Stayz.com.au reviews online property rating system

[dabozza]

Stayz - YOU MUST OFFER RENTEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE UN-VETTED COMMENTS BY THE OWNER.

My complaint is with Sea Haven in Smiths Beach, Phillip Island. The property manager is an obsessive compulsive that stole $500 of my bond fantasy things in her unfinished house! And I can't even warn people about this person on Stayz!

I STRONGLY recommend if you are going to use Stayz, or have any rental holiday property, make sure you get condition reports and a third party involved (i.e. a real estate agent). The consumer affairs legislation is not designed to protect people with holiday rentals in mind (see Consumer Affairs Victoria).

[Muunnie]

Hi Stayz, I was recently seraching for family accomm at Coffs Harbour and found Liapari Beach House.

Just wanted to let you know that the guest book said 100% recommendation from 2 guests yet there were many more than 2 guests that were quoted on site?

Also any chance of aggregating other feedback on the property from non-Stayz but public sites ie so that we dont have to go hunting everywhere.

[mcoop]

If this scheme doesn't work, or becomes hard to manage - here's an alternative suggestion you may try...

Run two SEPARATE threads for each site.

Separate POSITIVE comments
and NEGATIVE comments.

Both are unmoderated except for profanity or other legally objectionable content - but if there is a positive comment that the provider 'likes' they can post a 'thanks, happy to serve' comment to follow.

Similarly - while a negative comment stands - the provider always has a chance to post a reply - disputing or apologising for the unfortunate incident.

These forms of response will reveal much more about both sides of the argument than censorship and denial.

[NGE]

In response to customer feedback and online discussion at Not Good Enough, Stayz has introduced changes to its property rating system as of 16 April 2010. Please find details of this below.

In order to best represent the interests of both property owners and holidaymakers, Stayz has reviewed its online review and rating process.

Previously, all information presented online at stayz.com.au in relation to a particular property has been managed directly by the property owner. Stayz is introducing stricter measures to ensure that the opinions of owners and guests are represented online in a more accurate and balanced manner.

The ‘Guest Reviews’ system was originally introduced as a feedback channel between property owners and guests to help owners improve their properties and better cater to the needs of guests. Over time, the review section has evolved into a platform whereby greater detail on the accommodation can be provided. Like the majority of online forums, some degree of mediation is required to ensure that comments published are reasonable and appropriate and to this end, property owners have retained the right to mediate the information published in the “Recommendations” section.

To further improve the balance and accuracy of information for both property owners and holidaymakers, Stayz implemented the following measures (effective 16 April 2010):

1. Stayz will list the percentage of recommendations from all feedback a property receives. For example, 'From 14 guests, 70% recommend.'

2. The 'star' rating system, symbolised by the Stayz house, is also an indication of overall feedback. This rating system will collate both positive and negative ratings provided by guests and be administrated by Stayz. Property owners will be unable to edit this feature.

In February 2010, Stayz began gathering data from guests for these two new review features and properties which have received recommendations since that date are now showing the new Guest book ratings.

Together, these measures will help holidayseekers make more informed decisions when searching for rental accommodation while also addressing the needs of property owners. Stayz will continue to monitor the issue and investigate ways to improve service to both guests and property owners.

Please let us know how we can continue to improve.

By Stayz.com.au