Comments on: Yelp Is Way Cooler Than I Thought http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:40:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Just a random blog ! http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1533375 Just a random blog ! Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:04:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1533375 [...] recently poked fun at Yelp when a review popped up for a “full service” landscaper - but in reality the site is [...] [...] recently poked fun at Yelp when a review popped up for a “full service” landscaper - but in reality the site is [...]

]]> By: Lawn Mower Reviews http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1519899 Lawn Mower Reviews Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:47:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1519899 <strong>Lanw Mower Reviews...</strong> Tips on choosing the right lawn mower ...... Lanw Mower Reviews…

Tips on choosing the right lawn mower ……

]]> By: PSST! it http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1516519 PSST! it Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:57:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1516519 <strong>Yelp Is Way Cooler Than I Thought...</strong> Haha, read the landscaper's review very carefully.... Yelp Is Way Cooler Than I Thought…

Haha, read the landscaper’s review very carefully….

]]> By: Marian G. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1513096 Marian G. Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:16:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1513096 Thank you Meredith for your insightful comment. I had no idea to how a simple review could be so effective. There are always two sides to any new idea. Thank you Meredith for your insightful comment. I had no idea to how a simple review could be so effective. There are always two sides to any new idea.

]]> By: Meredith http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1505476 Meredith Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:34:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1505476 Marian, just in case you are still reading this - I think most people realized that you were referring to a leaf-blowing service. The reason your review was highlighted was because it was unintentionally funny - of COURSE you meant leaf-blowing, but it came out in a slightly different way that was amusing to some. It isn't a criticism of you that it was read that way, it's just an amusing tidbit...nobody thinks you didn't know what the OTHER meaning of "blow job" was, we just think you were focused on writing a quality review and didn't realize the double entendre. As for everybody saying that Yelp reviews are paid - I was about to say "well damn, where can I sign up, I write mine free!" - but then I realized that Washington DC has intern positions available, so...I guess that's where I sign up. A more interesting question about Yelp is whether a negative review can hurt a small business. I know of one prolific Yelper who quit the service because of a friend's experience. Someone had not been happy with the business this Yelper's friend provided, and so posted a review of the business saying they had child molesters working there. This was patently false but Yelp refused to investigate it and the person's business was hurt as a result. It's one thing to say "I got really bad service" but it's another thing entirely to say "my kid got molested" just to be vengeful. I agree with those who have said that Yelp Mobile is awesome. Me and my Sidekick 3 definitely love Yelp Mobile. I just wish I could WRITE reviews on the go! Marian, just in case you are still reading this - I think most people realized that you were referring to a leaf-blowing service. The reason your review was highlighted was because it was unintentionally funny - of COURSE you meant leaf-blowing, but it came out in a slightly different way that was amusing to some. It isn’t a criticism of you that it was read that way, it’s just an amusing tidbit…nobody thinks you didn’t know what the OTHER meaning of “blow job” was, we just think you were focused on writing a quality review and didn’t realize the double entendre.

As for everybody saying that Yelp reviews are paid - I was about to say “well damn, where can I sign up, I write mine free!” - but then I realized that Washington DC has intern positions available, so…I guess that’s where I sign up.

A more interesting question about Yelp is whether a negative review can hurt a small business. I know of one prolific Yelper who quit the service because of a friend’s experience. Someone had not been happy with the business this Yelper’s friend provided, and so posted a review of the business saying they had child molesters working there. This was patently false but Yelp refused to investigate it and the person’s business was hurt as a result. It’s one thing to say “I got really bad service” but it’s another thing entirely to say “my kid got molested” just to be vengeful.

I agree with those who have said that Yelp Mobile is awesome. Me and my Sidekick 3 definitely love Yelp Mobile. I just wish I could WRITE reviews on the go!

]]> By: Keith http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1497984 Keith Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:41:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1497984 A website is claiming to help people addicted to yelp: http://yhelp.org/ A website is claiming to help people addicted to yelp:

http://yhelp.org/

]]> By: bernie lomax http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492964 bernie lomax Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:47:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492964 ORLY! ORLY!

