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Answers (15)
- Russ Hatfield, "RussHatfield"
- Contributions:336
Hi Sandra,
We have taken the review down because it contained material we considered "off-topic"(i.e. material related to a home inspection company and a landscaper). The reviewer does have the option to edit and re-submit the review, at which time it will be re-moderated per our standard moderation procedures and policies, and could get published again.
Per our current policy the factors you describe are not grounds alone for rejecting a review and did not factor into our decision here. Should the review be re-published, we'd invite you to post an Agent Response(rebuttal), if you see fit.
Regardless of any particular outcome/decision, I apologize that you were apparently left in the dark communication-wise. We're working with our product team to ensure a better notification mechanism for flagged reviews throughout the entire lifecycle of the re-moderation process.
Thanks for using Zillow!
Russ
Zillow Customer Support
We have taken the review down because it contained material we considered "off-topic"(i.e. material related to a home inspection company and a landscaper). The reviewer does have the option to edit and re-submit the review, at which time it will be re-moderated per our standard moderation procedures and policies, and could get published again.
Per our current policy the factors you describe are not grounds alone for rejecting a review and did not factor into our decision here. Should the review be re-published, we'd invite you to post an Agent Response(rebuttal), if you see fit.
Regardless of any particular outcome/decision, I apologize that you were apparently left in the dark communication-wise. We're working with our product team to ensure a better notification mechanism for flagged reviews throughout the entire lifecycle of the re-moderation process.
Thanks for using Zillow!
Russ
Zillow Customer Support
- Spencer Rascoff, "spencer"
- Contributions:2093
Hi Sandra,
I'll have someone look into this right away.
I'll have someone look into this right away.
- Sandra Mathewson, "Nevada RE"
- Contributions:335
I have 10 reviews on Zillow, 9 are from my "real" buyers and sellers, all are 5 stars. I have a review that was left a few months ago by someone that I do not know and have never done business with. This person says they bought a house from me 3.5 years ago and then list an unbelievable string oof events. First of all, the addres is bogus, it does not exist. The events listed never happened and if they did, I can assure you, that me and my broker would have known about it. I have flagged the review 5 times, written Zillow about it and have never received a reply. This is slander on the part of Zillow because I can prove the address does not exist. Therefore, Zillow is posting false content to damage me. Because of this, I will never subscribe to any of Zillow's premium memberships. It is a cheap shot by Zillow and is total slander.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
I think you are giving far too much weight towards agent reviews -either good or bad. When I look at reviews on other sites (trip advisor, yelp) I thoroughly read a number of reviews for a specific business and tend to give legitimacy to reviews that present a balanced perspective of their experience. This tends to eliminate the malcontent 1 star reviews and the 'everything was great!!!' 5 star reviews.
As the agents that have been reviewed on Zillow either have multiple 5 star reviews or a single 1 star review, it's near impossible to determine an agents skill based solely on Zillow reviews.
And I HAVE seen some blistering reviews on Zillow. So yes, they don't automatically remove harshly negative reviews in deference to the agent but do allow the agent to explain their version of the story.
While it may be true that the sellers commission pays for the buyers agent, the seller is not contractually bound to the buyers agent and therefore does not represent the sellers.
As the agents that have been reviewed on Zillow either have multiple 5 star reviews or a single 1 star review, it's near impossible to determine an agents skill based solely on Zillow reviews.
And I HAVE seen some blistering reviews on Zillow. So yes, they don't automatically remove harshly negative reviews in deference to the agent but do allow the agent to explain their version of the story.
While it may be true that the sellers commission pays for the buyers agent, the seller is not contractually bound to the buyers agent and therefore does not represent the sellers.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I have to disagree on one point ghost. I have seen bad reviews on Zillow that the agent demanded get removed. Zillow refused. I have seen other agents get positive reviews and Zillow has bounced them for unknown reasons (generally they seem to be not detailed enough from what I have read from the reviewer later).
If you want accountability, take some time to press the state licensing organizations to enforce their own regulations and press the local Boards to discipline their bad or dishonest members. That is where the buck actually stops, not on a private website that has no ability to enforce professionals duty. Bad agents are bad for consumers and good agents alike. Reviews are helpful, but getting bad apples tossed out of the basket would be even better.
If you want accountability, take some time to press the state licensing organizations to enforce their own regulations and press the local Boards to discipline their bad or dishonest members. That is where the buck actually stops, not on a private website that has no ability to enforce professionals duty. Bad agents are bad for consumers and good agents alike. Reviews are helpful, but getting bad apples tossed out of the basket would be even better.
