PlanetFeedBack.com Has Turned Into A Bashing Game! Others Want Support, But NEVER Offer It Back UP!

First off... well no point in bashing compliments in my opinion. hey
if someone's happy with a company then yay :)

As for complaints... to me it depends on what the complaint is and how
it's worded. If a complaint is politely worded with minimal (or no)
use of caps, then I'm more likely to respond positively. Even when
the complaint is a little off-kilter, good manners will receive the
same.

However... I have also seen some complaints posted that have been
downright insane and rude from the start. Examples would be
complaints where the writer is demanding unreasonable entitlements, or
is entirely rude while posting his or her demands. So for those
complaints, I do not feel bad about replying negatively... I do stay
away from the "you're stupid" comments however... I prefer just
posting why I feel the complaint is unreasonable and what a reasonable
request should be.

I AGREE. I'm a little late on this thread and have just recently
found Planet Feedback when I posted a letter regarding my recent
experience with Wal-Mart, and almost every single post I received was
incredibly negative and hurtful and not at all helpful. I was
belittled for not keeping my receipt (I'm sorry, but unfortunately
sometimes it happens). I have read through several other letters and a
majority of those posts are negative as well and just as unhelpful to
the writer as my posts were. I am not completely familiar with this
website, but I posted because I was upset and wanted a straight answer
as well as solace in the fact that maybe others were experiencing the
same situation as I was, but instead was made to feel isolated and
incompetent. I used to think that people could come together and be
there for one another but I have been proved wrong time and time again
and this website is no different. For those of you who think that
you're "helping" by picking apart letters and contributors, you are
making the situation worse and are not contributing anything of value
to the conversation. Please, find what is making you so unhappy in
life that you find it necessary to bash everyone via the internet or
keep your negative comments to yourself.

Hey I agree 100% and this is the reason I no longer share my letters.
The people who respond to shared letters are mentally handicapped and
seem to delight in bashing the writers. There is NEVER a positive
comment.
Planet Feedback...you need to do something to change the situation or
else have no sharing of letters!

I agree with you about the bashing! some idiot asked if I was fat!
what does that have to do with anything, shoot, poor customer service
is poor customer service, fat, skinny, black, white, yellow, whatever!
this is supposed to be a place for compassion and to share that we
have been through the same thing as you have and it is not like that
anymore! If you are not supportive, I don't want to hear from you
because evidently you have not been in my shoes! I've got your back!!!

I like hearing other people's opinions on different topics. But I also
agree that some people are just here to bash others. For example, I
read a complaint about someone not getting their food order right 4
times at Burger King and they even mentioned that they just wanted to
vent a little on this site. That person then received a reply to
his/her letter saying "geez you ordered that much food. dude what size
are you. you must be gigantic cause all i can eat is a medium whopper
combo." To me, this comment was inappropriate. If they had something
knowledgable to say, I wouldn't mind it. But they just wanted to bash
the person who wrote the letter. I just ignore people like that. They
want to start fights over the internet and it's just not worth it. I
always try to make sure that whenever I'm posting something
controversial, I let everyone know that I'm not trying to start a
debate yet I would like to hear their opinions on the matter. I
haven't had any back-lashing yet so maybe that will continue to work
(hopefully).

Bashing goes on all over the web,its sad.

I agree with you! I post numerous complaints and I am bashed and
belittled for it too. People nit pick it to death. Everyone has
their own opinion and if I feel I was wronged and have a complaint I
should be able to complain about it. I am not asking ANYONE to solve
it but the company I am complaining about. People do have too much
time on their hands!

I would like to see this go back to the way it was: a way to contact
someone in an organization that you didn't know how to contact. The
bashing has gotten juvenile, some folks do have too much time on their
hands ;)

Some people do have legitimate complaints (counting myself among them)
- and are hoping for resolution, others going through the same issues,
etc.

If nothing else, I'd like to see it as a place to check out a company
(BBB takes an incredibly long time).

Hehe......I miss this site!

