I always give people I deal with the benefit of the doubt, and to a certain extent, always try to understand where they are coming from - because there is always a reasonable explanation for everything. What I ask of you is to try to put yourself in my shoes and understand.
I manage a team of 20 or so writers. I can assure you that they are native english speakers, I hire them myself. For one writer to goof up, I do not think it is fair to judge my whole operation based on that individual writer's quality. You could've simply talked to me and we could have worked it out in a more private way. I want to fix the problem, not cause more problems for the both of us. I wouldn't have corrected your article, I could've gave you a brand new article and even more free articles to compensate for the inconvenience. I am a reasonable person to deal with.
Those are some pretty harsh words you threw up there, but I get where you are coming from and genuinely hope things turned out differently. Next time, in the future, try to solve the problem and minimize the negativity. You'll see that will go a long way, not just in business, but in life.
Let me offer you a complimentary 1000 word article, if you still want to give our service a second chance. Thanks, Joe.
As do I, but the article I received was just
so appalling, there's no benefit of the doubt that can be given. A shitty writer is a shitty writer, they don't have one day where they write like someone with a brain injury and another day where they write well.
I'm happy to show my article to a senior member/mod. I don't believe it's written by a native English person, and I'm sure they wouldn't, either. This isn't simply a case of a single writer messing up. This is a fundamental flaw in your business. The writer has failed to write a legible article. The proofreader has failed to pick it up as being bad quality. And, you have failed. You have failed to employ people who are up to the job, and you have failed in your business structure. I don't know about you, but personally, if I was running a service-based business, you could be
damn sure I'd personally glance over every article before sending it out, to make sure it was of a high enough quality to rest my reputation on it. And I would continue doing that until I was 100% on the quality of my staff, sure enough in their abilities to rest my name on them.
I am not your proofreader, I am your reviewer. Personally, I can't be bribed. If I have the choice of leaving an honest, open review (and potentially saving someone money) or working out some deal in private, in return for leaving a positive review, then guess which one I'll choose. The first one. As I said before,
I leave honest reviews, not nice ones. (that said, I can't remember the last time I had to leave a negative review. I honestly don't like leaving them, but when I get a negative experience, I have no problems doing that.) Don't think that because I take a review copy, my main priority is the goods or services I receive as a result. They always come second, and leaving an honest review always comes first. I can easily get articles, a few dollars is not a big deal.
They are honest words. I don't choose harsh words for the sake of it, but when they need to be said, I'm happy to use them. I don't mince my words, and I would hope other reviewers on here don't either (although, unfortunately, far too many do.). Also, while we're giving life advice, it's a good idea if you don't phrase advice in such a condescending way
I'm happy to take a second, 1000 word article, however, my first review will still stay. I'm happy to review that in the same honest manner, however. (although I feel that if you were to give me a second article, you'd give me an article not necessarily coinciding with the general standard of service. Your choice however, I'm not bothered either way.
Joe