- ghost1111
- Contributions:2
I disagree. When you pay someone a 3% commission that constitutes a business relationship. If they behave badly during the purchase process that should be reported. If the DRE wants to know about it - so should Zillow.
The first agent we used, we posted a negative review of and it was more than professional and kind considering his actions. The review stated the facts and no opinion. And, they were issues the DRE fined him for.
It seems to me that the other folks in this string of posts are right on target. Zillow refrains on posting negative information as they are far more of an advocate for real estate agents than the consumer.
It's rare that your information pertaining to home value is anywhere near accurate. You had my home inflated by 200K. Agents will never be inspired to remain ethical and do a good job if they know organizations like yours don't report the truth. My current agent has made it clear that no serious agent really uses Zillow as a true means to gauge home prices as you don't produce accurate numbers and seem to pick and chose the reviews you want to post based on YOUR business relationship with the individual being reviewed.
The first agent we used, we posted a negative review of and it was more than professional and kind considering his actions. The review stated the facts and no opinion. And, they were issues the DRE fined him for.
It seems to me that the other folks in this string of posts are right on target. Zillow refrains on posting negative information as they are far more of an advocate for real estate agents than the consumer.
It's rare that your information pertaining to home value is anywhere near accurate. You had my home inflated by 200K. Agents will never be inspired to remain ethical and do a good job if they know organizations like yours don't report the truth. My current agent has made it clear that no serious agent really uses Zillow as a true means to gauge home prices as you don't produce accurate numbers and seem to pick and chose the reviews you want to post based on YOUR business relationship with the individual being reviewed.
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1493
Ghost1111,
The seller's relationship is not with the buyer's agent. The seller's relationship is with listing agent. You should only review someone you had a direct business relationship with.
The seller's relationship is not with the buyer's agent. The seller's relationship is with listing agent. You should only review someone you had a direct business relationship with.
- ghost1111
- Contributions:2
Why won't Zillow post a review about the buyers agent? Kristen, it's the SELLER who pays the commission for both therefore they should be able to post.
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1493
@ wehelpubuy
I'm not sure what this is referring to:
"I've noticed that if I post an answer to a question and it's critical of Realtors then Zillow won't post my answer"
You can post anything you want, posts on threads are not put through moderation. They post immediately.
I'm not sure what this is referring to:
"I've noticed that if I post an answer to a question and it's critical of Realtors then Zillow won't post my answer"
You can post anything you want, posts on threads are not put through moderation. They post immediately.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
Kristen - thanks for clarifying this question!
Your response, and zillow's position make sense.
Your response, and zillow's position make sense.
- Kristin Acker, "Kristin Acker"
- Contributions:479
Hi bababooey,
The review you submitted was written about a listing agent who represented the seller when you were the buyer. We don't publish those reviews because that relationship has inherent conflicts of interest. We would love to hear from the seller about this agent whom they hired, but we don't publish reviews from clients on the "other side". We'd love to hear from you about your experience with the agent you hired as well.
Hope that explains it.
Kristin
The review you submitted was written about a listing agent who represented the seller when you were the buyer. We don't publish those reviews because that relationship has inherent conflicts of interest. We would love to hear from the seller about this agent whom they hired, but we don't publish reviews from clients on the "other side". We'd love to hear from you about your experience with the agent you hired as well.
Hope that explains it.
Kristin
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26833
I've seen negative reviews posted on Zillow about agents and lenders. What sort of business did this agent help you with?
Negative reviews do need to be free of slander and vague comments that are hard to substantiate.
Negative reviews do need to be free of slander and vague comments that are hard to substantiate.
- ConnieK_Oklahoma
- Contributions:2899
did you review and follow the guidelines? no foul language etc and you need ot have a verifiable address for the transaction. I've seen a few bad reviews get posted on various agents so that's now why it wasn't posted. Also...did you specifically get a denial or is it that you just don't see it. Reviews take a few days to show up.
you might look at the FAQs and make sure you followed them and try again. Keep it clean and direct about the transaction and state why you rated them the way you did...it should get posted.
you might look at the FAQs and make sure you followed them and try again. Keep it clean and direct about the transaction and state why you rated them the way you did...it should get posted.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3894
"I've noticed that if I post an answer to a question and it's critical of Realtors then Zillow won't post my answer."
Really? But posts critical of Zillow they allow...Go figure
Really? But posts critical of Zillow they allow...Go figure
- wehelpubuy
- Contributions:65
I've noticed that if I post an answer to a question and it's critical of Realtors then Zillow won't post my answer. You're right it is sad.
I posted a review of a realtor that followed zillow's guidelines, but was denied. Why?Money is why.
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