Wait, so PlanetFeedback is a game now? Interesting. Tell me, how does
one play this game? Is there some sort of point based system involved?
Are there prizes to be won?

Get back to me on this. I'm interested in participating in this
exciting new sport you speak of.

I agreet to a point..I think that part of the problem is that there
are some people that see this site as a way to get "freebies" - "the
cashier didn't say thank you so I want free merchandise for life".

I also see people that want exceptions to the rules for them, i.e., I
know you have an exchange policy but that doesn't pertain to me, does
it?

I have always gone straight to the company - and usually have great
luck. I post on PlanetFeedback when I haven't received a reply;
and/or I want to post publically why I am dissatisfied (and yes, I
have posted complimentary letters on this site). I also understand
that by making my letter public, I have to take the criticism - good
or bad.

Agreed! I stopped coming here after seeing how mean-spirited everyone
was. I am back hoping it has changed, but apparently not so much.
Seems to just be a bunch of people in desperate need to bully others
with the added bonus of anonymity from the internet. Not everyone is
this way, but many are.

i agree to a certain extent. if a person writes a letter and seems to
have a valid point, and i think that i can offer either support or
advice, i try to do that. but honestly, have you read some of these
letters? a lot of them are complete malarky; blatant appeals by
cheap, idiotic people to obtain freebies from companies who don't owe
the OP anything. THOSE are the people who have "ruined" the website,
not the people who point out to them that the company is not in the
wrong.

Russel, have you ever heard the phrase "An untalented and bitter
person will often criticize a masterpiece"


Well, my grandmother used to say it, and what she meant was, some
people are only happy when they can belittle someone else's work.

I guess my question is: How many issues do you have with companies?
That could be the problem. I said it before - only in retail do you
find people who expect something for the slightest problem. I think
that's were other people jump in and question it. If you are calling
that being belittled.
People can always address their problems with a letter, company e amil
or a phone call. If you put your complaint out on a publuc forum - it
is what it is.
I've worked retail for close to 20 years. I think there is no other
business where people think they are owed for real or not so real
problems with a retailer.
People will go to their doctor and their appointment is an hour late.
They don't bat an eye. They will call their insurance agent of 5 years
and he forgets to return the call. They are OK. But they shop at
Target for 5 years and then Target makes a mistake and they what
something in return.
No one should make fun or belittle anyone on this forum. That being
said, if someone wants money or a manager to apologize because a
cashier questioned a coupon or didn't bag right or didn't say hello,
then you will get comments.

I agree with you 100%.
I begin coming onto the site about 2 years ago. Sad to say, I only
stayed for a short while. It felt that bashing was the 'name of the
game' here. It felt good to read other posts and what was going on in
their worlds. But....because of the put-downs, funny jokes about
others, it wan not worth it to my sanity to stick around. I too wrote
someone similar to what you're saying in your post. Good luck to you;
lets hope we are are listening and understanding your message.

I agree with you that from what I see here, there are a lot of other
members of this platform who are quick to comment on someone else's
problematic situation, and not always for the sake of helping them.

I agree that I have read some complaints made by people which seemed a
bit opportunistic and some of their expectations of what they deem a
resonable "fix" to their problem... made them seem like they are
looking to get compensated unresonably... but I still found it so
stupid that other members here on the panel start attacking them for
their words.

Sometimes, people don't voice themselves correctly... but it is not
the job of others here to pick apart someone's complaint and further
aggravate the situation. Like you said, it only adds to the fact that
nobody is being taken seriously.

These people here are all upset for one reason or another and it
almost seems as if everyone is riled up and ready for another fight...
Why? Because we came here annoyed at something that didn't go our
way... with some company.

But to go out of our way to post something on someone else's thread -
to put them down for the way they wrote something... or the way they
felt they were wronged by a company... or to make fun of them for
liking a certain product or company... It's just out of line.

I joined this site a while back and after lodging my complaint against
a company I had issues with, I looked around at what others had to
say, and I was appalled by how many of you guys were turning against
each other. Some united front this is!
Hope everyone can learn to take a deep breath and think twice before
slamming someone for voicing themselves here.

