Post: #1

Should Yelpers be compensated for their reviews like actual, professional writers? A group of Yelpers have filed a California class action lawsuit against the site, claiming that they are actually unpaid employees and legally deserve pay for their work, TechDirt reports. Plaintiffs are seeking "just compensation of wages, benefits, and reimbursement for the reviews they created, arguing that Yelp "could not exist, nor make its enormous returns, without its domination and control over non-wage writers."

http://eater.com/archives/2013/10/29/yel...e-yelp.php

Pretty funny.

Post: #2

Yelp should claim that narcissistic supply constitutes a wage.

Post: #3

That group just outed themselves as the biggest bunch of assholes.

Post: #4

that is like saying facebook accounts that get a lot of traffic should be getting paid because they bring in revenue for the site.

Post: #5

These people are mad confused. Yelp provides a platform that matches people looking for information with people who like to feel important and give their opinions. The value is in the platform. The content is almost worthless. In fact, Yelp already compensates them by giving them some small measure of the status they crave in being designated an "elite" Yelper or getting invited to special events.

If those Yelpers think that their reviews are so insightful and valuable, they should try to sell them somewhere. In fact, that's what Yelp should do. Offer to set up a site for these people where they could post their reviews behind a paywall. I'd love to see the knock to their egos when they realize that almost no one would pay a cent for their opinions.

Post: #6

"a CALIFORNIA class action lawsuit"

That says it all. Everyday that goes by I see more stupidity in this state.

Can't wait until I can put it in my rear view mirror too.

Post: #7

I'm pretty active on Yelp and have written many reviews that have elicited "Yelp Elite" status, for whatever that's worth... Get invited to a lot of their events for Elite members with free food and booze and have gotten close to 10 bangs out of hitting up Yelp girls over the past few years. Honestly, I think it's a great service they're providing and just the thought of these people thinking they deserve to get paid to write reviews is ludicrous.

Almost positive that some ambulance chaser's trying to get some sort of settlement from this and convinced a few reviewers to go along for the ride.

Post: #8

(10-30-2013 06:36 PM)McQueensPlayboyRules Wrote:  "a CALIFORNIA class action lawsuit"

That says it all. Everyday that goes by I see more stupidity in this state.

Can't wait until I can put it in my rear view mirror too.

I think I ruined California for McQueen.

Post: #9

God that's stupid. They agreed to Yelp's terms when the signed up, they can go f*** themselves. I personally Yelp, but I do it so that I can let people know where I've had a good experience and where was shitty. Overcomplicating the matter severely. The benefits are good for something that's free, people just want to bitch and get money for doing nothing.

Post: #10

Well then, with all the troll reviews I've put on amazon I should be a millionaire by now. My Quin Woodward Pu review where I liken reading her memoir to having a glass rod forced up my penis and smashed with a hammer has become the most helpful review on her page, and is actually more critically acclaimed then her book.

Post: #11

Just look at the lawyer's firm name. That should say it all.

Post: #12

That's it.

Roosh, hand over 100 000 $ please.

Post: #13

Haha. They are too funny. We have people who do actual work during internships (legally) not being paid anything and they think they can force Yelp to pay them.

It would be interesting to have a review site where the site shares some sort of revenue with popular reviewers. Sort of how youtube pays a small number of their video posters some money per 10,000 views, or whatever it is. I suspect, though, that that business model wouldn't work. For a start, if someone is being paid for a review the general public will be less inclined to believe it.

But the aggrieved writers should be looking to start something like this themselves if they are convinced that reviewers writing have monetary value, rather than waste the courts time with a lawsuit that has no chance of succeeding.

Post: #14

The funny thing about yelp is that the reviews are useless because people are such idiots.

I just use it for address information, phone number and hours of operation.

Again it is a simple case of technology where the yellow pages was just as useful.

Post: #15

I wonder if that guy on the forum that signs up for every class-action lawsuit he can is down on this one as well.

Post: #16

(10-31-2013 09:48 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  The funny thing about yelp is that the reviews are useless because people are such idiots.

I just use it for address information, phone number and hours of operation.

Again it is a simple case of technology where the yellow pages was just as useful.

Agree. Yelp is a great search and mapping tool. The number of stars is somewhat helpful, but the reviews tend to be of the vapid yuppie variety.

Case in point there is a great Chinese plae near me that does real good authentic Szcechuan dishes. I've seen some idiot give it a low rating because they don't have brown rice. Right in line with modern solipsistic mindset. "I'm going to brin my own gift demands into a situation instead of focusing on what this place does better than any other place in the whole city.

Post: #17

(10-31-2013 02:50 PM)j r Wrote:  

(10-31-2013 09:48 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  The funny thing about yelp is that the reviews are useless because people are such idiots.

I just use it for address information, phone number and hours of operation.

Again it is a simple case of technology where the yellow pages was just as useful.

Agree. Yelp is a great search and mapping tool. The number of stars is somewhat helpful, but the reviews tend to be of the vapid yuppie variety.

Case in point there is a great Chinese plae near me that does real good authentic Szcechuan dishes. I've seen some idiot give it a low rating because they don't have brown rice. Right in line with modern solipsistic mindset. "I'm going to brin my own gift demands into a situation instead of focusing on what this place does better than any other place in the whole city.

Yeah, you got Indian dudes 1 starring mindblowing sushi places "because they tried the Uni and it was gross".

Then you have Pakistani guys 1 starring mindboggling Taco Shops "because they don't have rice in the burritos".

Or you have some dork 1 starring a dope nightclub packed to the brim with fly girls because "people are pretentious there".

The whole site is retarded.

I will never read another review on that site.

Plus people try this weird Internet, hipster humor (for lack of a better term) that I just don't get.

Post: #18

Who puts rice is a burrito? I've only seen that in the one time I'll ever go to Chipotle.

Putting rice in a burrito means you're being ripped off because they don't want to give the white guy the full amount of meat he payed for.

I usually only use yelp to figure out where I can get a beer within walking distance.

Post: #19

Yeah the reviews are trash and I suspect the majority are written by hipsters and yuppies. I always see them warn people at the end of the review about the safety of the location haha. But they always sort of brag about stepping outside their comfort zone and going to the bad area. I gyess its cool to go to the ghetto and get a burger or something.

Post: #20

The other thing about yelp that has always struck me as strange is how people use it in other areas, and other areas not so much.

I think I mentioned that in Montreal, no one uses it.

In CA like SF, San Diego and LA people go bonkers for it.

In Miami, it isn't used much at all.

A new restaurant in LA with have 500 reviews very quickly.

A restaurant in Miami that is packed every night and has been around for 5 years will have like 30 reviews.

Post: #21

Who takes a job before knowing what the fuck they are going to be paid?

Post: #22

I worked in restaurants for a while here in NYC. Most elite yelpers are entitled little bitches

Post: #23

(10-30-2013 10:47 PM)iop890 Wrote:  Well then, with all the troll reviews I've put on amazon I should be a millionaire by now. My Quin Woodward Pu review where I liken reading her memoir to having a glass rod forced up my penis and smashed with a hammer has become the most helpful review on her page, and is actually more critically acclaimed then her book.

Bastard! We're neck and neck! I'm the second most helpful review with:

Quote:Godawful writing. I'd suggest the author pick up a masterpiece called "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss. You'd be better off staring at a wall for 3 days straight than read a single page from this hogwash. Don't waste your time.