When rating and/or leaving public comments, what is the general consensus regarding an established and respected writer who makes an error? My own inclination would be to let the writer know about the error privately before posting a public declaration. Thoughts? Tom Barnes

I suppose it'd depend on what sort of error we're talking about.

I've always used comments to explain my issues with a review from an established member. Very rarely are these significant issues that could tarnish a writers reputation. Most of the time I'm just pointing out stupid little things like spelling errors, for which a comment does the job.

If it's something a little more serious, I generally spark conversations by leaving a comment and then follow through using email.

I'm similarly in the dark as to what sort of error you've got in mind here, Tom. But I'm struggling to imagine a scenario in which it's appropriate to leave a comment pointing out a given sort of error to one member, and not to another. If anything, I would expect the established writer to have a thicker skin than a newbie member. I don't mean to set myself up as an example, but I'm always open to being told if I've made a mistake. If it's really an error, then what's the big deal about having it pointed out? Everyone makes mistakes. I don't see any point in trying to pretend otherwise.

Just my two cents, as usual...

Kate

A recent review by an established writer was rated OT. The picture of the property in question is definitely not the property written about in the review. The problem here is that the listing does not give details about the address. The writer has probably made an honest mistake. The mis-posting has already been pointed out in an abrupt comment left by another member. If public comments are to be left, I try to be sure that they are polite. Tom

Ok... I'm taking the opposite stance that Tom is here.

Fact: No address is given in the details

Fact: Holiday Inn frequently switches between express/not express properties

Fact: Pictures are frequently wrong in the database when the place/item/whatever was not added by a CL personally

Fact: It was another CL that wrote the review in question and was left a short, terse, condescending comment by an advisor.

Fact: I see nothing wrong with where this was posted.

Doc

Since I know the review in question, I don't believe using email would be required. I just think the comment shouldn't have been so curt.

For the record, I agree with Doc's position on the review. The rating and the comment are all a bit harsh given the issue.

"The problem here is that the listing does not give details about the address. The writer has probably made an honest mistake. The mis-posting has already been pointed out in an abrupt comment left by another member. If public comments are to be left, I try to be sure that they are polite."

So...in other words....your beef and your question aren't really about whether or not an "error" should be pointed out in a comment section of an "established" reviewer. As I read it, it's more a question of commenting politely. Or perhaps it's about whether it's appropriate to give (some?) members the benefit of the doubt with regards to reviews that seem to be off-topic. Are either of those issues what you're really concerned with here? I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just trying to clarify what's really bothering you.

What I would really like to dwell upon here is the ambiguity in the listing. I have always wished there were some way to clear up ambiguous listings--and there are a lot of them. I gave this writer the benefit of the doubt here. The curtness of the existing comment is perhaps another topic entirely. Tom