What you have to understand is that often, the customer IS at least
partially at fault. This site and the world in general would be way
better if people would take responsibility.

It's a lot better now than it has been in the past.

I know many people suggest not sharing a letter but the main purpose,
for me at least, isn't to get recompensed but to warn others. I also
understand that what maybe petty to one person is of paramount
importance to the next.

You sound really upset in your letter, I hope you feel better,
sometimes venting is good:)

"But all I ever get is put-down. No one offers helpful insight, they
just belittle my problem or my positive review. And companies see
that. And when companies see I am being bashed, the complaint becomes
frivolous. So I don't get any help."

Your entire thesis is based on a misconception. Unless the companies
go onto this site they don't see a SINGLE comment. All they see is
the original letter -- nothing more. I doubt if even a small minority
of the companies even bother to log onto this site to check out any
comments. Every so often a person who works for a company may chime
in and comment (like I do) but they are not the official
representative of the company who's job it is to respond back to the
OP.

This site was not developed for the consumers to show a "united
front". It's to exchange thoughts and opinions and information on
consumer issues.

I seem to recall that there was talk of moderators at the time. I
guess that idea got shot down and we're seeing the effects of letting
us go unsupervised. I was for moderators then, and I'm still for
moderators now.

Perhaps this letter will allow for moderators to be brought back
again.

Yeah, you heard me.

Absolutely agree! The process is supposed to support the consumer and
if the offenders get the opportunity to see support for their poor
positions, what recourse do we have?

I also agree that Planetfeedback is a great website, incredibly useful
and have gotten significant help. May those nay sayers with far too
much time on their hands find more useful outlets for their
unfortunate negativity. Has it occurred to anyone they maybe company
employees hired to do so? Who knows, but a it is a thought.

Here's to conusmerism fighting back in a constructive manner!!

I have to agree with you. There are people who go through all the
complaints and post sarcastic replies to letters that are very
concerning to the writers.
One of those people have even replied to your post.
Planet Feedback has given people the opportunity to praise, complain,
or simply vent their frustrations.
I may not agree with some of the demands of the writers, but they
certainly have the right to express their grievances without being put
down by wise cracks and sarcasm.
If you have nothing constructive to add, simply move on to the next
post.

I don't know what has happened in the past, but I posted a comment
today regarding the Wal-Mart assault and it was removed, within a few
hours. Not really sure why, but I guess I will stick to just using
this site to write my letters and make them private.

Perhaps that's because some problems people post here actaulyl are a
little petty. I've read some letters where the managers and companies
HAVE remedied the the consumers issues and the consumer is still upset
and jut wants to spread the nastiness. I don't have time for people
like that when there are people out there with real complaints that
need closure.

Oh buck up little soldier and let it go already.

Life goes on and you will too.

If Russell feels left out and wants attention, he achieved his goal.

Maybe its just the humor in them that I'm missing, but comments by
Gino, Andre, Elanii... The 'shudder' comment I remember was done by
LadyMac...

I'm usually good with a great sense of humor, but I think a lot of
those ones are just too immature TBH... They remind me of the kids in
high school who used to say 'Hey Horsetuna! this guy here *points to
random guy* Loooves you and wants to go out with you, huhuhuhuh! ' and
stuff like I was really that gullible.

Maybe I need to just have some chocolate and relax right?

...were targeted at YOU, but were reflective of how squeamish
(immature?) people are with the topic.

If your letter had been about cookies, for example, I don't think
you'd have received a single response of that sort.

Oh, and the printer comment is still there (at least it was, when I
saw it this morning).

Keep in mind that this sort of "humor" is very popular. Think about
how much money Jim Carey, Will Farrell, and the like made off of crude
humor.

I agree. I have used PlanetFeedback over the years and it has been
quite helpful. I recently returned after a long time and noticed a
note to one of my old complaint letters which simply ridiculed me and
offered no value add at all. I thought maybe this was an aberration
but apparently not. I checked out the person who ridiculed me and was
very surprised that they are a regular and post compliants and
comments all the time - its almost like a blog I guess to them. I
don't get it - I guess all the complaining has gotten into their heads
and taken over.

