Negative yelp reviews

I was just wondering if any owners/managers have ever come across any suspicious activity with yelp or urbanspoon reviews. Things that do not seem to add up correctly or are completely untrue accusations. I am not talking about oh This or that wasn't good, but very weird personal jabs and such?

Suspicious indeed. The two on Yelp that gave you a one star review were within a day of each other. When you click on their profiles (at the time of this post), you see that one of them has only submitted 2 reviews and the other one submitted 5....both of whom has submitted nothing but 1 star reviews. hmmmmmm

That personal jab is out of line. I clicked on "Contact" and submitted a "Questionable Content" report to the site's admin. Perhaps you should do the same.

I think Yelpers are savvy enough to see right through those reviews. Although it's too bad they affected your overall star rating, they will better reflect reality as more legitimate reviews are submitted.

I think it's almost a given that there are many Yelp accounts set up only to downvote & give crappy reviews. I also think that, like Ray said, many people see right through this. I spot what I think are fake reviews - for good or bad - all the time.

It's interesting that you posted this, Jamie, because it reminds me of something I saw regarding another cupcake shop about 6 months ago on Urbanspoon. On Urbanspoon, for those who don't know, you don't have to leave a review - you can just click "I like it" or "I don't like it" for any establishment. This affects their overall rating. The owner of one particular cupcake shop was repeatedly downvoting a competitor. I found this out when I clicked on her user ID - her profile showed her "recent activity" and I saw multiple downvotes she had made against her competitor. I normally don't scope out user profiles on Urbanspoon, but some of the activity on the first shop's page seemed a little suspicious.

(Also, just to be clear to anyone reading, neither of these businesses were Jamie's or had any connection to Jamie, as far as I know. Just a coincidence that they also happened to be cupcake shops. Interestingly, both of those stores are now closed.)

Also, I just took a look at the Yelp reviews. It looks like the one person (D) only uses Yelp to complain. She has 5 one-star reviews that all sound alike. The other person (M) only has 2 one-star reviews...and they're both about cupcake shops. Hmm. It wouldn't surprise me if she worked for or was related to a competitor, especially after what I saw on Urbanspoon.

(Yes, I definitely have too much time on my hands today.)

Anonymous online reviews are a fact of life. But that doesn't mean we have to give them attention or value.

Anonymous online reviews are a fact of life. But that doesn't mean we have to give them attention or value.

I totally agree with you, Matthew. It does suck when you're the target of the silliness, so it's easier said than done sometimes - but I totally second your post.

Jamie, I just gave you a 5-star review...I hope that helps balance out the negative reviews. Your vegan cupcakes are awesome and we really enjoy them.

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It's interesting that you posted this, Jamie, because it reminds me of something I saw regarding another cupcake shop about 6 months ago on Urbanspoon. On Urbanspoon, for those who don't know, you don't have to leave a review - you can just click "I like it" or "I don't like it" for any establishment. This affects their overall rating. The owner of one particular cupcake shop was repeatedly downvoting a competitor. I found this out when I clicked on her user ID - her profile showed her "recent activity" and I saw multiple downvotes she had made against her competitor. I normally don't scope out user profiles on Urbanspoon, but some of the activity on the first shop's page seemed a little suspicious.

I actually think the negative comments are coming from the same people responsible for the comments you are referring to (or friends of them), just because of some encounters with them in the past. While I know these things are not true, people reading these comments do not. If they are in fact " fake" then that is very sad. I feel that it is very cowardly. I know at some point there will be people who do not appreciate my product and I will always aim to please ,but something doesn't add up with some of these comments. The shortening comments make me furious lol. I spend waaay to much $$$ on organic cream and real butter for anyone to say I don't. I also would never say anything about anyone else to (or in front of) my customers, not only is it unprofessional it is tacky as well. oh well....... " brushes dirt shoulder off"

P.S. Thanks to anyone who has tried my product and posted something positive. I appreciate it.

Jamie, that review sounds personal to me. How nasty some people are!! Ignore it, the other fine reviews more than make up for the one bitchy one. I, too had a very bad review from one person. A regular customer posted in my defence. The poster had only three reviews listed and all of them were only 1 star.

Allison - one of Jamie's "bad reviewer" also dinged you over ketchup. All her "reviews" are bad, including one of a lawyer. Sounds like a power trip to me....

Interesting Suzi, it was the same person? I racked my brains for ages trying to remember her, and I just couldn't. Apart from a gyros and a greek tenderloin, there is nothing that I would not put ketchup on if the customer wanted. Did you notice that when my friend mentioned that, the original poster just came back with It wasn't a gyros but never mentioned what the food item was.

Allison - one of Jamie's "bad reviewer" also dinged you over ketchup. All her "reviews" are bad, including one of a lawyer. Sounds like a power trip to me....

She also posted about Lil Cheesers, this is sounding fishier by the minute. Is she a disgruntled Hotbyter do you think?

She also posted about Lil Cheesers, this is sounding fishier by the minute. Is she a disgruntled Hotbyter do you think?

Disgruntled for sure!

She also posted about Lil Cheesers, this is sounding fishier by the minute. Is she a disgruntled Hotbyter do you think?

That is exactly what I thought and by the tone of the reviews, I can guess a couple candidates.

[Robin Garr]

She also posted about Lil Cheesers, this is sounding fishier by the minute. Is she a disgruntled Hotbyter do you think?

That is exactly what I thought and by the tone of the reviews, I can guess a couple candidates.

We might be able to go back-door to Yelp and get a little IP checking done ...