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Rainmaker
457,437
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

You know, I don't know. I would probably be interested in interviewing them to see what is going on. I have a friend who had a competitor putting negative reviews...you just never know if they are accurate. I would proceed with caution, but I would not rule it out. 

Jan 23, 2015 03:08 AM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

I've had a great time and excellennt meal at several low ranking restaurants as far as stars. I wouldn't be surprised to see this "false perception by star ranking" happening within several industries.

Jan 28, 2015 05:28 PM
Rainer
276,044
Susan Jacobsen
The Alliance Group Realty - Hilton Head Island, SC
20 Years Providing WOW Real Estate Service

Pam - I'd have to say that generally a referral is much stronger than some sort of 'rating' for a particular person or profession. Having said that, when it comes to restaurants, I do check out what has been posted on Yelp, Trip Advisor, Travel Zoo, etc.

Jan 25, 2015 07:55 AM
Ambassador
5,048,718
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It would depend on the situation. While reviews can be helpful sometime they do not tell the true picture. And I prefer to get recommendations from others who have used the vendor and not base a decision solely on a series of stars which can be so slanted

Jan 24, 2015 11:44 PM
Rainmaker
969,858
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I do not go by any star system. I'm a reference kinda guy. I was once approach by a sub that I use and does good work for me. He suggested that I join Angie List just to help him get his rating for etc... for Angie List. That did not set well with me. It's just gaming the system. 

Jan 24, 2015 10:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,574,666
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I am not a fan of any of these rating systems - including the ones for real estate agents. So I would consider them as I would a fiver!  Now a zero or one...nahh!

Jan 24, 2015 10:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It depends.

Who do you try to hire?

I recently tried to research Yelp roofers, every single one of them have few bad reviews...I emailed few yelpers who left good reviews and they confirmed that they were happy with services.

p.s. The roofer that was referred to me by my trusted source, had glowing recommendations, he did terrible job for my client, took money, and did not answer his phone.

Jan 24, 2015 04:38 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

eh, I think I would do my own reasearch.  Mostly with being in AR, I go with personal recommendations.  If I don't know, I likely know someone who knows someone good any where.

Jan 24, 2015 10:52 AM
Ambassador
3,125,265
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Pay enough money and anyone can buy a rating. I like to do my own homework and ask trusted friends when looking for a professional.

Jan 24, 2015 08:08 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Like others have stated I'll due my own due diligence. The same way 5 Stars doesnt mean anything in relation to almost everything.

Jan 24, 2015 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Now that is a great question. Really. I don't know. In some areas I may not be looking at online ratings, but rather local word of mouth. That is a loaded question. 

Jan 23, 2015 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
629,608
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

I do not pay much attention to those ratings. I am more interested in references from people I know and trust.

Jan 23, 2015 02:52 PM
Rainmaker
786,080
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

I'd keep digging.  3 is as useless as 4 or 10; the system can be gamed.  So, I'd do more digging and that would include a specific question about this very rating.

Jan 23, 2015 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes. I do not put that much stock in ratings. I know really pissed off people will zero out a rating and those that are very happy may never take the time to say so.

Jan 23, 2015 01:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,318,269
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I don't know if the # of starts is a good indication of the professional.  I think a personal referral goes a long way.

Jan 23, 2015 11:40 AM
Rainmaker
2,928,473
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

It depends on the scale.  A 3/5 is average.  That might be alright for what I need but if I need top quality then no.

Jan 23, 2015 11:37 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

A 3 sounds pretty low, so probably not. 

Jan 23, 2015 10:47 AM
Rainer
11,678
Debi La Rosa
Phoenix, AZ

Not generally without researching BBB, their local and state association if tha applies to that particular person/business...star ratings are a poor source of ranking

Jan 23, 2015 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
207,655
Paige Walker
Paige Walker - Pineville, LA
Real Estate Guru - Alexandria Pineville LA

If you are referring to 3 out of 5....it would depend. I would go through the reviews and check the credibility of the negative reviews that caused the rating to drop. Short answer yes, if the research supported it.

Jan 23, 2015 09:32 AM
Rainer
334,314
Frank Castaldini
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in San Francisco

Very intersting question.  I woud impulsively answer no but upon futher thought I know that sometimes these reviews are not always fair.  If someone is highly recommended and has 3 star rating I probably will give him a try.

 

One probably is not doing a great job if they have 3 star rating.  Most peope need to be pretty disappointed to provide a bad review.

Jan 23, 2015 08:20 AM
Rainer
105,987
Chris Mamone
Keller Mortgage - Tacoma, WA
Senior Loan Officer

I would. I think star systems are overrated. I look for review commentary, because reviews can be skewed. I've bought from 3 star people before because the rating was based on the product not the actual person working with. Comments matter more than stars.

Jan 23, 2015 08:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Means 'average' to me. I would probably keep investigating.

Jan 23, 2015 08:07 AM
Rainer
215,585
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

Probably interview to here their side of the story.

Jan 23, 2015 07:19 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I concur with my friend Richard Weisser here. Those reviews mean absolutely nothing to me. Reviews are nothing but a marketing gimmick and not reliable.

Jan 23, 2015 06:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,727,643
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

How does one verify the veracity of the reviews, especially when there are companies you can pay for all of the  5 star reviews you want.

Jan 23, 2015 06:53 AM
Ambassador
1,076,531
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I don't like 'star' reviews because many sites offer reviews and the only reviewers have been directed there and instructed to leave 5 stars.  Amazon is the worst with this - a bestselling book will often have hundreds of 5 star reviews the day the book is released, because the authors/publishers have people making fake reviews.

Jan 23, 2015 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do read reviews but also do my own due diligence.

Jan 23, 2015 06:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

No, not without doing due diligence...3 stars, four stars are meaningless. 

Jan 23, 2015 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I would be more likely to hire someone only if someone I know, like or trust recommends them.  Doesn't matter what their rating says.

Jan 23, 2015 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
631,962
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

That really depends on the area and who that person is.  The rating may be low because of one persons belief that the job was bad and if there was only a few ratings it may not be accurate.  If I know the professional and haved used them before I would absolutely use them.

Jan 23, 2015 03:11 AM
Rainer
87,383
Christina Botteri
REeBroker - Roseville, CA

Out of...?

3 / 10 - Probably not

3 / 5 - Maybe... I would need to think about it; perhaps check out the circumstances of the score.  Sometimes people get a bad rap from a vindictive reviewer and sometimes people are just not as good as they should be.

All that being said, if there was, say, 30 reviews and the guy scores a 3 / 5, then I would likely move on.

Jan 23, 2015 02:55 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I seldom look for ratings, too easy to fix.

Sep 15, 2019 10:28 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

No.

Jun 02, 2018 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Depends on the availability in the field and potential of this person - if he/she can grow.

Jan 28, 2018 10:10 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

I will be skeptical.

Jan 22, 2018 08:38 PM