Why don't you just choose the option to NOT share your letters?

Is there a Cliffs Notes version of this?... or can someone sum it up
in one sentence? I'm short on time.

Thanks!

All I know is in the real world no one on this site would disrespect
me. Because I'm an easy guy to get along with. I have an open mind,
and I just let people be who they are. The Internet just always seems
to P**S me off. Rude comments, ignorant questions, it all just seems
so stupid to me. When I was 17 I had this guy torment me on a new BBS
I had visited. When I was 20 I met up with him by an act of fate. He
looked like Ron Jermey! He was so pathetic that I just didn't have the
heart to drop him. So I just understand that the Internet and the Real
World are 2 different places, and people get crazy online. They act in
ways they wouldn't in the Real World. I try to not take anything
personally, but that is hard to do. When your used to respect,
anything less is an insult. So I just have to deal this here. A Lot of
people don't get. They most likely get bullied all day at work, and
then take it out on people Online.

So this issue is CLOSED for me.

Any helpful comments are lost in all this junk. That is what happens
when you blanket the ground with you know what. Nothing good can come
from that. So if anyone has offered helpful info, thanks, but I will
never see it. 1 Helpful comment in a sea of junk gets lost. So I'm
sorry about that. Let's just end this topic. Nothing is going to
change. You can keep making your own complaints, then putting others
down. If you think that's okay, then that is all on you. I don't see
things that way. So we will never see eye-to-eye. This is all
pointless. I have NEVER used such a unhelpful site in my life! If I
wanted to get picked on, I would go back to middle school.

So end this. I don't care anymore. This whole issue is just so stupid!
We are all the same, but you can't see that. So you can resume not
helping each other now.

But just about every post you've made here is bashing the site in
question and all the posters on it?

I was hoping that if I posted something showing people how foolish it
is to bash others going through the same problems; that it might help.
It's not. This site will remain as it is. People will post complaints
begging for help, and others will pick those complaints apart. And if
they really don't agree with them, then they will make rude comments.
This is my fault. I thought this site was designed for us to help each
other out. If I had a problem with a company, then I could offer you
advice. Instead it's not like that at all. It's "I never had that
problem!" over and over again. It's pointless, rude comments, that
offer ZERO help, but offer lots of disrespect. Comments masked as
being "Helpful". Masked as opening up a dialect. When in reality they
aren't helpful, they are just rude.

So I'm sorry. I'm sorry for thinking we are all adults, united by our
problems. Here to lend a helping hand. I was putting too much faith in
this forum. I honestly thought we could help each other. I honestly
thought a "HELP" site would provide HELP. They should call this forum,
a "Were going to bash you if we don't agree with you! We don't offer
help, because that isn't why we are here!"


So let's just end this now. I will just ignore everyone from now on,
and think twice before trying to help.

If I make a review, a comment, a suggestion, how does that effect
anyone else? Why does that effect anyone else? It doesn't! You have
your comments and I have mine. Why must my posts be torn apart, just
because people either, 1-Don't Agree With Me; or 2-They Have No
Understand, Or Care, Or Want, But Still Feel The Need To Be Mean.
I know due to the nature of the Internet people feel powerful, and
that can lead to rude remarks. I understand that, but why dish them
out on me? Why dish them out on anyone on this site? We are all here
for the same reasons. But why is your complaint more important then
ours? I don't have to agree with your posts, because that is your
post! You created it for your own reasons!

I just don't see why people can't just leave my posts alone. I don't
say anything about your complaints, agree or disagree. But rude
comments hurt! For once I would like to have some kind of support! But
it is far easier for people to make me look silly, and my post stupid.
To clutter it with junk and here-say. Why can't I just have my own
thoughts and feelings, and people just respect that fact?

Okay, after having read through every letter you wrote (and yeah, it
would have been nice to be able to watch even recap footage of the
Olympics, but alas I have Sprint), I can't see how you are belittled
at every turn. Honestly.