]]> By: Ryan Mickle http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492418 Ryan Mickle Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:11:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492418 There is actually probably a much greater chance that one of Jose's caballeros wrote this review (perhaps while wearing a sun dress, for inspiration). There is actually probably a much greater chance that one of Jose’s caballeros wrote this review (perhaps while wearing a sun dress, for inspiration).

]]> By: yellowbot http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492133 yellowbot Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:37:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492133 Thanks for clearing that up, Marian G! ;-) Thanks for clearing that up, Marian G! ;-)

]]> By: Simon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492119 Simon Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:23:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1492119 "isn’t exactly as sexy as hanging out in MySpace" MySpace is sexy? Michael, you're great, but you desparately need to get a better life. :) “isn’t exactly as sexy as hanging out in MySpace”

MySpace is sexy? Michael, you’re great, but you desparately need to get a better life. :)

]]> By: fluencev http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491386 fluencev Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:08:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491386 taken a second glance at the site ,o(∩_∩)o.. taken a second glance at the site ,o(∩_∩)o..

]]> By: patricia http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491374 patricia Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:46:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491374 Well, I think Yelp had/has potential in the sense that City Search sucks, and the idea behind both could be useful, but I don't think it's structured to fit that gap and I don't think it's useful enough to go beyond people wanting to write reviews about wherever they hang out (which are too hard to read and I end up skipping most). I am on it and write stuff about L.A. but only because I get bored writing about business and fashion, and I don't think i have in a while. My friend is obsessed with it, but I think she'll tire of it too. They need to do something different. I am not sure what. Well, I think Yelp had/has potential in the sense that City Search sucks, and the idea behind both could be useful, but I don’t think it’s structured to fit that gap and I don’t think it’s useful enough to go beyond people wanting to write reviews about wherever they hang out (which are too hard to read and I end up skipping most). I am on it and write stuff about L.A. but only because I get bored writing about business and fashion, and I don’t think i have in a while. My friend is obsessed with it, but I think she’ll tire of it too.

They need to do something different. I am not sure what.

]]> By: mika http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491357 mika Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:30:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491357 I must say that techcrunch reviews have been really decreasing in value in the last few months and this is such a good example of that. More likely than not, this was a joke. Why was this techcrunch worthy? What is techcrunch doing these days anyway? Too much money coming in to report on any real technology stories? Hey, why don't you print a story that degrades guys in some way and see how much conversation you get going. I must say that techcrunch reviews have been really decreasing in value in the last few months and this is such a good example of that. More likely than not, this was a joke. Why was this techcrunch worthy? What is techcrunch doing these days anyway? Too much money coming in to report on any real technology stories? Hey, why don’t you print a story that degrades guys in some way and see how much conversation you get going.

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491353 David Mackey Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:27:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491353 The idea of reviewing sites isn't a bad idea....And I think MySpace is being abandoned for Facebook - sure you don't want to change analogies? The idea of reviewing sites isn’t a bad idea….And I think MySpace is being abandoned for Facebook - sure you don’t want to change analogies?

]]> By: itblows http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491326 itblows Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:39:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491326 yelp is going bad the way epinions did, bad reviews dont scale. yelp is going bad the way epinions did, bad reviews dont scale.

]]> By: Marian G. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491315 Marian G. Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:26:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491315 My front and back yard is 2,000 square feet. It would take a long time to sweep with a broom. I think that your term bj is commonly used today. It is not common in my circle. My front and back yard is 2,000 square feet. It would take a long time to sweep with a broom. I think that your term bj is commonly used today. It is not common in my circle.

]]> By: bernie lomax http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491313 bernie lomax Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:25:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491313 Hey Will! I think blow job refers to blowing leaves around to clear a pathway. ORLY! Hey Will! I think blow job refers to blowing leaves around to clear a pathway. ORLY!

