How many of you have heard of an online service that rhymes with  "SCHMELP!". (hopefully you can figure out which site I'm talking about... but I don't want to name them here, 'cause I don't want to be the subject of a lawsuit)

It's a website that allows the public to review local business (restaurants, and such)... and gives personalized experiences by members of the public.  It's one of the ways that I know many people are using today to find new restaurants to go to.

One of my colleagues has a son who recently opened a rib joynt, in Chicago... so he was hoping for some good reviews from the public via SCHMELP!  Oddly enough, soon after opening, the only reviews that appears on SCHMELP! seemed to be negative.  He couldn't understand it, since the general feedback from the public, and more traditional printed reviews had been so positive.

Finally, a bit frustrated, he contact SCHMELP! to see, if perhaps some good reviews just hadn't been pubished yet.  They informed him, and this is the part that floors me, that "yes, there were positive reviews too... but they would only publish negative reviews... and would HOLD all positive reviews until the restaurant agreed to pay SCHMELP! $500.00 per month.

[stunned silence]

Yes, you heard me right.  It is SCHMELP!'s policy that they will only print negative reviews until you pay up!  The owner of the new fledgling restaurant contact the local authorities who informed him that unfortunately this was perfectly legal.  They could publish whatever they wanted on their own website.  The negative reviews were totally legitimate, and they could choose to publish only the negative, if they so desired.

It's an electronic shake-down!  Plain and simple.

Now, fortunately, word of mouth has spread, and his traditional foodie-reviews have been excellent, so he's doing well, in spite of SCHMELP!  But I have lost a great deal of respect for the SCHMELP!.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate • Licensed in Illinois

   

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Post is included in group: AMAZING Oddities at AcTiVeRaiN
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
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Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!

33 Comments on SCHMELP!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

NOV
16
2009
425,388 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Alan - what's crazy! I thought the reviews were supposed to be unbiased bla, bla, blah... apparently not! I don't even want to think about others that may be doing this and how it could impact agents as well! Yikes. You'd think there is a lawsuit somewhere there to be had... ~Rita
11:43am • #14
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rita - it seems the loophole is that the reviews ARE unbiased... but SCHMELP! doesn't allow the good ones to be published, unless you pay their extortion.
1:16pm • #15
376,612 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

This is the second time I have heard of this happening and it is still shocking!
1:32pm • #16
909,258 Points 94 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I would have just thought the negative reviews were simply because bad news travels faster than good news. People who've had bad experiences seem to emote it louder than those who've had positive ones.

But to "shakedown" someone to get the true feedback is outrageous. Something like this could put someone out of business.

Thanks for pointing this out SchmAlan.

 
1:41pm • #17
572,000 Points 141 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Looks like they took their business model from the Mafia. How can anyone see this a moral way to make money.
1:50pm • #18
305,837 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan - That's just wrong! I imagine that the general public would find this completely unethical. Thanks for letting us know.
3:40pm • #19
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Terrie - I agree... shocking.

Craig - I would have thought so too.  Someone who's pissed at you goes out of their way to tell as many people as they can... hence the bad reviews.  Someone who's happy... might tell a friend or two.

James - Yep, it's the updated Digital Mafia

Judy - I agree... it's just wrong.. and the states attorney's office is paying some attention to us.
3:47pm • #20
771,252 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

These schmos should be schmlapped with a law schmuoot.  That is dreadful.  It most certainly is blackmail.
4:10pm • #21
575,503 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Alan -  I just got hacked and found the source to be from Twittness (name changed for legal purposes). We are a fine group here at AR. But, there is always a reminder that the dark side lurks. Insidious leaches unfortunately have made the Internet a playground and a venue that the Mob has a hand in.
6:00pm • #22
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

they Schure Schould Jane.... they Schure Schould!

Claude ... why that makes my facebook turn red with anger.
6:27pm • #23
NOV
17
2009
316,022 Points 2 Featured Posts

That is really awful and to think that it is legal.  Something is really wrong with ways we live as a "civilized world". 
5:33am • #24
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

it should be illegal, Rosalinda.
7:42am • #25

Unbelievable! Glad your friend is pursuing the attorney general avenue. Hope it works!
12:17pm • #26
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Teresa - that's exactly it... "unbelievable".
12:28pm • #27
805,240 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan...I have reviewed a couple of restaurants on the site you are eluding too, and the owners (who naturally have a "google alert" set up for anything with thier name in it) called me to say thanks. This is the first I've heard of the "pay for praise" tactic....foul play!
3:26pm • #28
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Steve - I always thought it was a clever business model.  If there is any truth to this story... it will totally destroy any value they offer.
6:07pm • #29
NOV
18
2009
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Alan, It's hard enough opening up a eatery and keep it going but to have some site shake you down doesn't seem legal. It's blackmail! Glad to hear his business is thriving in spite of the unsavory practices of this site.
8:07am • #30
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Cynthia - I agree... it's enough to sink a potential business... and it is digital extortion!
10:52am • #31

What thisf does is give great opportunity and unlimited voice to unscrupulous competitors, bitter ex-employees, and even an ex-spouse or boy/girlfriend.  How bitterly unfair. 

It reminds me of how you had to "opt out" of "free" offers from tv cable companies and the like. States made laws to prohibit the practice.  Internet law is an emerging field and a tough one to regulate.  Their home state would probably have to go after them. 
5:01pm • #32
886,379 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

very tough to regulate, Marcy.  Although it seems as though this is plain and simple extortion.
6:01pm • #33

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Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs (847.425.3779 almay@aol.com) Ambassador_large

Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs

Evanston, IL

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847.425.3779 almay@aol.com

Address: Attn: Alan May, Realtor®, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201

Office Phone: (847) 425-3779

Cell Phone: (847) 924-3313

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