise)
If I feel that the writer has the potential of doing much better (encouraging comments)
If I have a different experience with the product/service.
When I wish to share my experience or point of view.
If I rate higher/lower as against the mass ratings ...to justify the rating. I think we should make this compulsory. I have seen some very good reviews been given NR and vice-versa.
When I have a question to ask. Err..I guess I must think twice before asking a question. At times, I happen to ask the wrong questions.
Niraj (laughing): Ha ha hee hee ho ho ...You are talking in reference to satishkl (The Inscrutable Americans) and dazzlingpiscean's review (Tips on Exercise), isn't it?
Pooja (embarrassed): Yeah...Now stop laughingggg Nirajjjj!!!
Niraj (trying to suppress his laughter): Ok..ok. I think its time to stop our discussion too.
Pooja (sigh of relief!): Yep! Thank you Niraj for joining us today on We-The MS-ians and for your sharing your opinions with us. It was a pleasure having you on our show.
Niraj (smiling): Thank you Pooja for inviting me. I had a great time!
Pooja (looking towards the audience): Hmm, you people have been really good! Thanks for your co-operation and patience. Hope you enjoyed the show as much as I did! Now that our guest has left, we move on to the next section of our episode ...The Comments! Remember, your opinions matter!