]]> By: bdb http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491304 bdb Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:15:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491304 In other news regarding the misuse of the English language in CA, they also use the article "the" in front of the highway they are describing: "take the 4", "Get on the 405", etc. (Hint: you DO NOT NEED "the" to describe the highway when using the designated state or federal number). Ugh! Were you seriously unaware that "blow job" is commonly used to refer to something else? Do you really care if they use a leaf-blower rather than a broom? In other news regarding the misuse of the English language in CA, they also use the article “the” in front of the highway they are describing: “take the 4″, “Get on the 405″, etc. (Hint: you DO NOT NEED “the” to describe the highway when using the designated state or federal number).

Ugh!

Were you seriously unaware that “blow job” is commonly used to refer to something else?

Do you really care if they use a leaf-blower rather than a broom?

]]> By: anna http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491295 anna Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:56:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491295 You know I reviewed my landlord at Yelp. I was so happy to see it come up #2 on Google in searching for them. They are awful, but several people have written me asking what building i'm in (they manage a bunch).. very satisfying to know you can share the knowledge about a service like that. You know I reviewed my landlord at Yelp. I was so happy to see it come up #2 on Google in searching for them. They are awful, but several people have written me asking what building i’m in (they manage a bunch).. very satisfying to know you can share the knowledge about a service like that.

]]> By: Will http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491294 Will Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:53:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491294 Could one more person please enlighten all of us that "blow job" really means leafblower in this instance? Could one more person please enlighten all of us that “blow job” really means leafblower in this instance?

]]> By: Marian G. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491275 Marian G. Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:22:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491275 Wow! I didn't realize what a reaction I would get raving about my landscape gardener! In our neighborhood, we refer to "mow and blow" for over 20 plus years. Yes Eric is correct. It's a leaf "blower" and they "mow" the lawn. I didn't expect such an observation, I was so happy to get my front and back yard done for under $13,000 done in a week! And, to have a regular garden work done at such an agreeable rate. I am retired and a baby boomer. (oh, are you going to find a double entendre for that too?) No money was ever received for my reviews. Wow! I didn’t realize what a reaction I would get raving about my landscape gardener! In our neighborhood, we refer to “mow and blow” for over 20 plus years. Yes Eric is correct. It’s a leaf “blower” and they “mow” the lawn. I didn’t expect such an observation, I was so happy to get my front and back yard done for under $13,000 done in a week! And, to have a regular garden work done at such an agreeable rate. I am retired and a baby boomer. (oh, are you going to find a double entendre for that too?) No money was ever received for my reviews.

]]> By: bernie lomax http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491222 bernie lomax Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:27:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491222 ORLY, oh really! No way, like ORLY! ORLY, oh really! No way, like ORLY!

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491220 Eric Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:24:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491220 MA, you need to get out more http://wordpress.com/tag/mow-and-blow/ its just the leafblower guys... MA, you need to get out more
http://wordpress.com/tag/mow-and-blow/

its just the leafblower guys…

]]> By: dave http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491207 dave Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:59:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491207 nice find! some women apparently do get really bored...but hey, she's a creative financier - her valley husband should be proud (if there is one)! on a serious aside, there's a lot yelp could do to improve - including a cap on reviews with the ability to rate up and unpublish the crappiest (perhaps just buried but visible upon request, like the comment system on omidyar.net) nice find! some women apparently do get really bored…but hey, she’s a creative financier - her valley husband should be proud (if there is one)!

on a serious aside, there’s a lot yelp could do to improve - including a cap on reviews with the ability to rate up and unpublish the crappiest (perhaps just buried but visible upon request, like the comment system on omidyar.net)

]]> By: Phil http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491203 Phil Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:58:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/yelp-is-way-cooler-than-i-thought/#comment-1491203 I'm still confused about whom is blowing whom unless Marian is hiding something. Jose, care to comment? He'll be back in the afternoon unless he is checking this post on his iPhone. I’m still confused about whom is blowing whom unless Marian is hiding something. Jose, care to comment? He’ll be back in the afternoon unless he is checking this post on his iPhone.

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