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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To leave a really bad TripAdvisor review?

18 replies

bebecupoftea · 07/08/2023 08:02

Went out yesterday for a special occasion lunch with DH. I'm on mat leave so money is tight.

We went to a very highly regarded place that you have to wait weeks to get a reservation for. The experience was AWFUL: really really poor from start to finish. Horrific service. Food mediocre. My main course was nearly £40 and it was tiny (not in the fancy Michelin star way either, just incredibly stingy). Our bill for lunch came to nearly £200, I politely requested the pre-added service charge be removed and explained why to the manager, he didn't quibble at all and took off a couple of drinks too. From his reaction it felt like he was used to our ilk of complaints and we were not the only table visibly unhappy with our experience.

In this economy £200 is such a lot to spend on one meal and I was so so gutted - we were looking forward to a really special time and it was hideous (I've eaten more pleasant meals in Pret). I have so much sympathy with the hard times hospitality has gone through but understaffing didn't seem to be the issue here, there were plenty of staff, they just didn't care!

I couldn't sleep last night because the experience was going round and round in my head so I left a long review on TripAdvisor (there were MANY from the last few months saying very similar things). But I've woken up feeling guilty about it for some reason.

WIBU to leave a stinking one star TA review for such an awful and disappointing restaurant experience?

OP posts:

Changingplace · 07/08/2023 08:04

As long as your review was factual and you included the fact they removed the service charge and a couple of drinks then I’d leave it up.

VerticalSausages · 07/08/2023 08:08

That’s the whole point of trip advisor surely so you can’t be being unreasonable leaving a review. But if the review has to be that lengthy, perhaps you need to get some therapy to deal with the trauma?

CalistoNoSolo · 07/08/2023 08:28

I've left bad reviews before - I made sure I also included anything that was good about the experience too. As long as you're factual it's absolutely fine. Also, I eat out a lot, and £200 for a meal for two is very expensive. I'd expect a decent meal, drinks and good service for under £100 tbh.

NutellaNut · 07/08/2023 08:39

As long as it’s factual, what’s the problem? That’s what reviews are for.

wlana · 07/08/2023 08:43

The point of trip advisor is exactly this: to be honest and help other people be advised about their trip. Don’t feel guilty.

usernother · 07/08/2023 08:46

Leave a bad review but make sure you add a mark for the manager removing some of the cost and mention this in your review.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 07/08/2023 08:47

I've left bad reviews before. Like others have said keep it factual, it will help others decide whether to spend £200 on a meal that they might not enjoy.

PrimalOwl10 · 07/08/2023 09:01

You couldn't sleep because of the bad food and servicd op seems an OTT reaction.

spuddel · 07/08/2023 09:01

As a potential customer, I'd be appreciative of your review as it was honest. I'd leave it up if it was all factual as others have said.

wlana · 07/08/2023 09:19

PrimalOwl10 · 07/08/2023 09:01

You couldn't sleep because of the bad food and servicd op seems an OTT reaction.

I don’t think it’s OTT - she is stressed and upset about having been essentially fleeced for 200 and also having written negatively on trip advisor. These things do upset people.

hopeishere · 07/08/2023 09:20

When money is tight it's really disappointing for it something you're looking forward to to be disappointing. What do other TA reviews say?

HaIIie · 07/08/2023 09:25

That's what TA is for. As long as the review was factual and included that the manager removed some drinks by way of understanding, then the restaurant can listen and learn from the reviews.

RightOnTheEdge · 07/08/2023 09:30

YANBU, as long as the review is factual and fair.
Other people planning to go can then make their minds up about whether they want to go and spend their money there.

HalloumiLuvver · 07/08/2023 11:15

No you are not being U if your review was honest and factual.

I'm guessing OP has people pleasing tendencies so doing this has made you feel cringey and upset, due to your fear of offending/confrontation. It's worth having a think about your reaction and realising, actually, you're completely in the right to leave a review. You've done nothing wrong!

CoffeeCantata · 07/08/2023 11:49

Yes, I agree with pps - be fair and mention the concessions.

Also, keep it calm and measured - no anger or hysterical language - it will be more believable.

I do agree that some places absolutely rest on their laurels and treat customers as idiots. I think, for that reason, you are right to leave an honest review. So many people just roll over our of embarrassment and these places just carry on ripping customers off.

Particular offenders are pubs and restaurants in very desirable locations where there are guaranteed new customers every day. They therefore feel they can treat people how they like - there'll always be a new mug along tomorrow.

Valeriekat · 10/08/2023 08:03

PrimalOwl10 · 07/08/2023 09:01

You couldn't sleep because of the bad food and servicd op seems an OTT reaction.

You have obviously never had to stick to a budget then.

bookworm44 · 10/08/2023 08:11

Did you read the many bad reviews before you went?

RuthTopp · 10/08/2023 08:18

I've left a bad review before . It was a cafe in a tourist area that described itself as quirky . In actual fact it was grubby and the staff member rude and uninterested ( sat on phone )
The toilets were also unclean and had no loo paper . I stated all that on the review and was basically called a liar by the owner.
We live in the areas and I've never been back .

Flip