Say what you want, but there's is a *huge* difference between
belittling and not being able to handle criticizm, which I think is
the problem here.

If you don't like suggestions or as I'm sure you've heard it,
"constructive criticizm", then you need to either post your letters as
not being public for find another way to voice your
problems/concerns/complaints to the companies you are trying to write
to.

I do not, under any circumstances, expect 110% support in the letters
I write on PFB.

Look at my recent letter to Chase. Folks posted they didn't agree,
and why. I posted back stating my case.

Some people supported me, others did not. that's OK!! Discussion is
a good thing. Just because someone does not agree with you does nto
mean they are bashing you.

It is perfectly acceptable to post saying you disagree with someone
letter. We have had some great debates and all learned things about
why people feel the way they do on a variety of topics.

Your letter goes to the company you wrote it to. It is not "ruined"
because someone disagrees with you.

If you do not want folks to comment, dont share your letter. If you
want to post a "review", there are many other sites you can do that
on.

I sent 3 letters to Verizon Wireless. 2 of them were replied back to
through here. But the 1 was not. Which is odd, because at another site
I send the very same letter and they replied back to me within a few
days. So my 1 comment was bashed on this site, because people don't
see the world as I do. So Verizon Wireless viewed it as nothing. But
the other 2 reviews, which didn't have any comments, yielded a
response. So on anther site, where NO ONE MADE ANY MEAN COMMENTS,
Verizon got back with me on the very same topic.

So could this be just quincedance, maybe. The other reviews were
positive, and the 1 was a suggestion. But, why did they care about it
through another suggestion site? When people bash something someone
else cares about, companies don't view it in the same way. So each and
every time you guys go out of your way to put someone else review
down, you cause it to lose creditability. So since you all also write
complaints and expect support, why not share the love? Or just not
comment at all? If you don't have any idea what I'm talking about,
then why comment?

I don't think you understand what this site is all about. It gives us
a means of contacting a company's Higher-Ups. If a company is doing
something that I like, then I want to show my support. If a company is
doing something I hate, then I will also let them know. If I see a
potential problem, then I will also bring that up. No company is
perfect, but they have always welcomed my comments. Some more then
others. But all I get here is grief. I see complaints I don't agree
with, but I never post anything. I wasn't there, so how can I
understand? How can I judge someone? Many of the problems I have seen
here I never went through, so that automatically removes my right to
comment. Well, not my right, but respecting their review is first and
foremost for me. It's just insane how crazy people can get with their
comments. If I post something good, then I'm a Bold-Faced lier! If I
post a Negative review, then I'm a Bold-Faced Lier! I can never win!
I love this site because it is really the only one that has helped me.
So I feel like I can make a difference here. And I have! But time
after time; I will post anything, it doesn't even matter. I can post
"I Love Cookies!" and someone will say "Do you work for a Cookie
company? I hate cookies, so your review makes no sense to me!" Without
fail. If I have a contact, or some kind of helpful info, then I post
it. But I don't go around making people feel like jerks because they
are having a problem I don't agree with. That's childish.

I don't have time to sit & read through all the letters, but I would
like to know where you were belittled in your Silly Putty letter. All
the comments I read were supportive.

As for comments where someone may have a different opinion (and this
could be one), they're not intended to belittle. They're presented to
show a differing opinion, and help everyone grow.

If you're not getting the "support" you so desire from the public at
this site, have you considered NOT making your letters viewable by the
public?

I think you're being overly sensitive. Your most recently letter is a
charge of "bait and switch," but it ISN'T a case of bait and switch.
And that is ALL I said in response to your letter. If you perceive
that as belittling, then that is on you and no one else.

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean you're being
belittled. Just because you have a complaint with a company doesn't
necessarily mean you deserve support. Otherwise, EVERY complaint
would be perceived as valid, and that's just not the case.

Your use of hyperbole undermines any credibility you may think you
have. "Hyperbole" means exaggeration. For example, "no one can" get
support on this site? Patently false. Other people post here and
"demand support"? Some do, some don't. Some apparently never read
any responses to their letters and just don't care. Others get
constructive criticism and respond with grace and calm and gratitude.
Others get flamed and still the OP responds with calmness.

