You have made your case to TER, and for now, at least, TER has decided to let the review stand.
Theirs is not the most enviable position having to weight both sides of an argument.
You have only two recourses now as I see it:
One is to ask TER to delist you, which means not only can't you have any reviews on TER, but you can't even post or even be mentioned on here.
The other, which I recommend, is to continue to find satisfied clients who will review you and bury the bad review with good ones.
It's a harder row to hoe, (Forgive the expression.) but more rewarding in the long run.
Best wishes to you.
outlier reviews. Often they give themselves away. Give good service & ask your real clients to write reviews.
Even if I think a bad review event happened... I look at patterns. Consistant good reviews makes other reviews true meaning show. I EXPECT some variation in this most personal of interactions... but not wide swings. & certainly not a pattern of wide swings. So your future consistant good reviews will make this into a bad memory.
-- Modified on 3/22/2015 6:37:00 PM
No one can please everyone all the time. I have a fab provider friend who has hundreds of reviews, avgs in the 8's, yet one guy gave her a like a 6-6. If you keep getting reviews, eventually that bad one will drop of your first page of reviews. Hang in there, file problem reports to correct any wrong stats on your profile, that will help.
LLAP,
Swim
Don't sweat it - most people know a 30 minute review complaining comes from exactly what you just said.
I have no idea why someone thinks a 30 minute appointment is GFE expected. But then again, I don't do them. The majority seem exactly like what you explained.
It is a shame that even with texts, ect, the review won't come down. I have often thought of putting a 'no review policy' when I hear stories of provider review 'blackmail' from clients. We all know they do it, and often, but of course we can't say that, right? Oh wait, I did.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I know it seems a huge deal, but you WILL get better reviews I am sure. And don't forget - pointing out bad reviews to you are just as manipulative at times. If they want to see you, they will. These 'potential clients' may simply be using it as the infamous "If you discount/give more time" leverage they seek.
It is not all clients, there are wonderful ones. But it is a pattern that can and does happen. Certain cretins think they are clever, and want you to reduce your rates. I knew one lady who raised her rates, and guys on a private board decided to 'starve her out' til she dropped them again. It was so sad, and didn't work - because quality clients don't play that game.
Don't let this rent space in your head, it's what he wants. Move on to positive things. I wish you the best! Remember, there are truly wonderful clients out there - in times like you are going through, it's easy to forget
