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LoopKicker

Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 919
Location: Least Expect

Posted: June 26, 2008 - 07:03 PM
Post subject: Official BLACKLIST of Companies / Agencies / People / Things

I know that there has been some discussion on this topic before (example):

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t=7 6286&view=previous

With good arguments going both ways (pro/con), but with the recent and fairly constant round of scams and bs I've dealt with lately I can't help myself from wanting to protect, not only myself, but others in their plight against what seems like a never-ending avalanche of lies, scams and outright fraud.

Although there is some inherent risk with starting a list like this, I see that the positives far outweigh the negatives. To further my point, I offer this rationale.

Why would local competitors care what gets published about them on an expat website (if expats do not frequent their establishment, and especially if they're NOT scamming the expat population) ?

I believe it will be very easy to tell when a new user signs on and begins bashing a particular establishment in broken English with little to no actual (detailed) experience (proof) to show for it.

Who is going to 'spread the word' amongst the expat community of the dangers that lurk around practically every corner here ?

My thought is that if we don't stick up for and protect ourselves against those who mean us harm, then we ALL stand to become victims again and again and again, if we can't stop the cycle at least we can help direct people away from KNOWN trouble spots.

I know that people are going to use the argument: how do you tell a legit complaint from one that is being waged by an untrustworthy source ?

My advice to that is this: consider the source carefully, consider the facts carefully, make an educated decision, while not everything will be cut and dry at least we can let the statistics speak for themselves, if you still aren't satisfied with the information, by all means, check it out for yourself.

If people suspect abuse with the reporting system, a simple two or three person (with legitimate credentials) must verify / vouch / support the claim.

While not every claim will be perfect and some might be exaggerations or unique experiences, I believe that with enough data we can weed out the 'bs' and outliers from the real trends.

I think this should be open to all areas, not just restaurants or housing agents or taxi companies, but everyone and everything.

Let's give it a test drive and see how we can protect each other in the future. There's already a version of this here:

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t=4 3401&sid=b8f081d6a0ecf767d7047cb90bf1f919

But not specifically for blacklisting, which is the goal of this thread.

In addition to the complaint, the poster should at least offer:

a. as much information as possible or that is know about the offending party (that way if people want to contact said offender they can call or visit them in person)

b. as much detail as possible surrounding the event in question

c. any affiliations the poster has (or has had in the past) with the accused

d. any other information that the community deems appropriate to verify claims, provide evidence of wrongdoing and justification statements made

e. other suggestions / open forum