Of course other letters can become a downward spiral, as we've all
seen.

Russell,

Question: did you write this because you feel singled out for
criticism?

I get the sense, from reading this, that you feel that your comments
are being belittled. That may be true. But I also get the sense that
you feel that this belittlement is specific to you. I don't think
this is the case.

Much has been said about how commenters (myself included, I admit)
treat other people. However, my observation is that this
(mis)treatment is more-or-less universal. Sure, there are "favored"
people here and there are those that get picked on all the time. I'd
like to say that it's always objective: those that get support are
writing better letters, those that get criticism deserve it. But,
not, that's not 100% true. However, in general, I think it's fair to
assume that if you're receiving consistent criticism that there's a
reason.

You may not agree with the criticism. You could, as I suggested in
your blogger, try to have a dialog with those that disagree with you.
Or, you can ignore them. You choice.

In you case, my honest opinion is that you have some good things to
say, but that there's usually something that... well... deserves
FEEDBACK.

This isn't just you. You're not being singled out.

My opinion is that the feedback you're receiving is not less valid
that the feedback you're trying to give companies. Just as companies
can choose to pay attention or ignore feedback, so can you.

Those companies that listen to feedback will, we understand, do
better. Perhaps you paying attention to feedback given to you will
help you?

Lastly, as others have said, this is not a place to post reviews.
This is a place to send letters to companies. The fact that you can
choose to make letters public is, to my mind, a two-fold thing.
First, it lets companies know that you're sharing the good/bad news
about them. Second, it provides a resource for others. This second
point is what, I think, you seek. You want others to know what you
think. Fair enough.

However, this is not the same as this being a place for unconditional
support. This isn't a therapist's office or an AA meeting. You can't
demand support and expect it to unconditionally come. No one gets
support simply because they ask for it. Those that receive support
are those that have done something to "earn" it. Be that by being
someone that shows consistent support for others. Be that someone
that says astute things. Whatever.

One final thought: those that shout "feel bad for me" are the ones,
I've observed, that get most picked on. Just an observation and
perhaps a hint at how to get past your concerns?

Accusing them of Bait and Switch. There were two responses. One
response simply stated this isn't Bait and Switch, and pointed you to
a definition of Bait and Switch. The other response pointed out why
some companies use "historical reference" for videos (and books, by
the way).

I don't see how these posts, if they are upsetting to you, are
anything other than informative.

One of the purposes of this site is for consumers to share
experiences. Other people pointed out why this isn't bait and switch,
and tried to inform you about why "historical reference" is used. I
don't think this is bashing or "putting [you] down".

In your blog you say that your reviews are being "ruined" by people
"belittling" them.

The letters generated by PFB are not reviews, first and foremost.
They are letters to companies designed to put you in touch with them.

You also say in your blog that company XYZ won't pay attention to your
letter if people don't agree with your complaint. This assumes
company XYZ comes to PFB and spends time reading the responses people
make to your letter.

My guess is a very large percentage of companies do not visit here to
see what other people think about a person's complaint. A company
should respond to a person's letter based on the letter and the
company's position on the matter in question. Not based on what a
small set of anonymous people think about the same matter.

If you believe your letters have merit, they stand on their own, and
you don't have to stop back and be concerned about what others have to
say about them.

However, if your intent is to write public "reviews" of a company, you
have to be prepared for people to provide comments. And these
comments may not be aligned with your opinions.

There are other sites much better suited to "reviews". I'm thinking
of stuff like epinions, Amazon, My3cents, ripoffreport, etc. I think
you are trying to use this site to achieve two goals simultaneously -
review a company for everyone to see and write a letter to the CEO.
Those two are best left to two separate posts/letters.

You want to give us some examples of where you were belittled since
you keep posting about it ad nauseum? I see some posts where people
did not agree with you. This is not belittling. It would be a boring
world if everyone agreed with everyone else. Sort of like
"Pleasantville".