Bogus Ratings?!?!

[DangerSeeker]

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I've noticed that there is a bit of a security/authenticity delima when it comes to rating vendors here on the site. The flexibility and ease of signing up are nice, but perhaps a little more would be feasible?

What am I talking 'bout? Well, for instance, after posting a negative review on a vendor, I received an odd email, that was bounced from here, and the header also included the IP from which the author was communicating. What who? Someone from the company I complained against is/was using a false account on this site and sent me a message through the contact option here. Having this false account, and many more I'm sure, they have been boosting their ratings. How can we help prevent this? The only way I can think of would be more stringent user info requirements, which may ward off new users. But the ability for a company to so easily do this, in my opinion, needs be addresses quite seriously. I would be more than willing to send some info in, such as a copy of a bill or ID, to be able to post experiences here (no need for this for the forum, just the ratings portion). After all, fraudulent posts in either direction, are quite wrong, illegal, and hinder the whole purpose of the site.

It just aggrivates me to see so many people telling about their poor experiences with said vendor, and all the vendor has to do is make several false accounts, and they keep it level, allowing further fraud to our dearly beloved consumer group.

This is an awesome site, and I am ssoooooooo glad I found it (THANKS THG!). This doesn't seem to be a rampid problem...but then again, I don't work here...so I really only know from what has happened to shine some light on me about a particular vendor.

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[Warthog]

I dunno what you can do.

People can lie about personal stats.....who's going to check them?

Just a hunch, but I doubt it is a widespread problem...whatever place does it is probably a joke anyway.

Warthog

[Admin RR]

DangerSeeker: Merchants are allowed to sign up for a complimentary ResellerRatings account - it is not a "bogus" account. Through it, they can post rebuttal comments and communicate with customers.

As far as vendors creating multiple accounts, don't think we've thought of that? We have many anti-fraud measures in place, not the least of which is good old fashioned IP logging to determine physical location.

[DangerSeeker]

Here is an example of an obvious one:

william200222000
sha

they posted a positive review for CNETPC and Z-BUY, and two others whom I have not figured out...odd, eh? These are folks shilling their own ratings, or so detective Jon thinks. It bothers me to see such a fraudulent company able to keep it's ratings halfway inflated by simply logging in from a pc from who-knows-where and throwing up some false positive info. Epsecially knowing how much they have cost me, and will likely do to many others. Perhaps they should spend that time fixing their problems rather than inflating their karma here at ResellerRatings.

Yes, these two opperations are definately a joke, but we shouldn't laugh...they are FRAUDS taking our hard earned dollars.

[vass0922]

Maybe there can be a warning light or something if IP's are similar?
I mean you can't do a whole lot about it.. you want to require SSN and credit card # to sign up?
If you make it too difficult people flat out won't bother to sign up

I work in a building of 25,000 people.. of that we have a few IP's that go out into the real world.. I'm pretty sure more than myself have heard of reseller ratings so you can't say NO this IP has already been logged for this reseller.
sad but true :/

granted the building I work in isn't quite normal but certainly not unique... its only unique in land coverage

[DangerSeeker]

Yes, you're right. The only way to prevent it would also prevent the ease of use that brings many of us here.

I will just call them and scream in their ears...if they would only answer the phone!

[DangerSeeker]

Alright, ya know what I see? I see Z-Buy and CnetPC racking their own ratings up. To me, that makes this site useless; especially if they can continue to do so until they get their desired ratings.

Too bad, I really thought this could be a useful place...

[DangerSeeker]

Originally posted by ScottW
DangerSeeker: Merchants are allowed to sign up for a complimentary ResellerRatings account - it is not a "bogus" account. Through it, they can post rebuttal comments and communicate with customers.

As far as vendors creating multiple accounts, don't think we've thought of that? We have many anti-fraud measures in place, not the least of which is good old fashioned IP logging to determine physical location.

Ah, but it is a bogus account...as the email address was something a@t.r [whatever they used in their profile] and the origin was cnetpc.com

And if someone would look at CNETPC & ZBUY's stuff...you'll see something interesting

[Mead]

I dont see whats obvious about that one? Ive bought from both Cnet and z-buy before. If I have two positive reviews for those company's does that mean I work for them and im trying to boost their sites rating?

[jman01pa]

Dangerseeker

Have you ever had any trouble with these people yourself? You sure have a hard-on for them. Understandibly if so.

Why dont you lighten up on resellerratings? It may not be perfect but it is the best there is and it is free. Give scott and all some credit. They deserve it.

Z-buy and affiliates may be trumping their ratings with bogus posts but if people buy from them based on that raiting and have a problem, they will post their expereinces there also.